During the second week of May 1863, Federal forces abandoned their supply line connecting Milliken's Bend with Hard Times. On June 4, the Confederates reoccupied Richmond, and from there Gen. Dick Taylor launched an offensive against Union bases at Lake Providence, Milliken's Bend, and Young's Point. When those attacks failed, Taylor hastened to south Louisiana, leaving Gen. J.J. Walker in charge of Confederate efforts to relieve Vicksburg from the west. Before Walker could act, the Federals sent a strong force led by Gen. J.A. Mower into Madison Parish. On June 15, the Federals moved against Walker's command, and after a brief rear guard action about three-quarters of a mile north of this point, the Confederates evacuated Richmond. Before returning to his base, Mower had his soldiers burn Richmond, and the town was never rebuilt.
