USS Fawn (1863)

The USS Fawn was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a patrol and escort vessel, operating in Confederate waterways.

Fawn, a stern wheel steamer, was launched in 1863 at Cincinnati, Ohio, as Fanny Barker. She was commissioned 11 May 1863 and purchased by the Navy 13 May 1863, Acting Master J. R. Grace in command. She was renamed Fawn 19 June 1863.

Supporting operations on various Confederate waterways
Throughout the remainder of the Civil War, Fawn patrolled the Mississippi, Tennessee, White and Arkansas Rivers, also convoying Union Army transports, ferrying troops across rivers, carrying Army payrolls, and often engaging Confederate batteries, cavalry, and foot soldiers ashore.

For much of her career, she served in the White River, convoying transports and shelling Confederate positions threatening Union troop concentrations.

Holed by a hit at Clarendon, Arkansas
From March through June 1864, aside from a brief repair period at Memphis, Tennessee, she supported Army operations against Clarendon, Arkansas, receiving one hit from a shore battery there.

Final operations and decommissioning
From March to May 1865, Fawn patrolled the Mississippi between the White and St. Francis Rivers, then sailed up river to Mound City, Illinois, where she was decommissioned 30 June 1865 and sold 17 August 1865.