The Union Navy during the Civil War.12/23/2023 ![]() ![]() When Confederate steamer Charm attempted to land supplies for the fort the Union gunboats drove her back up the Big Black River. He found a "strong fort" under construction and shelled the workers out. The successful steaming of the squadron past the heavy batteries contributed to the early seizure of Grand Gulf, the eventual fall of Vicksburg itself, and ultimately the conquest of the entire Mississippi River.įive days later Porter, in Lafayette, reconnoitered the Confederate works at Grand Gulf. Although under fire for 2½ hours, all ships of the squadron were ready for service within half an hour after the passage. Lafayette, hampered by the ship lashed to her side, received nine "effective" shots through her casemate and had her coal barge sunk. Each ship, except Benton, also towed a coal barge. The ships were covered with heavy logs and bales of wet hay, which proved to be an excellent defense. Ram General Sterling Price was lashed to the starboard side of Lafayette for the passage. The gunboats engaged the southern guns as they shepherded Army transports through the gauntlet to New Carthage. The new ram joined Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's Mississippi Squadron above Vicksburg in time for the famous dash on 6 April 1863 past the deadly batteries which protected the vital Confederate fortress. Service history Battle of Vicksburg, April–July 1863 1.1 Battle of Vicksburg, April–July 1863.She was commissioned at Cairo, Illinois, 27 February 1863, with Captain Henry A. Renamed Lafayette on 8 September 1862, she was transferred to the Navy with the entire western flotilla by executive order on 1 October 1862. She was converted to an ironclad ram at St. She was purchased by the War Department as Fort Henry on for use in the western flotilla. Louis, Missouri, in 1848 as Aleck Scott (often spelled Alick Scott). The first USS Lafayette was a side wheel steamer, converted to an ironclad ram, in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. 4 × 9 in (230 mm) Dahlgren smoothbore guns.2 × 11 in (280 mm) Dahlgren smoothbore guns.For other ships of the same name, see USS Lafayette. ![]()
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