The campaign in context -- Confederate preparations -- Union plans -- The Union advance -- The battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill -- The campaign in Arkansas -- Union retreat in Louisiana -- Congressional investigation -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1 : Mississippi squadron vessels deployed in the Red River Campaign, March-May 1864 -- Appendix 2 : orders of battle for the Red River Campaign -- Appendix 3 : David Dixon Porter letter -- Appendix 4 : Richard Taylor letter -- Appendix 5 : chronology of combined operations -- Appendix 6 : David French Boyd letter -- Appendix 7 : Red River Campaign time line.