One of the greatest Federal military disasters of the war finally ends, leaving bitter resentment in the Red River Valley of Louisiana.
Tag: Red River Campaign
Nothing but Destruction Awaits
The Federal Red River campaign is fizzling out. Frederick Steele’s Army of Arkansas begins returning to Little Rock, while Federal naval forces on the Red River in Louisiana are in grave danger of being stranded in shallow water.
Red River: Porter in Grave Danger
Confederates continue to harass the Federals retreating down the Red River in Louisiana. David D. Porter’s Federal naval flotilla reaches Alexandria, Louisiana, but it still faces potential destruction as the Red River continues falling.
Arkansas: The Marks’ Mill Engagement
Confederates try to intercept a force searching for supplies to feed the hungry Federal troops isolated at Camden in southern Arkansas.
Red River: Banks Tries Returning to Alexandria
Nathaniel P. Banks’s Federals move out of Grand Ecore, Louisiana, on their way back to their expedition’s starting point at Alexandria. Meanwhile, the Federal naval squadron continues to struggle to get back down the Red River and out of harm’s way.
Red River: Banks Misses His Deadline
The deadline arrives for Nathaniel P. Banks to return Federal troops on loan from William T. Sherman. But the situation becomes complicated because Banks fails to reach Shreveport and the Red River is falling dangerously low.