Battle in the American Civil War that took place on August 9, 1862 at Donaldsonville, Louisiana
A U.S. Navy retaliatory bombardment of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, that effectively halted Confederate partisan artillery fire on Union river traffic.
Key Facts
- Date
- August 9, 1862
- Location
- Ascension Parish, Louisiana
- Union Commander
- Rear Adm. David G. Farragut
- Conflict context
- Operations against Baton Rouge, American Civil War
- Confederate figure
- Capt. Phillippe Landry, partisan unit captain
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Confederate partisans and local forces repeatedly fired artillery on Union steamers navigating the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. These incidents threatened Union control of the river and prompted Rear Adm. David G. Farragut to plan a punitive naval operation against the town, first warning residents to evacuate women and children.
Farragut anchored Union vessels before Donaldsonville and bombarded the town with guns and mortars. He then landed a shore party that set fire to hotels, wharf buildings, and the property of Capt. Phillippe Landry, believed to lead the partisan unit responsible for attacking Union ships. Landry reportedly fired on the landing party during the raid.
Although some citizens protested the raid, Confederate partisan artillery fire on Union vessels along the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville largely ceased following the action. The bombardment demonstrated Union willingness to take direct retaliatory measures against towns sheltering or supporting hostile forces along the river.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Rear Adm. David G. Farragut.
Side B
1 belligerent
Capt. Phillippe Landry.