JUNE 30TH, 1864: Immediately upon assuming command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, Rear Admiral Farragut began requesting monitors for his inevitable fight against the CSS Tennessee at Mobile Bay, Alabama. Earlier in June, Secretary Welles had written Porter of the matter: "It is of the greatest importance that some of the new ironclads building on the Mississippi should be sent without fail to Rear Admiral Farragut. Are not some of them ready? Id not, can you not hurry them forward?"
Porter responded that the light draft monitors USS Winnebago and Chickasaw were completed, and this date he had issued orders to report to Farragut at Mobile Bay. Both played a big role in the August battle.
--Old B-Runner
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