February 13, 1863: USS Indianola Steams Past Vicksburg: Orders to Pay Visit to "Jeff Davis' Plantation"

FEBRUARY 13, 1863:  The USS Indianola, Lieutenant Commander George Brown, ran past the batteries at Vicksburg to join the USS Queen of the West in blockading the Red River.  Rear Admiral Porter's instructions to Brown added:  "Go to Jeff Davis' plantation load up with all the cotton you can find and the best single male Negroes."

Towing two barges filled with coal, the Indaianola steamed slowly past the upper batteries of Vicksburg undetected.    Abreast the point, Indianola was sighted and a heavy fire opened upon her without effect."

A Little "Something" for Jeff Davis.  --Old B-Runner