Red River Campaign About to Kick Off

MARCH 2ND, 1864: Rear Admiral Porter arrived off the mouth of the Red river to coordinate movements of the Mississippi Squadron and the Army. A joint expedition up the Red river to Shreveport had been decided on and from there the Army would occupy Texas. //// Ten thousand men from Sherman's Army would rendezvous with Gen. Banks' Army and the gunboats at Alexandria by March 17th. The Navy would provide convoy and gunfire support. //// A problem, however, was noted in how low the river was, but Porter pushed ahead anyway. //// Old B-R'er