Battle of Goodrich's Landing facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Goodrich's Landing
Part of the American Civil War
Date June 29, 1863 (1863-06-29) – June 30, 1863 (1863-06-30) Location East Carroll Parish, Louisiana Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Alfred W. Ellet	William H. Parsons
Units involved
Mississippi Marine Brigade 1st Arkansas Volunteers 10th Louisiana Volunteers	12th Texas Cavalry 19th Texas Cavalry 15th Louisiana Cavalry Cameron's Louisiana Battery Ralston’s Mississippi Battery
Casualties and losses
120	unknown

The Battle of Goodrich's Landing happened in Louisiana on June 29 and 30, 1863. It was a fight during the American Civil War between the Union (Northern states) and Confederate (Southern states) armies. The Confederates attacked Union soldiers, many of whom were African American, to try and stop the Union's important plan to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Why Goodrich's Landing Was Important

Goodrich's Landing was a large cotton farm owned by Henry Goodrich in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. It was located right on the Mississippi River. This made it a great spot for shipping cotton.

Union Takes Control

In early 1862, Union forces moved into the area. They took over the plantation and used it as a base. This base helped them as they moved closer to Vicksburg. Many enslaved people escaped and came to the Union camp. Because of this, nearby plantation owners left their farms. They moved west into areas controlled by the Confederates.

Farms and Former Slaves

The U.S. Government then took over these empty farms. They rented them to business people from the North. These new farm managers hired former slaves to grow cotton. By the summer of 1863, Union forces had surrounded the city of Vicksburg. This was a major siege led by General Ulysses S. Grant.

Confederate Plan to Help Vicksburg

Confederate troops in Louisiana and Arkansas had an idea. They thought if they attacked Goodrich's Landing, they could cut off the Union's supplies. This would hopefully force Grant to stop his attack on Vicksburg.

The Battle Begins

Map of Goodrich's Landing Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

In June 1863, Confederate soldiers from Arkansas started a mission. They went to Lake Providence, Louisiana. Their goal was to mess up the Union's attack on Vicksburg.

Attack on the Fort

The Union had built a fort on an old Indian mound. This fort was about five miles northwest of Goodrich's Landing. It protected a military supply center. The Confederates planned to attack the fort on June 29. But first, they demanded that the Union soldiers give up without a fight. The Union forces agreed.

Confederate Successes

Later that day, Confederate Colonel William H. Parsons met some Union soldiers. These were from the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. Parsons's men quickly defeated them. The Confederates then took Union Army supplies from the landing. They also started burning cotton on nearby farms. The Governor of Louisiana had ordered all cotton to be burned. This was to keep it from falling into Union hands.

Union Fights Back

By the next morning, Union Navy boats arrived. They brought the Mississippi Marine Brigade to Goodrich's Landing. This group was led by Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet. At dawn, Ellet and Colonel William F. Wood's African American troops went to find the Confederate raiders. Ellet's cavalry found the enemy first and started fighting. The battle grew more intense as Wood's soldiers joined in. Colonel Parsons eventually pulled his troops back. He took the captured supplies with him.

What Happened Next

The Confederate mission was successful in some ways. They disrupted Union operations and took needed supplies. However, their main goal was not achieved. They failed to make the Union stop focusing on Vicksburg. The very next month, on July 4, the Confederate forces at Vicksburg surrendered. This gave the Union full control of the important Mississippi River.