150 Years Ago-- Feb. 29 to March 5th, 1864: Preliminary Red River Campaign Action

FEBRUARY 29TH TO MARCH 5, 1864: Prior to launching the Red River Campaign, Rear Admiral Porter sent a reconnaissance mission under Lt. Cmdr. Ramsay to the Black and Ouachita rivers. The force included the paddle wheel monitor Osage and gunboats Ouachita, Lexington, Fort Hindman, Conestoga and Cricket.

Met resistance on the Black River March 1st. March 2nd, entered Black River where the Osage's turret was disabled by Confederate artillery. Shelled Harrisonburg, Louisiana, March 2nd and the Fort Hindman took 27 hits and her starboard engine was disabled, forcing the ship to drop back. Ramsay transferred his command to the Ouachita which took three hits but silenced Confederate firing from shore.

Ramsay proceeded as far as Catahoula Shoals and Bayou Louis without further incident. Reported that the rivers were falling.

--Old B-Runner