Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections
Fri, 08/05/2022 - 8:29am
This week we are looking at the Battle of Baton Rouge.
On Aug. 5, 1862, The Union halted the Confederate attempt to recapture Baton Rouge. In May of that year, the Confederate government decided to abandon Baton Rouge. This was the day before New Orleans fell to the US Navy fleet.
On Aug. 4, the Confederates lost the element of surprise when they were spotted by Union sentries. The attack launched at dawn on Aug. 5. The battle took place near Florida Street and began when the Confederate army began the battle to attempt to take back the city. During this battle, the Confederate ironclad Arkansas was coming down river to assist in the fighting. Just four miles upriver, the engines failed. Her commander ordered the ship be set afire in order to prevent her from capture by the Union army. Without this naval support, the Confederate army was unable to take back the city. They retreated to Port Hudson, which the Confederate army held for another year.
More information on the Battle of Baton Rouge can be found in the Louisiana Room. Available books include:
- The Battle of Baton Rouge, 1862, by William Spedale
- Battle of Baton Rouge, 1862, by Edward Cunningham
- The Battle of Baton Rouge, by Thomas Richey
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Fun Fact Friday is brought to you by Special Collections.