Red River Campaign

[Keiri]

My "guys" (the ones I research) were on the Red River Campaign under a detachment under AJ Smith, and I got a book called "Red River Campaign" by Ludwell Johnson published in 1958. It looked old, moldy, boring. It wasn't, it was actually a pretty engrossing read. I hadn't heard much about this campaign. Does anyone have good book suggestions for me on that topic? Ah it appears I'm not the only one who felt it was a good book: http://scottdparker.blogspot.com/2009/06/forgotten-books-red-river-campaign-by.html

 

[Philip Leigh]

My "guys" (the ones I research) were on the Red River Campaign under a detachment under AJ Smith, and I got a book called "Red River Campaign" by Ludwell Johnson published in 1958. It looked old, moldy, boring. It wasn't, it was actually a pretty engrossing read. I hadn't heard much about this campaign. Does anyone have good book suggestions for me on that topic? Ah it appears I'm not the only one who felt it was a good book: http://scottdparker.blogspot.com/2009/06/forgotten-books-red-river-campaign-by.html

Johnson's is one of the best books on the campaign.

It's most significant contribution, however, is the disclosure of how important the dubious trade for Southern cotton became to those willing to trade contraband in exchange for such cotton.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Member @bdtex reviewed this book:

You can find his review at this thread.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/the...e-leadership-and-the-war-in-louisiana.118357/

 

[huskerblitz]

Very timely! I was looking for the best regimental source for this same campaign. I'm still researching the 22nd Kentucky who took part in this mess.

 

[James N.]

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/visited-mansfield-battlefield-state-park-yesterday.117256/

This thread started by @bdtex is probably the most recent regarding the Red River Campaign; though it starts off being about the Battle of Mansfield it gets around to other aspects as well.

 

[AUG]

The one 7th Mississippi posted above is a good follow up read.

Johnson's is often said to be the best on the campaign as of yet. Gary D. Joiner also authored a couple books: "Through the Howling Wilderness" and "One Dam Blunder from Beginning to End". Although none of the major studies really cover all the battles of the campaign in great detail, at regimental or company level. I'm hoping Donald S. Frazier's next book in his "Louisiana Quadrille" series will provide a more in-detail analysis of the actual battles with good maps.

 

[Drew]

My "guys" (the ones I research) were on the Red River Campaign under a detachment under AJ Smith, and I got a book called "Red River Campaign" by Ludwell Johnson published in 1958. It looked old, moldy, boring. It wasn't, it was actually a pretty engrossing read. I hadn't heard much about this campaign. Does anyone have good book suggestions for me on that topic? Ah it appears I'm not the only one who felt it was a good book: http://scottdparker.blogspot.com/2009/06/forgotten-books-red-river-campaign-by.html

Oh, I'll bet it was old and moldy coming from 1958. But, it's the best book on that campaign and no one has bested it since. I'm not even aware of any Smart Alec graduate student whose ever punched a hole in that work.

The book that 7th Mississippi posted at #3 is also worthwhile and if you read it (and you should) you will notice its contributors site and defer to L.H. Johnson on a lot of issues.

If you've got questions by all means don't be shy - plenty of folks around here can help.

 

[Legion Para]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1516934989/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[yellowthornoftexas]

Thank God in Dixie it was a FAILURE! Or Texas and Loosianna woulda been in a hurt locker!!! Just sayin!

 

[AUG]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1516934989/?tag=civilwartalkc-20


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Gary D. Joiner also wrote this one, though I haven't read it yet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1621901955/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[NedBaldwin]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1516934989/?tag=civilwartalkc-20


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Or if you prefer not to pay Amazon:

https://archive.org/details/lettersfromarmy00stev

 

[Keiri]

It really seems like Banks' arrogance was his undoing, but maybe that's just the presentation.

So here's my confusion and it's mostly relevant only to me. It turns out my guys were possibly at the very rear of the union group - the last to leave Grand Ecore - and only got as far as Pleasant Hill before they were turned around to go back. But I wonder if they even were part of it, as according to a diary I read from one of my guys, they were sent on unarmed transports as guards from rebels on the shore. Unfortunately he doesn't give exact dates because he was recalling it some 40 years later or more. To paraphrase, he said: "The company was upon a commissary boat loaded with corn, oats, and crackers. There was no flour. After they were aboard, they carried to the upper hurricane deck sacks filled with corn and oats and built a breastwork around the edge of the deck. Soldiers on other boats did the same with whatever the boats were loaded with. There were many bushwhackers in the woods, and when they saw smoke behind a tree or log, they shot back from behind their breastwork. In the night, boats anchored in the middle of the river."

