Red River Campaign

[1stMS-Arty]

Photos of the remains of Bailey's Dams (there was more than one) at he LOC:

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/la0217/

 

[1stMS-Arty]

And for some reading on the northern pincer of the campaign:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0786437359/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
The Camden Expedition of 1864 and the Opportunity Lost by the Confederacy to Change the Civil War

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461021901/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
Harvest of Death: The Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas

 

[AUG]

And for some reading on the northern pincer of the campaign:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0786437359/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
The Camden Expedition of 1864 and the Opportunity Lost by the Confederacy to Change the Civil War

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1461021901/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
Harvest of Death: The Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas

I'll second Harvest of Death on Jenkins' Ferry - short but good look at the battle, with sufficient maps - but I haven't read Forsyth's book yet.

 

[NedBaldwin]

I've read a little about the Red River Campaign and from what I've read if it weren't for the brilliance of one Joseph Bailey the entire campaign may have been lost. Bailey having engineering experience as a logger and manipulating shallow rivers derived methods of damming the Red which never rose that year. His ingenuity is the only reason Porter was able to get his fleet down the Red. I dare say Joseph Bailey was the unsung hero of the entire expedition.

I dont think he was unsung -- for what he did he was promoted to Brigadier General, received the thanks of Congress and got heaps of praise from Porter.

There were other engineers along on the campaign who later grumbled that while Bailey did a great job, the idea for the **** wasnt unique or original to him.

 

[Drew]

The "unsung hero" for the Union was Confederate General Kirby Smith, as usual, who pulled the troops from Taylor that may likely have sealed the deal.

One can only do so much, but turning a huge invading force around is a feather in General Taylor's cap to be sure.

 

[photoman475]

May I suggest William R. Brookshear's War Along the Bayous: The 1864 Red River Campaign in Louisiana as a nice general book about this campaign? It was published in 1998 and has an extensive bibiliography. The best part about the book is that it mentioned my unit, the 5th Minnesota Infantry, in it! Of course, my opinion may be a bit prejudiced in the matter.....

 

[NedBaldwin]

The "unsung hero" for the Union was Confederate General Kirby Smith, as usual, who pulled the troops from Taylor that may likely have sealed the deal.

One can only do so much, but turning a huge invading force around is a feather in General Taylor's cap to be sure.

I think Smith is the unsung hero for the Confederate side for two reasons:
1. After retreating for weeks, Taylor was able to stop and challenge Banks because he had been reinforced. At the start of the campaign, the Confederates in the Trans-Mississippi were scattered. Smith ordered forces to be concentrated and he was able to more than double the men available to Taylor.
2. The low river was a major issue in stopping the US and it wasnt entirely natural. Smith had directed engineering efforts that helped lower the river.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Not sure when this taken, a section of Bailey's Dam. This is terrific because you can get a small idea of how it had to be thrown together, filled, maneuvered, the whole thing still had to be contained enough to hold together. Amazing.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Ah HA! I knew I had photos from this topic- had to go back backbackback to find them!

The fleet above the falls somewhere, probably Louisville. Nobody yell at me, it's written on the photo description- cool though.

Another shot of the dam. Fuzzy but still, Bailey's Dam!

Fleet above Alexandria- Have another like this, much clearer.

 

[BillO]

I would highly recommend Richard Taylors' book.

 

[Keiri]

I definitely enjoyed trips to the national cemetery back when I lived in those parts (well, DC) but at that time I didn't give a rat's behind about the civil war. I regret it. Now I'm sure the monuments alone would be worth looking at.

As for my guys, they were in a weird spot. They were the 17th Wisconsin Co. K, part of the 2nd Brig., 1st Div., 17th Army Corps, to April 1864 under McPherson (before he died, of course.) But three of my guys went on detachment duty and were chosen to go down under AJ Smith on this campaign. So they were probably (I think) considered part of the 16th AC under AJ Smith. Regardless, I was able to track it further. It appears my guys got back from the cargo guard duty right at the tail end of the battle, hustled out as far as Pleasant Hill, and then were turned back. They didn't even get to see the destruction along the way back, as they were the rear guard and thus became the head of the column. Kind of a anti-climactic discovery, but luckily they had several other things along the time they were there worth talking about. (Corinth, Kenesaw, Vicksburg, March to the Sea, etc)

