Topic starter
10/10/2011 9:55 pm
I am reading about the early part of the Civil War from its start to the capture of New Orleans. I am wondering about two things: Did either the US or CSA military conscript boats for their own use? And I read that boats were burned at the capture of New Orleans in April 1862 to keep them from falling into the hands of the Union forces. Do you know anything about either of these matters?
Thanks yet again,
Nan Hawthorne
11/10/2011 4:50 pm
Hi Nan, I dont know if what i'm about to tell you is the info your looking for or not but i'll give it a try and maybe it will help. Many boats were taken over and turned into what was known as tinclads and ironclads. Most of these are ordinary steamboats that were covered with heavy lumber and iron plating and used as a sort of a river battleship. Each boat was given a number instead of a name and in Washington D.C. there is a Naval Records and Library that has documentation that list the number with the boats original name. Used to be a retired naval officer named Dudley Knox that was in charge of the library but I don't know if he still is. If my info fails, you are still in the right place. There are so many people on here that can point you in the right path. Very rarely do questions go unanswered here. good luck.
Topic starter
11/10/2011 6:17 pm
Yes!
Mike, if nothing else, this confirms what I was beginning to learn, but it also is quite helpful.
I will be including the period in New orleans between Sumter and the fall of New Orleans with my protagonist trying to stay out of the war.. he's ahedonist, after all, and it will be when his beloved city is captured that he will join the CSA army. I am at this point thinking of having him allow his boat to be burned to keep it out of Union hands.
I found some wonderful short books on Kindle - eyewitness accounts of New Orleans during that year and during the capture.. just fascinating.
Funny mix of research.. on one hand I'm looking into the historical battles, etc.m, and on the other trying to find typical brothel names for the time and place...!
I know what you say is true.. this is a wonderfully helpful group... can't say how grateful I am.