February 10, 1862: Porter Gets His Mortar Flotilla

FEBRUARY 10TH, 1862:  Secretary of the Navy Welles forwarded to Commander D.D. Porter the names of 22 sailing vessels and 7 steamers which would comprise the Mortar Flotilla.

This potent force, to which would be added the USS Owasco, "as soon as she can be got ready," later conducted an intensive bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, preparatory to to Flag Officer Farragut's drive past these heavily fortified works on the way to New Orleans.

--Old B-R'er