The First Battle of Memphis is a naval battle fought on the Mississippi River immediately above the city of Memphis, Tennessee on June 6, 1862, during the American Civil War.
The engagement is witnessed by many of the citizens of Memphis.
It results in a crushing defeat for the Confederate forces, and marks the virtual eradication of a Confederate naval presence on the river.
Despite the lopsided outcome, the Union Army fails to grasp its strategic significance.
Its primary historical importance is that it is the last time civilians with no prior military experience are permitted to command ships in combat.
As such, it is a milestone in the development of professionalism in the United States Navy.[
