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by Ron Field.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 64 pages. 2025.
I admit I never thought about how troops were ferried from ship to shore during the American Civil War. It’s a bit more than get in a longboat and row.
The US Army developed an armed launch with a clever innovation that mounted a cannon at the bow that could be aimed. When beached, a limber in the rear was landed and the cannon carriage lifted and mounted. Then the troops could pull it into position. Talk about learning something new every day…
The booklet covers a number of Union amphibious operations up and down the coast — some successful, some not. Many would make for a good scenario as the Union Army and Naval Marines scramble ashore and try to form up before Confederate troops can hit them. Some unit mini-biographies are included.
Of course, the best part of the book for me was the Battle of New Bern in 1862. Why? Because the US Navy sent the steamer John L. Lockwood near the Pimlico River to guard the flank of the operation (p24). Always fun to think that some distant ancestor I never heard of was important enough to have something named after him.
The booklet contains 29 black and white photos, one color photo, 22 black and white illustrations, 15 color illustrations, one black and white map, and five color insignia, and five color one-page action illustrations.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
