Raise The Alabama
She was known as "the ghost ship." During the Civil War, the CSS Alabama sailed over 75,000 miles and captured more than 60 Union vessels. But her career came to an end in June of 1864 when she was sunk by the USS Kearsarge off the coast of Northern France DVD

Drewry's Bluff
Fort Darling, Fort Drewry
Civil War Virginia

American Civil War
May 15, 1862

Peninsular Campaign Map


Halls of Honor
The U.S. Navy Museum takes you on an informed and entertaining romp through one of North America s oldest and finest military museums. The museum has been in continuous operation at the Washington Navy Yard since the American Civil War

With the fall of Yorktown, the Confederate ironclad Virginia at Norfolk was scuttled to prevent her capture.This opened the James River to Federal gunboats.

On May 15, five gunboats, including the ironclads Monitor and Galena, steamed up the James to test the Richmond defenses. They encountered submerged obstacles and deadly accurate fire from the batteries at Drewry's Bluff, which inflicted severe damage on the Galena.

The Federal Navy was turned back.

Result(s): Confederate victory

Location: Chesterfield County

Campaign: Peninsular Campaign (March-September 1862) next battle in campaign   previous battle in campaign

Date(s): May 15, 1862

Principal Commanders: Cdr. John Rodgers [US]; Cdr. E. Farrand, Brigadier General William Mahone, Capt. S. S. Lee, and
Lt. John Taylor Wood [CS]

Forces Engaged: 5 gunboats [US]; battery garrison [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 41 total



Blockaders, Refugees, and Contrabands: Civil War on Florida'S Gulf Coast, 1861-1865
Coastal Florida had a refugee crisis as the war progressed. Escaped slaves ("contrabands") sought out the blockaders. Some joined the U.S. Navy. White men and their families sought to avoid conscription or vengeful neighbors/regulators and eventually sought refuge with the blockaders

Scene off City Point, Drewry's Bluff James River Virginia


Sketch, possibly by Edward H. Schmidt (a crewman on USS Mahaska).

Items identified by numbers include:
1. USS Mahaska ; 2. Schooner N.C. Claver ; 3. tug Dragon ; 4. USS Monitor ; 5. USS Wachusett ; 6. chartered steamer; 7. a schooner; 8. a gunboat; 9. USS Galena , disabled; 10.

More Pictures of the Naval Battle at Fort Darling on the James River


Photo of the USS Galena after the battle, one plugged hole from enemy shot (near the waterline in bottom left center)

Pictures and plans for the Naval Ship Galena


Glory in the Name: A Novel of the Confederate Navy
From Norfolk to Hampton Roads, from Roanoke Island to the nighttime battle on the river below New Orleans, Glory in the Name tells the story of the Confederate States Navy, and the brave men who carried forward against overwhelming odds


Virginia State Battle Map 1862
State Battle Maps
Civil War Submarines
Confederate Johhny Cake Recipes
Civil War Picture Album
Civil War Summary
Clara Barton - American Red Cross
Kids Zone Underground Railroad
American Civil War Exhibits
Civil War Timeline
Women in the War

American Civil War Naval Book Titles

Naval Strategies of the Civil War: Confederate Innovations and Federal Opportunism
Compare and contrast the strategies of the Southern Secretary of the Navy, Mallory, against his rival in the North, Welles. Mallory used technological innovation and the skill of individuals to bolster the South's seapower against the Union Navy's superior numbers
Life in Mr. Lincoln's Navy
A tantalizing glimpse into the hardships endured by the naval leadership to build and recruit a fighting force. The seaman endured periods of boredom, punctuated by happy social times and terrifying bouts of battle horror
Year on a Monitor and the Destruction of Fort Sumter
Personal view of the Civil War Navy. The monitor saw action in several significant naval assaults by the Union's Squadron. It took part in the failed Federal attack on Sumter in April 1863. The "Nahant" also participated in the capture of the Confederate Ram "Atlanta," and in the assault on Fort Wagner
The Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide
Virginia was host to nearly 1/3rd of all Civil War engagements. This guide covers them all like a mini-history of the war. This guide organizes battles chronologically. Each campaign has a detailed overview, followed by concise descriptions of the individual engagements

Civil War History Documentary DVD Movie Titles

Additional DVD Documentary Titles

History Channel Presents
The Civil War
From Harper's Ferry, Fort Sumter, and First Bull Run to Shiloh, Antietam, and Gettysburg. The most legendary Civil War battles in brilliant detail. A selection of the soldiers and legendary leaders.
Civil War: A Concise History
The best collection of Civil War visuals ever assembled in one 75-minute program. A breathtaking and first-hand account of the war. Great DVD Bonuses
Rebel Sabres / The Battle of Brandy Station 1863
Through dramatic reconstructions and eye-witness accounts, this documentary explores the 1863 Battle Of Brandy Station.
The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns
Here is the saga of celebrated generals and ordinary soldiers, a heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one



Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress
U.S. Naval Archives
Fredericksburg Virginia Local Weather and Information