Marines

[FSPowers]

There has not been much information on the role of the Marines in the Civil War. Their traditional role, ship security, small scale land missions, and fighting at sea, was not called for in the major land battles of the war. Still, Marines played a part in the eventual Union victory.

Union:

In 1861 the US Marine Corps consisted of the Commandant, usually a Colonel, a Major who had the dual jobs of Adjutant and Inspector, another Major who was the Paymaster, a Quartermaster, another Major, and an Assistant Quartermaster, a Captain, making up the Command Section.
Operations consisted of a Lieutenant Colonel, four Majors, 13 Captains, 20 First Lieutenants, 20 Second Lieutenants, 101 Sergeants, 137 corporals, and 1347 Privates.
This was soon raised to include one additional Colonel, one additional Lieutenant Colonel, one additional Assistant Quartermaster, seven more Captains, 10 more First Lieutenants, and 10 more Second Lieutenants. A total Enlisted strength of 220 more corporals, and 2500 privates was also authorized.

The US Marine Corps was the size of almost three standard Civil War regiments.

The US Marines had already played a role in pre-Civil War tensions; it was a detachment of Marines, led by US Army Colonel Robert E. Lee, who put down John Brown’s Revolt in 1859.

The raise in Marines was done after a detachment of 13 Officers and 336 Enlisted were among those running from the battlefield at First Bull run (Manassas, VA). Some of these additions were also for replacing officers who resigned their commissions and joined a newly created Confederate States Marine Corps.

Two noted missions that the Marines were a part of was an assault on Fort Sumter, Charleston, SC on 8 September, 1863, which failed, an engagement at Honey Hill, SC in 1864, and the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865 as part of a sailor/Marine force.

Marine uniforms were a little bit different then the Army’s. The headgear was the traditional kepi with a badge consisting of an “M” set in a red oval. The blouse was the same as the Army’s and was colored the same shade of blue. The trousers were white instead of sky blue. Enlisted rank was noted as upward pointing red chevrons while the officer rank was marked by the use of Russian Knots instead of the rank badges the Army used.

Confederate:

The CS Marine Corps was initially made up of six companies officered by former US Marine officers. The Corps was soon commanded by a Colonel, with a Lieutenant Colonel, three Majors (adjutant, paymaster, and quartermaster), a Sergeant Major, a Quartermaster Sergeant, and two Musicians in the Command Section.
Operation were conducted at the company level with 10 Captains, 10 First Lieutenants, 20 Second Lieutenants, 40 Sergeants, 40 Corporals, and 840 Privates.

The companies were assigned thus:

Company A: formed at New Orleans in 1861 and was assigned to Richmond in 1862.

Company B: formed at New Orleans in 1861 and was assigned to Richmond in 1862.

Company C: formed at New Orleans in 1861 and was assigned to Richmond in 1862.

Company D: formed at Memphis and Mobile, assigned to Mobile.

Company E: formed at Savannah, assigned to Charleston in 1864 and sent a detachment to Wilmington.

Company F: formed at New Orleans, moved to Mobile after New Orleans fell.

Parts of these companies were detached to ship duty aboard the following: CSS Atlanta, Baltic, Charleston, Chicora, Columbia, Dalman, Drewry, Fredericksburg, Gaines, Gallego, Huntress, Indian Chief, Isondiaga, Jamestown, Macon, McRae, Morgan, Nashville, North Carolina, Palmetto State, Patrick Henry, Raleigh, Resolute, Richmond, Sampson, Savannah (both the steamer and the ironclad vessels), Tennessee, Time, United States, Virginia, Virginia II, Tallahassee/Olustree, Shenandoah, Georgia, Rappahannock, Stonewall, Artic, and Georgia.

The first CS Marines fought during the attack of CSS Virginia on the Federal blockade on 8-9 March, 1862. Their last engagement was at Saylor’s Creek on 6 April, 1865.

