Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 23.

   Click 👉 TODAY IN HISTORY (general history) April 23.

ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 23.

1862: Battle of Forts Jackson & St. Philip, La.: Confederate-held Forts Jackson and St. Phillip under Brig. Gen. Johnson K. Duncan is intensely bombarded by Commander David D. Porter's 21 mortar schooners under the overall command of Admiral David G. Farragut south of New Orleans. The city was the Confederacy's largest and one of the great ports in the world. It was in the process of becoming and wartime industrial powerhouse for the C.S.A. A fierce artillery duel developed between the Southern forts and the Nothern steam warships, which had the advantage of speed and maneuverability.

Confederate cannoneer

(6th Plate Ambrotype, M.D. Jones Collection)

One of Porter's mortar schooners shows what

a 13-inch mortar looked like. 

(click on image for enlargement)

(Library of Congress)

1864: Red River Campaign: The Battle of Monett's Ferry, La. occurred on this day in the Red River Campaign. About 2,500 to 3,000 Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. Hamilton Bee holds back 25,000 to 30,000 Federals under Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks. But the Federals eventually outflank Bee's force causing him to order a retreat. Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, commander of the Army of Western Louisiana, blamed Bee and removed him from command. Taylor kept up the pressure on the Federals.

Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee

(DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University)

1865: Fighting between blue and gray continues at Henderson, North Carolina, and at Munford, Alabama. Johnston's Army of Tennessee has not yet surrendered.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL HISTORY, April 23.

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