Linden, a wooden sidewheel steamer, was built in 1860 at Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania; purchased by the Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio, 20 November 1862; and commissioned at Cairo, Illinois, 3 January 1863, acting Master Thomas E. Smith in command.

On 29 April with seven other Union Navy ships, three mortar boats and 10 large Army transports, Linden began a feigned attack on the Confederate batteries at Haynes Bluff on the Yazoo River above Vicksburg.

Grant then daringly abandoned his supply lines, drove deep into Mississippi, and defeated converging Confederate forces in detail in several spectacular victories before turning back toward the river to threaten Vicksburg in reverse.

On 20 May Linden and Forest Rose reconnoitered Quiver River, Mississippi, and a boat expedition from the ships captured and burned Dew Drop and Emma Bett.

The tireless efforts of both Navy and Army bore fruit when Vicksburg's dogged defenders finally hauled down the Confederate flag 4 July giving the United States one of its greatest birthday presents, freedom to navigate the Mississippi River from source to the Gulf of Mexico.