USS Mound City (1862)

USS "Mound City" (1861) was a City class ironclad gunboat constructed for the Union Navy by James B. Eads during the American Civil War. [ "MOUND CITY, ILLINOIS" (overview), John Lamszus, State of Illinois, webpage: [http://www.state.il.us/HPA/Illinois%20History/Lamszus.pdf IL-Lam-PDF] .] In 1862, she joined the War Department’s flotilla on the western rivers, Comdr. A. H. Kilty in command.

Departing Cairo, Illinois in March 1862, "Mound City" operated off Island No. 10, the key to the Mississippi River, and New Madrid, Missouri. After the surrender of Island No. 10 on April 7, "Mound City" seized Confederate ship CSS "Red Rover", damaged by mortar fire. Sent to Cairo, "Red Rover" was subsequently converted to the Navy’s first hospital ship.

The Union capture of Fort Pillow on April 1 did not entirely eliminate the Confederate resistance; eight Confederate gunboats made a spirited attack on Union gunboats and mortars at Plum Point Bend May 10. Colonel Lovell rammed "Mound City", forcing her ashore to avoid sinking. Meanwhile, Union ships bombarded Fort Pillow daily, reducing the Confederate will to fight. Speeding to aid the rammed and sinking Cincinnati off Ship Island, "Mound City" was rammed by the General Earl Van Dorn, completely wrenching off "Mound City"’s bow. Her bow replaced at Mound City, Illinois, the steamer ran up White River in June, engaging Confederate batteries at St. Charles, Arkansas; the complete Union victory at St. Charles gave the Union control of White River, but was costly to "Mound City" as one shot completely disabled her. In danger of sinking, she was towed from beneath the batteries by "Conestoga".

The Union forces met strong southern opposition throughout the summer and abandoned Vicksburg, Mississippi August 6, when "Mound City" formed part of the White River expedition, escorting transport White Cloud. Union forces regrouped at Helena, from which "Mound City" departed August 16 with 6 other Union ships and two regiments 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Army of the Southwest on the Yazoo River expedition. The Army-Navy expedition captured the steamer CSS "Fairplay" 20 miles above Vicksburg, where the ships were unable to proceed due to shallow water.

Meanwhile, General McClernand was formulating his plans for the assault on Vicksburg. From October 1862 through March 1863, "Mound City" was with USS "Pittsburg", USS "Carondelet" and USS "Louisville" as part of the Grand Gulf venture. Passing the upper batteries of Grand Gulf October 12, the ships completely silenced the lower fort. "Mound City", "Carondelet", "Signal" and "Marmora" steamed to the mouth of Yazoo River November 25 to prevent southern blockade of it, remaining here on guard duty through March, 1863.

"Mound City" formed part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition via Steele’s Bayou March 14 as Union ships attempted to strike the rear defenses of Vicksburg. Returning to more direct action against Vicksburg, "Mound City"’s bold passage of the batteries April 16 dampened the enthusiasm of Confederate sympathizers along the shore, contributing to early Union seizure of Grand Gulf and the eventual fall of Vicksburg. On the 27th, "Mound City" joined 7 other Union gunboats in attacks on Grand Gulf.

After attacking Warrenton, Mississippi May 10 and destroying a battery, she guarded the river from Grand Gulf depot to Hard Times, Louisiana. She returned to Vicksburg June 18 for a 3-day expedition to Cole’s Creek, destroying six or seven small boats. After shelling the batteries at Vicksburg July 3, she steamed to Lake Providence, Louisiana, August 7 when she fired on and dispersed Confederate cavalry, thereafter guarding this part of the river.

Off Davis plantation in January 1864, she endeavored to raise the "Indianola", sunk in Red River in 1862. Seizing tug "Rawlins" off Natchez March 2, "Mound City" joined 17 other ships and Sherman’s troops in the Red River Expedition March 16 through May 22 in an effort to enter Texas via Alexandria, Louisiana, to counter the threat from Maximilian. Shallow water proved an obstacle as "Mound City" and "Carondelet" grounded near the wing dams across Red River May 10. Hauled across the upper falls above the obstructions by throngs of straining soldiers, the ships were able to get free. "Mound City" spent the remainder of the year guarding Indianola.

She joined the expedition to Black River in May 1865, turning back from Baldwin’s Perry on learning of an imminent attack. After the end of the conflict, she returned to Mound City for dismantling but was sold there at public auction to Frank Bennet on November 9, 1865.

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