I had no more authority to command Porter than he had to command me.

It was necessary to have part of his fleet below Vicksburg if the troops went there.

Steamers to use as ferries were also essential.

The navy was the only escort and protection for these steamers, all of which in getting below had to run about fourteen miles of batteries.

Porter fell into the plan at once, and suggested that he had better superintend the preparation of the steamers selected to run the batteries, as sailors would probably understand the work better than soldiers.