The grounded gunboat that cost them the bridge-five hours late

A Union gunboat runs aground on the Blackwater River with a Confederate floating bridge between them. Did they make it in time? The grounded gunboat that cost them the bridge-five hours late In this episode, we lay out the Union Army-Navy plan to strike a Confederate supply line on the Blackwater River and show how timing and communication shaped the action. You’ll hear who was where, what went wrong with the coordination, and why a five-hour gap mattered. Date: October 3, 1862 Location: Blackwater River, near South Quay and Franklin, Virginia Person: Commander Charles W. Flusser Person: Brigadier General Samuel G. Spear Event: Coordinated Union Army-Navy attack on Confederate supply lines - Three Union gunboats advanced up the Blackwater to engage a Confederate barricade and hold until Spear’s infantry arrived. - Flusser’s orders were to press inland, pin Confederate defenders, and expose Ferebee’s six-day floating bridge built to carry artillery. - The river narrowed at a bend where the channel had shifted; the lead vessel, Commodore Perry, grounded and stalled the naval advance. - Union sailors worked to free the grounded ship within earshot of Confederate riflemen dug into the tree line, costing crucial hours. - Spear’s column was marching and heard cannon fire, but the army and navy lacked a reliable way to share real-time status, making five hours decisive. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].