Myron J. Smith

This comprehensive A-Z biographical encyclopedia is the culmination of the author's notable contributions over 40 years to Civil War maritime literature. Librarian and historian Smith (Tusculum College Library) describes his criteria for inclusion : "at some point in their wartime experiences, Western river water dripped, in one way or another, on their resumes." Smith has written previous works on these naval campaigns.... This new work assembles nearly 1,000 metiiculously researched profiles of Union and Confederate naval or military officers, navy secretaries, civilian steamboat captains and pilots, civilian contractors, and sailors awarded the Medal of Honor or who otherwise distinguished themselves. Informative entries vary in length and many feature photographs, but each provides name, rank, birth and death dates, vessel affiliation, occupation, a summary of war exploits, and a list of sources to assist in further research. There are three appendixes...a useful resource for anyone interested in the Civil War. Summing up: Highly recommended. All academic audiences, general readers. --E.M. Tinoco, University of Southern California.… (mere)

Le Roy Fitch was one of the Union naval commanders that saw service in the brown water navy during the Civil War. Fitch a Hoosier from Logansport, Indiana served most of his time along the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. He was instrumental in developing the "tin-clad" boats which were converted civilian steam boats with little armor fitted with large naval cannon. Fitch would also develop a process of convoying supply ships up the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. His efforts paid off by not loosing a supply boat although 1862-1864. Unfortunately, very little remains of Fitch's papers so the author used as his main source of reference the OR and Naval OR with the author's speculation on filling in the details. The author does readily admit to this creative journalism. Even at this, the reader is given the facts and from them we can understand and in most cases agree with the speculation. The book is a good source of reference of the dimensions and names of the military boats that steamed the rivers. Since there is very little written on the "brown water" navy especially on the individuals themselves this is a welcome addition to my Civil War library.… (mere)