First Battle of Donaldsonville

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First Battle of Donaldsonville
Began:

August 9, 1862

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Ascension Parish, Louisiana

Theater:

Lower Seaboard Theater

Campaign:

Operations against Baton Rouge

Outcome:

Union victory (inconclusive)

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Three U.S. Navy ships

Minor artillery force

Commanders

David G. Farragut
Rear Admiral, USN

Phillippe Landry
Captain, CSA

Strength
Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

  

A number of incidents of artillery firing on Union steamers passing up and down the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville influenced the U.S. Navy to undertake a retaliatory attack. Rear Adm. David G. Farragut sent the town notice of his intentions and suggested that the citizens send the women and children away. He then anchored in front of the town and fired upon it with guns and mortars. Farragut also sent a detachment ashore that set fire to the hotels, wharf buildings, and the dwelling houses and other buildings of Capt. Phillippe Landry. Landry, thought to be the captain of the partisan unit, purportedly fired on the landing party during the raid. Some citizens protested the raid, but, generally, firing on Union ships ceased thereafter.