RRC is really, really fascinating. I'm learning quite a bit from you guys. Thanks again Love the pictures and the book suggestions.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Here's the thing with the Red River Campaign? Wish I could re-find the section someone wrote, a witness. the first ship over the dam. Those things were monsters! What on earth kind of nerves did it take to be the Captain getting up a head of steam, drive that massive ship straight to what amounted o a cliff and fly over the thing, take the chance it didn't bottom out, fall over, hit the bottom and crack open- any one of 5 different scenarios. I mean, the plan was just a plan. Raise the water enough to get those ships buoyant, run them over the falls? Found portions of 2 accounts, the second from the era. Makes your toes curl. I'd have to recommend reading the eyewitness accounts from beginning to end, seriously- to get an idea more then ' Bailey raised the water, save the ships, the end ' This was high, high drama, people on the banks taking part in the scene, every available person lending aid, touch and go- an entire fleet at risk. Everything that could go wrong did BUT everything that could go right and had to go right- did.

" To the amazement of practically everybody except Bailey, the dam complex was working. By May 6, the water held by the dam had risen 4 feet. By May 8, the water level was up 5 feet 4 inches. Three of the lighter vessels even crossed the upper rapids and now waited behind the dam for the heavier gunboats. As the soldiers worked to finish the dam, the water continued to build until the pressure against the dam became tremendous. General Banks feared the pressure would soon burst the dam, and the next day, at around 5:30 in the morning, one officer "heard a great crashing in the direction of the dam. Jumping out of the blankets and slipping on my coat, cap, and boots, I ran down to the bank. The water was rushing through at a great rate" (Tyson May 9, 1864).

Two of the barges used in the dam had broken loose, and the water was gushing through. Porter, seeing the crisis, quickly ordered the gunboat Lexington to run the gap:

• 
  The Lexington succeeded in getting over the falls and then steered directly for the opening in the dam, through which the water was dashing so furiously that it seemed as if certain destruction would be her fate. Ten thousand spectators breathlessly awaited the result. She entered the gap with a full head of steam; passed down the roaring, rushing torrent; made several spasmodic rolls; hung for a moment, with a harsh, grating sound, on the rocks below; was then swept into deep water and rounded to by the bank of the river. Such a cheer arose from that vast multitude of sailors and soldiers, when the noble vessel was seen in safety below the falls, as we had never and certainly have not heard since (Moore 1868:12)http://www.crt.state.la.us/dataprojects/archaeology/virtualbooks/BAILEYS/works.htm

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  "Porter, seeing the barges give way, leaped on a horse and galloped upstream. He ordered the four boats to shoot the chute before the water level became too low. Three of the boats were moored at the banks and had to start their engines. The oldest boat of the fleet, the Lexington, put on a full head of steam, passed over the remaining rocks of the channel, and headed for the 66-foot opening. On the banks 30,000 soldiers and sailors watched. Porter wrote in his report,
  
  She steered directly for the opening in the dam, through which the water was rushing so furiously that it seemed as if nothing but destruction awaited her. Thousands of beating hearts looked on, anxious for the result. The silence was so great as the Lexington approached the dam, that a pin might almost be heard to fall. She entered the gap with a full head of steam on, pitched down the roaring torrent, made two or three spasmodic rolls, hung for a moment on the rocks below, was then swept into the deep water by the current, and rounded-to safely into the bank. Thirty thousand voices rose in one deafening cheer, and universal joy seemed to pervade the face of every man present.

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  The skipper monitor, the Neosho, at the last moment before heading into the chute ordered the engines cut off instead of following Porter's orders to keep them going full steam. The boat was in the current and so, without any control, dove into the fall, struck bottom - with an ominous metallic clang - and to everyone's considerable relief, emerged from the froth of the waterfalls with only a single hole."

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  http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/warfare-and-logistics/logistics/baileysdam.html

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[JPK Huson 1863]

I dont think he was unsung -- for what he did he was promoted to Brigadier General, received the thanks of Congress and got heaps of praise from Porter.

There were other engineers along on the campaign who later grumbled that while Bailey did a great job, the idea for the **** wasnt unique or original to him.

Well no, it was an idea used by lumbermen for specific purposes. Bailey always said this- that it was just an old, much used ploy of the lumber trade. Nothing new, pretty simple, certainly not anything Joseph Bailey invented or claimed to have invented. Bailey is the one who pulled it out of the air to employ at this moment, when needed. No one else did. There was a trapped fleet in a river. What Joseph Bailey did do was connect the dots on how this old lumberman's trick could be used to save the fleet. If anyone else stepped up with that information at the same time, the dam could have been called Sam Smith's dam or Stephen Simpson's dam. They did not. No use only having half the equation when it takes the whole thing to solve the problem, then witching Bailey gets the credit. Makes no sense?

