Transcript Fort Jackson/Fort St. Phillip Battles (to gain New Orleans Territory)

Fort Jackson and
Fort St. Phillip
Louisiana in the Civil War
During the Civil War, the Union army
planned to seize control of the Mississippi
River from the Confederacy.
One critical step was for the Union to enter
the mouth of the Mississippi River and
capture New Orleans. New Orleans was
largest city in the south at that time. The
Port of New Orleans was a big part of the
economy. Union leaders knew that by
capturing the city and the port, the Union
could succeed at closing off the entrance to
Rebel ships and cripple the area.
The plan began by battling Fort Jackson
and Fort St. Philip about 70 miles south of
New Orleans.
Fort Jackson and
Fort St. Phillip
The battle of Forts Jackson
and Fort St. Philip ran from
April 16 to April 28, 1862,
during the American Civil War.
Confederate-controlled forts
were besieged for 12 days by
the fleet of U.S. ships led by
Navy Flag Officer David
Farragut.
Fort St. Phillip
In mid-January 1862, Union Navy Officer David G. Farragut undertook
this enterprise with his West Gulf Blockading Squadron. The way was
soon open except for the two forts, Jackson and St. Philip, approximately
seventy miles below New Orleans.
Union Navy Officer David G. Farragut
Fort Jackson Entrance
Confederate leaders believed that Union would try to attack a more
northern city first. Faced with a dilemma, the Confederate President
Jefferson Davis in Richmond decided to put almost all of its efforts in
defending the cities to the north, trusting that the two forts fronting on the
river south of the city, would be able to handle any attack from that
direction.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis
Fort St. Phillip
Farragut based his operations from Ship
Island, Mississippi, and on April 8, he
assembled his ships near the Head of the
Passes.
Confederates had placed obstructions in
the river and there were a number of
ships, to assist in the defense.
By April 14th 1862, Farragut's navy
vessels had entered the Mississippi River
and assembled near Head of the Passes.
Farragut led 47 ships to take New
Orleans. They moved up the river and
took positions just out of range below the
forts.
Farragut ordered David Porter, the commander of the Union boats, to
open fire on Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phillip on April 18, 1862. It was
said that the constant fires could be heard fifty miles away.
Fort Jackson
Late on April 23rd (and early morning hours of the 24th), Farragut sent his ships north to
pass the forts and head for New Orleans. The Rebels attempted to stop the Union ships
in various ways, but were unsuccessful. With the passage of the forts, nothing could
stop the Union forces. Now, the fall of New Orleans was inevitable Cut off and
surrounded, the garrisons of the two forts surrendered on the 28th.
Fort Jackson fell on April 28th.
With defeat of both battles, the
Union Army was able to move on
and capture New Orleans.
On May 1, 1862, Union General
Benjamin Butler took command
of New Orleans.
Capture New of Orleans
Following the engagement, Fort Jackson was used as a Union prison. Fort Jackson was later used to train men
for World War I. Fort Jackson was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The fort has been owned by
Plaquemines Parish since 1962. The fort site was later opened as a park. The fort was badly damaged by
Hurricane Katrina storm surge in 2005. Between Katrina and Hurricane Rita the following month, much of the fort
sat under water for up to six weeks. Photos from Wikipedia.
1. What river did the Union Army want to gain control over?
2. Can you explain why the Confederacy would want to capture the Port of
New Orleans and the city?
3. Was this a wise decision for the Union Army? Explain why or why not.
4. What were the names of the two forts which the Union took over right
before New Orleans?
5. Do you think Confederate President Jefferson Davis made a decision
that was wrong by not protecting New Orleans in a better way? Explain
why or why not.
6. What date did the shooting begin at Fort Jackson?
7. What date did the battles of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phillip end?
8. What was the name of the commander who took over New Orleans on
May 1, 1862?
9. What was the name of the Navy Leader which led the attacks at Fort
Jackson and Fort St. Phillip?
10.How many ships did he bring to fight that battle?