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Lincoln's Commando: The Biography of Commander William B. Crushing, U.S. Navy
Book by Roske, Ralph J., Cushing, W. B., Van Doren, Charles
310 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 14, 2025
Lincoln’s Commando: The Biography of Commander William B. Cushing, USN by Ralph Roske and Charles Van Doren
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While many know the story of Alonzo Cushing of Gettysburg fame, he was not the only famous Cushing of his time. His brother William Barker Cushing was equally well known during and after the civil war for his daring exploits while serving with the US Navy during the war. Will, a naval academy dropout, managed to plead his case to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to be reinstated to the Navy at the outbreak of the civil war. Cushing insisted on being in the middle of the action and was out to prove himself to his commanders and peers. As the title implies, Cushing’s raids behind enemy lines and his willingness to die for his country certainly warrant a comparison to modern day special operations. When the confederate ironclad ram “Ablemarle” prowled menacingly in the Roanoke River in North Carolina, Commander Cushing offered his daredevil services to the Navy once again. He along with a small crew of loyal seaman were able to sneak their boats down the sound and ram the “Ablemarle” with a torpedo, with the explosion destroying the confederate ironclad and throwing Cushing into the water with his men. He was able to make his way back to the naval fleet after a harrowing journey through swamps and avoiding sentry’s, living through what should have been a suicide mission. His exploits earned him the thanks of congress and the rank of Commander, the youngest man to have earned that rank at the time. He went on to serve in the navy until his death in 1874 at 32 years of age. His brother Alonzo died at Gettysburg in 1863 and received the Medal of Honor from President Obama. Two other brothers served in the civil war as well, Howard with the an Illinois Artillery Company and Milton was a paymaster in the Navy. Howard would be killed by apache Indians in 1871 serving as a 1st Lieutenant with the Cavalry. The Cushing family holds the distinction of being the only family with brothers buried at two military academies; William at Annapolis and Alonzo at West Point. An incredible story and book that should be read by all civil war buffs ! ⚓️ 🇺🇸
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.
While many know the story of Alonzo Cushing of Gettysburg fame, he was not the only famous Cushing of his time. His brother William Barker Cushing was equally well known during and after the civil war for his daring exploits while serving with the US Navy during the war. Will, a naval academy dropout, managed to plead his case to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to be reinstated to the Navy at the outbreak of the civil war. Cushing insisted on being in the middle of the action and was out to prove himself to his commanders and peers. As the title implies, Cushing’s raids behind enemy lines and his willingness to die for his country certainly warrant a comparison to modern day special operations. When the confederate ironclad ram “Ablemarle” prowled menacingly in the Roanoke River in North Carolina, Commander Cushing offered his daredevil services to the Navy once again. He along with a small crew of loyal seaman were able to sneak their boats down the sound and ram the “Ablemarle” with a torpedo, with the explosion destroying the confederate ironclad and throwing Cushing into the water with his men. He was able to make his way back to the naval fleet after a harrowing journey through swamps and avoiding sentry’s, living through what should have been a suicide mission. His exploits earned him the thanks of congress and the rank of Commander, the youngest man to have earned that rank at the time. He went on to serve in the navy until his death in 1874 at 32 years of age. His brother Alonzo died at Gettysburg in 1863 and received the Medal of Honor from President Obama. Two other brothers served in the civil war as well, Howard with the an Illinois Artillery Company and Milton was a paymaster in the Navy. Howard would be killed by apache Indians in 1871 serving as a 1st Lieutenant with the Cavalry. The Cushing family holds the distinction of being the only family with brothers buried at two military academies; William at Annapolis and Alonzo at West Point. An incredible story and book that should be read by all civil war buffs ! ⚓️ 🇺🇸
November 18, 2025
This was an interesting book about a young Civil War hero who was both bold and daring. He planned out operations that were daring and dangerous, and while not all of them were successful, they did achieve a lot even through failure. He took the fight to the enemy overcoming more timid commanders and achieved famed and higher rank because of it.
The book got better and better as it detailed the bolder operations that Cushing undertook culminating in the operation to sink the CSS Albermarle.
The book got better and better as it detailed the bolder operations that Cushing undertook culminating in the operation to sink the CSS Albermarle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews