April 25, 1862: Admiral David Farragut demands the surrender of the Confederate city of New Orleans, Louisiana

At the beginning of the Civil War, the capture of New Orleans was key to Union’s strategy to defeating the Confederacy. Union leaders devised a plan in which capturing New Orleans would allow them further control of the Mississippi River. On April 25, 1862, a Union fleet under the command of Admiral David Farragut broke through the Confederate defenses and anchored outside the port city. Three days later, New Orleans capitulated giving the Union sole control of the Mississippi River. 

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