150 Years Ago-- March 13-16th, 1864: Red River Campaign

I'll be going ahead this month with 150 years ago as I will be out of town most of the rest of the month. //// MARCH 15TH, 1864: Ironclads Benton and Essex remained at Fort De Russy to support the Army detachment destroying the fort. Porter's fleet then convoyed the main part of the Army upriver toward Alexandria, Louisiana. // Three ships went ahead to try to capture fleeing Confederate ships, but arrived too late at the rapids. One Confederate steamer, the Countess, had grounded and was destroyed by its crew. //// MARCH 16TH, 1864: Nine Union vessels arrived at Alexandria by morning and a landing made. Lt.Cmdr. Selfridge in the USS Osage occupied the town prior to the arrival of Porter and the Army. Waited there until Banks' Army arrived, delayed by rain. //// --Old B-Runner