Union soldiers left Alexandria exhausted and beaten. Yet, they knew they had also done something amazing. Congress honored Bailey with a gold medal and a promotion for his service. Porter personally gave Bailey a gold inlaid sword. The other naval officers presented Bailey with a silver punch bowl. Despite his recognition, however, Bailey was not the only hero of the Red River Campaign. The fleet would have surely been lost without the teamwork and courage of all of the men of the expedition.

(Below) General Joseph Bailey's silver punch bowl and sword. Photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society, WHS-4242.