10. The fighting at Milliken’s Bend saw one of the highest casualty rates of the war
Despite lack of training and little experience, the performance of the Black troops at Milliken’s Bend proved their worth in combat. Initially overwhelmed by a sudden attack in the dead of night, they only grudgingly gave way to their assailants. When they did, the Confederates exposed themselves to the cannon fire of the Navy gunboats, which quickly broke up their formations and drove them back. Despite efforts by their officers to reform them and regain the initiative, the Texans refused to launch another assault. Brigadier McCulloch requested reinforcements. By mid-morning, another gunboat arrived, and its heavy guns discouraged the Confederates further. The Texans withdrew, beginning before noon. There was no pursuit. Casualties among the Union troops had been too high.
Of the 1,100 Union soldiers engaged, 652 were killed, wounded, or captured. Most of the latter were Black troops, taken by the Confederates and returned to slavery. A disproportionately high number of the killed and wounded was also borne by the Black units. One, the 9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, lost 68% of its roster as casualties. In fact, all of the casualties except for 65 men of the 23rd Iowa came from the Black Regiments. Even Confederate Brigadier McCulloch noted the performance of the Black regiments, commenting upon their “considerable obstinacy”. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton wrote to President Lincoln, “…The slave has proved his manhood, and his capacity as an infantry soldier, at Milliken’s Bend…” The battle itself was of little strategic significance, but it changed Union leadership’s philosophy over the training of Black troops.