First Battle of Donaldsonville
Other Names: None Location: Ascension Parish Campaign: Operations against Baton Rouge (1862) Date(s): August 9, 1862 Principal Commanders: Rear Adm.
David G. Farragut [US]; Capt. Phillippe Landry [CS]
Forces Engaged: Three Navy ships [US]; a few partisans [CS]
Estimated Casualties: None known
Description: 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.
Result(s): Union victory (inconclusive)
CWSAC Reference #: LA004
Preservation Priority: IV.2 (Class D)
The First Battle of Donaldsonville took place on August 9, 1862 in Ascension Parish, Louisiana as part of the Operations against Baton Rouge in the American Civil War.
Background
A number of incidents of artillery firing on Union steamers passing up and down the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville, Louisiana 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.
