The first USS Volunteer was a 209-ton steamer captured by the Union Navy and put to use by the Union during the American Civil War. Virginia served the Navy in minor roles: as a dispatch boat and tugboat; however, at times, she would also be assigned as a patrolling gunboat. Captured by Union Navy forces Volunteer—originally a Confederate steamer captured off Natchez Island, Mississippi, by Fort Hindman on 25 November 1863—was purchased by the Navy from the Springfield, Illinois, prize court on 29 February 1864. Civil War Union Navy service Volunteer was assigned to the Mississippi Squadron and performed valuable service as a patrol, dispatch, and tow steamer. Her one major engagement during the war occurred on 14 April 1864 when she helped to drive off a Confederate force which was attacking Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Post-war service After the end of the war in April 1865, Volunteer convoyed naval stores up and down the Mississippi River as Union naval forces in the West deactivated. Decommissioning That summer, she was decommissioned and laid up at Mound City, Illinois, and was sold at public auction there to B. F. Goodwin on 29 November. See also Confederate States Navy Anaconda Plan References Ships of the Union Navy Steamships of the United States Navy Dispatch boats of the United States Navy Tugs of the United States Navy Gunboats of the United States Navy American Civil War patrol vessels of the United States