Click 👉Today in History (general history)--Feb. 29.
ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY
1864: Feb. 29, 1864, was the only leap year day in the War for Southern Independence. Brigadier General Louis Hébert was the target of a Federal Navy kidnap attempt by Navy Lt. William B. Cushing, commander of the blockade ship U.S.S. Monticello. Hébert, at the time, was in command of the defenses around Wilmington, N.C. and with headquarters at Fort Caswell, located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and was residing in Smithville, North Carolina. Hébert, pronounced A-bear, was born on March 13, 18120, at Plaisance Plantation, about five miles south of Plaquemine in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. He graduated in 1845 ranking third in his class. Hébert resigned in 1846 to return home to assist his ailing father run the family plantation. He started the war as colonel of the 3rd Louisiana Infantry Regiment. He led the regiment at the Battle of Oak Hills, Mo. with great distinction. For his next battle, the Battle of Elk Horn Tavern, Ark. where he was captured, but was soon exchanged. He was promoted to brigadier general on May 26, 1862, but came down with typhoid fever. When he recovered, Hébert led his brigade with great distinction at the Battle of Iuka, Miss. on Sept. 19, 1862. He became sick again during the Battle of Corinth, Miss. Oct. 3-4, 1862. After recovering, he was given command of the Third Louisiana Redan at Vicksburg, Miss. and fought throughout the Siege of Vicksburg, again with great distinction. After exchange, Hébert was assigned to command the forts, batteries, troops and defenses at the two mouths of the Cape Fear River, N.C. on the Atlantic Coast, including Fort Fisher, but he was headquartered at Fort Caswell. This area protected Wilmington, N.C. which was the last great port on the Atlantic Coast held by the Confederates and was important for supplying the Army of Northern, Va.
Lieutenant Cushing knew of Hébert's importance which is why he targeted him. Cushing had the reputation for such daring operations as the Smithville Raid. He was just 21-year's old at the time and was the youngest man of his rank in Naval History at the time. His raiding expedition consisted of 20 sailors in two row boats that were able to sneak past both Fort Caswell and Fort Johnston during the night of February 29th. Luckily for Hébert, he was absent from his headquarters in Smithville and away on business in Wilmington. They did capture Hébert's aid, Captain Patrick Kelly. While he failed to capture Hébert, Cushing would go on to have other daring adventures. General Hébert survived the war, returned to Louisiana, taught school and died in 1901.
Confederate General Birthdays, Feb. 29.
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