February 22, 1865: The Confederacy's About Over By Now

FEBRUARY 22ND, 1865:  Not only was Rebel War Clerk J.B. Jones getting down in the dumps about his Confederacy's chances, but many across the South as well.

Material suffering  and the unwavering pressure of Union armies ashore and Federal ships afloat destroyed Southern hopes.  In the Union's strength at sea the Confederacy faced a double disadvantage.

Not only did the fleet provide the North with massed artillery, great mobility. easy concentration and surprise in attack, but also provided a safe fortress to which soldiers ashore could retreat -- as had been most recently  shown during General Butler's amphibious failure at Fort Fisher as 1864 ended.

And, the Navy certainly provided support as Union troops advanced up the banks of the Cape Fear River in their quest to capture Wilmington.

I always have to wonder that had I been a Confederate soldier at this time, whether I would have just given up and gone home.

--Old B-Runner