 

[Drew]

I think Smith is the unsung hero for the Confederate side for two reasons:
1. After retreating for weeks, Taylor was able to stop and challenge Banks because he had been reinforced. At the start of the campaign, the Confederates in the Trans-Mississippi were scattered. Smith ordered forces to be concentrated and he was able to more than double the men available to Taylor.
2. The low river was a major issue in stopping the US and it wasnt entirely natural. Smith had directed engineering efforts that helped lower the river.

Banks outnumbered Taylor more than two to one but still managed to walk into the mouse trap at Mansfield.

The only Confederate engineering feat I'm aware of that stopped the Union advance was the sinking of the New Falls City across Red River near Loggy Bayou. They blew it up to block the Union Navy and it worked.

We really need to hear more about what Kirby Smith did to engineer water levels in the river. It's a new one on me.

 

[NedBaldwin]

We really need to hear more about what Kirby Smith did to engineer water levels in the river. It's a new one on me.

I wrote about it here: Enlisting Nature Itself

Joiner wrote about it in One **** Blunder from Beginning to End: The Red River Campaign of 1864 pages 23-26 (and in several of his other books like Historic Shreveport-Bossier and Red River Steamboats).

Discussed in the Encyclopedia of Louisiana entry for the campaign under the subhead 'Disaster for the Union Fleet'.

Porter was aware of it at the time: "When the rebels heard we had arrived at Grand Ecore, they commenced turning the source of water supply off into the lakes"

 

[NedBaldwin]

Banks outnumbered Taylor more than two to one but still managed to walk into the mouse trap at Mansfield.

Depends on who you are counting and when.

 

[NedBaldwin]

Well no, it was an idea used by lumbermen for specific purposes. Bailey always said this- that it was just an old, much used ploy of the lumber trade. Nothing new, pretty simple, certainly not anything Joseph Bailey invented or claimed to have invented. Bailey is the one who pulled it out of the air to employ at this moment, when needed. No one else did. There was a trapped fleet in a river. What Joseph Bailey did do was connect the dots on how this old lumberman's trick could be used to save the fleet. If anyone else stepped up with that information at the same time, the dam could have been called Sam Smith's dam or Stephen Simpson's dam. They did not. No use only having half the equation when it takes the whole thing to solve the problem, then witching Bailey gets the credit. Makes no sense?

Bailey was the 19th Corps staff engineer, so he was the one in charge and the one that got the recognition, which leads to his name being on the dam. But others claimed they were involved and in fact had better ideas than Bailey.

Here are some snippets from another engineer's report:

...
At the request of Colonel Bailey, Colonel Robinson and myself accompanied him to select the place for building the dam. After a thorough examination of the falls, Colonel Robinson and myself were of the opinion that two dams were necessary--one at the foot of the upper and the other at the foot of the lower falls. Colonel Bailey, however, decided that one would be sufficient, and accordingly we jointly selected the point at which the main dam was located.
...
The Carondelet attempted to follow, but owing to the rapidity of the current, and also to the wing-dams not being placed perpendicular to the direction of the channel, she was forced aside and lay with her bow close below the end of the wing-dam extending from the left bank, her stern being down stream and pointing diagonally across the channel. Several attempts were made to haul her from this position, all of which failed, and the navy finally concluded her case a hopeless one and thought there was sufficient room alongside for the others to pass. The Mound City was accordingly ordered to try it, and grounded abreast of the Carondelet. Five more iron-clads Were still above them.
Such, in brief, was the position of affairs on the afternoon of the 10th of May, as Major-General Banks will doubtless remember having a conversation with Colonel Bailey and myself at that time. It was at this crisis that Colonel Bailey asked me what could be done to relieve the boats. I replied in these words: "If you will allow me to build a dam where I please, on my own plan, and give me the men and materials I require, I will agree to put a foot of water under those boats (referring to the Mound City and Carondelet) by to-morrow night." He asked me what I required, and I told him the pioneer corps of the Thirteenth Army Corps to report to me at midnight to cross to the left bank, and that 10,000 feet of 2-inch plank should be there at 9 o'clock the next morning. Colonel Bailey agreed to this proposition, and accordingly about 1 a.m. of that night Captain Hutchens, commanding the pioneers, reported to me for duty.
...
In conclusion, I would beg leave to state that the project of building a dam across Red River, although difficult, could never have been pronounced impracticable by any men who followed a similar avocation in civil life. The bottom and shores being so extremely favorable, and official reports having been promulgated by the naval authorities asserting that Colonel Bailey was the only man in the army who believed the plan practicable, that he was the originator of it. &c., I deem it my sacred duty to refute such assertions so far as they concern myself, having waited three months to see it contradicted by others. The major-general commanding the department will recollect of my assurances to him in this respect ere the work had fairly begun. It can also be proved that it was pronounced feasible by me while at Grand Ecore. These statements are made in self-defense, without doubting that the credit justly belongs to others; yet were such statements substantiated against an officer like myself, after ten years of practical experience in building dams on the most difficult rivers in the country, it would be deemed sufficient evidence by me of my utter incompetency to hold my present position.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedient servant,
U. B. PEARSALL,
Lieut Col. Ninety-ninth U.S. Colored Infantry.​

