Albemarle - Jim Stempel

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Résumé :
The destruction of the rebel ram Albemarle by Lieut. Cushing proves to be one of the most daring and romantic naval feats of history A truly remarkable account of a heroic action during the Civil War. A fascinating read. In the early winter months of 1864 Confederate General Robert E Lee devised a plan to retake critical areas of eastern North Carolina then occupied by the Federal Army. If successful a new supply line would be established to Richmond, and the Southern war effort greatly bolstered as a result. Central to his plan was the use of the new rebel ironclad Albemarle then nearing completion on the Roanoke River. The CCS Albemarle was considered to be a formidable weapon by all concerned and its destruction soon became a high priority of the Lincoln administration. So successful would the Albemarle prove to be against the blockading squadron, however , that in utter desperation the Federal high command ultimately turned to a twenty one year old lieutenant who had demonstrated daring and success on the rivers of Virginia and North Carolina. The mission to destroy the Albemarle, nevertheless, was a high stakes gamble of the most desperate and heroic variety. Its remarkable success became a bitter disaster for the Confederacy, a much needed boost for Abraham Lincoln and catapulted Lt William Barker Cushing in legend. Highly entertaining, well researched and original in thought. It has the makings of a classic

Biographie:
Jim Stempel is an authority of the Eastern campaigns of the American Civil War. His articles on psychology, human development, and warfare have also appeared in the New Times, Concepts In Human Development, and North & South. He lives in western Maryland.