Admiral David D. Porter

[samgrant]

We don't have an 'Essential Discussions' section for Naval affairs.

We have 'Eastern Theater', 'South and Western Theater', etc., why not a 'Naval Theater'?


Oh, well, that's for someone more interested in Naval operations to take up. I've never been much interested in that aspect myself, but have just recently acquired an interest in Admiral Porter, of the Mississippi River/Vicksburg campaigns.

He would appear to be a most effective commander, but what I like most about him is his entertaining language as he wrote about his experiences in battles.


Here are a few examples:

On the Battle of Arkansas Post:

"This was a most beautiful fight." "The Cincinnati was struck eight times on her pilot house with IX-inch shells, which glanced off like peas against glass."


On Sherman's failed movement on Vicksburg via the Yazoo (from a letter written to Admiral Foote) :

"We have had lively times up the Yazoo. Imagine the Yazoo becoming the theater of war! We waded through 16 miles of torpedoes to get at the forts (seven in number) but when we got that far the fire on the boats from the riflemen in pits dug for miles along the river and from the batteries became very annoying, and that gallant fellow Gwin thought he could check them, which he did until he was knocked over with the most fearful wound I ever saw. He could not advance, the torpedoes popping up ahead as thick as mushrooms, and we have had pretty good evidence of their power to do mischief. ... The old war horse (Benton) retained her ancient renown, and, though much cut up, is ready for anything. ... The same day the army made an assault on the forts back of Vicksburg. It was a fearful place they went through, with double their numbers opposed to them. They drove the rebels like sheep, who fired into their own fugitives and knocked them over like ninepins. That helped our party some but our reserve (a new regiment) fired into our own troops while they were going into the batteries, and the supporting brigade did not come up to the scratch. ... Vicksburg was at one time ours, but we had not men enough to repeat the experiment. ... Now it will take a large army to capture it; still it must be done, or the West will stampede. ... The old ironclads are all breaking down, but in two months I expect to get some of the new ones, which are pretty good vessels." ...

""McClernand has just arrived and will take command, Sherman, though, will have all the brains."


Seems like the kind of guy one might like to hang out with on the Mississippi!

(Note: Gwin soon died of his 'fearful wound')


Anyone have any more info on this Porter?

[r_moody]

Your on the right track Sam. The Navy secured the victory in the western theater. The gun boat tactics are especially interesting. When the water was high they backed into the battle stern first. When approched by confederate artillery and ironclads they spun the boats around and steered in circles and darted back and forth to deny the opponent good aim. Similar to the cavalry's whirl tactics. It was hard to ram a whirling boat and while your boat was whirling you could take aim as he passed into your gun sights. Quite interesting IMO. Grants use of the Navy gave him a decided advantage both logisticaly and as mobile weaponry.

Rick

[aggie80]

Here, here for the Navy! Brownwater or Salt Water, it is the part of the Civil War I find most interesting. It was the first large scale use of so many of the new naval weapons and steam in combat. Others had seen some minor use in the Crimea, but this was the turning point of an entirely new generation of naval warfare.

[Capt Coxetter]

I agree: we need to have a "Naval Operations" theatre! We need to honor those sailors, marines, privateers, blockaders and blockade runners, whose contributions are so often overlooked or forgotten.

Captain Coxetter
(Confederate privateersman)

So, what can we do to make this happen?

[Capt Coxetter]

Originally Posted by samgrant

Anyone have any more info on this Porter?

We have an Admiral Porter on this list, I'm proud to say!

Capt. Coxetter