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The French Revolution set Europe ablaze.

It was an age of enlightenment and progress, but also of tyranny and depression. It was an age of glory and an age of tragedy. One man stood

above it all. This was the age of Napoleon. I'm Everett Rumage, host of the Age of Napoleon

podcast. Join me as I examined the I'm Everett Rummage, host of the Age of Napoleon Podcast.

Join me as I examine the life and times of one of the most fascinating and enigmatic

characters in modern history.

Look for the Age of Napoleon wherever you find your podcasts. You're going to Oh, Hey everyone. Thanks for tuning into episode 467 of our Civil War podcast. My name is Rich and I'm Tracy. Hello y'all

welcome to the podcast. As promised with this show we'll be starting in on a new story arc as we take a look at the Red River campaign.

During the warm humid spring of 1864, deep in the interior of Northern Louisiana, a riveting drama unfolded as the Federals kicked off a bold attempt

to capture Shreveport, which was the capital of Confederate Louisiana.

The campaign featured one of the largest combined Army Navy operations of the war, as the

Federals committed tens of thousands of soldiers to the expedition and 90 Navy warships

and transports steamed from the Mississippi up the narrow treacherous Red River.

Troops from as far away as Little Rock, Arkansas

were involved in the effort to capture Shreveport.

Now, you might ask, and not without without reason why Shreveport.

After all it's the spring of 1864 and there are bigger fish to fry.

So a major campaign targeting Shreveport of all places out in the

boondocks of the Trans Mississippi up the Red River in the interior of

Louisiana seems on the face of it a questionable

strategic choice. I mean entering 1864 the short list of targets for the Federals in order of importance would be

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