From the book "A Lion-Hearted Officer" by Carl D. Williams Jr.
"Work continued day and night on the ironclad" as Farragut's fleet entered the Mississippi River and everyone knew New Orleans was going to be his target. They sorely needed the CSS Mississippi finished and in fighting trim.
And, most everything was coming together "the large smooth dark brown armor plates were bolted in place, and she was armed with freshly forged cannons, but the propeller shafts were not attached."
The ship was tied to the dock of Mr. Millandon's plantation.
Colonel Tift was quoted as saying "all we needed was two more days and the propeller shafts would be delivered."
The Tifts ordered their unusual ironclad towed up the Mississippi River by two riverboats, but the current proved too much and all three started drifting back to the approaching Federals.
They observed all manner of ships trying to escape the burning city and they knew all was lost.
--Old B-Runner
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