Confederate Offensive Against Baton Rouge
The Confederate Offensive Against Baton Rouge in the summer of 1862 stands as a pivotal, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, attempt by the Confederate States of America to reclaim control over the state capital of Louisiana. This campaign, marked by a combined land and naval assault, aimed to dislodge Union forces from Baton Rouge, a strategic city along the Mississippi River. The offensive comprised two significant engagements: the Battle of Baton Rouge on August 5, 1862, and the retaliatory attack by the U.S. Navy on Donaldsonville on August 9, 1862. This article delves into the historical context, key figures, battle events, and consequences of this critical chapter in the American Civil War.
Historical Background
In April 1862, as Union forces advanced and captured New Orleans, the Confederate state government made the strategic decision to abandon Baton Rouge. The state government relocated first to Opelousas and then to Shreveport. As part of the evacuation, Confederate forces implemented a scorched-earth policy, setting fire to all cotton in the area to prevent it from falling into Union hands.
On May 9, 1862, Navy Commander James S. Palmer of the federal gunboat USS Iroquois landed at the town wharf and took possession of the Pentagon Barracks and the arsenal without encountering any resistance. This bloodless occupation marked the beginning of Union control over Baton Rouge. However, the peace was short-lived.
Two weeks later, a party of Confederate guerrillas attacked a rowboat carrying a Union naval officer. In response, Flag Officer David G. Farragut, commanding the flagship Hartford, ordered a bombardment of the town. This retaliatory action caused civilian casualties and inflicted damage on St. Joseph’s Church and other buildings, escalating tensions and solidifying the Union presence in Baton Rouge.
On May 29, 1862, U.S. Brigadier General Thomas Williams arrived with six regiments of infantry, two artillery batteries, and a cavalry troop. He promptly began the occupation of Baton Rouge, establishing a more substantial Union military presence in the city.
Confederate Strategy
That summer, Confederate Major General Earl Van Dorn, based in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was determined to resist the Union bombardment of that strategic city. The Confederate ironclad ram Arkansas had navigated down the Yazoo River, inflicting significant damage on the unprepared Union fleet as it passed through, and was anchored in Vicksburg.
Van Dorn recognized the strategic importance of Baton Rouge and believed that regaining control of the city was crucial to driving the Union forces out of Louisiana. He also felt that retaking Baton Rouge would eventually threaten Union control of New Orleans, a vital port and economic hub.
The March to Baton Rouge
Under the leadership of Major General John C. Breckinridge, approximately 5,000 Confederate troops departed from Vicksburg and headed towards Camp Moore on July 27, 1862. They were joined by a small infantry division led by Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles. The plan was a coordinated land and naval assault on Baton Rouge. Simultaneously, the Arkansas was tasked with sailing down the Mississippi River to engage and neutralize Union ships stationed near Baton Rouge.
Prelude to Battle
Union Brigadier General Thomas Williams reportedly received intelligence regarding the Confederate forces’ departure from Camp Moore on July 28, 1862. On August 4, further information emerged confirming the enemy’s imminent arrival. In response, Union troops were deployed about a mile outside of Baton Rouge, preparing for the impending Confederate assault.
The Battle of Baton Rouge (August 5, 1862)
The Confederate offensive commenced in the early morning of August 5, 1862. Major General John C. Breckinridge’s plan was to execute a combined land and water expedition with his corps and the CSS Ram Arkansas. The Confederate land forces, advancing from the east, were only ten miles away from the capital on August 4.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Baton Rouge, the Confederate troops formed an attack in two divisions and began to drive back each Union unit they encountered. The initial Confederate assault proved successful, pushing back the Union lines. However, the battle’s dynamics shifted when Union gunboats positioned in the river began shelling the Confederates. These naval bombardments inflicted significant casualties and disrupted the Confederate advance.
The Arkansas was intended to neutralize the Union gunboats, but her engines failed, preventing her from participating effectively in the battle. This mechanical failure proved to be a critical setback for the Confederate forces.
Federal land forces, under intense pressure, fell back to a more defensible line closer to the river and within the protective range of the gunboats. During this retreat, the Union commander, Brigadier General Thomas Williams, was killed in action. Colonel Thomas W. Cahill assumed command and ordered a further retreat to a prepared defensive line nearer the river and within the gunboats’ protection.
The Confederates assailed the new Union line, launching repeated attacks. Despite their efforts, the Federals held their ground, and ultimately, the Confederates were forced to retire. The battle concluded with a Union victory, but at a significant cost.
The Union forces suffered 371 casualties, while the Confederates sustained 478 casualties. Despite the Union victory, the loss of Brigadier General Thomas Williams was a significant blow to the Union forces.
The Fate of the Arkansas
The day after the battle, on August 6, 1862, the Arkansas‘ engines failed again as she closed on the Union gunboats. Realizing that the ironclad was no longer viable, her crew blew her up and scuttled her to prevent her capture by Union forces. The loss of the Arkansas effectively ended any hope of a Confederate naval victory in the region.
The Retaliatory Attack on Donaldsonville (August 9, 1862)
As part of the Confederate Offensive Against Baton Rouge, the U.S. Navy launched a retaliatory attack on Donaldsonville, a town along the Mississippi River. This action was prompted by reports of Union steamers being fired upon as they passed the town.
Rear Admiral David G. Farragut notified the town of his intentions and suggested that the citizens evacuate the women and children. He then anchored in front of the town and initiated a bombardment with guns and mortars. Farragut also dispatched a detachment ashore, which set fire to hotels, wharf buildings, dwelling houses, and other properties belonging to Captain Phillippe Landry. Landry was believed to be the captain of the partisan unit responsible for firing on Union ships.
Some citizens protested the raid, but the attacks on Union ships generally ceased afterward. The attack on Donaldsonville resulted in no casualties but caused significant property damage.
Aftermath and Significance
The Confederate Offensive Against Baton Rouge ultimately failed to achieve its primary objective of recapturing the state capital. The Union victory ensured continued Union control over Baton Rouge, a strategically important city along the Mississippi River. The battle and subsequent events had several significant consequences:
- Continued Union Control: The Union victory solidified their control over Baton Rouge, allowing them to maintain a crucial foothold in Louisiana.
- Strategic Impact: The failure of the Confederate offensive weakened Confederate efforts to regain control of the Mississippi River and disrupt Union supply lines.
- Morale: The Union victory boosted morale among Union troops and supporters, while the Confederate defeat dampened spirits in the South.
- Destruction and Retaliation: The battle and the retaliatory attack on Donaldsonville resulted in significant destruction and civilian displacement, highlighting the brutal nature of the war.
In conclusion, the Confederate Offensive Against Baton Rouge was a significant, albeit unsuccessful, attempt by the Confederacy to regain control of Louisiana’s capital. The battle and subsequent events underscore the strategic importance of Baton Rouge and the Mississippi River in the broader context of the American Civil War.