This summer marks the 160th anniversary of the campaign for Vicksburg, and the Battle of Milliken’s Bend. The National Park Service is hosting a series of events as part of the America’s National Parks – Author Series, and two of … Continue reading →
Some discussion a few months ago at Civil War Talk pushed back against the notion of the Federal gunboats having a decisive role at Milliken’s Bend. After all, they were firing blind, caused few casualties, and were there in a … Continue reading →
The logbook of the gunboat Choctaw records the names of some of the men wounded at Milliken’s Bend. Lt. Commander F. W. Ramsay reported that Lt. Jonathan W. Ayers of Company K, 9th Louisiana, was wounded and “picked up in … Continue reading →
I recently discovered on the National Archives website a small set of extremely detailed maps of the area of Milliken’s Bend and the Mississippi River. These are invaluable for learning more about the precise locations of Milliken’s Bend, and the … Continue reading →
Juneteenth may be celebrated later this month, but two years before June 19, 1865, when slaves in Galveston learned of their freedom – Black men in Union blue claimed and won their freedom on the banks of the Mississippi River … Continue reading →