The most gigantic naval preparations have been made by the
enemy; and they must strike many blows on the coast this fall and winter. They
are building great numbers of gun-boats, some of them iron-clad, both for the
coast and for the Western rivers. If they get possession of the Mississippi
River, it will be a sad day for the Confederacy. And what are we doing? We have
many difficulties to contend against; and there is a deficiency in artisans and
material. Nevertheless, the government is constructing a monster at Norfolk,
and several similar floating batteries in the West. But we neglect to construct
casemated batteries! Our fortifications, without them, must fall before the
iron ships of the enemy. The battle of Manassas has given us a long exemption
from the fatigues and horrors of war; but this calm will be succeeded by a storm.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 88
