USS Mound City, a 512-ton Cairo class ironclad river gunboat, built at Mound City, Illinois, for the U.S. Army's Western Gunboat Flotilla. was commissioned in January 1862. She was actively engaged in combat operations during the later winter and spring of 1862, participating in the action at Columbus, Kentucky, in February, the capture of the Island Number Ten fortress in March and April, and operations against Fort Pillow in May. She was twice rammed by Confederate steamers off Fort Pillow on 10-11 May, requiring her withdrawal for repairs.

Mound City returned to action in June and was badly damaged by enemy cannon fire during a bombardment at St. Charles, Arkansas. Repaired again, she was involved in operations in the Yazoo River, Vicksburg and Grand Gulf campaigns during 1862-63. In March-May 1864, Mound City participated in the Red River expedition. Her activities during the remainder of the Civil War involved guard and patrol duties and excursions up Mississippi River tributaries. Decommissioned after the end of the conflict, USS Mound City was sold in November 1865 and broken up in 1866.

This page features views of USS Mound City and provides links to pictures of her actions.

For additional images, showing USS Mound City's Civil War actions, see:

USS Mound City -- Actions and Activities.

Photo #: NH 72806 USS Mound City (1862-1865) Photographed on the Western Rivers, circa 1864-65. Note pilothouse constructed atop her armored conning tower, deckhouse constructed forward of her paddle box, and light-colored five-pointed stars mounted on the fronts of her smokestacks.
Photo #: NH 45791 USS Mound City (1862-1865) Photographed on the Western Rivers, 1864. Note rowing boats in the foreground. That at left has a fancy-edged awning.
Photo #: NH 56663 "City" Class ironclad gunboats Off Cairo, Illinois, in 1863, with barges moored in the foreground. These ships are (from left to right): USS Baron de Kalb (1862-1863); USS Cincinnati (1862-1865) and USS Mound City (1862-1865). Boats are tied astern of Baron de Kalb and Cincinnati.
Photo #: NH 56663-A "City" Class ironclad gunboats Off Cairo, Illinois, in 1863, with barges moored in the foreground. These ships are (from left to right): USS Baron de Kalb (1862-1863); USS Cincinnati (1862-1865) and USS Mound City (1862-1865). Boats are tied astern of Baron de Kalb and Cincinnati. Courtesy of Paul H. Silverstone, 1981. Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 475 pixels Note: This image shows somewhat more on the right side and somewhat less on the left side than Photo # NH 56663. Ship images are also not quite as sharp, though trees in the distance are much more distinct.
Photo #: NH 59002 "Commodore Foote's Gun-boat Flotilla on the Mississippi" Line engraving after a sketch by Alexander Simplot, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862. Ships are identified below the image as (from left to right): Mound City, Essex, Cairo, Saint Louis, Louisville, Benton, Pittsburg and Lexington.

For additional images, showing USS Mound City's Civil War actions, see:

USS Mound City -- Actions and Activities.