Bulloch on the Importance of Wilmington and Use of European Ironclads

July 9. 1863

Commander Bulloch also recognized Wilmington, NC, as a key port for blockade-running and recommended that the Confederacy's European ironclads be sent there "as speedily as possible...[to] entirely destroy the blockading vessels."

Once that was accomplished , the new ironclads could turn their attention elsewhere for "a decisive blow in any direction, north or south."  They could also steam up the Atlantic coast and attack Washington, Philadelphia and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Bulloch had high hopes for these new ironclads, but they were seized by the British before completed and never reached Confederate waters.

Too Bad.  Sure Could Have Used Them At This Time.  --Old B-Runner