Fort Morgan’s cannons couldn’t stop the naval charge that sealed the Confederacy’s fate in 1864

Admiral Farragut’s Bold Gamble at Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan stands guard at the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, where visitors can walk the same ramparts that witnessed one of the Civil War’s most daring naval battles.

This star-shaped fortress, built in the 1830s, became the scene of Admiral David Farragut’s legendary charge through a deadly minefield on August 5, 1864.

The fort’s thick brick walls and cannon positions tell the story of the day when Farragut shouted his famous words “Damn the torpedoes! ” and led his fleet straight into what seemed like certain destruction.

His bold gamble not only worked but also sealed the fate of one of the Confederacy’s last major ports. Here’s how this single battle changed the course of the Civil War and helped secure Lincoln’s path to reelection.

Farragut’s Fleet Formed a Daring Battle Line Before Sunrise

Union ships started moving at 5:45 AM on August 5, 1864, with wooden vessels tied together in pairs to protect each other.

Admiral David Farragut lined up his 18 warships with four ironclad monitors leading the column closest to Fort Morgan, followed by seven pairs of wooden ships.

He picked this setup knowing the light southwest winds would blow Fort Morgan’s gun smoke away from his fleet.

Farragut climbed Hartford’s rigging and had sailors tie him to the mast so he could see above the thick smoke.

Confederate Guns Unleashed Hell as Union Ships Entered the Channel

Fort Morgan’s 46 heavy guns started firing at 7:06 AM when Farragut’s fleet neared the narrow channel entrance. The USS Tecumseh, leading the monitor column, fired back around 7:00 AM while still a mile from the fort.

Within minutes, both sides traded heavy fire in what sailors called “general action.” The Confederates blocked most of the main channel with underwater mines, called “torpedoes” back then, leaving only a narrow path near Fort Morgan’s guns.

This trap forced Farragut to choose between deadly mines or cannon fire.

Tecumseh Exploded and Vanished Under the Waves in Moments

At 7:25 AM, USS Tecumseh hit a Confederate torpedo mine and sank in under 30 seconds. Captain Tunis Craven showed great courage in his final moments.

When he and the pilot reached the ladder to the only escape hatch, Craven stepped aside saying, “After you, pilot. ” This selfless act cost him his life as he went down with 93 of his men.

Only 21 sailors from Tecumseh’s crew of 114 lived through the explosion and quick sinking. The sudden disaster spread panic through the Union attack formation.

Brooklyn Hesitated at the Worst Possible Moment

The USS Brooklyn, leading the wooden ship column, stopped and started backing up after seeing Tecumseh sink. Captain James Alden feared hitting torpedoes and got confused by mixed orders about avoiding mines.

This delay created a deadly situation as the entire Union fleet bunched up right under Fort Morgan’s guns. Confederate gunners quickly found their targets and hit with deadly aim.

Union sailors died by the dozens as the ships stalled in what one survivor later called “a perfect slaughterhouse.

Damn the Torpedoes Became a Battle Cry That Saved the Day

Seeing his attack stalling, Farragut shouted from Hartford’s rigging: “What’s the trouble? ” When told “Torpedoes,” he made his famous reply: “Damn the torpedoes!

Four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead! ” He then ordered Metacomet’s captain, “Jouett, full speed!” as Hartford and Metacomet pushed forward past the stopped Brooklyn. Farragut bet that most Confederate torpedoes had been underwater too long to work properly.

His bold choice came when retreat might have meant defeat for the whole Union fleet.

Hartford Plowed Through Deadly Mines While Sailors Held Their Breath

Hartford and Metacomet passed Brooklyn and steered straight into the suspected minefield. Nervous sailors heard torpedo mines hitting against Hartford’s wooden hull as they moved forward.

Some even heard primers clicking but failing to explode as the ships pushed through the dangerous waters.

The entire Union fleet followed Hartford’s lead through the narrow channel while still taking heavy fire from Fort Morgan’s guns. All surviving Union ships made it into Mobile Bay beyond the fort’s cannons.

Tennessee Charged Alone Against Overwhelming Odds

Inside Mobile Bay waited Admiral Franklin Buchanan’s four-ship Confederate squadron, including the ironclad CSS Tennessee.

The three Confederate gunboats Selma, Gaines, and Morgan fought briefly but were quickly caught or driven away by the stronger Union force.

Then, in an act of almost suicidal bravery, CSS Tennessee, the South’s most powerful ironclad, steamed alone toward Farragut’s entire fleet.

Buchanan believed his heavily armored vessel could beat multiple Union ships despite being outnumbered 18 to 1.

Union Warships Smashed Into the Confederate Iron Monster

The CSS Tennessee moved slowly and proved hard to steer because of her weak riverboat engines. Admiral Buchanan boldly attacked Farragut’s entire fleet alone despite facing impossible odds.

Multiple Union ships rammed Tennessee while others fired at her from close range. The Union monitor USS Manhattan’s massive 15-inch guns began making holes through Tennessee’s four-inch iron armor.

One Union sailor wrote that the battle looked like “a pack of dogs around a bear” as ships circled and attacked the lone Confederate ironclad from all sides.

Steering Chains Snapped as Union Guns Found Their Mark

Union gunfire cut through Tennessee’s exposed steering chains, leaving her unable to turn in the crowded bay.

Her smokestack got shot away, filling the gun deck with choking smoke and making it nearly impossible for her crew to breathe or see.

Admiral Buchanan broke his leg when an iron splinter hit him during the fierce fighting. Commander James Johnston took over as Tennessee kept taking hits from all sides.

The ironclad’s gun port shutters jammed from repeated ramming, making it impossible to fire back at the Union vessels.

White Flag Appeared After Three Hours of Brutal Combat

With his ship’s steering gone and armor broken in many places, Commander Johnston ordered Tennessee’s surrender around 10:00 AM. Two Confederate sailors died and nine got wounded during the brutal three-hour battle.

Tennessee raised the white flag, ending major naval combat in Mobile Bay.

Union casualties totaled 151 killed and 177 wounded, with most losses aboard Hartford from Confederate fire.

When Tennessee’s officers came aboard Hartford to surrender their swords, Farragut treated them with respect and returned Buchanan’s sword.

Last Major Gulf Port Fell as Confederate Supply Lines Crumbled

Mobile Bay’s capture closed the Confederacy’s last major Gulf Coast port to blockade runners, cutting off the South’s supply lines.

Fort Gaines surrendered on August 8, and Fort Morgan fell on August 23, giving the Union complete control of the bay.

The victory boosted Northern morale for President Lincoln’s 1864 reelection campaign when many Northerners felt tired of the war.

Combined with Atlanta’s fall a month later, Mobile Bay’s capture helped convince Northern voters the war could be won. Farragut became the nation’s first full admiral.

Visiting Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay

Fort Morgan guards the entrance to Mobile Bay where Admiral Farragut famously shouted “Damn the torpedoes! ” during the Civil War.

You can walk through the actual fort where Confederate soldiers fought, check out the cannon platforms that faced Farragut’s fleet, and see the water where the battle happened.

The museum has Civil War artifacts including weapons and uniforms from the battle. The fort’s brick walls and underground passages are still intact.

Tours explain how the naval battle helped the Union win the war.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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