New Orleans Surrenders-- Part 2: A Major Blow to the Confederacy

With the rapid capitulation of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the delta of the Mississippi was open to the water-borne movement of Union forces which were free to steam upriver to join those coming south in the great pincer which would sever the Confederacy/

"Thus," reported Union Secretary of Navy Welles, "the great southern depot of the trade of the immense central valley of the Union was once more opened to commercial intercourse and the emporium of that wealthy region was restored to national authority; the mouth of the Mississippi was under our control and an outlet for the great West to the ocean was secured."

The only problem, however, was that the Confederacy still held vital points along the river, and until they were captured, the Union didn't control the whole river, but this was a big step.

And, the North now had quite the Naval Hero in Farragut.

--Old B-Runner