Late March - Early April Farragut continues to bring his fleet into the river from the Gulf. April 18 Mortars from Federal schooners fire at Forts Jackson and St. Philip at mid-morning. Shelling from mortars continues. Mortar fire breaks the chain of ships and barges constructed by the Confederate Navy to block passage of the river. Shelling continues under cold and windy conditions.
Weather improves, shelling intensifies.
April 23 Intense shelling until noon, when the attack abruptly stopped. CSA forces believe this is the moment of a full attack on the forts. At 0200, Farragut orders his sloops and gunboats to run the forts. The mortar attack resumes at 0330. By dawn, the passage of the Federal squadron is complete.