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What caused Union Admiral David Farragut to fail in the first Union attempt to capture Vicksburg?
ChuckSiata
After Admiral Farragut's successful capture of New Orleans, he set his eyes on Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi. He captured both cities and he had at his disposal a good sized fleet. It consisted of his own Flagship the Hartford, 10 gunboats, 6 steamships and a schooner. Farragut's fleet was mounted with 286 guns and 21 mortars. His next target was Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was the most important Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi, which now held the key to control the entire course of the river.
On May 18, 1862 Farragut's Union Fleet came in sight of Vicksburg. The town was asked to surrender but the request was defied. This was because the the city stood on high bluffs overlooking the river. The northern flank was protected by a swampy complex of bayous.
Farragut bombarded the city and maneuvered to avoid return fire from the river's shore. So far, a month of such activity took place.
Farragut was joined by other warships and two transport carrying 1,500 men commanded by General Thomas William who were to invest the town on the land side, which took place on May 20th. Also, a flotilla of gunboats and rams had arrived from Memphis, Tennessee under the command of Flag Officer Charles H. Davis. Soon after that, three of Davis' vessels, the ironclad Carondelate, the wooden gunboat Tyler, and the ram, Queen of the West set off for the Yazoo River in search of another line of attack on Vicksburg. At the first big bend in the river, the Union fleet encountered the CSS Arkansas on its way downstream. The Confederate ship opened fire and chased the enemy back to Vicksburg.
Farragut's fleet was unprepared for the sudden appearance of the Southern ironclad. Shots were exchanged and 18 Union men were killed and 50 wounded. Despite this, none of the Union ships were badly damaged. Meantime the CSS Arkansas docked at Vicksburg and received a hero's welcome.
Later that same day, Farragut ordered his ships back to try and destroy the Southern ironclad. Time was not on Farragut's side as it was sundown before any shots were fired, and one shell hit target and killed one man and wounded 3 others. The ironclad however, was saved. Later the Confederates recounted their losses to find out 12 more men were killed and 18 wounded.
In the meantime Vicksburg had been reinforced by 3,600 infantry and artillery troops, and the number of heavy guns deployed to defend the fortress had been increased to 18, arranged in 7 strong fortifications, built at the top of a gentle slope where the town was located.
Consequently, Farragut became well aware that:
1 - He didn't have a sufficient number of troops to effectively invest Vicksburg.
2 - The ships of his fleet had no chance to silence the enemy guns, because the Confederate would shoot from the heights dominating the water surface from a height of 50-60 meters with an insightful shooting, while the naval artillery's wouldn't have the opportunity to raise enough the elevation of the guns in order to strike the Confederate positions.
Therefore, on May 26th , Farragut decided to give up and restart the fleet for New Orleans, leaving a flotilla of 6 gunboats to monitor the fortress.
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Did the north have a formal navy?
Yes. In the American Civil War the North had a formal navy. When General Grant was unable to defeat the confederate forces defending Vicksburg, Mississippi, he asked for help from Admiral Farragut. The United States Navy sailed up the Mississippi River to Vicksburg. Admiral Farragut's Battleships aimed their cannon on the larger Confederate force. After a brief battle, the army under General Pemberton fled to Vicksburg, and the army under Joseph E. Johnson fled to Jackson Mississippi. Admiral Farragut decided to capture Mobile, Alabama. One of his officers yelled, "Sir, they have torpedoes." Admiral Farragut replied, "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead."
Where did Union Admiral Farragut look for reinforcements for his plan to capture Vicksburg in 1862?
After Union Admiral Farragut failed to force the surrender of Vicksburg in June of 1862, he came to the conclusion that the city's defenses were far greater than anyone expected. Since he had been informed that controlling the Mississippi River was more vital than capturing Mobile Alabama, Farragut wanted to take care of the river situation so that he could turn his attention back to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Farragut did not see himself as an admiral in charge of river operations. With that said, Farragut looked to Memphis Tennessee for assistance. There a Union river flotilla could sail down river and help with the assault on Vicksburg.As can be seen, it would take several serious and unsuccessful Union campaigns to capture Vicksburg.
