CSS Missouri, A Timeline-- Part 2: Looking for Machinery and Waiting

FEBRUARY 18--  Lt. Carter appealed to Lt. General John C. Pemberton, military commander at Jackson, Tennessee, to delay sinking a steamboat as an obstruction in the Big Black River until its machinery could be removed for the Caddo.

FEBRUARY 20--  Lt. Carter told Secretary Mallory that Thomas Moore and John Smoker were the only people west of the Mississippi who could build an ironclad.  He also said the timbers for the second ironclad are nearly ready.  The contractors ready to push forward at their own expense, supposing that the second contract would be approved.

--Old B-Runner