Throughout the winter and spring of 1863, "Linden" continued to support operations against the Confederate river stronghold at Vicksburg. She remained above the fortress when Admiral David Dixon Porter and his gunboats dashed under Vickburg's guns to support Grant's campaign from below. 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. The movement was designed to prevent southern reinforcement of Grand Gulf where Grant was about to land his troops after crossing the Mississippi River.