When did Major General US Grant make his first attempt to capture Vicksburg?
In December of 1862, Major General Grant planned what would be the Union's second attempt to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi. The first attempt was by Admiral Farragut in late June of 1862.Grant and General Sherman approached Vicksburg from different routes. Grant moved his forces along the Mississippi Central Railroad, while Sherman came down river form Memphis. Each of the Union generals met strong Rebel resistance and at the end on 1862, Vicksburg, however would remain a target for future Union assaults.
What Confederate port did Union Admiral David G Farragut want to attack after New Orleans fell?
Union Admiral David D. Farragut looked to capture the port city of Mobile, Alabama after the fall of New Orleans. The Navy Department however delayed this move. They believed the next point of attack should be at Vicksburg.
What was the southern city captured by admiral David Farragut?
The southern city captured by Admiral David Farragut was New Orleans, Louisiana. The capture took place on April 29, 1862.
When did Union Flag Officer David Farragut make the first attempt to capture the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg Mississippi?
Following his success with the capture of New Orleans, Flag Officer Farragut set his sights on the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. His fleet moved up the Mississippi River and captured Baton Rouge and Natchez. His next target was Vicksburg. Farragut arrived at Vicksburg on May 18, 1862 and demanded its surrender. The Rebel garrison refused and the two enemies exchanged cannon fire. Farragut's problem was that due to the 200 foot heights the city commanded over the Mississippi River, Farragut's guns could not be placed in the elevated position required to do any damage to the city. Frustrated by this and the failure of reinforcements to bring his assault to a victory, he abandoned his assault on Vicksburg on July 24, 1862. Later, the Union army would also make more than one attempt to capture Vicksburg. Major Grant would lead these assaults and the city would surrender on July 4, 1863.
Who captured New Orleans in 1862?
In 1862, Officer David Farragut was able to capture the city of New Orleans without needing to take the battle into the city itself. Instead, he captured the Forts Jackson and Philip, then went unopposed in his conquest of the city. The capture of the Confederacyâ??s largest city, marked a turning point in the war.
What Northern admiral captured New Orleans?
In April of 1862, it was the Union flag officer David G. Farragut (1801-1870) who led naval forces to victory in the capture of New Orleans. Soon promoted to "Rear Admiral" for his accomplishments, Farragut went on to further success in the Civil War and beyond, becoming the first American naval officer to achieve the rank of Admiral.
How did Admiral Farragut capture New Orleans in 1862?
On April 29, 1862, David Farragut began the assault that would led to the capture of New Orleans. He was able to get through the forts of Jackson and St. Philip, as well as the Chalmette batteries, in order to take the city and its port. New Orleans surrendered after a massive bombardment by the Union navy.
What is the significance of mobile bay?
It was a favourite port of the blockade-runners, and its dramatic capture by an elderly Union Admiral (Farragut) raised Southern morale, and helped Lincoln win re-election.
When did Union General Sherman have to retreat in the battle to capture Vicksburg?
The capture of Vicksburg was a goal early on in the US Civil War. The first attempt was by Admiral Farragut closely following his victory at New Orleans in 1862. Later in that same year, the task of capturing Vicksburg fell to Major General US Grant. Under Grant, was his trusted General William T. Sherman. As part of a coordinated attack, General Sherman positioned himself north of the city on the Yazoo River. There on December 29, 1862, Rebel forces atop of Chickasaw Bluffs used their superior position to force Sherman's retreat. This was on December 29, 1862. With that said, General Grant vowed to renew his efforts against the Southern stronghold in 1863.
What Union general captured the city of New Orleans?
David Glasgow Farragut. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, but he had been in the US Navy for a great many years and did not go south when the war started. He and another Union naval commander forced the surrender of New Orleans in 1862. He receives the credit for shutting down Mobile, Alabama in August, 1864.
