Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/70

60 with the yellow Mississippi mud, as being less easily seen at night; while, on the other hand, the gun-carriages and decks were whitewashed, throwing into plainer view the dark color of their equipment lying around. On some ships splinter nettings were rigged inside the bulwarks and found of advantage in stopping the flight of larger fragments struck out by shot. "Several of the gunboats had their masts removed.

On the night of the 20th a passage was made through the obstructions by the United States gunboats Itasca and Pinola, under their gallant commanders, C. H. B. Caldwell and Pierce Crosby. No bolder or more important feat was performed during the war. Caldwell and Crosby deserved promotion, for they opened the way to New Orleans. At 2 a. m. on the 24th, Farragut's vessels got under weigh for the attack, and at 3:30 the leading ship, the Cayuga, passed through the obstructions and was followed by the other vessels in line ahead. The Hartford, flagship, was the ninth ship in the line, leading what was called the port column.

The two forts, Jackson and St. Philip, and the Louisiana and McRae opened a heavy fire. The Manassas boldly attacked the United States vessels, and after ramming several with slight effect was set adrift by her commander, who with his officers and men repaired to the Louisiana. The McRae was gallantly fought by her captain, Thomas Huger, who fell mortally wounded in the action. Upon his fall, the heroic C. W. Read continued the fight until all the enemy's vessels had passed. The McRae then anchored near the Louisiana, and was sent next day to New Orleans with a flag of truce. She sunk at the wharf from damage received in the action. The Louisiana could only act as a floating battery ; but her guns were well served. Her gallant captain, Charles F. McIntosh, was mortally wounded while on the upper deck prepared