The End of Sail: Marines in the Age of Iron and Steam

From the Union's early success at Hatteras Inlet to the brutal battles involving the ironclads Monitor and Virginia, Marines played a direct role in both offensive and defensive operations along the coast. We'll look at how the Corps supported naval campaigns, responded to Confederate innovation like the CSS David, and how Marines adapted to shifting priorities as the war dragged on. We'll also touch on the leadership transition from Commandant John Harris to Jacob Zeilin, a battle-hardened officer who shaped the Corps through some of its toughest years. Whether in coastal assaults, riot control during the New York Draft Riots, or shipboard actions, the Marines remained a constant presence in a war that demanded everything.