Goodrich's Landing
The Mounds, Lake Providence
Civil War Louisiana

American Civil War
June 29–30, 1863

After Union forces began occupying the Louisiana river parishes, thousands of escaped slaves flocked to them. The Federals, therefore, leased some plantations and put the freedmen to work growing cotton or other crops; the proceeds from the sale of the crops helped defray expenses for food, clothing, etc. Colored Troops were assigned to protect these plantations, releasing other troops to fight.

Confederates, determined to recapture some of these freedmen and destroy the crops, undertook an expedition from Gaines's Landing, Arkansas, to Lake Providence. The Federals had constructed a fort on an Indian mound to protect some of these leased plantations. The Rebels prepared to attack the fort on the 29th but decided to demand unconditional surrender first, which the Union forces accepted.

Later in the day, Confederate Colonel W.H. Parsons fought companies of the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. The Rebels then began burning and destroying the surrounding plantations, especially those that the Yankees leased.

By the next morning, U.S. Naval boats had landed the Mississippi Marine Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet, at Goodrich's Landing. At dawn, he set out with Colonel William F. Wood's African American units to find the Rebels. Ellet's cavalry found the Confederates first and began skirmishing.

The fight became more intense as Ellet's other forces approached. Parsons eventually disengaged and fell back. Although the Confederates disrupted these operations, destroyed much property, and captured many supplies and weapons, the raid was a minor setback for the Union.

The Confederates could cause momentary disturbances, but they were unable to effect any lasting changes.

Result(s): Indecisive

Location: East Carroll Parish

Campaign: Grant's Operations against Vicksburg (1863) next battle in campaign    previous battle in campaign

Date(s): June 29–30, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet [US]; Colonel William H. Parsons [CS]

Forces Engaged: Mississippi Marine Brigade, Brigade of 1st Arkansas Volunteers (African Descent) and 10th Louisiana (African Descent) [US]; 12th and 19th Texas cavalry Regiments, 15th Louisiana Cavalry Battalion, Cameron's Louisiana Battery, and Ralston's Mississippi Battery [CS]

Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US 120; CS unknown)


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American Civil War Book Titles

Guide to the Vicksburg Campaign U.S. Army War College Guides to Civil War Battles
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Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress.