Plum Point-Fort Pillow

After the defeat of Confederate forces at Island No. 10 the Union naval squadron moved down the Mississippi River to support an attack at Fort Pillow. On the morning on May 10, 1862, the Confederate River Defense Fleet attacked the Union squadron and rammed the Cincinnati and Mound City forcing them into shallow water where they eventually sunk. Unable to pursue due to deeper draft, the Confederate ships then withdrew. Only one Confederate ship (General Earl Van Dorn) avoided being disabled by superior federal firepower. The Union squadron was able to proceed down river and attack the Confederate squadron at the Battle of Memphis the following month. Both Cincinnati and Mound City were later raised and placed back into service.