August 2 - 23, 1864

A combined Union force initiated operations to close Mobile Bay to blockade running. Some Union forces landed on Dauphin Island and laid siege to Fort Gaines. On August 5th, Farragut's Union fleet of 18 ships entered Mobile Bay and received a devastating fire from Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. After passing the forts, Farragut forced the Confederate naval forces, under Admiral Buchanan, to surrender, which effectively closed Mobile Bay. By August 23rd, Fort Morgan, the last big holdout, fell, thus shutting down the port. The city remained uncaptured.