A day of desperate combat resulted in a stalemate, with both ships limping back for repairs. The next day, the USS Monitor, the North's own ironclad, moved out to challenge the Virginia. The Virginia had devastated the timberclad fleet before nightfall. On March 8, Union blockaders were stunned by the approach of the CSS Virginia, one of the first ironclad warships the world had ever seen. The Battle of Hampton Roads | March 8-9, 1862 More About Fort Donelson » | More About Fort Henry » Nashville was the first Confederate state capital to fall into Union hands. The fall of this fort opened up the Cumberland and forced the surrender of Nashville, Tennessee by the end of the month. Pivoting east, the combined arms force attacked Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River less than a week later. An fierce naval bombardment proved essential in the capture of the fort, which opened the Tennessee River to the depredations of his gunboats. Foote led a flotilla out of Cairo, Illinois to attack Fort Henry on February 6, 1862. The Battles of Forts Henry and Donelson | February 6-16, 1862 The battle opened a vital approach to the Charleston Harbor, allowing Union ships to tighten the blockade on one of the Confederacy's largest seaports. The defenders withdrew in the afternoon and left the sound in Union hands. The resulting four-and-half hour gun battle exacted a heavy toll on the ships of the fleet as well as on the Confederate garrison. The Battle of Port Royal | November 7, 1861Īfter foul weather compelled an infantry landing to be cancelled, Union naval officers took it upon themselves to attack the fortifications protecting Port Royal Sound, South Carolina. These are a few of the actions that shaped the course of the struggle. The Civil War on the water was marked by bold strategy, technological innovation, and unflinching bravery. Saved Land Browse Interactive Map View active campaigns.Protect Virginia Battlefields from Massive Data Centers.Speak Out to Protect Wyse Fork Battlefield.Fight Against Development Threats in Culpeper County.Gettysburg’s Day One Battlefield Threatened.Help Restore Three Sites to Their Wartime Appearance.Save 170 Threatened Acres at Lookout Mountain, Mill Springs and Fort DeRussy.Help Save 52 Hallowed Acres at Three Virginia Battlefields.Help Preserve 177 Acres at Buffington Island.Help Protect 52 Threatened Acres in Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi.Phase Three of Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign.Virtual Tours View All See Antietam now!.National Teacher Institute July 21 - 24, 2022 Learn More.USS Constitution In 4 Minutes Watch Video.African Americans During the Revolutionary War.The First American President: Setting the Precedent.

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