Could Vicksburg have fallen a year earlier, changing the entire course of the Civil War?
In August 1862, Confederate forces under General John Breckinridge drove Union troops to the banks of the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge. Victory was within reach. They had killed the Union commander. The Federal army was in retreat.
All they needed was the CSS Arkansas—the Confederate ironclad that would destroy the Union fleet and complete their triumph.
But the Arkansas never came.
This "forgotten battle" was no sideshow. Historian Michael R. Brasher reveals how the Baton Rouge campaign nearly redeemed Vicksburg a full year before Grant's famous siege. Through concise but comprehensive narrative, discover:
- Why the CSS Arkansas's failure to appear changed history
- How Confederate combined operations nearly succeeded
- The fierce fighting at Baton Rouge's landmarks
- The campaign's critical impact on Vicksburg's fate
Perfect for Civil War enthusiasts who want:
- A fresh perspective on a pivotal moment
- Quick but thorough coverage (readable in one sitting)
- Extensive web links to explore personalities, locations, and related battles
- Scholarly research in an accessible format
Includes detailed order of battle, comprehensive bibliography, and annotated footnotes.
"Vicksburg Redeemed challenges conventional Civil War history. This overlooked campaign deserves your attention."
