AUGUST 8TH, 1864: Sailors in the Civil War were often called upon to perform duties far removed from ordinary shipboard routine.
This date, Rear Admiral Dahlgren wrote to the commanders of his South Atlantic Blockading Squadron on the subject of naval infantry.
"It has frequently happened that the peculiar nature of the duties of this command has required the service of bodies of men to be landed from vessels to act for a short time as infantry, assisted by light fieldpieces. In order to meet similar exigencies commanders of vessels will take pains to select from their crews such men as may seem to have a turn for this kind of duty and have them drilled with small arms until they have attained the necessary proficiency....The light infantry drill will be best adapted to this service, and to be habits of the seamen."
A good idea. And, it is likely some of the sailors were originally in the Union infantry who could help with the training. Perhaps even borrow infantry officers for it. Five months later, Union naval forces on land at Fort Fisher suffered heavy losses in an essentially botched land attack.
--Old B-Runner
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