CS Marine uniforms almost copied the US Marine model, except that the overblouse was gray and the enlisted chevrons were brown. It is not known if the kepis had any ornamentation, as records were destroyed in 1865. The same white trousers were used.

Weapons for either side would be the standard rifled muskets and sidearms, but specially treated to prevent corrosion while at sea.

[5fish]

At the battle of Sailor Creek there were navel units mixed with the confederate army. Where they CS marine units?

[FSPowers]

It is possible that some of the remanants of the CS Marine Corps were with the ANV at the end.

I believe that the last active CS Marine unit was the detachment on board CSS Shenandoah. They would have joined Waddell in surrendering to British authirities at Liverpool.

[Borderruffian]

Originally Posted by 5fish

At the battle of Sailor Creek there were navel units mixed with the confederate army. Where they CS marine units?

It's my understanding that the remaining CSMC units were attached to the ad-hoc CSN "Brigade".

After the sinking of Virginia members of her MARDET manned the guns at Drewery's Bluff in 62.

The USMC Kepi Badge was eithier a "wheel" with an M in the center or the infantry hunting horn with a gilt M set in red inside the horn. depending on when the Marine enlisted and the availabilty of the new horn isignias.

The issue trousers of USMC unit's varied and although White Duck was issued Marines also received Sky-blue kersey and dark blue trousers were issued.

[whitworth]

The marines of the Civil War were as marines are in most of the navies of the world, small units aboard ship and shore installations.
As I recall some U.S. Marine units did see action at first Bull Run. There is a book I read on the Confederate Marines. We're basically talking obscure actions. At Fort Fisher, N.C. the marines shared the infantry duty with the navy bluejackets.
The U.S. Marines became the "U.S. Marines" by accident. Due to the small U.S. Army at the start of WWI, the Marines had the small training cadre that could increase the infantry "soldier" in France. Once that door got opened, it was never successfully shut.

[Borderruffian]

Originally Posted by whitworth

The U.S. Marines became the "U.S. Marines" by accident. Due to the small U.S. Army at the start of WWI, the Marines had the small training cadre that could increase the infantry "soldier" in France. Once that door got opened, it was never successfully shut.

The United States Marine Corps has always been the United States Marine Corps, since it's inception. The USMC had Advanced Base Forces (ABF) to WWI. These were Regimental Size and the forerunner of today's MEU's. These ABF's were used in Vera Cruz and Haiti prior to WWI.

The reason that the Marines of the 5th and 6th Regiments were attached to Army Divisions during WWI was due to an agreement with Pershing who wished to exclude the Marines from service in France.

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

Don't really believe the attitude of the Senior Folks on either side was conductive to using Marines. they were generally thought of as ships detachements or Naval Yard Guards. If I am not mistaken they made a couple of landings before the Civil War. Will have to look up when and where. The Marines have historicaly been looked upon as children born outside of wedlock. I can say I have only done two really smart things in my life. Married my wife and stayed in the Marines for 22 years. Rest has been dumb luck.

Pinckney

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

Might add that those who fought in the Mexican War should have known the Marines Capabilities. They did quite well at Chapultepec. I've been there, glad I didn't have to assault the place.

Pinckney

[Borderruffian]

The Corps made several landings in California during the Mexican War. They were also landed during the Mexican War in the Vera Cruz landing.

During the Civil War the Corps numbered roughly 4000 enlisted and officer. Most assigned to Ships Detachments and Navy yards. The decision was made at HQMC not to consolidate into larger formations as it was feared that might lead to the Corps being folded into the Army.

[gary]

Current Marine amphibious landing doctrine wasn't adapted until the 1930s. However, there are precedents already mentioned where the Marines went ashore and fought as infantry. "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli..."

While that doctrine is still accepted, the Marine doctrine is constantly evolving due to the changes in their role. Presently they're infantry fighting on the forefront (but let's not get into political discussions).