|
The small town of Richmond (then the seat of government
of Madison Parish) sat astride a important Confederate supply route over
which the Vicksburg garrison received large quantities of foodstuffs from
the region between the Mississippi and Tensas rivers. That supply line was
cut as Grant's army began its push south from Milliken's Bend.
Following the engagement at Milliken's bend on June 7,
Grant redeployed Brig. Gen. Joseph Mower's "Eagle Brigade"*
from the Vicksburg area to Young's Point. (*The brigade contained
the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry the mascot of which unit was a bald eagle
named "Old Abe".) Coupled with Brig. Gen. Alfred
V. Ellet's
Mississippi Marine Brigade, the Federal force was to drive Walker's Texans
from Richmond. The Federals rendezvoused at Lum's Depot and advanced on
Richmond with the marines in the lead.
One mile north of this point, the Federal advanced was
contested by skirmishers from the Eighteenth
Texas. The Texans held the
marines at bay until Mower's troops arrived and formed line of battle at
which time they fell back to this position behind Roundaway Bayou. For the
next hour a spirited artillery duel ensued as the Federals sought to cross
the bayou west of this point and flank the Confederates. In the meantime,
Walker was informed that his wagons had cleared the area and ordered his
troops to withdraw. Union troops then crossed the bayou and burned the
town. Union losses were one killed and 11 wounded. Five Confederates were
killed and 25 taken prisoner.
|
