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Author Archives: Neil P. Chatelain
Unpublished: A Trio of Favorite Unpublished Primary Sources from the Civil War and Beyond
When I saw Emerging Civil War would feature favorite unpublished primary sources of its members, three immediately came to mind. All hold special significance for me through different avenues, but only one is from the Civil War. Nevertheless, I thought … Continue reading
A Newly Uncovered Letter in the Most Ungentlemanly Porter-Miller Exchange
Anyone who has read their fair share of Civil War correspondence knows it is often very cordial, even when notes are exchanged between officers on opposing sides. However, occasionally it devolves into arguments akin to modern-day social media rants, especially … Continue reading
Blockade, Privateering, and the 1856 Declaration of Paris
In April 1861, the commanders in chief of both the United States and Confederacy issued far ranging proclamations. Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of Confederate ports while Jefferson Davis issued a call for privateers to make war on US seaborne … Continue reading
George N. Hollins’ Fall From Grace
Circumstances change amidst battle and combat leaders often have great discretion in carrying out orders. The maxim of marching to the sound of the guns comes to mind, especially during the US Civil War. Commanders were often praised for following … Continue reading
On the March to Sailor’s Creek with Tucker’s Naval Battalion
One thousand Confederate sailors and Marines defended Richmond by April 1865. Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes commanded the James River Squadron’s ironclads, wooden steamers, and torpedo boats. The Confederate Naval Academy, officers in training, operated CSS Patrick Henry. Captain John R. … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Leadership--Confederate, Navies
Tagged Adolphus Schwartzman, Battle of Sailor's Creek, Confederate Navy, Confederate States Marine Corps, CSS Patrick Henry, Drewry's Bluff, Eugenius Jack, Fall of Richmond, George Terrett, Howard McHenry, James River Squadron, John R. Tucker, Joseph Viernelson, on-the-march, Raphael Semmes, Richard S. Ewell, Robert E. Lee, Robert Watson, William Mahone
1 Comment
The First Draft of Naval History: USS Minnesota’s Deck Log and the Battle of Hampton Roads
In naval circles, the deck log is sacred. It is a ship’s official record, documenting location, weather, personnel and supply transfers, and changes in course and speed. Anything significant, important, or novel is recorded in a ship’s log and signed … Continue reading
The Invasion of Ukraine and the U.S. Civil War: Comparative Watersheds in Portraying War
Like many others, I have been captivated by the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people’s desire and resolve to maintain their independence has been a source of inspiration for many and has stirred global actors, ranging from … Continue reading
Posted in Photography, Ties to the War
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Gardner, Crimean War, Matthew Brady, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
11 Comments
Attrition Rates of City-Class Ironclads
Perhaps nothing is more identifiable with the Mississippi River valley’s naval campaigns as the city-class ironclads. With February 2022 marking the 160th anniversary of the Fort Henry/Fort Donelson campaign, where these ironclads were first extensively used, it is worth collectively … Continue reading
Posted in 160th Anniversary, Navies, Western Theater
Tagged Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Fort Henry, Battle of Memphis, Battle of Plum Point Bend, Battle of Saint Charles, Cairo Illinois, Charles Davis, City-Class Ironclads, Commander Henry Walke, Commander Isaac N. Brown, CSS Arkansas, Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote, General Bragg, General Sumter, General Van Dorn, James B. Eads, Lloyd Tilghman, Mississippi River Squadron, Mound City, Pook Turtles, Saint Louis, Samuel Pook, Seth L. Phelps, USS Cairo, USS Carondelet, USS Cincinnati, USS General Price, USS Louisville, USS Mound City, USS Pittsburgh, USS St. Louis, Vicksburg Campaign, Western Gunboat Flotilla, White River, Yazoo River
4 Comments
Memorials and Memory on a French Quarter Dog Walk
My wife and I, along with our spunky mutt Mouton (named after General Jean-Jacques-Alfred- Alexandre Mouton), spent the week before Christmas 2021 in New Orleans. My younger sister got married that week and we were sure to not miss out. … Continue reading
Posted in Battlefields & Historic Places, Monuments
Tagged Andrew Jackson, Battle of Liberty Place, Beauregard Monument, Benjamin Butler, David Farragut, Fall of New Orleans, Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter, Homer Plessy, Jean-Jacques-Alfred-Alexandre Mouton, Jefferson Davis statue, New Orleans, Plessy v. Ferguson, Robert E. Lee statue, Slave trade, Solomon Northup, Washington Artillery, William Mumford
6 Comments