Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Navy to the Rescue
Command Performance
Statues at the base of the monument honor Union naval commanders. The Navy played a crucial role in gaining Federal control of the Mississippi River, and sent vital supplies to Grant's army during the siege of Vicksburg.
David G. Farragut commanded part of the fleet blockading the Gulf of Mexico and led the first attempt to take Vicksburg from the river in 1862.
Andrew H. Foote used his Western Flotilla to take out enemy forts along the river north of Vicksburg in 1862.
Charles H. Davis, who led the Western Flotilla after Foote was injured, joined Farragut for the naval attack on Vicksburg in the summer of 1862.
David D. Porter added the firepower of his mortar-boat flotilla to Farragut's assault on Vicksburg in 1863. His role in Grant's campaign assured the Union victory.
[Background photo caption]
As Grant's army blocked Vicksburg from the east, Porter's navy sealed off the city along the river side. Navy guns and mortars joined the army's bombardment of the besieged city.
Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 32° 22.591′ N, 90° 51.855′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Union Avenue, 1.9 miles west of Grant Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Union Avenue, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Campaign, Siege and Defense of Vicksburg, 1863. (here, next to this marker); Vicksburg Navy Memorial (a few steps from
this marker); U.S. 8th Battery, (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Battery F, (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paddle Wheel - USS Cairo (about 700 feet away); The USS Cairo (about 700 feet away); Officers' Quarters - USS Cairo (about 700 feet away); Steering an Ironclad - USS Cairo (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.
Regarding Navy to the Rescue. The tallest monument in Vicksburg National Military Park, mentioned in this marker, is an obelisk dedicated to the role of the United States Navy in the campaign. Positioned on a ridge above the current location of the gunboat U.S.S. Cairo, and near both the National Cemetery and Confederate-held Fort Hill, it is also on the site of Battery Selfridge, the only gun emplacement in the siege manned exclusively by sailors from the Union fleet.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017
4. Marker is located at Battery Selfridge (Tour Stop 7).
This battery consisted entirely of naval cannon and was manned by sailors of the U.S. Navy. It is named in honor of Lt. Commander Thomas O. Selfridge Jr., one of the naval officers stationed here and the man in command of the ironclad Cairo when it was sunk in the Yazoo River on December 12, 1862.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.