tage was obtained in this fight, as at Mobile, from this
arrangement of the vessels in pairs, which will be mentioned at the time
of its occurrence. The seventh ship at Port Hudson, the Mississippi, was
a very large side-wheel steamer. On account of the inconvenience
presented by the guards of her wheel-houses, she was chosen as the odd
one to whom no consort was assigned.

[Illustration: ORDER OF ATTACK ON BATTERIES AT PORT HUDSON,
MARCH 14, 1863.

A. Hartford (flag-ship), Captain James S. Palmer. _a._
Albatross, Lieut.-Com. John E. Hart. B. Richmond, Commander
James Alden. _b._ Genesee, Commander W. H. Macomb. C.
Monongahela, Captain J. P. McKinstry. _c._ Kineo, Lieut.-Com.
John Waters. D. Mississippi, Captain Melancton Smith. E. Essex,
Commander C. H. B. Caldwell. F. Sachem, Act. Vol. Lieut. Amos
Johnson. G. G. Mortar schooners. H. Spot where Mississippi
grounded.]

Going up the river toward Port Hudson the course is nearly north; then a
bend is reached of over ninety degrees, so that after making the turn
the course for some distance is west-southwest. The town is on the east
side, just below the bend. From it the batteries extended a mile and a
half down the river, upon bluffs from eighty to a hundred feet high.
Between the two reaches, and opposite to the town, is a low, narrow
point, from which a very dangerous shoal makes out. The channel runs
close to the east bank.

The squadron remained at its anchorage above Profit's Island but a few
hours, waiting for the cover of night. Shortly before 10 P. M. it got
under way, ranged as follows: Hartford, Richmond, Monongahela, each with
her consort lashed alongside, the Mississippi bringing up the rear. Just
as they were fairly starting a steamer was seen approaching from down
the river, flaring lights and making the loud puffing of the
high-pressure engines. The flag-ship slowed down, and the new arrival
came alongside with a message from the general that the army was then
encamped about five miles in rear of the Port Hudson batteries.
Irritated by a delay, which served only to attract the enemy's attention
and to assure himself that no diversion was to be expected from the
army, the admiral was heard to mutter: "He had as well be in New Orleans
or at Baton Rouge for all the good he is doing us." At the same moment
the east bank of the river was lit up, and on the opposite point huge
bonfires kindled to illumine the scene--a