To those of you interested in the War Between the States, here is the only real proof I have managed to locate about Yankee troops in Union Parish during the war. If anyone has any other evidence or information on this topic, please share. Brief Explanation: Here are two April 1864 reports from United States Navy Lt. Commander James P. Foster, in command of the 2nd District of the Mississippi Squadron. Lt. Commander Foster was reporting to Rear Admiral David D. Porter, who commanded the Mississippi Squadron. In conjunction with US General Nathaniel Banks' Red River Campaign, which intended to capture Shreveport and head west to Texas, Lt. Commander Foster was ordered up the Ouachita River towards Monroe. As you can read from his reports, Foster found no opposition when he landed at Monroe. He captured Confederate cotton, and sent a few ships up the Ouachita River to Ouachita City, where they captured more cotton. Since Ouachita City is in Union Parish, this means that the Yankee troops landed at Ouachita City and apparently took control of the warehouses there. The reports do not give many details about the actions while the Yankees were in Ouachita City. During this time (April 1864), most of the troops on duty in northern Louisiana were west with the Confederate army trying to defend against General Banks. However, the troops paroled at Vicksburg in July 1863 had not yet been officially exchanged. Roughly four hundred Union Parish soldiers in the 17th and 31st Infantry Regiments had been captured at Vicksburg. Many reported to a parole camp in Vienna in April 1864, others were at home planting crops (by consent of the Confederate commanders) until their official exchange (which occurred in August 1864). ======================================================= ========================================== Source: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the WAR OF THE REBELLION. Series I, Volume 26, pp. 236 - 237 ========================================== Report of Lieutenant Commander Foster, U.S. Navy, making reference to capture of Fort Pillow, Tenn., and expedition in Ouachita River. Addressed to: Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. U.S.S. Layfayette Mouth of Red River, April 15, 1864. Sir: [Irrelevant portion of report omitted] I shall not make a detailed report of the expedition up the Ouachita until I have more time. We brought with us between twenty-five hundred and three thousand bales cotton and nearly eight hundred contrabands; burned the court-house, railroad depot, and bridge at Monroe, and proceeded up the river as far as Ouachita City. We met with no losses of any kind, and, from the short time remained, accomplished fully as much as we anticipated at starting. We have also a few prisoners and a considerable number of refugees, of all of which I will give a correct account. The "General Lyon" is now here, and I will order her to remain until I find that it is safe for her to proceed to Cairo. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. Jas. P. Foster, Lieut. Comdr., U.S.N., Comdg. 2d Dist. Mississippi Squadron ====================================================================================== Source: SUPPLEMENT to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies Part III - Correspondence, Volume 3, Serial No. 95 pp. 348 - 350 =========================================== Report of Lieutenant-Commander James P. Foster, U.S. Navy to Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter: ============================================ United States Steamer LaFayette, April 20, 1864 Rear Admiral David Porter, Commanding Mississippi Squadron: SIR: I havethe honor to report that in obedience to your order of April 1, I left Alexandria in company with the "Choctaw" and "Ouachita", and proceeded to the mouth of Black River, where I waited for the arrival of the "Kenwood", which was on the evening of April 5. Early on the morning of April 6, I started up Black River, in company with the "Choctaw", "Ouachita" and "Kenwood"; leaving the "Avenger" to repair; giving her orders to follow when completed. All the vessels proceeded up the Ouachita as far as Monroe, meeting with no opposition and capturing a small quantity of cotton and taking on board some contrabands and refugees. On our way up we were joined by the "Avenger" and "Juliet". On my arrival at Monroe, hearing of several lots of cotton, I dispatched Captain Francis M. Ramsay with the "Avenger" and "Kenwood" to capture it; which he succeeded in doing. He proceeded as far as Ouachita City. On Sunday morning, while lying at Monroe, Caitain [Byron] Wilson sent a guard, consisting of an officer and eight men, to protect the loading of cotton. While some distance from the bank as pickets, they were attacked by twenty-three cavalry men; and after a little fighting succeeded in repelling them, killing one and wounding two others. We sustained no loss. We also killed a horse and captured a lot of sabers and ammunition. The water falling rapidly, by the advice of my pilots, I did not consider it prudent to remain longer and prepared to leave, having remained at Monroe from Saturday night until Tuesday morning. Before leaving I destroyed the railroad bridge and depot buildings, the court-house, and jail. I left on April 12 for the Mississippi River, taking on board refugees, deserters, and contrabands, and capturing several lots of cotton on my way down. The whole amount of captures while on the expedition was twenty-five bales of cotton and two prisoners; and we took on board thirty-five refugees and five deserters from the Rebel Army. I also captured three horses, which I have turned over to Captain [K. Randolph] Breese. On April 15, I arrived at the mouth of the Mississipip and two hours after the "General Lyon" arrived from Memphis which dispatches for you from Captain Patterson. From the rumors of threatened attacks upon our river posts, I concluded to proceed up the river immediately, and did so, in company with the "Choctaw". Upon my arrival at Vicksburg, hearing that Fort Pillow was evaucated and all quiet above, I decided to return. Meeting Captain [Robert] Townsend, I received your order to return to Bayou Sara and am now on my way to that place. On my arrival at Monore, Captain S. D. Moore made known to me he had a ferry-boat named "Renby" lying in a bayou forty-five miles above and asked my protection to the Mississippi for her. From what I had heard you say while at Alexandria, I told him if he would permit me to use her until we arrived at the Mississippi, that I would protect him. He is a loyal man, as all evidence proves, and took the oath of allegiance two years ago. He has two brothers, members of the Mississippi Squadron. I told him I would report the case to you and that doubtless you would approve of what I had done. Upon arriving at the mouth I sent him to Port Hudson with the contrabands and upon my return from Vicksburg he reported to me. After consultation with Captain Breese, I discharged him. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, James P. Foster Lieutenant-Commander, United States Navy, Commanding Second District Mississippi River ====================================================== _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/