Low Water on Red River Causing Porter Problems

MARCH 29TH, 1864: The low level of the Red River continued to hinder Admiral Porter's efforts to get his gunboats above the rapids at Alexandria, Louisiana, for the assault on Shreveport. //// He reported: "After a great deal of labor and two and a half day's hard work, we succeeded in getting the Eastport over the rocks on the falls, hauling her over by main force...." All the transports got above the rapids, but the hospital ship Woodford was battered against the rocks and sank. //// --Old B-R'er