Battle of Lake Providence
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The battle of Lake Providence occurred in Lake Providence, Louisiana on June 9, 1863, during the siege of Vicksburg in the American Civil War. The battle was meant to be in conjunction with Confederate attacks against Union supply depots at Young's Point and Milliken's Bend on June 7. However the Confederate commander, Lt. Col. Frank Bartlett set out 48 hours behind schedule, but still pushed on toward the Federal garrison.[2] The Union forces were commanded by Brig. Gen. Hugh T. Reid and greatly outnumbered Bartlett. Reid's brigade was a mixed command of white soldiers and United States Colored Troops.[3] Bartlett formed a line of battle supported by artillery and attacked. Reid's sharpshooters drove off the artillery and a brief skirmish ensued. The Confederates withdrew with two men killed and four wounded. The Federals reported one man wounded.[2]
The three Confederate attacks against Federal supplies in Louisiana failed and the Union grip on Vicksburg continued to tighten.
Battle Site
Bartlett formed a line of battle and advanced toward Tensas Bayou while a 6-pdr gun was moved into position near the present-day Club House of the Lake Providence Country Club.[2]
Sources
- Eicher, John H., & Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.