The Mississippi River Squadron was the official name to the Union squadron that operated on the western rivers during the American Civil War and was therefore commonly known as the "Western Flotilla" and sometimes as the "Mississippi Flotilla". The Union was a name used by many to refer to the Northern states during the American Civil War. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the...

History

The squadron was created on 16 May 1861 and was controlled by the Union Army until September 30, 1862. John Rodgers was the first commander of the squadron and was responsible for the construction and organization of the fleet. Andrew H. Foote relieved Rodgers and encouraged the army commander in the west, Henry W. Halleck to authorize and expedition down the Tennessee River against Fort Henry. Operating in conjunction with the Army in the Field under Ulysses S. Grant Foote subdued Fort Henry before Grant's troops could take their positions. Foote led the squadron in the attack on Fort Donelson and then joined with the Army of the Mississippi for a joint attack on Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River. Charles H. Davis relieved Foote and proceded to capture Fort Pillow on the Mississippi. The U. S. Ram Fleet commanded by Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr was added to the squadron during the battle of Memphis. After the capture of Memphis the squadron was transferred to the control of the U.S. Navy. Davis aided Grant's first and unsuccessful campaign against Vicksburg. Rear Admiral David D. Porter relieved Davis in command and led the squadron at Arkansas Post and during the successful Vicksburg Campaign and siege of the city. Porter led the squadron during the disastrous Red River campaign and when the waters of the river dropped the fleet was almost lost. The engineering abilities of Colonel Joseph Bailey helped save the fleet. Command temporarily passed to Alexander Penncok before Samuel P. Lee assumed command. Lee was in command until the squadron was discontinued on 14 August 1865. May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (137th in leap years). ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... September 30 is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 92 days remaining. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Andrew Hull Foote (12 September 1806 _ 26 June 1863) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Civil War. ... Henry Wager Halleck (1815 - 1872) was an American soldier and politician. ... A riverboat passing under the Gay Street Bridge on the Tennessee River The river viewed from the top of Neyland Stadium. ... Fort Henry, Ontario, is a National Historic Site of Canada. ... The Army in the Field was the first army commanded by Ulysses S. Grant during the Civi War. ... Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... Army of the Mississippi was the name given to two Union armies, both with short existences, during the Civil War. ... This page is about the river in the United States; there is also a Canadian Mississippi River (Ontario). ... Portrait of David Dixon Porter during the Civil War Admiral David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States naval officer who became one of the most noted naval heroes of the Civil War. ... The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of battles and maneuvers in the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ... John Rodgers or John Rogers may refer to: John Rodgers John Rodgers (1772 - 1838), U.S. Naval officer during the War of 1812 John Rodgers (1812 - 1882), U.S. Naval officer during the Civil War, son of the first John Rodgers John Rodgers (1881 - 1926), U.S. Naval officer during... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (137th in leap years). ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Flag Officer is both a historic naval rank and a modern day navy title. ... Andrew Hull Foote Andrew Hull Foote (September 12, 1806 – June 26, 1863) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served during the American Civil War. ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Battle of Fort Henry was fought February 6, 1862, in western Tennessee, during the American Civil War. ... This article or section should be merged with Battle of Fort Donelson Fort Donelson, Tennessee, was the site of the first significant Union victory of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Island No. ... Flag Officer is both a historic naval rank and a modern day navy title. ... Charles Harold Davis (1856 or 1857 – 1933) was an American landscape painter. ... May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Battle of Memphis I Conflict American Civil War Date June 6, 1862 Place Shelby County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Memphis was a naval battle fought on the Mississippi River on June 6, 1862 during the American Civil War. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Portrait of David Dixon Porter during the Civil War Vice Admiral David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States naval officer who became one of the most noted naval heroes of the Civil War. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Battle of Fort Hindman / Battle of Arkansas Post Conflict American Civil War Date January 9-11, 1863 Place Arkansas County, Arkansas Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Hindman (January 9 - 11, 1863) was a battle of the American Civil War which took place near the mouth of the Arkansas... Battle of Vicksburg Conflict American Civil War Date May 18 - July 4, 1863 Place Warren County, Mississippi Result Union victory The Battle of Vicksburg was an American Civil War siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, on a well-fortified west-facing cliff on the Mississippi River. ... The Red River Campaign (also called Red River Expedition) consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. ... July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Samuel Phillips Lee (13 February 1812 – 7 June 1897) was a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Sources

• Eicher, John H., & Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
• Nevin, David The Road to Shiloh: Early Battles in the West, Time-Life Books, 1983