Gosport

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Jungle Jim -
An interesting note about Gosport.  In  1861,
while the Union still occupied the Navy  Yard,
it was suspected that the Confederates  were
going to receive reinforcements from  Georgia.
William Mahone arranged to operate a  passenger
train into Norfolk with a handful  of boisterous 
riders.  Union troops weren't able to view  the
movement, but were able to hear the  commotion.
The engine's headlamp was covered,  the  riders
turned silent and the train backed to the  Dismal
Swamp.   There, the movement reversed  and
a  second train  of  what the Union  believed to
be Confederate troops made Norfolk amid  much
fanfare.  With one N&W train and a  handful of
men, Mahone had faked the Union into  believing
Confederate troops were arriving.  The  Union
burned the ship yard and vacated  Gosport
without  the death of even one  rebel.
                                                  Harry Bundy



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