The Union Navy and Army executed a joint operation on March 13 and 14. Admiral David G. Farragut intended to run a fleet up the Mississippi River past the extensive gun emplacements at Port Hudson in order to blockade the Red River. The army's role in this operation was to conduct a [feint] towards Port Hudson, or a reconnaissance-in-force, that would provided a diversion and increase the Navy's chances of success. The 52nd Massachusetts departed Baton Rouge with their brigade on March 12. The next day, they advanced to within a few hundred yards of the Confederate batteries at Port Hudson, moving through deep swamps to probe the enemy's position. They did not engage. Nonetheless, the movement through extremely difficult conditions which put them far in advance of other Union troops earned them commendations from their brigade and division commanders. The battle between the Confederate batteries and Farragut's fleet was remembered as particularly stunning. From their position south of Port Hudson, the Union infantry could not see the ships but could see the tremendous fireballs as several of them exploded. Only two vessels of Farragut's fleet passed Port Hudson. Following this reconnaissance, the 52nd Massachusetts returned to Baton Rouge on March 20.
