USS Glasgow was originally a British cross-Channel sidewheel steamer named Eugenie owned by the South Eastern Railway that was built during the early 1860s.

Incorporated into the Navy, she was principally used as a dispatch boat and storeship in support of the Union blockade of the ports of the Confederate States of America.

Eugenie was renamed Glasgow on 21 January 1864, and after a week repairing at New Orleans, Louisiana, in early February, was back on station with the blockading fleet off Mobile, Alabama.

During 1865, Glasgow continued her regular duties, and in addition served occasionally, because of her speed and light draft, as flagship of the West Gulf Squadron.

Chosen to be retained for the post-war cruising squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, Glasgow served as storeship and visited New Orleans, Lakeport, and Mexican ports until she entered the Pensacola Navy Yard for repairs on 23 January 1868.