The USS Louisville was a City Class ironclad gunboat built by James B. Eads in 1861 in St. Louis, Missouri; commissioned on January 16, 1862, the Louisville was assigned to the Mississippi River Squadron under the command of Commander Benjamin H. Dove.

During the remainder of 1862, the Louisville assisted in the capture of Fort Donelson, Island No. 10, and New Madrid, Missouri. At the Battle of Memphis, Louisville and her squadron sank the Confederate Mississippi flotilla. In early 1863 USS Louisville participated in the capture of Fort Hindman (Arkansas Post).

In 1863 the Louisville, along with other gunboats, bombarded Grand Gulf and laid siege to Vicksburg. The following year, the ship took part in several campaigns, including the advance up the Red River. Decommissioned on July 21, 1865, Louisville was sold at public auction in Mound City, Illinois on November 29, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by McPherson & Oliver, New Orleans, La.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 32568