Final answer:
The barges sunk along the Mississippi River were largely due to Union naval action during the American Civil War aiming to gain control of this critical waterway. Key engagements at locations like Vicksburg marked the Union's strategic campaigns, which included disrupting Confederate supply lines through naval bombardment and sinking barges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The barges that were sunk along the Mississippi River were primarily due to military actions during the American Civil War, specifically in the campaign to control the river. Union forces, under the command of leaders such as Admiral David Farragut and General Ulysses S. Grant, sought to gain strategic control over the river, which was essential for trade and logistics within the Confederacy. This campaign involved significant naval engagements, where Union gunboats bombarded and clashed with Confederate strongholds, such as Vicksburg, a key Confederate city on the river. The Union navy's efforts during the spring and summer of 1862 and 1863 were critical in gaining control of part of the Mississippi River, and these efforts included sinking Confederate barges and cutting off the Confederate supply lines.