William Barker Cushing is considered one of the navy's greatest heroes of the Civil War. His military career culminated in his torpedoing of the Confederate ironclad Albemarle on the Roanoke River in 1864, an operation he executed under heavy enemy fire. This new and fully annotated edition of Cushing's memoir, originally written in 1867/1868, conveys the excitement and drama of a truly extraordinary Civil War naval career, enhanced with excerpts from Union and Confederate officers. Recounts adventures at Hatteras Inlet, the Virginia Capes and the Battle of Hampton Roads, Blackwater River, the Battle of New River, Little River, Nansemond River, Gettysburg, Fort Fisher, and Wilmington. Various ships' involvements are discussed: Sassacus, Ellis, Shokoken, the Monticello, the Raleigh, and CSS Albemarle.

Includes index.

Introduction: Before the war -- The Sea Eagle. Early duty and capture of Hatteras Inlet -- The Virginia Capes and the Battle of Hampton Roads -- Blackwater river -- Captain of the Ellis and the Battle of New River -- Little River -- Nansemond river -- Gettysburg -- Shokoken -- Monticello -- Chasing the Raleigh -- CSS Albemarle -- Fort Fisher -- Wilmington -- From battles and leaders of the Civil War : being for the most part contributions by Union and Confederate officers. The first battle of the Confederate Ram Albemarle by her builder / Gilbert Elliott -- The Albemarle and the Sassacus / Edgar Holden -- The destruction of the Albemarle by her captain / A.F. Warley -- The defense of Fort Fisher by its commander / William Lamb -- The navy at Fort Fisher / Thomas O. Selfridge.