To capture New Orleans, the Union (sailed down the Red River, sailed up the Mississippi River, or traveled overland from Texas) . The North successfully took over the city (one month, 6 months, or one year) into the war. After New Orleans, the Union focused on (Baton Rouge, Lafayette, or Shreveport) and captured that city after a major battle. With the efforts of Admiral (P. G. T. Beauregard, Benjamin Butler, or David Farragut), the Union navy had made major gains in Louisiana by 1863.