Don Wildman

The Confederates were expecting the help of the Arkansas to preoccupy those ships or even take them out.

That's not happening.

So the Union's in pretty good shape as this day moves on, correct?

Yeah, right.

Well, Confederate momentum stalls.

Breckenridge decides he can't hold that city and decides to disengage from the battle, orders a withdrawal, and avoids destruction.

After the break, we'll come back with Professor Aaron Shandeen to discuss the immediate aftermath of this important battle and the implications for the war.

So we're back with Professor Aaron Sheehan-Dean discussing the Battle of Baton Rouge and its conclusion.

So Aaron, the battle has ended.

Confederate forces are withdrawing from the field, having realized they can't take this city.

What now?

What's going to happen?

Let me just cover some numbers.

800 casualties for both sides, dead, wounding, missing.

Confederates suffer 478, Union 371.

Again, nothing compared to the huge battles up north that we always talk about.

But it's such an interesting battle because it's small, but it's mighty.

Having the Confederates withdraw now, how permanent is this withdrawal?

Do they expect to come back and fight again?

The irony is, you know, despite all the buildup, both sides gain very little from this battle.