USS John P. Jackson was a sidewheel steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the beginning of the American Civil War.

John P. Jackson was built in Brooklyn, New York, in 1860,[1] for use by the New Jersey Rail Road and Transportation Company as a ferry.

[3] John P. Jackson ferried president-elect Abraham Lincoln across the Hudson River in February 1861, while he was journeying to Washington, D.C. to be inaugurated.

[5] On 6 November, John P. Jackson was purchased for service in the Union Navy during the American Civil War,[3] at a cost of $60,000.

[2] John P. Jackson was commissioned into military service on 14 February 1862, under the command of Lieutenant Selim Woodworth.

[7] While on the way, she arrived at Hampton Roads on 25 February and was found to be in poor condition, requiring a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, for repairs.

[4] Beginning on 2 April, John P. Jackson was part of an offensive against the Confederates at Pass Christian, Mississippi.

The Union strike force consisted of part of the 9th Connecticut Infantry Regiment and some artillery loaded aboard the transport Henry Lewis, accompanied by John P. Jackson and the steamer USS New London.

[11] John P. Jackson then later towed a transport, Great Republic, to the passes at the mouth of the Mississippi River, while escorting Union Army troop movements as well.

On 9 May, Sachem, John P. Jackson, Clifton, and Westfield were ordered to scout the Pearl River and Lake Pontchartrain.

The next day, John P. Jackson ran aground while steaming towards the Rigolets and was unable to accompany the other vessels on their scout to the Pearl River.

[13] By June, John P. Jackson had been transferred to the Vicksburg, Mississippi, area, in support of Farragut's command.

A Confederate artillery round struck John P. Jackson's wheelhouse and knocked out her steering capabailities.

[14] John P. Jackson then rescued sailors driven overboard from Clifton by the clouds of steam released from the boiler.

[21] In July, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Lewis W. Pennington was ordered to replace D'Oyley in command of the vessel.

The next day, the Union vessels fired on a steamer named Jeff Davis and silenced a Confederate position at Grant's Pass.

[23] In January 1864, Acting Master Miner B. Crowell was ordered to take command of John P. Jackson temporarily.

[26] Back on blockade duty in the Mississippi Sound, John P. Jackson captured the schooner Medora on 8 December.