155 Years Ago, January 9, 1862-- Part 2: New Orleans "Hermetically Sealed"

On 21 December 1861, in Washington, D.C., Farragut had written his wife:  "Keep your lips closed, and burn my letters; for perfect silence is to be observed -- the first injunction of the Secretary.  I am to have the flag in the Gulf and the rest depends upon myself.  Keep calm and silent.  I shall sail in three weeks."

Meanwhile, the tight blockade was causing grave concern in New Orleans.  The Commercial Appeal reported:  "The situation of this port makes it a matter of vast moment to the whole Confederate State that it should be opened to the commerce of the world within the least possible period ... We believe the blockading vessels of the enemy might be driven away and kept away months ago, if the requisite energy had been put forth ....  The blockade has remained and te great port of New Orleans has been hermetically sealed...."

--Old B-R'er