CSMC and Naval Infantry

[Manassas 1861]

1. How often were sailors used as intrantry (like the Union attack on Ft. Fisher on January 14th)

2. Why don't people research the CSMC (besides the lack of records). It's a topic that I find very interesting.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

1. How often were sailors used as intrantry (like the Union attack on Ft. Fisher on January 14th)

Here's a post of mine at another site made about six years ago. I apologize for the quality of the photos. Don't know if it's even active now. CivilWarTalk can't be beaten.

https://www.americancivilwarforum.com/commodore-tucker-and-his-seafaring-rebels-at-saylers-creek-virginia-4/6/1865-13390.html#comment-6584

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Why don't people research the CSMC (besides the lack of records). It's a topic that I find very interesting.

Many are indeed researching.

I find the CSMC a fascinating subject as well.

The quick answer (from what I recall) is the majority of official records were lost in a fire.

Seems one man saved many records ... days before the fall of Richmond.
A few years later, his house caught fire and much what he had saved was lost along with
his home.

As a member of the Company of Military Historians, over the years I've noticed many new records have been published
in the organization's journal. Although these preserved documents focus on individuals, they are helping to provided a better "picture" of the CSMC.

 

[Borderruffian]

There is a book," Rebel Leathernecks" by Ralph Donnelly that is about the CSMC. I used to have a copy but it unfortunately is now MIA. It's a little dry but had some good information mainly about the command structure and the types of duties performed by the CSMC, mainly Ship Board detachments and yard guards IIRC. They did engage in a few land/landing operations bur the CSMC was smaller than the USMC if you can believe that, and like CSN was pretty heavy with foreign members in the enlisted ranks.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

The Confederate Corps of Marines

The Confederate Corps of Marines : Gardner, Donald Ray : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Cover title

archive.org

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Marines in gray: the birth, life and death of the Confederate States Marine Corps

oaktrust.library.tamu.edu

 

[Manassas 1861]

There is a book," Rebel Leathernecks" by Ralph Donnelly that is about the CSMC. I used to have a copy but it unfortunately is now MIA. It's a little dry but had some good information mainly about the command structure and the types of duties performed by the CSMC, mainly Ship Board detachments and yard guards IIRC. They did engage in a few land/landing operations bur the CSMC was smaller than the USMC if you can believe that, and like CSN was pretty heavy with foreign members in the enlisted ranks.

I have that book too. I think the CSMC isn't studied because of its minor role in the war and its size. They never had more they 600 men at a time, around the size of a confederate infantry regiment.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Researching Confederate Marines in the Civil War

Winter 2001, Vol. 33, No. 4 | Genealogy Notes By Trevor K. Plante A carded record for Pvt. J. F. Flynn of the Confederate States Marines. (War Department Collection of Confederate Records, RG 109) A common reaction that many researchers have when first confronted with a reference to the...

www.archives.gov

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

The Lost Corps: The Confederate States Marines

This html article is p

www.usni.org

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Marines Fighting Marines: The Battle of Drewry's Bluff

A Union attempt to make an 1862 end run up the James River to Richmond resulted in U.S. Leathernecks facing off against their Rebel counterparts.

www.usni.org

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

"PECULIAR SERVICE: THE CHRONOLOGICAL EXPLOITS AND EVOLVING NATURE
OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES MARINE CORPS"

https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1580&context=masters

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

 

[Borderruffian]

I have that book too. I think the CSMC isn't studied because of its minor role in the war and its size. They never had more they 600 men at a time, around the size of a confederate infantry regiment.

I got the book from a girl named Beal who was related to Colonel Beal, not directly related but related. Yes they were a realitvely tiny formation and apparently had snappy uniforms.

 

[Manassas 1861]

I got the book from a girl named Beal who was related to Colonel Beal, not directly related but related. Yes they were a realitvely tiny formation and apparently had snappy uniforms.

 

[Manassas 1861]

@Sowbelly and Hardtack. Thanks for the book ideas. I already have Ralph Donnelly The Rebel Leathernecks, but the others with be helpful. Thanks.

 

[FSkiddy]

1. How often were sailors used as intrantry (like the Union attack on Ft. Fisher on January 14th)

2. Why don't people research the CSMC (besides the lack of records). It's a topic that I find very interesting.

There are a couple informative maps of Naval landings in the Western and Eastern Theatres at usnlp.org

http://www.usnlp.org/Artwork/WesternTheater.pdf

http://www.usnlp.org/Artwork/EasternTheater.pdf

 

[Bentonville]

The Confederate Corps of Marines

The Confederate Corps of Marines : Gardner, Donald Ray : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Cover title

archive.org

I have the .pdf of that. Very good. Another thing you can track down is the register of Naval & CSMC Officers.

To spite small numbers they were effective wherever they were. In ships, manning guns at Ft. Fisher, ETC. Bugs me when I gear they were ineffective. Propaganda, propaganda!