Once the Federal fleet had passed out of range, the Louisiana had no further part in the action. Her fate was now tied to the two Confederate forts, which were still in Confederate control. Both forts were expecting an attack to come from the Union Army supporting the operation led by General Benjamin Butler.
However, on the night of April 28, 1862, the enlisted men in Fort Jackson mutinied and forced the surrender of both forts. to Commander David D. Porter.
The naval officers on the CSS Louisiana were not consulted at any time during the negotiations between Gen. Duncan and Porter. As such they considered themselves not bound t respect the truce or decision declared by the two sides.
While the discussions were ongoing, the crew decided not to let their ship fall into enemy hands. The ship was set afire and the crew went ashore. The flames soon parted the lines that held her to the bank and she drifted down the river.
When she was nearly across from Fort St. Philip, the fire reached the magazine and she blew up with enough force that a soldier at the fort was killed.
--Old B-Runner
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