The War on The Mississippi – Sudden and Daring Attack by Rebel Guerillas, Led by Capt. Talbot, on the Sugar Steamer Empire Parish, At the Landing 44 Miles Below Baton Rouge (Published January 31, 1863 in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper from a sketch by Mr. F. H. Schell)
From the New York Times of January 3, 1863: “News has just reached us, that while the Empire Parish steamer was loading sugar yesterday (Monday) at noon, at Meringo Plantation, on the right bank of the river, four miles below Baton Rouge, a party of 120 guerrillas, under command of Capt. TALBOT, came down and demanded the surrender of the boat. Capt. BOUCHENAU refused, upon which they commenced firing, killing the Assistant Engineer, C. MCGILL, and wounding four, among others, W.J. REID, of New-Orleans, the agent of the boat. The guerrillas then went down to the plantation of Mr. N. LANDRY and rolled down the bank into the river some 80 hogsheads of sugar. They also captured three negroes, nine mules and three carts, and then departed; the Empire Parish at the same time backing out and saving herself down the river.”
