Category Archives: Louisiana

April 18, 1863: McClernand wants transports

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Allen Gathman

McClernand wants more troop transports to get across the Mississippi. Grant seems to think he can do it with what he’s got. In fact, it seems like McClernand isn’t too keen on taking Grand Gulf. Meanwhile, Grant will see about … Continue reading →

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April 14, 1863: Grant wants to cooperate with Banks

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Allen Gathman

Official Records: Grant proposes that he can send troops to help Banks at Port Hudson, and Banks can help him at Vicksburg. MILLIKEN’S BEND, La., April 14, 1863. (Received May 5.) Major General N. P. BANKS: I am concentrating my … Continue reading →

Posted in Louisiana, Mississippi, Nathaniel P. Banks, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

March 29, 1863: Once downriver, there’s no turning back.

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Allen Gathman

Grant was prepared to move his troops south of Vicksburg, but he needed boats to get them across the river. Admiral Porter was ready to supply the boats, but he had a warning for Grant — once you take those … Continue reading →

Posted in David Porter, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

December 31, 1862: Butler in New Orleans

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Registered Enemies taking the oath of allegiance in New Orleans Richmond Daily Dispatch reports the latest depredations by “Beast” Butler in occupied New Orleans. The charges boil down to a) closing the Episcopal churches for disloyalty, which he definitely … Continue reading →

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November 19, 1862: Not much yellow fever this year

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times points out that, while “Beast” Butler’s efforts cleaning up New Orleans may have helped, it was a good year for yellow fever anyway. THE YELLOW FEVER.–The late frosts which … – The late frosts which have … Continue reading →

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October 12, 1862: Onward in the Southwest

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times predicts victory in the southwest, and enumerates the North’s advantage. The Onward Movement in the Southwest. Published: October 12, 1862 The Southwestern States have fairly begun work, after the long rest they have had during the … Continue reading →

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August 22, 1862: Butler swears in the New Orleans Native Guard

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Allen Gathman

New Orleans was unique in the south for its affluent free black population. When secession came, free black New Orleanians formed The Louisiana Native Guard much as other state militias had been formed. However, when state militias were absorbed into … Continue reading →

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June 15, 1862: New Orleans subdued, and ready to sell crops

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As we’ve seen before, the Confederate government ordered planters to destroy cotton that might fall into Union hands. Of course, this didn’t always happen, since that cotton represented considerable wealth. In this account from the Louisiana True Delta, reproduced in … Continue reading →

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May 31, 1862: No quarter for “Beast” Butler!

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch ran a brief but fervent editorial comment on Benjamin Butler — his infamous Order No. 28 was continuing to bear propaganda fruit for the Confederacy. No Quarter to Picayune Butler! –Let this be the sworn resolve … Continue reading →

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May 27, 1862: Yellow fever not as bad as expected

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As we’ve seen, the threat of yellow fever was touted repeatedly by Southerners as the likely nemesis of the Yankee invaders to New Orleans. It was even suggested that bringing in large numbers of “unacclimated” Yankees would prompt an epidemic … Continue reading →

Posted in Benjamin Butler, Disease, Louisiana | Leave a comment