The Gulf and Inland Waters / The Navy in the Civil War. Volume 3.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21562

Title

The Gulf and Inland Waters / The Navy in the Civil War. Volume 3.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Commander A.T. Mahan's authoritative account details the U.S. Navy's critical role in the Civil War, focusing on the blockade of the Gulf Coast and the strategic campaign to control the Mississippi River. Drawing on official reports and interviews with surviving witnesses, this volume chronicles naval operations from Key West to the Rio Grande, highlighting the transition to steam power, the introduction of ironclads, and the decisive Union victory that severed the Confederacy.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume III of A.T. Mahan's *The Navy in the Civil War*, titled *The Gulf and Inland Waters*, chronicles the Union Navy's critical operations in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Mississippi River. Mahan establishes the dual strategic imperatives of the war: enforcing a strict blockade to starve the Confederacy and controlling the Mississippi River to sever the rebellious states. The narrative details the organization of the Home Squadron into separate commands, highlighting the challenges of maintaining an effective blockade against Confederate commerce raiders and the necessity of placing vessels within harbors to maximize efficiency. The volume provides a technical and tactical evolution of naval warfare, contrasting wooden vessels with emerging ironclads and armored gunboats. Mahan recounts early engagements, including the collision involving the ram *Enoch Train* and the difficult battles at Forts Henry and Donelson, where Union fleets faced intense fire from elevated Confederate batteries. Despite heavy casualties and damage to steering apparatus, the fleet demonstrated remarkable tenacity. A significant portion of the text focuses on the campaign to capture Vicksburg and the subsequent opening of the Mississippi. Mahan describes the daring night run of the gunboat *Carondelet* through a thunderstorm to bypass Confederate batteries, an exploit that showcased the bravery of its crew. The narrative also covers the assembly of the Mississippi Squadron under David Farragut for the assault on New Orleans, listing specific vessels, armaments, and commanders. Mahan emphasizes the limitations of broadside firing on steamers and the effectiveness of ironclads against wooden forts. By incorporating questions to surviving officers, Mahan fills gaps in official reports, offering a detailed look at the steps leading to major victories such as the capture of New Madrid and the eventual surrender of Island No. 10. The work serves as both a historical record and a technical study, capturing the romance and strategic importance of the Navy's contribution to the Union's ultimate success in suppressing the Rebellion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Military