IRONCLAD AMBUSH: Confederates Strike Lincoln's Mississippi River Blockade at the Head of Passes, October 12, 1861

A detailed investigative recount of the Head of Passes engagement reveals how early Civil War naval innovation, miscommunication, and tactical decisions shaped a pivotal riverine clash and its broader implications for blockade strategy. Scrutinizes previous accounts, firsthand archival material, and period newspapers to draw upon voices from all sides, including ship captains, junior officers, enlisted sailors, lighthouse keepers, and civilians across southeastern Louisiana. Unravels the complexities and contradictions of early Civil War coastal and riverine naval operations and places them within the context of the war. Contains 39 images and 12 maps.