On The Twelfth Day of Salvage

 

On the twelfth day of salvage,

The USS Cairo gave me

Twelve artillery shells were discovered,

Eleven mustard bottles,

Ten rounds of bullets,

Nine cups for drinking,

Eight leather shoes,

Seven nails abandoned,

Six mess plates for meals,

Five picture frames,

Four uniform buttons,

Three sailors’ combs,

Two service muskets,

and a recovered canister shot.

Day 12: Twelve artillery shells discovered

These heavy artillery shells highlight the USS Cairo’s combat role during the Civil War. Recovered from the wreck, they serve as powerful reminders of the ironclad’s mission, the dangers faced by her crew, and the moment the ship was lost beneath the Yazoo River during the Vicksburg Campaign.

NPS Photo: VICKC 3465, 3470, 3480, 3490, 3500, 3505, 3515, 3535, 3540, 3570, 3580, 3590 — Twelve artillery shells.