Battle of Fort DeRussy

Battle of Fort DeRussy
Part of the American Civil War
DateMarch 14, 1864 (1864-03-14)
Location31°11′02″N 92°03′16″W / 31.18380°N 92.05436°W / 31.18380; -92.05436
Result Union victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States A.J. Smith
United States Joseph Mower
Confederate States of America William Byrd[1]
Strength
10,000 men 350 men
Casualties and losses
48 killed and wounded
2 missing
2 killed
5 wounded
317 captured,
Fort DeRussy is located in Louisiana
Fort DeRussy
Fort DeRussy
Location in Louisiana

The Battle of Fort DeRussy was the first engagement in the Red River Campaign of March–May 1864 in the American Civil War.

The Union Army of the Gulf under General Banks aimed to capture Shreveport, state capital and headquarters of the Confederate command, west of the Mississippi. The operation was spearheaded by General A.J. Smith and Brigadier General Joseph Mower, who surprised and captured Fort DeRussy on March 14, taking over 300 prisoners and the enemy's only heavy guns. The Confederates, under General Richard Taylor, were forced to retreat, leaving south and central Louisiana to the Union forces.