How did David Farragut capture New Orleans for the Union?

In April 1862, Admiral David G. Farragut led a Union naval squadron of 43 ships to capture New Orleans during the American Civil War.2

While the War Department suggested reducing the downstream forts with mortar fire, Farragut executed a bolder strategy. On April 24, 1862, he ran his fleet past the defensive forts under the cover of darkness with guns firing. After breaching heavy chain cables stretched across the Mississippi River, his force destroyed the Confederate river squadron stationed just upstream.12

With the Union fleet positioned above the defenses, Confederate General Mansfield Lovell realized resistance was futile and withdrew his troops. The city fell on April 25, 1862, and on May 1, General B.F. Butler arrived with 15,000 troops to secure the city. This victory was a significant blow to the Confederacy, as it deprived them of a vital port for receiving foreign war supplies.21