The Civil War on the Mississippi: Union Sailors, Gunboat Captains, and the Campaign to Control the River

by Barbara Brooks Tomblin

The naval historian presents a “well-written, fast-paced” study of Civil War riverine combat based on the personal accounts of officers and sailors (Civil War News). As one of the most important transportation systems in the country, the Mississippi River became a strategically vital asset to both sides of the Civil War. The Confederacy relied on the river for cotton exportation as well as food and military supplies. The Union sought control of the river not only to disrupt Southern transport, but also to bisect the South as part of the Anaconda Plan. Drawing heavily on the diaries and letters of officers and common sailors, Barbara Brooks Tomblin explores the Union navy’s fight to win control of the Mississippi. Her approach provides fresh insight into major battles such as Memphis and Vicksburg as well as the fascinating perspectives of ordinary sailors who engaged in brown-water warfare. These men speak of going ashore in foraging parties, assisting the surgeon in the amputation of a fellow crewman's arm, and liberating supplies of whiskey from captured enemy vessels. They also offer candid assessments of their commanding officers, observations of the local people living along the river, and their views on the war. The Civil War on the Mississippi  provides a comprehensive account of the action on the western rivers as well as a synthesis of vivid first-person accounts from the front lines.

Genres: History, Civil War

523 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2016

Reviews

[George F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

simply the best

I don’ t think it would be too much of an exaggeration if I claim to have read almost every available book on the operations of the Union’s brown water navy in the Civil War. This one is, quite simply, one of the best. Ms. Tomblin, ( I apologize in advance if she should be addressed as doctor, she certainly writes a great deal better than most of those I have known,) in addition to being a consummate researcher, is an extremely enjoyable author. Although I could probably recite the facts of each naval action from memory, she was able, through the outstanding use of primary source material in the form of journals and memoirs, to show me a view I haven’t seen before.
If you have any interest in this aspect of the Civil War you must read this book. You will not be sorry!

[Randall L. Strunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naval civil war battles in the west

As with most accounts of Civil War battles this is often confusing about which side are we talking about now. But it does a pretty good job of avoiding that as much as possible. This is a unique account of the war in the west from the perspective of the navy in the Mississippi River.

[Piotr Borowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows how important the Mississippi River was during the American Civil War.
The book clearly explains how gunboats changed, from early wooden boats to strong iron ones that took over the rivers. The story starts in Cairo, Illinois, a key spot for the Union, and ends with the big surrender at Vicksburg. This event was a major turning point, giving the Union control of the river.

[Shrike58 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have not, in the past, read any of the author's other work, in this case she has turned out a very competent narrative history of naval combat on the Mississippi that can be recommended with no reservations.