Neil Chatelain
Defending the Arteries of Rebellion
March 17 , 2022
March 17 , 2022
Synopsis:
Most examinations of the Mississippi River’s Civil War operations focus on efforts by the United States to regain its control, but often ignore efforts by the Confederacy to establish their own naval forces. This oversight prevents a full understanding of how the war’s riverine campaigns unfolded and evolved. Confederate leadership envisioned a riverine force that could gain parity with their opponents. Scarcity of supplies, United States military and naval operations, and a lack of coordination at several levels of leadership prevented this, but the Confederacy nonetheless challenged United States control of the Mississippi River Valley at every turn, introducing innovations that spread into use in other theaters of the conflict including ironclad warships, joint operations, reintroduction of the ram, and underwater torpedoes. Finally, an examination of the entire Mississippi River Valley’s impact, not just the central river itself, is critical to understanding the course and conduct of the second half of the Civil War.
Most examinations of the Mississippi River’s Civil War operations focus on efforts by the United States to regain its control, but often ignore efforts by the Confederacy to establish their own naval forces. This oversight prevents a full understanding of how the war’s riverine campaigns unfolded and evolved. Confederate leadership envisioned a riverine force that could gain parity with their opponents. Scarcity of supplies, United States military and naval operations, and a lack of coordination at several levels of leadership prevented this, but the Confederacy nonetheless challenged United States control of the Mississippi River Valley at every turn, introducing innovations that spread into use in other theaters of the conflict including ironclad warships, joint operations, reintroduction of the ram, and underwater torpedoes. Finally, an examination of the entire Mississippi River Valley’s impact, not just the central river itself, is critical to understanding the course and conduct of the second half of the Civil War.
About the Speaker:
Neil P. Chatelain is an adjunct professor of history at Lone Star College-North Harris and a social studies instructor at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School in Spring, Texas. The former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, the University of Houston, and the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Neil researches U.S. Naval History with a focus on Confederate naval operations. He is the author of Defending the Arteries of Rebellion: Confederate Naval Operations in the Mississippi River Valley, 1861-1865 (2020), Fought Like Devils: The Confederate Gunboat McRae (2014), and many magazine, journal, and online articles. Neil has also spoken at numerous conferences, historical groups, and museums. He lives with his wife Brittany in Humble, Texas. Learn more at www.neilpchatelain.com.
Neil P. Chatelain is an adjunct professor of history at Lone Star College-North Harris and a social studies instructor at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School in Spring, Texas. The former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, the University of Houston, and the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Neil researches U.S. Naval History with a focus on Confederate naval operations. He is the author of Defending the Arteries of Rebellion: Confederate Naval Operations in the Mississippi River Valley, 1861-1865 (2020), Fought Like Devils: The Confederate Gunboat McRae (2014), and many magazine, journal, and online articles. Neil has also spoken at numerous conferences, historical groups, and museums. He lives with his wife Brittany in Humble, Texas. Learn more at www.neilpchatelain.com.
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Meeting Time: 6:30 pm Doors open, Meeting begins 7:00 pm, End 8:30 to 9:00pm.
Meeting Cost: $30.00 includes tax, tip, food and fun. Purchase of a meal is optional.
Reservations: Please make a reservation(s) to attend this meeting by Tuesday March 15.
Late Reservations: Welcomed and appreciated.
Contact: John Potts (225) 937-2782, or [email protected]
Book Raffle: There will be a selection of books or items. $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5.
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Meeting Time: 6:30 pm Doors open, Meeting begins 7:00 pm, End 8:30 to 9:00pm.
Meeting Cost: $30.00 includes tax, tip, food and fun. Purchase of a meal is optional.
Reservations: Please make a reservation(s) to attend this meeting by Tuesday March 15.
Late Reservations: Welcomed and appreciated.
Contact: John Potts (225) 937-2782, or [email protected]
Book Raffle: There will be a selection of books or items. $1 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5.
Facebook page: Our Facebook page has over 600 members, over 3,000 articles, videos, and photos. Search for Baton Rouge Civil War Round Table. Website - http://www.brcwrt.com
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