USS Little Rebel (1859)

USS "Little Rebel" (1859) was a steamer captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Wooden screw steamer "R. E. & A. H. Watson", built at Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, in 1859; operated in the Confederate Mississippi Defense Fleet; was captured 6 June 1862; purchased by the U.S. Navy from the Illinois Prize Court, 9 January 1863; and fitted out at Cairo, Illinois, in 1863, Acting Master William R. Sanford in command.

"Little Rebel" captured by the Union Navy

Commodore Montgomery’s flagship at the Battle of Memphis 6 June 1862, "Little Rebel" was forced aground on the Arkansas shore by "Monarch", also responsible for disabling "General Beauregard". Of the eight Confederate ships at Memphis, Tennessee, the Union ships sank seven, clearing the upper Mississippi River of naval craft. Behind the Navy’s power the Federals occupied Memphis, Tennessee, later to be an important Union military base and repair center. The Union squadron captured the abandoned "Little Rebel", sending her to Cairo, Illinois, 11 June for gunboat service in Colonel Ellet’s Ram Fleet.

Assigned to Mississippi River operations

"Little Rebel" soon assumed a role in Fitch’s anti-guerrillas, campaign on the Mississippi River, joining the flotilla on the western rivers 21 August. In October she detained steamer "City of Alton" and scouted Bird’s Point, Cypress Bend, on the Yazoo River, and Hopefield, Arkansas, where Union ships discouraged further guerrilla activity in December 1863. "Little Rebel" patrolled from Red River to Fort Adams in March 1863, as Union ships captured Fort De Russey and moved to counter Maximilian’s threat to Texas. Steaming to the Mississippi River in April, she patrolled this area for the remainder of the conflict.

Preventing the escape of Jefferson Davis

In May 1865, she and seven other Union ships guarded to prevent the escape of Jefferson Davis. On the 28th, she convoyed troops to Red River, remaining at the mouth of the river when the squadron was reduced in June.

Decommissioning, sale, and post-war civilian career

"Little Rebel" decommissioned at Mound City, Illinois, 24 July 1865 and was sold there to Daniel Jacobs 29 November 1865. Redocumented as "Spy" 4 March 1867, the steamer remained in merchant service until 1874.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l7/little_rebel.htm USS Little Rebel]