the fire of heavy artillery, and that the batteries of the rebels could not be captured nor even passed by them.  They could not even be safely employed alone in the transportation of troops, for they could be sunk or crippled by the field batteries that could be moved from point to point.  The question of iron-clads was proposed, but with only the ocean iron-clads as a guide, who should conceive the proper form of an armored boat which could navigate our rivers and compete successfully with the heavy guns, rifled as well as smooth-bore, of the fortifications.  It was by no means easy to solve this problem, but it was absolutely necessary that the attempt should be made....  These forts could only be reduced by the aid of gunboats, and these were almost literally to be created.

There was in the Cabinet of President Lincoln at this time a western man, intimately acquainted with the steamboat interest of the Mississippi.  This was Edward Bates, the Attorney-General of the United States.  He was an old friend of Mr. Eads, and felt assured that in case of war the services of that gentleman would be of the greatest value to the country.  When it was found that hostilities could not be avoided, he mentioned the name of Mr. Eads to the Cabinet, and strongly urged that his services should be secured at the earliest possible moment.  On the 17th of April, 1861, three days after Fort Sumter had fallen, he wrote to Mr. Eads, who was living in comfortable retirement, at St. Louis:  “Be not surprised if you are called here suddenly by telegram.  If called, come instantly.  In a certain contingency it will be necessary to have the aid of the most thorough knowledge of our western rivers, and the use of steam on them, and in that event I have advised that you should be consulted.”

A few days later Mr. Eads was summoned to Washington.  Mr. Bates there explained to him in full a plan he had conceived for occupying Cairo, and endeavoring to hold the Mississippi by means of gunboats.  Mr. Eads warmly indorsed the plan, and was introduced by Mr. Bates to the President and members of the Cabinet.  When the plan was proposed to the Cabinet, the Secretary of War pronounced it unnecessary and impracticable, but the Secretary of the Navy was much impressed with it, and requested Mr. Eads to submit his views in writing, which was done.  The paper embodied Judge Bates’s general plan in addition to Mr. Eads’s own views, and contained suggestions as to the kind of boats best fitted for service on the western rivers, and also in regard to the best points on those streams for the erection of land batteries.  This paper was submitted to the Navy Department on the 29th of April, 1861, and was referred by the Secretary to Commodore Paulding, who reported in favor of its adoption.