Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/6

 2 Southern Historical Society Papers.

to reduce the forces of both beligerents, afloat and ashore, prostrating hundreds and thousands of combatants, with tedious, often fatal fever. The Mississippi River and its chief tributaries, were falling every week, and the navigation becoming difficult. One post after another had been captured by the Union fleets or armiec; Fort Columbus, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow and Memphis were lost by the Confed- erates. One of the Union captains reported truly: "We are now in possession of the Mississippi from its source to its mouth, with the exception of the short interval that separates our two fleets." (At Vicksburg.) Even communication between them is reported to be uninterrupted.

There were, in fact, as many as four fleets under command of Flag Officer D. G. Farragut, soon to be made an admiral. To give, in this limited sketch, full particulars of ships, armored rams, mortar boats, etc., and their several armanents, is out of the question. The total number of fighting crafts of all kinds before Vicksburg, flying the Union flag, may be estimated at fifty or more. Against these formidable foes the Confederate navy was represent- ed by the armored ram "Arkansas" alone. The shore batteries of Vicksburg were, of course, on her side, as long as she was within range or needed their protection. The sight of the town is a high bluff, on the left bank of the river, and in the re-entrant of a sharp turn in the Mississippi.

BUILDING AND COMMISSIONING OF THE ARKANSAS.

The construction of the ram was begun at Memphis; but seeing the risk of exposing her to capture there, General Beaurgard order- ed her sent down to the Yazoo River, about the middle of May, with directions to have her properly guarded, and every exertion made to finish her forthwith. These orders came to Brig. Gen. M. L. Smith, but the command of the post soon after passed to Major General Earl Van Dorn. From the navy department orders were sent to First Lieut Isaac N. Brown, C. S. N., to assume com- mand of the "Arkansas" and finish the vessel without regard to ex- penditure of men or money. It was provided by President Davis that complete co-operation should be maintained by the Confeder- ate army and navy in defence of Vicksburg, under Major General Van Dorn. The mouth of the Zazoo River was obstructed and guarded, while the armored ram was undergoing, for six weeks, the necessary work of preparation in safety, high up on the stream. The delays and difficulties of completing the vessel for service, un-