| From the "log" of the Price,
from New Orleans to Memphis, written by L. F. Delisdemier, the purser of
that vessel, gives the following particulars of her cruise up the
Mississippi, and the first naval engagement of the war: |
| |
| Tuesday, March 35th, 1862
-- Left New Orleans at 9 P. M. ***** |
| Saturday, March 29th.
Arrived at Vicksburg at 4 P. M., and found the Bragg had stopped
here; left at 5:30 P. M.; found no iron there. *** |
| Monday, 31st. --
Arrived at Eunice at 8 P. M. Informed the railroad agent
{Mississippi, Ouachita & Red River RR} that
we wanted some iron. He said he had none. Our captain told him he would
have to tear up his track, and set the men at it, and soon had some
three miles torn up and ready to carry on board. |
| Thursday, April 3d. --
Left Eunice yesterday afternoon, after getting on board all the iron
that we wanted to finish the Price and Van Dorn. Arrived
at Memphis at 3 P. M.; found the Bragg had arrived yesterday
afternoon. At 4 P. M. the Van Dorn came up. Capt. Townsend, being
senior captain, set all available men at work to finish the boats as
soon as possible. ***** |
| {3 miles of track
would be almost 32,000 feet. I do not know what type of rail was used,
but if 40# strap iron (the cheapest, but also rather unlikely) the iron
would weigh about 200 tons. The iron was taken by the River Defense
Force and was probably paid for by the Confederate Army} |
|