Word: fleets
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Dates: during 1890-1899
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...Yale argument was as follows: The present navy consisting mainly of cruisers is sufficient for a peace footing. Battleships are money thrown away except in case of war, which is unlikely. Finally, even if war is declared, land defences are more effectual than a seagoing fleet...
...Confederates realized the importance of the issue, and had strongly fortified every commanding bluff which offered a strong position on the great river. The Union fleet, however, had easily controlled the lowlands, and Grant's brilliant advance parallel to the river had outflanked the strongholds one by one, and compelled their surrender...
...more time was lost. The veteran Farragut was placed in command of the fleet, mounting 150 guns, and Ben. Butler commanded the land force...
...defences were very strong, and the Confederates, relying on their 126 guns, and the heavy obstruction of schooners chained together, kept but a small reserve land force. Notwithstanding such odds against a wooden fleet, Farragut attacked at once. The barrier was broken by a small vessel which slipped around the end in shallow water, and burst through from above by the aid of the current. The fleet kept on and the result was the famous battle which ended in the destruction of Fort Jackson and the rebel fleet, with but slight damage to the Union forces. The heroism of Farragut...
...river was now opened up, as far as Vicksburg, and here the river fleet from above joined Farragut, and the only thing that was needed for the capture of Vicksburg and the conquest of the Mississippi, once for all, was a strong land force. But Halleck was in command and here, as always, he was timid, irresolute. In the west was Vicksburg; in eastern Tennessee was Chattanooga. A great general with Halleck's advantages would have taken both; any prompt courageous man would have taken one; but Halleck straddled between the two and lost both. As a result...