This booklet relates the history and archaeology of the dam complex, a series of different types of dams collectively called Bailey’s Dam. The story combines the rich annals of the 1864 Red River Campaign with the finds of modern archaeological investigations. This combination provides a fascinating glimpse into a desperate period in Louisiana history. ADVANCE TO SHREVEPORT Mississippi Squadron, Flagship Black Hawk, off Red River, March 2, 1864. SIR: I came down here anticipating a move on the part of the army up toward Shreveport, but as the river is lower than it has been known to be for years, I much fear that the combined movement can not come off, without interfering with plans formed by General Grant.... The Mississippi River is very quiet, and the rebels retreated into the interior on hearing of the advance of the gunboats. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, David D. Porter Rear-Admiral. (Porter 1914:7) With this communication to the Secretary of the Navy, Rear Admiral David D. Porter foretold the crisis that would come close to destroying his squadron of gunboats two months later. Low water on the Red River in early March was an unexpected sight. Since 1855 the annual spring rise had appeared without fail. But now in 1864, while Porter waited at the mouth of the Red River for his fleet to assemble and for Major General Nathaniel P. Banks’s army to begin its march north from Franklin, Louisiana, the Red River’s water level was causing Porter to have doubts about the upcoming campaign. Doubts concerning the Red River Campaign were shared by other Federal officers, but for different reasons. The necessity of a thrust up the Red River in 1864 had been debated since the fall of Vicksburg the previous year. Generals Grant and Sherman, and even the Red River expedition’s commander, General Banks, believed that the North’s next logical military objective was to capture Mobile, Alabama. But Commanding General of the Army Henry W. Halleck and President Lincoln felt that control of Texas was urgently needed to keep Mexico from joining the Southern cause. The Red River presented the best route to Texas. [Illustration: Map of the Red River campaign, showing the routes of the Union army and navy.] RED RIVER CAMPAIGN Army Route Navy Route SHREVEPORT Loggy Bayou Mansfield Grand Ecore Pleasant Hill Sabine River Red River Bailey’s Dam ALEXANDRIA Ft. De Russy Mississippi River Porter’s Assembly Area