In his report, Pearsall mentions Colonel Robinson. Here are excerpts from Robinson's report:

...
At the request of Lieutenant Colonel Bailey, Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall, of the Fifth Engineers, and myself went with him to examine the rapids and fix upon a plan for a dam. Both Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall and myself advised that two dams should be built, one at the upper and one at the lower falls, fearing that one dam would not stand the pressure. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, however, decided to build only one dam...
...
Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey then decided to adopt the plan originally recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall and myself of building a dam at the upper rapids.
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Where all do well it is difficult to specify individual cases, but I think I should not be doing justice to a worthy and deserving officer if I did not make further mention of the services of Lieut. Col. U. B. Pearsall, of the Fifth Engineers, Corps d'Afrique. Throughout the whole campaign he labored with unceasing toil and devotion. The plan for building two dams across Red River, which from necessity was finally adopted, was originally proposed by him, and the success of the dam was, in my opinion, mainly due to his efforts. He labored day and night, almost without rest, and seeming to know nothing of fatigue. If the thanks of Congress are due to any one for the final success of this dam I believe they are due to him as much as to any one else.
...
Respectfully submitted.
GEO. D. ROBINSON,
Colonel Third Engs., Corps d'Afrique, Comdg. Eng. Brig.
​

Robinson and Pearsall challenge the idea of Bailey as the sole genius of the dam. We had a similar discussion a few years back.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Ok. Well, then it was challenged and they should indeed be recognized. It is like a lot of other things though, where one thing exists as we understand it to be and documentation wishes us to strip honors from someone because of it. Generally what happens is no one is satisfied with the result- somehow the original person, in this case Bailey will come off looking a fraud. From other documentation we see he was not. So what is the answer? Seems to be shared credit.

" If the thanks of Congress are due to any one for the final success of this dam I believe they are due to him as much as to any one else. " This sentence indicates that, that the efforts of other engineers are worthy remarking in official thanks by Congress hence anyone making a study of the dam. Still- it's not like this information is readily available or is included in the accounts to be found. That they are not is not deliberate when researching the dam. I'm not sure it is up to us to re-write history- or at least pitch Baily under the dam without knowing more.

It does sound like a perfectly maddening situation for the other engineers. Having what amounts to awe bordering on reverence for these men I sure as heck lack the knowledge to ascertain who-did-what-and-how-and-to-what-amounts. I'm sure there are engineers who could follow the action there quite easily- be interesting to see what they would make of how events unfolded.

...

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

ps- With or without any of them, just cannot let it take away from the image of the Lexington- this huge ship, awkwardly plummeting over that primitive precipice, trusting to gravity and physics not to founder, to luck not to bottom out on rocks and to God ( at that point ) to steam away from inevitable capture. Most hair-raising scene ever written, if Hollywood could pull it off- which is doubtful.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Here's an idea of what the blazes had to be done- the USS Lexington was a timberclad, one of the ships, when you saw it, swear to Gawd, you thought of Noah's Ark. The Tyler or Lexington, monsters, you just couldn't imagine ' battleship ', I mean someone pounded timber over every, single inch of these things- massive to begin with. I have a much better photo somewhere for sheer size, of course cannot find it.

This is what had to go over that dam, hopefully on one piece! Makes me wonder why Porter had the Lexington go first? That would have been a heckishly large wreck had it become wreckage, making it impossible to get out of the way for other ships. This this was a beast.