In late August 1863, Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson ordered Brig. Gen. John D. Stevenson to take a bit more than a division on a cross-country expedition into Louisiana. They disembarked from their transports at Goodrich’s Landing on the Mississippi River, … Continue reading →
A couple of months ago, not long after the 150th anniversary of Milliken’s Bend, someone posted a comment on my Facebook page, talking about the fact that the Confederates successfully stormed the field, but that some people claim the battle … Continue reading →
On July 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced his policy of “retaliation.” This word had a very specific meaning when wielded by politicians, editors, and generals, on both sides. In its most basic terms, it meant a war without mercy, … Continue reading →
The Mississippi Marine Brigade was a Union army unit, despite its confusing name. It was an amphibious strike force, relying on boats on the Mississippi River for quick transport to the scene of action, where the men would disembark and … Continue reading →
Col. William H. Parsons was already known as a hard-riding cavalryman by the time his troopers rode into northeast Louisiana in late June, 1863. On June 29, he discovered two companies of the Union 1st Arkansas Infantry, African Descent, fortified … Continue reading →