The conversion process for the cottonclads reached completion in the month of 16 March to 17 April 1862, which was coincidentally just the time that the Union fleet under Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut began its buildup in the lower river, as they prepared for the attack on New Orleans. Although the finished rams were supposed to be sent up the river to aid in the defense of Island Number 10 and Memphis, Lovell persuaded the War Department to let him retain the first six in the vicinity of New Orleans. In the order of their completion, the six were: "Stonewall Jackson", "Warrior", "Defiance", "Resolute", "General Breckinridge", and "General Lovell". By this time, Captain Townsend was no longer associated with the fleet. As Captain Montgomery went with the northern section, another riverboat captain, John A. Stephenson (sometimes spelled Stevenson) was chosen for overall command of the six New Orleans vessels. The remaining eight, all sent to Memphis, were "General Bragg", "General Sterling Price", "General Earl Van Dorn", "Colonel Lovell", "General Beauregard", "General M. Jeff Thompson", "Little Rebel", and "General Sumter". The last was completed on 17 April, the day before the anticipated bombardment of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip began.