In the latter part of June he ran the batteries of Vicksburg, but notified the Government that though he could go up and down the river as he chose and silence the batteries when he pleased, no substantial good would result unless a land force of ten or twelve thousand men attacked the town from the rear.

It was this plan which brought about the capture of Vicksburg by General Grant and the opening of the Mississippi River.

Farragut, who had been made rear admiral, afforded great aid in taking Port Hudson and cleaning out all rebel fortifications along the Father of Waters.
This immense work having been accomplished, the Government now gave its attention to Mobile, another of the Confederate strongholds in the South.

The campaign arranged was to attack it with a land force under the command of Generals Canby and Granger and a naval force under Farragut.

In January, 1864, he made a reconnaissance of Mobile Bay and informed the Government that if it would supply him with a slight additional force he would attack and capture it at once.