USS Lexington

[frontrank2]

The USS Lexington was a wooden hulled timberclad gunboat which served on the Mississippi River and it's tributaries. She participated in the battles for Forts Henry and Donelson.

 

[Robert Gray]

There was a discussion a few years ago about the above photo being mislabeled. I don't recall the details. This boat was thought to be the actual USS Lexington.

 

[USS ALASKA]

There was a discussion a few years ago about the above photo being mislabeled. I don't recall the details. This boat was thought to be the actual USS Lexington.

Another Southern Potographers Photo Of Union Gunboats Lexington???? | Naval War - At Sea & Along Inland Waterways

Here is another McPherson & Oliver of New Orleans photo I came across in the Louisiana archives. It say its the timber clad USS Lexington but I have my doubts. I believe its the USS Tyler as the stacks don't match the the LEX. McPherson & Oliver took many photos during the CW and it looks as if...

civilwartalk.com

Another mystery ship... | Naval War - At Sea & Along Inland Waterways

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civilwartalk.com

HTHs,
USS ALASKA

 

[frontrank2]

There was a discussion a few years ago about the above photo being mislabeled. I don't recall the details. This boat was thought to be the actual USS Lexington.

View attachment 563799View attachment 563807View attachment 563803

 

[frontrank2]

Very similar craft. Like trying to distinguish between the battleships Missouri and New Jersey.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Also notably, the Lexington was one of the two Federal gunboats (the other being the Tyler) that was brought up the Tennessee River at Shiloh to shell the assailing Confederate right flank positions in the late afternoon and through the night of Apr. 6. The effectiveness of the Union gunboat roles at Shiloh is debatable, though. The gunboat fire apparently inflicted much more psychological damage than caused physical casualties on the Confederate troops that were targeted.

 

[USS ALASKA]

The effectiveness of the Union gunboat roles at Shiloh is debateable, though. The gunboat fire apparently inflicted much more psychological damage than caused physical casualties on the Confederate troops that were targeted.

It might be argued, nevertheless, that the naval gun fire had a significant psychological impact on the Confederates to the extent that through their cumulative effect the gunboats played a unique role in accentuating the retreat of the Confederate forces from the Battle of Shiloh. A closer look at several perspectives from both sides shows how the gunboats can be given important credit for helping the Federal forces prevail at the end of the battle.

The Gunboats of Shiloh

General Grant’s beleaguered forces faced an increasingly dire situation in April 1862; a pair of U.S. Navy gunboats helped engineer a reversal of fortune for the U.S. Army.

www.usni.org

During the course of the American Civil War, 1861-1865, ironclad warships developed a fearful reputation as powerful commanders of the Mississippi River. With the ability to pierce deep into the heart of the South, destroy Confederate property, and pull out with amazing speed compared to land assaults, the early Western Flotilla became the symbol of Northern industrial invincibility, boosting Northern morale and seriously damaging Southern psyches. However, an analysis of the Fort Henry/Fort Donelson Campaign of 1862 reveals a different story than the one that went into legend. Using the official records of the Union and Confederate armies and navies, this study traces the psychological impact of the Western Flotilla ironclads and their journey into legend

https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&context=gcjcwe

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Nathan Stuart]

t might be argued, nevertheless, that the naval gun fire had a significant psychological impact on the Confederates to the extent that through their cumulative effect the gunboats played a unique role in accentuating the retreat of the Confederate forces from the Battle of Shiloh. A closer look at several perspectives from both sides shows how the gunboats can be given important credit for helping the Federal forces prevail at the end of the battle.

Thanks for including both presentations discussing the psychological effects created by use of the inland gunboats. Agree about their effects at Shiloh.

Thought Grant's own post-action Apr. 9 report aptly summed up the role of the two Union gunboats in repulsing Confederate attempts via the deep riverside ravines to seize the Landing on Apr. 6 by stating, ..."In this repulse much is due to the presence of the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, and their able commanders, Captains Gwin and Shirk."... ('OR': Vol. 10, Part 1, @ p. 109).

Would interpret Grant's above assessment to mean the gunboats significantly contributed, without being materially decisive, in the Federal success at Shiloh.

It seems throughout the CW, that Confederate troops and most of their commanders held an excessive dread of the noises heard from the screaming shells and constant barrages of firing from the gunboats.

 

[USS ALASKA]

Would interpret Grant's above assessment to mean the gunboats significantly contributed, without being materially decisive, in the Federal success at Shiloh.

Or, Grant's comment could be a magnanimous offering. "I'm going to need these Navy guys in future operations - let's get on their good side and give them a shout-out." Grant seemed to sense the value of what would later be known as 'combined operations'. And he understood the importance of getting as much support as he could from any available source. Good relations makes for good partnerships.

Please see...

Joint Operations and the Vicksburg Campaign.
Tindall, John W

Civil War Joint Operations Papers | Naval War - At Sea & Along Inland Waterways

I've been slowly collecting papers on Joint Operations - thought I would post them here for reference and discussion... To start with... Collection: Master of Military Art and Science Theses Title: Joint operations in the James River Basin, 1862-1865. Author: Zatt...

civilwartalk.com

Joint Operations in the Civil War: The Mississippi
Hailston, Earl B

Civil War Joint Operations Papers | Naval War - At Sea & Along Inland Waterways

Naval War College Review Volume 49 Number 1 Winter Article 4 1996 A Littoral Frustration: The Union Navy and the Siege of Charleston, 1863-1865 by Robert J. Schneller Jr This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. It has...

civilwartalk.com

JOINT OPERATIONS DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF 1862 ON THE TENNESSEE AND CUMBERLAND RIVERS
Lieutenant Colonel Douglas E. Cox

Civil War Joint Operations Papers | Naval War - At Sea & Along Inland Waterways

Naval War College Review Volume 49 Number 1 Winter Article 4 1996 A Littoral Frustration: The Union Navy and the Siege of Charleston, 1863-1865 by Robert J. Schneller Jr This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. It has...

civilwartalk.com

Cornerstone of Union Victory: Officer Partnerships in Joint Operations in the West
Aderian Partain
Post #31 in thread https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-joint-operations-papers.150908/

Army-Navy integration and the pivot to the west: a new joint concept.
Sowers, Kirk A.
Post #37 in thread https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-joint-operations-papers.150908/

Learning the Art of Joint Operations: Ulysses S. Grant and the U.S. Navy
Harry Laver
Post #50 in thread https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-joint-operations-papers.150908/

...and others in thread https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-joint-operations-papers.150908/

Rather far-sighted of the gent instead of the normal, jealously guarded 'rice-bowl' protectionism of 'Stay in your lane!'

Cheers,
USS ALASKA