Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, Aug. 6.

  Click 👉Today in History (general history) Aug. 6. 

On This Day in Confederate History, Aug. 6.

In 1863: The CSS Alabama captured the Federal Bark Sea Bride off the coast of the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. After the capture, the prize was sold to the Confederacy. Alabama patrolled that area in August and September. It also captured Martha Wenzell on August 9 but released it. The Federal Navy's USS Vanderbilt was hunting for Alabama but had never found the Confederate cruiser. Alabama was able to rendezvous in that area several times with the CSS Tuscaloosa.

Admiral Raphael Semmes, foreground, and

1st Lt. John Kell during Alabama's South Africa

patrol in Aug. 1863.

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Col. John Singleton Mosby

The "Gray Ghost"

Also on this day in 1863, Col. John Singleton Mosby's 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion captured a Federal wagon train at Fairfax Court House, Virginia. Mosby, the "Gray Ghost," had formed his battalion under the Partisan Rangers Act in January 1863 and had great success with his unconventional tactics.

Confederate General Birthdays, Aug. 6.

None.