That seems to match up with Johnson's account of some of T. Kilby Smith's group being sent as guards. (to which my guys were temporarily attached). But Johnson doesn't give a good timeline on that, so I'm not sure if Kilby's group was back with Banks at the time of the debacle or not, but if they were, they were in the rear as they had rejoined AJ Smith's command when they returned to Grand Ecore.

Please forgive me if this is a rambling mess. Vicodin stupor.

 

[yellowthornoftexas]

Oh Vicodin....ugh! So did I miss it, who's "your guys?" The 22nd KY? Good luck in your research.
Right now I'm concentrating on Granburys Bde. Then I'll move on to the rest kin folk.

 

[Drew]

It turns out my guys were possibly at the very rear of the union group - the last to leave Grand Ecore - and only got as far as Pleasant Hill before they were turned around to go back. But I wonder if they even were part of it, as according to a diary I read from one of my guys, they were sent on unarmed transports as guards from rebels on the shore. Unfortunately he doesn't give exact dates because he was recalling it some 40 years later or more. To paraphrase, he said: "The company was upon a commissary boat loaded with corn, oats, and crackers. There was no flour. After they were aboard, they carried to the upper hurricane deck sacks filled with corn and oats and built a breastwork around the edge of the deck. Soldiers on other boats did the same with whatever the boats were loaded with. There were many bushwhackers in the woods, and when they saw smoke behind a tree or log, they shot back from behind their breastwork. In the night, boats anchored in the middle of the river."

If "your guys" were on transports headed up the river, they were among the lucky ones. The guys marching had it much rougher. But, Porter's fleet headed back down had a pretty rough time. If there's a vessel name in the diary, please post it. Maybe we can help put it together for you.

I can't do it tonight, it's way past my bedtime, but maybe someone will be along shortly from the Lazy Left Coast. It's much earlier out there. Cheers.

 

[huskerblitz]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1516934989/?tag=civilwartalkc-20


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I ordered this yesterday! I have the free ebook, but it will be one of my main sources for my Master's degree paper I'm writing so I got it in paper version as well. But, it's important to note for this thread that Dr. Stevenson resigned in Feb. of 1864 so he wasn't around during the Red River Campaign.

 

[huskerblitz]

Oh Vicodin....ugh! So did I miss it, who's "your guys?" The 22nd KY? Good luck in your research.
Right now I'm concentrating on Granburys Bde. Then I'll move on to the rest kin folk.

The 22nd Kentucky are 'my guys.' I had two direct relatives serve and have been researching them for the past two years. Honestly, it's been tough. Outside of Stevenson's letters, very little in the way of primary sources from men of the 22nd Ky are available online and I live too far from Kentucky to see some of the clothing books and consolidated morning reports that are in Franklin. No diaries or journals I'm aware of and only a handful of letters. So I have been relying on sister regiments brigaded with them to fill in some gaps. Not perfect, but it's all I have. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to find a Red River Campaign book that mentions them.

 

[yellowthornoftexas]

Ah, I see. So many units with so little documented history. Sad really. Kinda like an uncles, 3rd Bn MO Cavalry. All I've found was, he refused the oath at the end of the war! Lol, must be where I get my orneriness from!
Well good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[NedBaldwin]

The 22nd Kentucky are 'my guys.' I had two direct relatives serve and have been researching them for the past two years. Honestly, it's been tough. Outside of Stevenson's letters, very little in the way of primary sources from men of the 22nd Ky are available online and I live too far from Kentucky to see some of the clothing books and consolidated morning reports that are in Franklin. No diaries or journals I'm aware of and only a handful of letters. So I have been relying on sister regiments brigaded with them to fill in some gaps. Not perfect, but it's all I have. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to find a Red River Campaign book that mentions them.

Few if any of the books on the campaign will mentioned the 22nd KY since they didn't arrive until near the end (late April).

 

[bdtex]

Reading some books on other ACW subjects right now but I plan to read a coupla more about the Red River Campaign. After seeing this thread I poked around some and couldn't find anything specific about the 22nd KY Inf. actions in the campaign.

Sometime next year I plan to make a 3-4 day road trip to Vicksburg with a stop in Alexandria on the way.

 

[huskerblitz]

Few if any of the books on the campaign will mentioned the 22nd KY since they didn't arrive until near the end (late April).

I know. At least they had some fun hanging around Plaquemine making their own newspaper for a bit before heading to Baton Rouge. I know they played a limited part, but still would like to know more about their experience while buzzing around the area.

Reading some books on other ACW subjects right now but I plan to read a coupla more about the Red River Campaign. After seeing this thread I poked around some and couldn't find anything specific about the 22nd KY Inf. actions in the campaign.

Sometime next year I plan to make a 3-4 day road trip to Vicksburg with a stop in Alexandria on the way.

Yeah, it's limited. I can find very little myself. Most of what I can go off of is newspapers.