Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/102



URING the summer of 1864 the Confederate vessels on the James river were the ironclads Virginia, Richmond and Fredericksburg, and the gunboats Nansemond, Hampton, Drewry, Roanoke, Beaufort and Raleigh. The ironclads were similar to the Merrimac, but their ends were not submerged. The Virginia had six inches of iron on her sides and eight inches on her ends, and mounted two 8-inch and two 7-inch Brooke rifles. She was probably the strongest of all the Confederate ironclads. The Richmond was a similar vessel in construction, but not so heavily armored. The Fredericksburg was the weakest of the three. Each mounted four guns rifles. The gunboats carried one rifled 3 2 -pounder each. The squadron was commanded by Flag-Officer French Forrest.

In May the squadron was reorganized: Flag-Officer Mitchell relieved Commodore Forrest; Capt. R. B. Pegram was placed in command of the Virginia; Lieut. Com. William H. Parker, of the Richmond, and Commander T. R. Rootes, of the Fredericksburg. The obstructions in the river at Drewry's bluff were removed, and active operations were in contemplation. The squadron went down below the obstructions to Chapin's bluff; but on the i$th of June the Confederates were surprised to find that the Federal authorities had obstructed the river at Trent's reach, some six miles below.

Batteries were constructed at several points on the river, and manned by the Confederate sailors, Upon the