April 16, 1862: Farragut Moves His Fleet In for Attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip-- Part 1

APRIL 16TH, 1862:  Flag Officer Farragut, after careful planning and extensive preparations, moved his fleet up the Mississippi to a position below Forts Jackson and St. Philip, guarding the approaches to New Orleans and mounting over 100 guns.

High water in the river had flooded the forts.  Confederate garrisons worked night and day to control the water and strengthen the forts against the impending attack.  A chain obstruction supported by ship hulks spanned the river.

Above the forts a Confederate flotilla under Flag Officer John K. Mitchell, included the potentially powerful but uncompleted ironclad Louisiana.

--Old B-Runner