Navy and Marine Corps Discussion

[guad42]

I am curious to know if anyone has considered starting a Navy and Marine Corps Discussion area here for Federal and Confederate Naval topics.

Sam Kilborn Dolan
United States Marine Corps Historical Company (Western Region)
1st Texas Inf/45th Miss./8th Mo.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I would be most interested in something like that, as I know there are a handful of fine progressive sea-service folk like Joe Blunt, Steve Hesson, Bobby Brown, and Bob Dispenzas that frequent this site, and the other forums that are out there I've found quite lacking in any progressive thought. I know that the majority of C/P/H reenactors often frown upon certain specialty impressions such as sailors and Marines, but with the proper guidance, research, and more importantly, the right place, they are impressions that can lend alot to historical interpretation. -Ross (also of the USS Fort Henry, East Gulf Blockade Squadron)

[guad42]

I'm glad you feel that way. I've always felt that there were some opportunities for expanding knowledge here. Perhaps it begins with discussion. I went to an event in California two months ago. The campaign unit I belong to was there, but I had to fall in with the Marines for a "junk on the bunk" oral history display. I was amazed at how many "campaigners" were mezmerized and completely unfamiliar with the Marine Corps uniform.

Seems that someone out there could do some bang up work on serious Navy and Marine impressions.

-Sam K. Dolan

[Shantyman]

I fully agree with Mr. Lamoreaux. I do remember a thread I read awhile back about possibly adding a Navy/Marine Discussion. I like the idea; I think the creation of a Navy/Marine Discussion on the AC is justified. During the American Civil War the navy played just as an important role through out the war as any other branch of the service. I have also recognized the amount of scrutiny directed at navy reenactors, there a people out there with accurate naval impressions, The creation of a Discussion thread could help the more "Progressive" navy reenactors develop and progress their impression. Accurate impressions of the sailors and marines of the United States and Confederate Navy are just as important as infantrymen, artillery and cavalry when it comes to portraying our heritage. No piece of our history deserves being left out.

With Respect,
Steven Flibotte

[markj]

Discuss amongst yourselves:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marines-Armory-Baltimore-by-W-M-Chase-1880-Stereoscope_W0QQitemZ190158338342QQihZ009QQcategor yZ410QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[guad42]

Amazing photo. There is certainly not a surplus of available images on CW Marines. The Nat'l Archives has a few, including the image of a Marine guarding Lewis Payne.

To follow up with some earlier posts. Perhaps your right, maybe an ongoing discussion would benefit those more serious Marines and bluejackets out there and would even further the research and interest on proper authentic uniforms and equipment. I have one of Joe Blunt's M1839/52 Uniforms - nice work!

Sam Kilborn Dolan

[C.R. Henderson]

Speaking of Naval discussion, I just found this on Yahoo news. It is of a 139 year old ship wreck off the coast of Alaska - yes Alaska - that was carrying troops and supplies to set up the first outpost in Alaska. Very interesting. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071009/ap_on_sc/shipwreck_found

Enjoy

[Coatsy]

I'll add support for more disscusion on the marines and sailors in the ACW. I've just finished the chapeter in "Joe Brown's Pets" on the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina in November of '64. The Federals had a detachment of sailors and marines on land with the USCT and white troops that ran into regular Georgia units, Georgia militia, the Georgia State Line, and some SC cavalry.

It is a very interesting fight.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Yes,

A detailed discussion on Sailors & Marines would be very interesting.

If your'e in Richmond-Petersburg area, a great place to check out is Drewry's Bluff. The Bluff was the site of a fortification manned by CS Marines and the site of the Confederate Naval Academy (along with the CSS Patrick Henry). Much of the works survive to this day!

During the war several (don't remember the precise number) CS Marines were struck by lightning on the Bluff and are today buried in Hollywood Cemetary.

I know of a few images floating around of the Bluff, the Patrick Henry, and also the obstructions placed in the James River just below the bluff.

It's not far off I-95 and is worth the trip out...it would be great to see a proper LH there!

Today the site is part of the Richmond NBPS.

Paul

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Yes, Drewry's Bluff is an excellent site to visit for Naval enthusiasts of both sides, as I recall a US Marine won the Medal of Honor there. Many CS sailors from Savannah, including Robert Watson and other former Army of Tennessee soldiers turned sailor ended up there after the fall of Savannah (read "Southern Service on Land and Sea: The Journal of Robert Watson" for more on that).

[Jim of The SRR]

Here is a link to info regarding Naval operations at Pittsburg Landing:

http://www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/ShilohNavy.html

This is by Bob Dispenza & Chuck Viet

Jim Butler

[guad42]

If I'm not mistaken, the Marine in question repeatedly fired his musket from one of the portlids on the gun boat at a Confederate battery. I'm glad this topic is getting some discussion. If I am not mistaken, Rafael Semmes of CSS Alabama captured a number of US Marines en-route to the Mare Island Barracks in California, don't know too many of the details.
Sam Kilborn Dolan