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Category Archives: Navies
Recruiting the Crew: Iron Men for Iron Ships
Both Civil War navies faced severe recruiting shortages in that first war year and indeed throughout the conflict. The U. S. Navy expanded tenfold, competing for enlistees not only against the army but also alongside the burgeoning, more lucrative, and … Continue reading
On a Hot Stove in the Old Ironclad
Illustrating Civil War history can be challenging. Maps, photos, drawings, paintings, prints–period and modern–are tools of the trade. But addressing the complex and esoteric technology of naval vessels calls for another method: the digital graphic drawing. Historical illustrator Jim Caiella … Continue reading
ECW Podcast: “Unlike Anything That Ever Floated”
Check out the newest episode in the ECW Podcast! Dwight Hughes shares about the Battle of Hampton Roads, the development and technology of the ironclads, and his new book in the ECW Series. Listen for free through this Patreon Link: … Continue reading
A Poet’s Perspective: Melville on Running the Batteries at Vicksburg
It was the spring of 1863, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was concocting a plan to seize the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. As President Abraham Lincoln had made clear, Vicksburg was key to achieving victory over the Confederates and ending … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Navies
Tagged herman melville, run the batteries, Siege of Vicksburg
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Confederates on the Titanic
A large number of Civil War veterans no doubt read about the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic, one of history’s deadliest maritime disasters. Some of those veterans may have noted a few familiar names. At least one Confederate and the … Continue reading
Posted in Memory, Navies
Tagged archibald gracie, Confederate Veteran, Ida Straus, Isidor Straus, Titanic
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The ECW Series Gets Naval: Prepare for the clash of the ironclads!
The clash of the Monitor vs. the Merrimack—the alliterative “M’s” made for a catchy hook for many of us as kids!—is one of the best-known stories of the Civil War: two iron sea beasts trading explosive blows, battling to a … Continue reading
First Battle of Ironclads: Myths, Facts, What Ifs
Today is the 159th anniversary of the battle and my new Emerging Civil War Series book, Unlike Anything That Ever Floated: The Monitor and Virginia and the Battle Hampton Roads, March 8-9, 1862 is just hitting the shelves. Time for … Continue reading
George Washington Rains & The Union Gunboats at Fort Donelson
Ted Savas shares some of his research and historic documentation! Another piece of the puzzle fell into place for me as I continue working daily on my book tentatively titled: The Other Side of the Civil War: George Washington Rains, … Continue reading
Posted in Battles, Navies, Weapons
Tagged Battle of Fort Donelson, George Washington Rains, ironclads, Ted Savas
6 Comments
Maine at War: January 2021
Here’s what our friend Brian Swartz was up to in January at his blog, Maine at War: January 6, 2021: Maine naval officer fights on the Mississippi Acting Volunteer Master John F. Harden of Rockland chases Raphael Semmes in the … Continue reading
Town Between the Rivers: Cairo, Illinois
A blue-coated rider appeared atop the riverbank above the steamer Belle Memphis. Rebels massed in the cornfield behind him fired volleys that whistled by the horseman, whanged through the tall smokestacks, and thudded into the vessel’s superstructure. Hundreds of Iowa … Continue reading
