A nice discussion on the introduction of Wharf Boats can be found on “Steamboats on the Western Rivers: An Economic and Technological History,” by Louis C. Hunter, starting on page 352

http://books.google.com/books?id=tsanyZWcqMEC&pg=PA352&lpg=PA352&dq=wharf+boats+in+the+civil+war&source=bl&ots=HvPooSmOGL&sig=ETq0FazlQPQiZfKCw1BBiKU7uX4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=obR0VMiQL4KtogSA1IH4Bg&ved=0CCQQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=wharf%20boats%20in%20the%20civil%20war&f=false

Found this through a goggle search: wharf boats in the civil war