The Arkansas was one of two casemated ironclads laid down near Memphis Tennessee in October of 1861. The Arkansas was taken up the Yazoo River for completion when Memphis was occupied by Union troops. It's sister ship, the Tennessee, was burned to prevent capture. The Arkansas lay at Yazoo City for some time until Lt. Isaac Brown took charge and hurried her to completion. Upon completion, on July 14th, she set course down the Yazoo river. On her way downstream, she encountered the Union ironclad Carondelet, accompanied by the gunboat Tyler and the ram, Queen of the West. The ensuing action left the Carondelet grounded and disabled, and the other two vessels fleeing for thier lives. Once the Arkansas entered the Mississippi River, she ran through the entire Union fleet before coming to safe anchor below Vicksburg. At Vicksburg, the Arkansas was attacked by the Queen of the West and the ironclad Essex. Later, ordered into action at Baton Rouge before much needed repairs were completed, she was attacked by the Essex, and, with engine trouble, was run aground and burned.

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