Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 680

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published October 16, 2013 at 1:05 PM CDT

On Thursday, October 15, 1863 in the harbor of Charlestown, South Carolina the H.L. Hunley, destined to change the nature of naval warfare, sank for a second time during a practice dive. Just two months earlier in August, the ship had sunk during a training exercise, killing five members of her crew.

After raising the ship, Confederate authorities had requested that the ship’s inventor H.L. Hunley assist in the training of the crew. Unfortunately H.L. Hunley was one of eight men killed during her second sinking.

Raised again and returned to service, in February 1864, the Hunley would attack and sink the sloop USS Housatonic, part of the Union blockading fleet outside of Charlestown Harbor. The hard luck Hunley with her full crew would be lost immediately after sinking the Housatonic.