"“Such wretched condition that they could not be ..." Topic

…relied on": Assessment of Confederate steamers in Charleston.

"It almost goes without mention that the Federal efforts outside Charleston, even when acting defensively, relied upon waterborne transport. The logistics of supporting a force on those barrier islands required substantial lift capacity – moving materials from the northern ports to Hilton Head and thence throughout the theater to required points. And those transportation assets, like other resources, were limited in the summer of 1864.

But what of the Confederate side? With interior lines on the land-side of the barrier islands, they needed less of the ocean-going craft. But the defensive arrangements still called for a flotilla of craft capable of plying the the harbor or inland waterways. Early in September 1864, General Braxton Bragg inquired with Major-General Samuel Jones in regard to the steamers in Charleston, South Carolina. In part, Bragg was sensing what capabilities remained in the port to support operations, with an eye as to the defensive limitations and possibly offensive options. But also he was concerned about craft that might be lost with owners lured to profits of blockade-running. On September 21, Jones responded by first detailing the craft under Confederate Army control at that time:…"
Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

Interesting article. As the war continued pretty much everything in the south began to fall apart. Their lack of an industrial base really caught up to them as their ships and railroads wore out and there was little that could be done to repair them.

One wonders if the Federal command had known of the transport situation if they could have turned that to account and captured Charleston sooner.

Glad you enjoyed it my good friend.

Amicalement
Armand