As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
After the advent of the iron clads in the Civil War on the freshwater warfare, known as the turtles and others known as rams, there came of necessity smaller craft to patrol and hold the shallow rivers.
The genius of this was from Admiral Davis of the Union fleet. His idea was shallow draught boat of light weight compared to the heavy turtles.
They were armed with howitzers and their engines and with pilot houses were protected against rifle or musket fire.
These gunboats were in the next season common on the inland rivers as Naval operations assisting the land forces, and to keep control of the rivers in America. They were called the Tin Clads due to their light metal armour, but were part of a necessary operation in the theaters of battle, which like all of this history has been overlooked and lost to history.
For God only knows reasons, history records Admiral Farragut, who was indeed a national Hero in his efforts, but the Cairo Illinois fleet engaged in as many operations, and as dangerous, but no one knows the names of Admiral Foote or Davis.
War is fickle in General Wilson of the Cavalry won major battles like General Custer, but Wilson's front was in Tennessee and Alabama at the close of the war, and the Custer battles were in Virginia where they were recorded.
No one ever mentions the Cairo Illinois Naval Fleet and it is something of neglect which should not be. The tin clads were of purpose and maintained a peace on re unionized States by holding river front property.
People should be aware of this, and now once again they are for the moment in the past not being forgotten.
agtG
