April 3, 1864---The Battle of Elkin's Ferry

APRIL 3, 1864:            

The Battle of Elkin’s Ferry. Union forces moving south toward Louisiana as part of the Red River Campaign are temporarily stopped at the Little Missouri River. Retreating Confederate forces have destroyed all the bridges, and the only available crossing is the ford at Elkin’s Ferry. 

The Union takes the ford with 8,500 men, but 7,500 cavalrymen under C.S. Generals John S. Marmaduke and Jo Shelby attempt to sweep the Union forces into the river. After a brief firefight with few casualties, the Southerners withdraw on the morning of April 4th, leaving the ford in Union hands.