The Battle of Fort De Russy, Louisiana, was the first engagement in the Red River Campaign of March-May 1864 in the American Civil War.The Union Army of the Gulf under General Banks aimed to capture Shreveport, state capital and headquarters of the Confederate command, west of the Mississippi. The operation was spearheaded by General A.J. Smith and Brigadier General Joseph Mower, who surprised and captured Fort de Russy on March 14, taking over 300 prisoners and the enemy’s only heavy guns.