This Week in the Civil War - 533

On Tuesday, March 24, 1863, at Steele’s Bayou north of Confederate held Vicksburg, there was yet another skirmish near Black Bayou, as Federal gunships and troops continued their struggle to traverse numerous swamps and lowlands. 

This action effectively ended the Union attempt to traverse Steele’s Bayou, forcing the Union gunboats and troops withdrawing.  While annoying to the Confederates, the Union expedition proved little except the impracticality of using inland waterways to reach Vicksburg. 

The Steele's Bayou expedition was Grant's last attempt to attack Confederate General Pemberton's right flank. Following its failure, he would turn his attention to the enemy left flank and soon begin the movement that would lead to the capitulation of Vicksburg.