Below is one of dozens of these expeditions into Mississippi by Union forces. This one was ordered by Gen. Grant to Gen. Sherman who sent Steele's 1st Division of the 15th Army Corps and the Marine Brigade into a lighty defended region of Mississippi. Their objective was to destroy all food stuffs.

It was the Expedition to Greenville, Black Bayou, and Deer Creek, Miss. April 2-14, 1863.

Steele reported destroying nearly 500,000 bushels of corn (by burning), taking nearly 1000 mules and horses, and 2000 head of cattle.

Col. S. W. Ferguson (CSA) and others reported they burned, stole and destroyed everything of substance. All the white population (the old, women, and children) fleeing the area, the slaves were left for themselves and were suffering from the lack of food. Now if you want to understand how much corn is 500,000 bushels, it is nearly 14,000 tons, thats a lot of corn bread. Steele reported that only 25,000 bushels were actually destined for Vicksburg (forces). The area that was attacked by Steele was about 20-25 miles long by 10-15 miles wide. He requested six to nine riverboats to haul out his booty. Like I said, this was but one of dozens of like attacks in the state Mississippi. There was little to oppose them, since most of the Confederate forces were defending Vicksburg, Meridian and Jackson. This was simply starvation warfare against civilians on a massive scale.

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David Upton