She was assigned by the Navy as a gunboat to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Ivy was also present for the passage of the Vicksburg, Mississippi, batteries by Admiral David Dixon Porter's ships 16–17 April 1863.

The ships reached abandoned Fort De Russy 5 May and 2 days later took Alexandria, only to be forced back downstream by low water.

Ivy entered the Red River again in 1864 when the major part of Admiral Porter's fleet was caught by low water above the rapids at Alexandria.

She assisted gunboat Ozark over the rapids 13 May 1864 and returned to the Mississippi River with the fleet amid frequent Confederate attacks from shore.