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USS General Lyon (1860)
Encyclopedia
USS General Lyon, originally the De Soto, was recaptured from the Confederate States of America
and renamed the USS De Soto, and then USS General Lyon, after Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon
.
The steamer
was put into service by the Union Navy
as a storeship and dispatch boat serving the Union ships on the blockade of the Confederacy.
, in 1860, and operated out of New Orleans, Louisiana
, as De Soto. De Soto was a sidewheel steamer, one of the many taken over by the Confederate forces for use on the Mississippi River
and other rivers.
In April of 1862 she was busy ferrying troops to evacuate the area near Island Number 10
and was used, under a flag of truce, to communicate with the Union gunboats. On 7 April 1862 she carried Confederate officers who surrendered possession of Island Number 10 to Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote
. It was at night, and De Soto approached cautiously, giving four blasts of her whistle, repeatedly, until answered, whereupon Federal Officers came on board to accept surrender.
The ship was taken into the Union Army
as transport De Soto. Transferred to the Navy 30 September 1862 as USS De Soto, she was renamed USS General Lyon on 24 October 1862, Master John R. Neeld in command.
After undergoing extensive repairs at Cairo, Illinois
., General Lyon saw duty as ordnance, stores, and dispatch ship for the Mississippi Squadron. Leaving Cairo 2 February 1863, she operated for the next two and a half years on the western waters. In April 1863 she was briefly flagship
of Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter
.
General Lyon
returned to Mound City, Illinois
, 17 February 1865, decommissioned 3 August, and was sold to H. L. Lee 17 August 1865. She re-documented as Alabama, and was destroyed by fire at Grand View, Louisiana, 1 April 1867.
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
and renamed the USS De Soto, and then USS General Lyon, after Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict....
.
The steamer
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
was put into service by the Union Navy
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
as a storeship and dispatch boat serving the Union ships on the blockade of the Confederacy.
Service history
General Lyon was built at New Albany, IndianaNew Albany, Indiana
New Albany is a city in Floyd County, Indiana, United States, situated along the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Kentucky. In 1900, 20,628 people lived in New Albany; in 1910, 20,629; in 1920, 22,992; and in 1940, 25,414. The population was 36,372 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of...
, in 1860, and operated out of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, as De Soto. De Soto was a sidewheel steamer, one of the many taken over by the Confederate forces for use on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and other rivers.
In April of 1862 she was busy ferrying troops to evacuate the area near Island Number 10
Battle of Island Number Ten
The Battle of Island Number Ten was an engagement at the New Madrid or Kentucky Bend on the Mississippi River during the American Civil War, lasting from February 28 to April 8, 1862. The position, an island at the base of a tight double turn in the course of the river, was held by the Confederates...
and was used, under a flag of truce, to communicate with the Union gunboats. On 7 April 1862 she carried Confederate officers who surrendered possession of Island Number 10 to Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote
Andrew Hull Foote
Andrew Hull Foote was an American naval officer who was noted for his service in the American Civil War and also for his contributions to several naval reforms in the years prior to the war. When the war came, he was appointed to command of the Western Gunboat Flotilla, predecessor of the...
. It was at night, and De Soto approached cautiously, giving four blasts of her whistle, repeatedly, until answered, whereupon Federal Officers came on board to accept surrender.
The ship was taken into the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
as transport De Soto. Transferred to the Navy 30 September 1862 as USS De Soto, she was renamed USS General Lyon on 24 October 1862, Master John R. Neeld in command.
After undergoing extensive repairs at Cairo, Illinois
Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is the southernmost city in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the county seat of Alexander County. Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The rivers converge at Fort Defiance State Park, an American Civil War fort that was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant...
., General Lyon saw duty as ordnance, stores, and dispatch ship for the Mississippi Squadron. Leaving Cairo 2 February 1863, she operated for the next two and a half years on the western waters. In April 1863 she was briefly flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G...
.
General Lyon
General Lyon
General Lyon was a U.S. screw steamer built in the spring of 1863 ....
returned to Mound City, Illinois
Mound City, Illinois
Mound City is a city located along the Ohio River in Pulaski County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 692. It is the county seat of Pulaski County.-Geography:Mound City is located at ....
, 17 February 1865, decommissioned 3 August, and was sold to H. L. Lee 17 August 1865. She re-documented as Alabama, and was destroyed by fire at Grand View, Louisiana, 1 April 1867.