Useless Fight, A

A Useless Fight details the last major naval battle fought between ironclads during the Civil War. The Confederate vessels of the James River Squadron had been confined by their Union opponents to headwaters above Drewry's bluff the previous year. In January the squadron was under growing pressure to do something to help drive off the Yankees that were besieging the Confederate capital. In mid-January such an opportunity seemed to present itself when all but one of the Federal ironclads guarding the James River were withdrawn or their attack on Fort Fisher, and the winter's rising waters had submerged much of their enemy's defenses.