USS Lexington-- Part 2: Action At Belmont, Fort Henry and Shiloh

The USS Lexington saw action on September 10, 1861, when it and the USS Conestoga exchanged shots with a Confederate battery at Lucas Bend, Missouri, and damaged the Confederate ship Jackson.

In November, the Lexington covered Gen. Grant's Army at the Battle of Belmont and then steamed up the Tennessee River to attack Fort Henry.  The Union gunboats forced Fort Henry to surrender and afterwards swept the Tennessee River of Confederate transports and captured the unfinished steamer Eastport and destroyed a railroad bridge.

After repairs, the Lexington and  USS Tyler engaged Confederates fortifying Pittsburg Landing on March 1, 1862,  then went further upriver and engaged a Confederate battery at Chickasaw, Alabama, on the 12th.

Then came the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, when, with the Union Army  looking deep  in defeat, the two ships dropped downriver and opened fire on the Confederate right flank as it crashed down on the Federal troops along the river.  Their concentrated broadsides stopped the Confederate advance.

They continued their heavy fire throughout the night.

Thank You Navy.  --Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, November 7, 1861: USS Tyler and Lexington Aide U.S. Grant at the Battle of Belmont

NOVEMBER 7TH, 1861:  The USS Tyler, Commander Walke, and USS Lexington, Commander Stembel, supported 3000 Union troops under General Grant at the Battle of Belmont, Missouri, and engaged Confederate batteries along the Mississippi River.

The arrival of Confederate reinforcements compelled Grant to withdraw under pressure.  Grape, canister and shell from the gunboats scattered the Confederates, enabling Union troops to re-embark on their transports.

Grant, with characteristic restraint, reported that the gunboats' service was "most efficient" having "protected our transports throughout."

--Old B-R'er