The battle of columbus took place in 1865. James wilson is a Union Cavalry officer. Their job was to attack the states of alabama and georgia. Their goal was to destroy important targets like columbus because of industrial output. They wanted to disrupt supply lines and communications, anything to further along the collapse of the confederacy. An ironclad like the jackson would be used at a port city. If there was an approaching army, the vessel can move up and down the waterway and fire its big guns at the opposing forces. This is what confederate ironclads did. She is right at completion in april 1865. There is no crew yet. The navy has her on the list as the next ship to the commission to. The war is winding down and the confederacy is collapsing. During the battle of columbus, she said of the navy yard. The navy guys never could come aboard and get her steam up here in there was not enough men available to do that. Its a nice showpiece. The next morning, wilsons men came into the n