The fearsome Confederate ironclad ram Arkansas dueled the Federal gunboat Carondelet at the mouth of the Yazoo River in July 1862. Northern courage and Southern ingenuity produced a drawn battle. Shells could not damage the ram, and the Federal boat, when shot through by cannon fire, drew alongside the Arkansas and sent a boarding party onto the decks of the ram.
Once there, the daring Yankees were at a loss, for the ram's crew merely retired below decks, slammed the iron hatches after them, and left no one to fight. A stalemate resulted.
Once there, the daring Yankees were at a loss, for the ram's crew merely retired below decks, slammed the iron hatches after them, and left no one to fight. A stalemate resulted.
