The rebellion will be riven in the center.” Welles placed a force of 17 warships and 20 mortar boats under the able command of Farragut, telling him that “The Department relies upon your skill to give direction to the powerful force placed at your disposal, and upon your personal character to infuse hearty cooperation amongst your officers.” 1 Events would show Welles’s confidence had not been misplaced.įarragut began active operations on 16 April, when he moved his fleet up to the main Confederate fortifications of Fort Jackson and Fort St. The capture of New Orleans, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles explained, would “open the way to the sea for the great West. Farragut’s actions deprived the Confederacy of its largest city and enabled further Union advances up the Mississippi River.Įarly in the war, Union authorities had identified the strategic importance of New Orleans. With its defenders gone, New Orleans surrendered.
Initial attempts to bombard defenders into submission failed and, with supplies running low, Farragut made the decision to force the issue and engage with his entire fleet, noting that “The flag-officer, having heard all opinions expressed by the different commanders, is of the opinion that whatever is to be done will have to be done quickly.” After heavy combat against Confederate land and naval forces, the Union navy prevailed, ultimately suffering only light losses. Farragut captured the Confederate city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Navy force under the command of Flag-Officer David G. In April 1862, during the Civil War, a U.S.
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