Battle of Lake Providence

Other Names: None

Location: Near Lake Providence, Louisiana

Campaign: Vicksburg campaign

Date: June 9, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Hugh T. Reid [US]; Lt Col. Frank Bartlett [CS]

Forces Engaged: 800 [US]; 900 [CS]

Casualties and losses: 8 total

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

Bartlett's force crossed Bayou Macon two days late. The Confederates encountered a Union picket force six miles (9.7 km) from their destination. The Union pickets withdrew, alerted Union commander Brigadier General Hugh T. Reid, and while withdrawing burned the bridge over Bayou Tensas. The Confederate halted at Bayou Tensas by the wrecked bridge, and before the structure could be rebuilt, Reid arrived with his main force. A Confederate cannon was driven off by Union fire, and Bartlett withdrew his men at dusk. The attack against Lake Providence accomplished little, the strike against Milliken's Bend was defeated in the Battle of Milliken's Bend, and little came of the movement against Young's Point. Vicksburg surrendered on July 4.