First Battle of Memphis: Union captures Memphis (1862)

The First Battle of Memphis occurred on June 6, 1862, as a naval engagement on the Mississippi River immediately north of Memphis, Tennessee. Union ironclad gunboats defeated Confederate forces, resulting in the virtual eradication of Confederate naval presence on the river. This victory facilitated the Union occupation of Memphis, which had been abandoned by rebel forces in early June.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Memphis, situated along the Mississippi River, became a Confederate stronghold after Tennessee seceded in June 1861. By early June 1862, rebel army forces abandoned Memphis and its nearby forts. The Union forces, specifically ironclad gunboats, moved to capture the city, marking a significant shift in control of the river and the city itself.

Naval Engagement. The battle was primarily a naval action fought on the Mississippi River immediately north of Memphis. Union ironclad gunboats engaged Confederate forces, resulting in a crushing defeat for the Confederacy. This engagement marked the virtual eradication of a Confederate naval presence on the river, allowing Union forces to secure the city.

People involved

Sources

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