Formal and effective command diverge at Vicksburg

When Farragut joined the Western Gunboat Flotilla near Vicksburg, Flag Officer Charles Davis treated the word join as placing Farragut under his command. Farragut read the order more narrowly and did not accept that interpretation. In practice, his blue-water ships continued to look to him because he knew their capabilities and had already led them through demanding operations. The dispute separates authority on paper from the effective command relationships created by experience, familiarity, and confidence.