When the Civil War first began, the CSS Virginia was the USS Merrimack, which happened to be a jewel in the United States Navy. The Union would have loved to have that ship, but it happened to be in the Norfolk Naval Yard, which was at the war’s outset. Therefore, it fell right into the hands of the Confederates. The Union sailors would ultimately end up sinking the ship while in the harbor.
However, after a short couple of weeks, the Confederacy hired a group of men to salvage and rebuild the ship. Norfolk was a port that was very important to the Confederacy. With that being said, the Union Navy had quite an advantage, imposing a blockade, which was a huge disadvantage to the Confederates at sea throughout the entire war.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
What a cool and clear picture this is. The man who is sitting in the middle is Matthew Harrison Brady. He is considered to be the inventor of photojournalism and the main reason why we have such a broad collection of Civil War photographs today. Brady wanted people to be able to experience warfare like they never had before. To do this, he put up roughly $100,000 of his money to finance said project.
Little did he know that he would live to regret making that decision. While the war was going on people were very intrigued and wanted to see his work. Following the war, people were incredibly devastated and didn’t want to see all that had happened. He ended up selling his work to Congress for a small fraction of the price. Mr. Brady died in 1895 up to his eyeballs in debt.
The Ironclads Changed Naval Warfare History
Pictured below are the crew members of the USS Monitor. It arrived on the Civil War battlefield just in the nick of time to save the Union. The Confederacy had just commissioned the CSS Virginia, formerly named the Merrimack when the two met in the Chesapeake Bay on March 9, 1862. The Monitor was much different than anything anyone had seen before. So much so that it required 40 new patents. It rose 18 inches above the waterline.
What you see pictured behind the men is a gun turret that houses two 11-inch guns. The introduction of armored ships would change the game when it came to naval warfare. Between the Monitor and the Merrimack, the fight ended in a draw as both of the ships were made so well.
Grant's Brilliant Move
This bridge, which was built on June 14, 1864, looks like there is not much going on here, but it was used by General Grant to pull off quite the stunt against the Confederates who were defending Richmond. This bridge just happened to be not only the longest but also the most impressive bridge of the entire war.
It spanned the James River at two thousand feet wide and eighty-four feet deep at the point of crossing. Infantry, wagons, cattle, and a rear-guard cavalry were able to cross the bridge and blindside the Confederates. This caused the Confederate advanced guard to flee the next day.
Lee’s Many Nemeses
It is no secret that General Sheridan was a controversial figure, and no one in the South will forget “the Burning” he blazed in the Shenandoah Valley. He was a highly skilled commander, but he caused quite a few major problems for the Confederate army. Although it took a good amount of time, it was Sheridan who caused the Confederates to surrender when he crossed the bridge over the James River.
He also captured several of Robert E. Lee’s men and cut off his retreat at Appomattox. This act put a nail in the coffin for the Confederates.