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The commander of the Confederate forces at Vicksburg was General Earl van Dorn. When Union Admiral Farragut withdrew from Vicksburg, General van Dorn decided to mount an attack on Baton Rouge and retake it. He believed that if the ironclad, the CSS Arkansas could reach Baton Rouge the Union gunboats there could be sunk or forced to retreat down river. He sent General John Breckinridge with 5,000 men to lead a land attack

The Union garrison defending Baton Rouge was lead by Brigadier General Thomas Williams. He had advance information of the impending attack and on August 5, had his men lined up for battle. The Confederate forces first had met their objective of forcing the Union back to the river side. The Union gunboats, however, were still intact and gave support to the retreating Union army.

The plan had called for the CSS Arkansas to eliminate the gunboats, however, the Arkansas never reached Baton Rouge as its engines had failed. It drifted and ran aground on the river bank. In the meantime the USS Essex arrived and the guns of the Arkansas could not be aimed at the Union ship. Rather then surrender the ship her captain blew up the Arkansas.

Back on shore the gunboats and the Union army forced a Confederate retreat. Losses on both sides were heavy. Rather than wait for another Confederate attack, the Union garrison withdrew to New Orleans and the Confederates re-occupied Baton Rouge until December, when it was retaken by Union forces. Baton Rouge remained in Union hands until the end of the war.

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Q: What happened after Union Admiral Farragut retreated from Vicksburg?
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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.


What is the first Battle of Vicksburg?

It was the first attempt to seize Vicksburg. The offensive was carried out by Rear Admiral Farragut on May 18,1862 and reiterated on May 21 with three great sea corvettes and 6 gunboats, plus 1,500 landing troops. The attempt was beaten off by the Confederate defenders and Farragut decided to give up and retreat southward, leaving the six gunboats to watch over the fortress.


How large was the fleet that Admiral Farragut had when he captured Mobile Alabama in 1864?

On August 5, 1864, Admiral Farragut and his fleet entered the harbor of the port city of Mobile, Alabama. Farragut had four monitor ironclads and seven wooden warships. The city was actually captured on August 23, 1864.


When did Natchez Mississippi fall to Union forces?

On May 12, of 1862, Admiral Farragut forces this Mississippi River town to surrender. Because Vicksburg was still a huge resource for the South, the fall of Natchez was not significant itself as a victory, however, it was still a loss for the South.


What problems faced Union Admiral Farragut in the Battle of Mobile Bay?

In August of 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut was faced with the task of sealing off the port of Mobile, Alabama. There were two Rebel forts Morgan and Gaines. Also was the Confederate ironclad ram, CSS Tennessee and three gunboats. Farragut also had to navigate around mines, torpedoes and sunken wood piles.

Related questions

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."


When was Admiral Farragut Academy created?

Admiral Farragut Academy was created in 1945.


Was David Farragut a general or a governor?

Admiral David Farragut was an admiral with the United States Navy.


What is Admiral Farragut Academy's motto?

The motto of Admiral Farragut Academy is 'Success is Never Accidental'.


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.


What was goal of Union Admiral Farragut after he forced New Orleans to surrender?

After the fall of New Orleans in the late Spring of 1862, Admiral Farragut sought permission to assault the Alabama port of Mobile. The US Navy, however, delayed any operations towards Mobile and instead ordered Farragut to secure control of the Mississippi River from New Orleans up to Vicksburg, Mississippi.


Who captured New Orleans in the Civil War?

Admiral Farragut


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 us naval admiral captured the last confederate port?

Admiral Farragut


Who was the union admiral that set out after New Orleans?

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut.


What side was David Farragut on?

He was an Admiral of the US Navy.


Who was the Admiral in the US Navy after Farragut?

David Dixon Porter