Osage I (River Monitor)
(Mon: t. 523; l. 180-; b. 45-; dph. 9-; dr. 4-6-; s. 7.5 k.; cpl. 100; a. 2 11- D.sb.; cl. Neosho)
A branch of the Sioux Indian tribe living in Missouri.
I
The first Osage, a single-turreted river monitor, was launched 13 January 1863 by James B. Eads at his Union Iron Works, Carondelet, Mo., and commissioned at Cairo, III. 10 July 1863, Acting Vol. Lt. Joseph P. Couthany in command.
She sailed from Cairo for patrol duty in the Red River, and participated in the expedition up the Black and Washita Rivers, 29 February to 5 March 1864. She also participated in the expedition up the Red River to Alexandria, La., 12 March to 22 May and assisted in the capture of Fort De Russy, La. 14 March.
Transferred to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1 February 1865, Osage participated in the attack on Spanish Fort, Mobile, Ala, 28 March 1865. The next day she was sunk by a torpedo in the Blakely River, Ala. Her hulk was raised and sold at auction at New Orleans 22 November 1867.
