THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION: Successful Operations on the Atchafalaya; A Brilliant Piece of “Yankee” Strategy (3/25/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/25/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CINCINNATI, Thursday, March 24.

A dispatch from Cairo says: "We have good news from the Red River expedition, which comes from undoubted authority.

Gen. A.J. SMITH landed his forces from transports a few miles below Fort De Russey. The rebel Gen. DICK TARLOR promptly marched against him with his whole force, and attacked him in his rear.

Gen. SMITH, instead of attempting to keep up communication with the river, proceeded by forced marches toward the fort.

When TAYLOR saw the trick, he started for the same destination, and for a time the race seemed doubtful. But finally the Yankees came in about three hours ahead, capturing the fort and eleven guns, four of them Parrotts, one an eleven inch and several thirty-two pounders, and also 300 prisoners.

This gives Gen. SMITH a strong foothold in the country, and will enable Admiral PORTER to proceed to Alexandria with his gunboats without opposition.

CAIRO, Wednesday, March 23.

The ram Avenger arrived this morning from the mouth of the Red River, where she was met by the gunbot Cricket, from which she received dispatches, and an order from Rear Admiral PORTER to return to the fleet, which reached Atchafalaya River on Monday, the 14th, where Gen. A.J. SMITH's force disembarked to operate on the land against Fort De Russey, where Gen. DICK TAYLOR was encamped with 11,250 men. As soon as TAYLOR heard of Gen. SMITH's landing he attempted to reach the rear and attack. Skirmishing commenced on Gen. SMITH's left flank before he was aware of the exact whereabouts of the enemy. Being informed of TAYLOR's design, he exclaimed, "Now for a race between the rebels and the United States to the fort."

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4226487/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Red River Expedition: Successful Operations on the Atchafalaya – 2
The Army of the Potomac: Its Reorganization and Consolidation into Three Corps – 2-3
Rebel Advance in Tennessee: Gen. Forrest, with 7,000 Men, Moving North from Bolivar – 3
Arrival of Released Union Prisoners – Marine Disaster – 3
A Letter from Gen. Grant – 3
News from Washington: Special Dispatches to the N.Y. Times – 3-4
Proceedings of Congress – 4-5
Opening Day in New-York: Spring Fashions – 5-6
Editorial: The Future – 6-7
Editorial: The Sanitary Commission – Its Fairs and Affairs – 7
Five General Smiths* – 7
Strategy of the Double-Quick – 7-8
General City News – 8
Local Intelligence – 8

* ”These are all the Gen. Smiths in the National service that we now recall.” I would remind them of Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith – HJS.

[MMusson]

Why do you persist in reprinting this Civil War Propaganda?
It wasn’t valid 175 years ago. It was BS then. It is BS now.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

*160 years ago*

[ssfromla]

I wonder how many deserted instead of trapsing through the Atchafalaya? That is not a place you would want to be any time of the year on foot especially.

[cowboyusa]

Waaaah! Says the lost causer.