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.
