APRIL 24TH, 1864: The USS Varuna was rammed by two Confederate ships and sunk. In the ensuing melee, the CSS Warrior, Stonewall Jackson, General Lovell, and Breckinridge, tender Phoenix, steamers Star and Belle Algerine and Louisiana gunboat General Quitman were destroyed.
The armored ram CSS Manassas was driven ashore by the USS Mississippi and sunk. Steam tenders CSS Landis and W. Burton surrendered; Resolute and Governor Moore were destroyed to prevent capture.
"The destruction of the Navy at New Orleans," wrote Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory, "was a sad, sad blow...."
When the Union Navy passed the forts and disposed of the Confederate forces afloat, the fate of New Orleans was decided. Farragut had achieved a brilliant victory, one which gave true meaning to Farragut's own words: "The great man in our country must not only plan but execute."
He Sure Did. Now, On the Anniversary of This, the Confederate monuments in New Orleans Begin to Come Down. A Double Sad Day in New Orleans History. --Old B-R'er
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