Note 11 — Chapter XVIII · THE TWIN STEAMERS MISSOURI AND MISSISSIPPI.

The Mississippi made six long cruises, two in the Gulf of Mexico, one in the Mediterranean, two to Japan, and one in the Gulf and Mississippi under Farragut. She twice circumnavigated the globe. Thoroughly repaired, she left Boston, May 23, 1861, for service in the Civil War. In passing Forts Jackson and Philip, April 24, 1862, and in the capture of New Orleans which gave the Confederacy its first blow in the vitals, the Mississippi took foremost part under command of Captain Melancthon Smith. Her guns sunk two steamers, and her prow sunk the ram Manassas. Passing safely the fire rafts, and the Challmette batteries, she was the first vessel to display the stars and stripes before the city. In the attack on Port Hudson, March 14, 1863, this old side-wheeler formed the rear guard of Farragut’s line. In the dark night and dense smoke, the pilot lost his way. The Mississippi grounded, and was for forty minutes under steady fire of the rifled cannon of the batteries, and was burned to prevent her use by the Confederates.