The Mississippi Department of Archives & History (MDAH) will soon send the order for manufacture of the historical marker re the capture of the Federal tinclad USS Petrel by Confederate cavalry on April 22, 1864 (see URLs below).

Donations by private individuals together with those made by SCV and OCR (Order of the Confederate Rose) chapters in West Texas currently total $600. The cost of the MDAH historical marker will be ~$1,600.

We are hopeful that private individuals, CWRTs, and SCV chapters in Arkansas can help contribute to this historical marker commemorating the Petrel's capture by CSA cavalry from Arkansas and Mississippi. YOUR help is needed!!!!!

At this time, it looks like the marker will be placed and dedicated in mid/late January or February 2008 near Yazoo City, Mississippi. ALL are welcome to attend and participate!!!!

Contributions for the Petrel historical marker can be sent to:

USS Petrel marker fund
c/o Frederica Wyatt
P.O. Box 271
Junction, TX 76849

Below are URLs with additional info re the capture of the Petrel; please feel free to use/distribute this information in any way you see fit.

http://www.geocities.com/enlistedman/petrel.html

http://www.ebicom.net/~moorer/scripts/wwwboard/messages/1365.html

please contact me if I can answer any questions, etc.?

Thanks for your help!!!!

sincerely,

Kenneth Byrd