Battle of Mobile Bay
After the civil war broke, the Union’s main objective was to cut the Confederate ports from the outside world. The union leaders combined the forces of the navy and army to capture and gain control of all the Confederate ports in the southern states. Battle of Mobile Bay was a contest between a federal fleet and the Confederate fleet for the control of Mobile Bay during the civil war. Mobile Bay became the most important stronghold for the Confederates after the fall of New Orleans and Louisiana. It was the only port that allowed the confederate communities to communicate and trade with the outside world. Therefore, most of the supplies to the Confederate states came through the bay. The Confederate leaders hence put a blockade to prevent Union ships from entering into the bay towards Mobile town. The significance of Mobile Bay to the Confederates made it a top priority for the federal government. The blockade included ships and garrisons who prevented the Union troops from advancing into Albania and Mississippi. Due to the strategic position of the port, Major General Ulysses S. Grant proposed its capture in 1863.
Rear Admiral David G. Farragut, a Union naval commander in the Gulf of Mexico, requested for ironclads and army troops to capture Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines at the beginning of 1864. Having received the required resources by July 1864, Farragut was ready to attack Mobile Bay. His squadron had several types of ships included wooden ones and ironclads which were armored. All the ships were gun mounted and prepared for a clash. Farragut’s plan was simple, involving 2000 soldiers on foot while the ships attacked from the sea. On August 5, 1864, Farragut’s ships lined up and progressed northwards at the break of dawn towards Mobile Bay’s entrance. Tecumseh, one of the vessels in his fleet fired at Fort Morgan at 6.47 am marking the commencement of the battle. The Confederates returned fire as more union ships joined the campaign. The captain of Tecumseh disregarded Farragut’s orders and proceeded towards the mines and sank confusing the union ships. Farragut gave more orders urging the vessel to move forward leading the famous phrase “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” The battle lasted for about 5 hours until Buchanan surrendered giving the Union troops control over fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. However, the final action against CSS Tennessee, a massive Confederate warship.
The battle of Mobile Bay had a far-reaching historical and political significance. Primarily, the struggle led to the loss of many lives of the US Navy and army soldiers belonging to the Confederate and Union states. Moreover, Farragut’s success in the battle marked the last of the standing Confederate ports. It was a significant achievement for the Union who stood in support of the abolishment of slavery. In this regard, the battle marked the end of the civil war in the United States which had been continuing for the previous three years. The United States Navy delivered a victory when it was much needed. The success won applause from the whole nation, including the Confederate secretary of the navy. Furthermore, the collapse of the Confederacy was a significant gain for Abraham Lincoln since it helped in his re-election as president for the second term. Moreover, Farragut’s phrase “Damn the Torpedoes!” remains a symbol of success in the American lexicon.
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