During the spring of 1864, when the Union efforts to the win were geared from Tennessee to Georgia and along the Eastern Board and in Virginia, one lone campaign was conducted against these directions. It was an attempt to invade Texas by traversing Louisiana from New Orleans to Shreveport and from Little Rock, Arkansas to Shreveport. On paper, the plan seemed unstoppable. It consisted of over 42,500 soldiers and sailors and at least 108 warships. The confederates could mount no more than 12,500 men in opposition. Incredibly, this effort ended in utter defeat for the Union and saved Texas and the bulk of Louisiana and southwestern Arkansas from further raves to the end of the war. This book describes what went right and terribly wrong for both sides. It also describes the aftermath of the operation and why it is so important to the region’s history.

Aaron and Peggy Selber Writing Competition Prize, “The Justification of Shreveport as the Primary Target of the Red River Campaign in 1864,” 2003. American Studies Center Fellowship (LSU in Shreveport,) Integrating Geography with the American Studies Center program, 2003-2004. Albert Castel Award, One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End: The Red River Campaign of 1864, 2005. A.M. Pate, Jr. Award, One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End: The Red River Campaign of 1864, 2005. Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America. Listed in the International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England) 2000 Outstanding Academics of the 21st Century. Jefferson Davis Award nomination, Through the Howling Wilderness: The Red River Campaign and Union Failure in 1864, 2006.