After months preparing artillery positions on nearby islands, the Union began its operations against Fort Pulaski, the Confederate strongpoint on Cockspur Island guarding the mouth of the Savannah River on the Georgia coast. When Colonel Charles Olmstead refused a demand for surrender, Union artillery pounded the fort from eight in the morning until the early afternoon of the next day when the fort surrendered. Casualties were light on both sides but around 350 defenders and 47 heavy cannon were captured and the port of Savannah cut off.  (By John Osborne)

To the dismay of the Unionist inhabitants, Union troops evacuated Jacksonville, Florida after an occupation of only weeks. The evacuation fleet sailed on the morning of April 9, 1862.  Other vessels left earlier with Unionist families.  Union commander Horatio Wright contacted Confederate General James H. Trapier the day before and invited him to re-occupy the town but treat the inhabitants well. Trapier did so when the fleet left.  (By John Osborne)

The well-prepared seige of the Confederate concentrations in the Mississippi River at Island Number Ten came to an end when the Union forces under General John Pope, supported by newly arrived naval units attacked.  An attempted Confederate breakout under Major General William W. Mackall failed and he and his around 4500 men were captured.  Island Number Ten surrendered to Commodore A.H. Foote the same day.  The victory opened up the river to the Union almost as far as Memphis, Tennessee.  (By John Osborne)