Confederates are forced to destroy their fearsome ironclad to prevent capture. This paves the way for Federals to advance up the James River to threaten Richmond.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Confederates are forced to destroy their fearsome ironclad to prevent capture. This paves the way for Federals to advance up the James River to threaten Richmond.
Federal naval forces make gains in December by capturing various blockade runners and seizing forts along the coast.