An advance force under General McClernand, commanded by General Osterhaus, had been sent to scout the route from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage. They left Milliken's Bend on March 29th. Today, some of the advance troops, the 69th Indiana and a section of artillery under Col. T. W. Bennett, arrived at Richmond.
Troops from Major Isaac F. Harrison's 15th Louisiana Cavalry held the town. Bennett's men crossed Roundaway Bayou in yawls (small 2-masted sail boats) and quickly scattered the Harrison's troops in a short skirmish.
