Milliken’s Bend might be the most important battle of the American Civil War that you’ve never heard of. You can help support telling this important story on a new historical marker to be placed near Tallulah, Louisiana.

Just approved by the Louisiana Department of Tourism, the next step is to raise the money which will enable this marker to be cast and installed.

The marker text as approved reads as follows:

FRONT SIDE

BATTLE OF MILLIKEN’S BEND

Four miles east on June 7, 1863,

Confederate troops from Texas attacked a

Union outpost on the Mississippi River.

It was guarded by the “African Brigade”

composed of former slaves, and supported

by two gunboats and 120 men of the 23rd

Iowa Infantry. The Confederates were unable

to take the position despite vicious hand-

to-hand combat. Casualties shocked both

sides. Some units lost half their force.

The US 9th Louisiana Infantry African

Descent and 23rd Iowa had some of the

highest losses in the Vicksburg Campaign.

BACK SIDE

What happened at Milliken's Bend had a

significant impact on the Civil War,

despite being a small battle. Skeptics

learned that Freedmen would fight with

courage and determination. Recruiting for

the US Colored Troops surged. Accusations

of executions and re-enslavement of

prisoners by Confederate forces prompted

a US Congressional investigation leading

to the suspension of prisoner exchanges.

Nearby, Federally-operated plantations

that paid wages to laborers were a fore-

runner of the Freedmen's Bureau.

Fundraising details:

This fundraiser is being undertaken by Linda Barnickel, author of the award-winning book, Milliken's Bend: A Civil War Battle in History and Memory. A special account has been created, known as the Milliken's Bend Marker Fund. Sorry, donations are not tax deductible.

You can learn more about Linda or Milliken's Bend by visiting her websites. You can also learn more at Vicksburg National Military Park .

Thank you so much for your interest and support in ensuring that more people know about this important story!