 In August 1862 "Fairplay" was recaptured by the Union navy while it was transporting military supplies during the Vicksburg Campaign.On 3 February 1863, "Fairplay" was steaming up the Cumberland from the Smithland base to Nashville, Tennessee, guarding a convoy of transports during a lengthy campaign.She and the five other gunboats of the escort received word that the garrison at Dover, Tennessee, was under attack by a large Confederate force.