JANUARY 1ST, 1865: In Richmond, the prospect of naval attack was so threatening that the government assembled for the city's defense the strongest Confederate naval force ever placed under one command. The James River squadron, commanded by Flag Officer John K. Mitchell, consisted of three ironclads, seven gunboats and two torpedo boats.
In addition to its defensive functions, Mitchell's squadron also constituted a potentially formidable threat to te security of the vital City Point base.
The James River squadron operated behind a protective minefield at Chaffin's Bluff, some 35 miles upriver from City Point.
--Old B-R'er
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