DECEMEBER 18TH
Asst. Sec. of Navy Fox wrote, "I believe there is no workshop in the country capable of making steam machinery or iron plates and hulls that is not in full blast with Naval orders. Before another year we shall be prepared to defend ourselves with reasonable hopes of success against a foreign enemy, and in two years we can take the offensive with vessels that will be superior to any England is now building." By war's end, the US Navy was the most powerful force afloat in the world.
In other words, watch out England.
DECEMBER 19TH
Farragut wrote Welles that he had advised newly arrived General Banks to occupy Baton Rouge, which he did. That city was just 12-15 miles from Confederate Port Hudson and, "I am ready to attack the latter place and support General Banks the moment he desires to move against it."
Port Hudson is the only other place on the Mississippi River still occupied by Confederates other than Vicksburg.
DECEMBER 20TH
Rear Admiral Porter, on his flagship USS Black Hawk, joined Gem William Sherman at Helena, Arkansas and prepared for a joint attack on Vicksburg. Admiral Porter's fleet was the largest ever placed under one officer's command in US history. He had the same number of ships as the entire US Navy at the outbreak of the war.
Further Preparations for the End of the Confederacy. --Old B-Runner
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