The Capture of New Orleans was a significant naval and military campaign during the American Civil War that took place in late April 1862. It was a major Union victory, led by Flag Officer David G. Farragut, which enabled the Union forces to gain control of the Mississippi River's mouth and effectively seal off the key Southern port.

The operation began when Farragut led an assault past the Confederate defenses of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip. Despite facing heavy fire and obstacles like chains and floating torpedoes (mines), Farragut's fleet managed to bypass the forts, moving upriver and reaching the city of New Orleans. There, the city's defenses proved inadequate, and its leaders realized they could not resist the Union fleet's firepower, leading to a relatively quick surrender.

The capture of New Orleans had substantial strategic implications. It not only closed off a vital Confederate trade route but also set the stage for the Union's control of the entire Mississippi River, a crucial blow to the Confederate war effort. The event was also significant for boosting Northern morale and demonstrated the vulnerability of the Confederate coastline.