Blockade-Runner

John Wilkinson, born in Norfolk, Virginia on November 6, 1821 was only 16 years old when he joined the navy. He was a naval cadet in the US Navy. Wilkinson was not entirely close with his father, Jesse Wilkinson. In fact, he actually grew up without him. He was not very talented when it came to his studies. This is because this was before the Naval Academy was created.

The Narrative of a Blockade-Runner is a personal narrative, meaning it will mostly include John Wilkinson’s experiences. When one reads this narrative, it will feel as if he is reading a journal entry. It was common for many to write in journals in the 1800’s. Wilkinson was very straightforward and viewed war as a job.

“As the boys before the deluge used to say, they would be very apt ‘to miss the cow and kill the calf.’ The chief danger was upon the open sea; many of the light cruisers having great speed” (page 131).

He said this prior to the war and, what he meant was that there will be many innocent people that will lose their lives, because accidents happen. He is also saying that the war is imminent.

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John Wilkinson also knew that famous Robert E. Lee. Lee was also a blockade runner. Wilkinson went to England and gave orders to Lee.

Robert E. Lee was remembered as probably the most successful Confederate soldiers. That is pretty surprising that Wilkinson was commanding one of the most famous names of the Civil War.

“As mild a mannered man

As ever scuttled ship or cut a throat” (page 95)

Wilkinson uses a stanza from Don Juan’s (also known as Byron) poem, “Canto III,” which was written the year the same year Wilkinson was born. In April, 1861 when New Orleans fell, Wilkinson was captured and was held until August, 1862. He wrote to them about how ki...

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...apart from all the fighting.

The ways the narrative is related to our course, is because we talked about the Civil War. We talk about military strategy. Although we are not certified to create military strategies, both the class and strategy-making require critical thinking. I do not recommend this book to anyone just because of the dull, plain, tedious personality that John Wilkinson gives throughout his narrative. Anyone would be better off reading any other book about the Civil War and all the blockade-runners.

Works Cited

Wilkinson, John New York: Sheldon & Company. 8 Murray Street. 1877. Print. (Page 131).

Wilkinson, John New York: Sheldon & Company. 8 Murray Street. 1877. Print. (Page 95).

Wilkinson, John New York: Sheldon & Company. 8 Murray Street. 1877. Print. (Page 252).

https://sites.google.com/site/290foundation/290-standing-orders/john-wilkinson