[CIVIL WAR]. GWIN, William (1832-1863). A group of 2 crew lists related to the Western Flotilla and US Naval Officer Lieutenant Commander William Gwin, comprising:

“Roster of Officers and Crew of U.S. Gun Boat Tylor [sic], from July 1861 to July 1862.” 10 pp., 8 x 12 1/2 in., bottom quarter of most pages completely separated along fold, light soil, staples removed. List incudes names of 181 crew members. -- “List of Officers & Crew of the U.S.S. ‘[Alfred] Robb’ October 30 1862.” 1 p., 8 x 12 1/2 in., 1 3/4 in. tear near top center, scattered ink marks. Document lists the names of 42 men and associated ranks.

For most or all of July 1861 through July 1862, the Tyler was under command of the highly effective William Gwin, who later died of a wound received in battle. The Tyler assisted and supported Grant’s advance up the Cumberland River in February 1862, contributing to the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. The Tyler and the Lexington, which reported to Gwin, moved up the Tennessee River and captured three Rebel gunboats. On 1 March 1862, the Tyler and Lexington bombarded Pittsburg Landing, having learned that the Confederates were attempting to fortify it. A boat from each ship landed to vary the attack and discover the extent of Confederate troops in the area. In the Battle of Shiloh (Battle of Pittsburg Landing, 6 – 7 April 1862), when the Confederates were well on the way to pushing Grant’s troops back to the river, the Tyler and the Lexington mercilessly bombarded the southern flank, forcing it to back off. Thus a retreat in disarray yielded an opportunity for Grant to go on the attack and emerge victorious. As Grant stated, “in this repulse much is due to the presence of the gunboats.” In April 1862, the Tyler commanded by Gwin captured the Confederate transport Alfred Robb. Gwin’s report particularly lauds his Second Master, Jason Goudy, who led one of the two boats ashore. As soon as the Robb could be converted from a transport to a “tinclad” gunboat, Gwin saw to it that Goudy was its first commanding officer, and Goudy is listed as such on the crew list offered here. Beginning in June 1862, the Robb served as a gunboat in the Western Flotilla.

The Richard B. Cohen Civil War Collection