CIVIL WAR NAVIES

With the outbreak of the American Civil War in April 1861, the US Navy, like the Army and the government of the nation itself, was torn between allegiances to the North and South. By the end of 1861, nearly 400 officers and sailors of the US Navy had left its service to join the upstart Confederate States Navy.

In the opening days of the conflict, US sailors burned and abandoned some vessels that were likely to fall into the hands of the Confederates. However, such tactical action