The Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip (April 18–28, 1862) in the American Civil War was the decisive battle for possession of New Orleans. The two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River south of the city were attacked by a Union Navy fleet. As long as the forts could keep the Federal forces from moving on the city, it was safe, but if they were negated, there were no fall-back positions to impede the enemy advance. New Orleans, the...