Battle of Richmond, Louisiana
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The Battle of Richmond was a minor engagement that was fought June 15, 1863, in Richmond, Louisiana, during the Siege of Vicksburg of the American Civil War.
Contents
Background
Richmond sat along an important Confederate supply line running into Vicksburg from the west. Union forces were able to advance against this supply line following their victories at the battles of Milliken's Bend and Young's Point. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman dispatched Brig. Gen. Joseph Mower's Eagle Brigade from the Vicksburg trenches to coordinate with Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet's Marine Brigade and drive Maj. Gen. John George Walker's Confederates from Richmond.[1]
Battle
Mower and Ellet advanced on Richmond with the Marines in the lead. Ellet's command was discovered by Confederate scouts and Walker deployed a concealed line of skirmishers from the 18th Texas Regiment.[2] The Texans attacked and stopped the Union vanguard. Walker was able to hold off Ellet until Mower's infantry came up. Mower formed his brigade in line of battle and unlimbered his artillery.[1] The battle continued as an artillery duel until Mower's troops maneuvered through a bayou on the Confederate's flank.[2] Walker was informed his supply wagons were safely removed and, desperately outnumbered, he ordered a withdrawal.[1]
Aftermath
Walker's men destroyed bridges behind them and although Mower's troops rebuilt them, the Union force contented themselves with destroying the town. The Union victory deprived the Vicksburg garrison of yet another supply route from Louisiana farmlands.
References
