APRIL 23-24TH, 1865: The CSS Webb, Lt. Read, dashed from the Red River under forced draft and entered the Mississippi River at 8:30 at night in a heroic last-ditch effort to escape to sea.
Before departing Alexandria, Louisiana, for the bold attempt, Read wrote Secretary Mallory: "I will have to stake everything upon speed and time."
The sudden appearance of the white-painted Webb in the Mississippi caught the Union blockaders (a monitor and two ironclads by surprise. She was initially identified as a Federal ship; this mistake in identification gave Read a lead on his dash downstream.
A running battle ensued in which the Webb shook off the three Union pursuers. As Read proceeded down the Mississippi, other Union ships took up the chase, but were outrun by the fast-moving Webb, which some observers claimed was making 25 knots. At one point, Read felt safe enough to stop and cut telegraph lines on shore.
This attempt to prevent word of his run from spreading downstream was futile.
--Old B-R'er
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