Cover Page

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Introduction

Colonial Period

Revolution

Early Republic

War Between the States

Recent Era

District of Columbia

Historic Projects

ONE of the early measures adopted by the Federal Government against the Confederacy was the imposition of a naval blockade. The first act of open hostility on the part of the Confederates was the successful seizure of various Federal properties within their borders. Many seacoast fortifications fell to the Confederacy, but there were notable exceptions. Fort Jefferson, located on the Dry Tortugas off the southwest coast of Florida and described at the time as the "Gibraltar of America", was reenforced with an adequate garrison. Like Fortress Monroe, inside the Virginia Capes, it flew the national colors throughout the war. In its effort to enforce the blockade, the Federal Government conducted landing operations with a view to recovering many of the seacoast positions lost at the outbreak of hostilities and of reducing the more important wartime constructions. In this manner New Orleans on the Gulf and Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah River were taken early in 1862. The famous duel between the "Merrimac" and the "Monitor" at Hampton Roads, Va., in that year introduced ironclad armament and completely revolutionized naval warfare. Henceforth gunboats protected by iron plates played an increasingly effective role in maritime operations. Wilmington, N. C., the last open port of the Confederacy on the Atlantic, fell in 1865.

Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia

Fort Jefferson National Monument, Florida

Last Modified: Thurs, Nov 23 2000 10:00:00 pm PDT
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