The Civil War Naval Encyclopedia

There is no doubt that a bevy of scholarship on the Civil War navies will arise during the sesquicentennial year. Dr. Craig Symonds' 2010 monograph Lincoln and His Admirals is an excellent example of the level of scholarship that will be presented. Perhaps the most famous living Civil War historian, James McPherson, is currently writing a book about African Americans and the Union Navy. This became a fact well known to many at the September 2010 Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature Conference in Norfolk, VA.

A recently published work that will no doubt serve as a valued resource is the Civil War Naval Encyclopedia. The encyclopedia, the first ever to focus solely on the battles on the rivers and oceans, is edited by historian Spencer C. Tucker.

According to the publishers description of the Encyclopedia:

"The entries in this sweeping text provide comprehensive treatment of overall strategies on each side, the role of diplomacy, leading naval officers and other personalities, battles and important engagements, ship types, well-known individual warships, naval ordnance and weapons systems, and new developments such as mines and submarines. Topics such as shipboard life, major waterways, prominent seaports, and the role of logistics in determining the outcome of the war are also covered."

CWN 150 Publications

The Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial is dedicated to providing scholarship on the history and heritage of the navies during the Civil War during the commemorative years. The following is a summary list of publications produced by the participants of the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial.

Civil War Navy Special Edition Daybook

The staff of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum published a Civil War Navy 150 Special Edition for The Daybook, its quarterly publication of local naval history. This issue serves a primer for the events and facts concerning the war between the U.S. Navy and the C.S. Navy. A PDF version of the issue can be downloaded here. Print copies are still available. Requests for print copies can be made to The Daybook editor at gordon.b.calhoun@navy.mil.

Blacks in Blue Jackets: African Americans in the Union Navy

African Americans played an integral part in securing victory for the Union during the Civil War. Download this brief pamphlet outlining a brief history of their involvement during the Civil War HERE.

Just in Time for the Sesquicentennial

I just received notice yesterday that ABC-CLIO will be releasing its two volume Civil War Naval Encyclopedia in December. This exciting new work is edited by Spencer Tucker. I contributed seven or eight entries to the encyclopedia, and it seems like a very long time ago that they were submitted. I am very happy to finally have a publication date now. The two volumes are pretty pricey, which is the downside, but this will still be a great reference work. I'm glad it is being released literally on the eve of the sesquicentennial. Click on the link above for more information.

"Blacks in Blue Jackets" pamphlet available for download.

This past Friday (24 September), the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial debuted its first publication at the 2010 Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's annual signature conference, "Race, Slavery and the Civil War: The Tough Stuff of American History and Memory." The conference, hosted by Norfolk State University, seemed a fitting place to hand out information on the role of African Americans in the Union Navy. Acclaimed author James McPherson gave an interesting and informative speech on the role of Black sailors in the Union Navy.

The pamphlet, titled "Blacks in Blue Jackets: African Americans in the Civil War," is a brief but concise picture into the crucial role played by Black sailors in the Union Navy. From the blockade fleet to the inland waters of the Mississippi, African Americans touched every naval theater of conflict.

The pamphlet is available for download here.

If you would like copies of the brochure or further information on this topic, please email Matthew T. Eng at matthew.t.eng@navy.mil.