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Sunday, April 24, 2011

24 April, 1862: Thursday

Union - Military
Louisiana

At 2 am, Admiral Farragut's fleet, on the Mississippi River below New Orleans, consisting of wooden frigates and gunboats, begin their attempt to sail to New Orleans.

By 3 am the entire fleet is underway. The first division of eight ships get through the Confederate barrier without discovery. But at 3.40 the moon rises, and Forts Jackson and St. Philip open fire. The second group of none ships, including Farragut's Hartford, come under heavy fire.

The lesson was soon learned - ships could, generally, although at a cost, get past fixed fortifications.

Once upstream, Farragut's fleet faced more fighting against the Confederate gunboats, including the ram Manassas. The ram struck both USS Mississippi and Brooklyn to no avail.

The North lost only Varuna and 37 men killed, 149 wounded. For the Confederacy, 8 vessels were lost, with only 2 escaping.

Farragut advanced on New Orleans.

The Battle of New Orleans was one of the most decisive of the war and a new hero had been found. "Like Grant, Farragut always went ahead," wrote young officer GEorge Dewey.

Alabama
There is a skirmish at Tuscumbia.

Tennessee
There is a skirmish at Shelbyville Road

Mississippi
There is a skirmish on the Corinth Road.


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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971

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