The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Nov. MCCWRT Meeting: The Red River Campaign-- Part 4: A Two-Pronged Assault

Union General Banks had 25,000 troops overall, but his main general, Andrew J. Smith, and he didn't get along well.  The Confederates opposing them were under the overall command of Edmund Kirby Smith, but his subordinate, Gen. Richard Taylor was in tactical command.

Taylor had some 7,000 men and no cavalry to screen his movements or scout the enemy.

The Union plan called for a two-pronged movement against Shreveport.  The main one was to go up the Red River while a smaller one would approach from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Union forces captured Fort DeRussy and the overwhelmed Taylor began falling back up the Red River.

--Old Secesh

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