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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Color lithograph of  ships depicted on a river.
Currier and Ives, circa 1863 (Library of Congress).
Engagement of Port Hudson, Louisiana, 1863 Explore Engagement of Port Hudson, Louisiana, 1863
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Currier and Ives, circa 1863 (Library of Congress).

Between 1861 and 1865, the Union and Confederate navies  fought for control over inland and coastal waterways. Through four years of war, the United States Navy rose to the challenge of blockading more than 3,500 miles of coastline, coordinating amphibious attacks, and bombarding coastal fortifications held by the Confederate armed forces. The ingenuity and self-sacrifice of those who served U.S. Navy throughout the Civil War ultimately ensured victory for the Union.