USS Lexington-- Part 4: At Vicksburg and Red River Campaigns

After relieving the Union Fort Donelson garrison, the Lexington went back to the Mississippi River on June 2 and took part in the final operations against Vicksburg.  The Lexington joined the USS Choctaw in aiding outnumbered Union troops  at Milliken's Bend, Mississippi.

For the next month, she operated against Vicksburg until it fell.  In October it was back to the Tennessee River and then in February 1864 back to the Mississippi and operations on the Red River where the Lexington and fleet were saved by the construction of the dam which allowed water levels to rise enough for the fleet to pass through the rapids to safety on May 9, 1864.

On 15 June 1864, the  Lexington seized two steamers with cotton on board. then repulsed an attack on White River Station, Arkansas, on 22 June 1864.  For the rest of the war, the Lexington did convoy and patrol duty.

Decommissioned on 2 July 1865 and sold 17 August 1865.

The Union Sure Got Their Money's Worth Out of This Ship.  --Old B-Runner