[stainlessbanner]

The Cairo was not supposed to venture that far down the Yazoo. It was known to have mines - so yeah, it was not a good move to destroy a Union ironclad by disobeying orders.

Read the orders....better yet hear Bearss tell the story - it's amazing to hear him.

[Non-Sequitur]

The Cairo was not supposed to venture that far down the Yazoo. It was known to have mines - so yeah, it was not a good move to destroy a Union ironclad by disobeying orders.

Selfridge said he was maneuvering to return fire from some rebel shore batteries. While Porter at first accused him of disobeying orders he later recanted. He was also on the Cumberland when the Virginia sank her, thus accounting for all three 'C' ships. Following the loss of the Conestoga he took command of the Osage, at the other end of the alphabetic spectrum.