The Portland daily press., 1864-04-25
BY TELEGRAPH
TOrHE
Portland Daily Press.
Fan Particulars Of the Recent BATTLES on the
Red Rirer-Terribie Fighting-The
Union Victories Complete.

Union Victories Complete.
New YORK. April %.
The following is from the New Orleans Era i:
We are enabled te lay before our readers
this morning full and connected history of
recent battles and Union victories in western
Louisiana, and one which can be relied on as
truthful.
The lighting was terrific and casualties
very large, but there can be but little doubt
that the blow has terribly impaired If not des-
troyed the rebel power in this State. 1t is
possible and even probable that another en-
gagement will be fought, as We learn on good
authority.
Gen. Banks expressed his intention to give
battle once more as soon as an opportunity Of
fers.
FIRST DAYS FIGHT.
Our army broke camp on the morning of
the 9th, and marched out on the Shreveport
road, the cavalry advancing for twenty. one
miles, and resting for the night at Camp HILL
the infantry hating three or four miles to the
rear on the banks of bayou.
The following morning at daybreak the cav
airy again started and came upon body of
mounted rebels before they had marched two
miles. Fighting began at once, aud a running
fight was kept up for four miles, until they
had gone two miles beyond Pleasant HILL
Here force OF 1000 rebel cavalry, command
ed by Gen. Greene, were found strongly post
ed. The rebels were deployed along dense
strip of woods, with an open field in front, ov-
er which We had to charge to reach them
The only Union troops that had advanced far
enough to take part in the fight was the caval-
ry brigade of Lees corps, commanded by Col
II. Robinson. As he had either to attack or
be attacked, he led in his men with such viger
that the enemy was completely whipped from
field to field.
The engagement lasted two and half
hours, and the losses amounted to about forty
killed aud wounded, the enemys loss being
about as many.
Col. Robinson pursued the retreating rebels
as far as Bayou Depaul, where he found they
had received heavy reinforcements, including
four pieces Of artillery, and were again in line
of battle, waiting TO be attacked. 1t was
nearly dark, and the risk was too great in
again attacking with his small force.
SECOND DAYS FIGHT.
During the night brigade of infantry came
up, and early in the morning FRIDAY, Sth) the
march was resumed. The rebels were found
in large strength, and fighting opened almost
at once.
The disposition Of our forces at the begin
ming of this days battle was Col. Landa-
mus infantry brigade on the right on the
Shreveport road, and Col. Lucas cavalry brig
ade on the left. Skirmishing was fierce; every
foot of ground taken from the rebels had TO be
taken by hard knocks, but at two O'Clock Z.
NJ. our forces had compelled the rebels to re-
treat seven miles. Our loss as well as the en-
emys, was very severe.
The enemy was now met in strong force un-
der Kirby Smith. Gems. Dick Taylor, Moul-
ton, Greene and Price were also there. They
had force OF from $1,000 to 10000, while our
force was comparatively mere handful. The
rebels occupied a strong point in the vicinity
of Sabine Cross Roads, concealed in dense
wood, with an open field in front. Gen. RAN
som arrived on the field with bis command,
formed in line as well as circumstances would
permit. Col. Dudley's brigade OF cavalry, OF
Lees corps, supported the left, and held itself
In readiness to repel any attempt to flank,
while Col. Lucas protected the right flank
Col Robinson, with his brigade, was in the
rear and centre protecting the wagon train,
which was on the Shreveport road.
Gen. Banks rode upon the field by the time
this disposition of our forces was effected, and
word was sent back to Gen. Franklin TO make
all speed for the scene Of the momentarily ex-
pected battle.
TWAS the design Of Gen. Banks TO remain
quiet until the balance Of his army should
come up, and then open the battle himself;
but Kirby Smith, knowing his own SUPERIOR
ty in numbers, begun the conflict before they
could arrive. About five o'clock z. NJ firing
between skirmishers became hot. In a short
time our skirmish line was driven back on the
main body by an overwhelming force. The
whole strength of the enemy was then ad-
vanced, and heavy and repeated volleys dis
charged and replied TO on our right and CEN
tire. Soon this portion of our lines became
heavily engaged, and all our available strength
was required TO prevent its being crushed by
masses of rebels.
Our left, which gas now also holly engage
ing, was necessarily much weakened, and 1t
was observed that strong bodies OF the enemy
were massing in dense piece Of woods, pre-
paratory TO dashing down and flanking this
end of the line. The danger was plain and
imminent, but there was no remedy. General
Stone ordered Gen. Lee to have Minis battery
withdrawn, although it was doing good exc
cution, in order that 1t might not become a
prize TO the enemy. On reaching the point
where it was stationed, it was found impossi-
BILE to remove it, nearly every one Of the hors-
es having been killed. In q few minutes more
solid mass of rebels swelled down upon the
spot, and four of our guns were taken, the
other two being dragged from the field by
hand. The havoc made in the rebel ranks at
this time is represented as appalling, the whole
six guns belching forth double charges Of
grape and canister. Some five or six rounds
were fired between the time the rebels left the
woods until the artillerymen were forced from
their pieces. As the rebels were in a mass,
the execution can be imagined. Two senior
officers of the battery were wounded, Lieut..
Swan MORALLY, having since died. The Fore
es that made this charge were commanded by
the rebel Gen. Moulton, who fell shot through
the body with four balls.
Gen. Cameron, with his brigade, came up,
going into action at once on the right, where
the battle waxed the hottest, creating the inn
preston that the veterans OF the 10Th corps
had arrived, and glad and glorious shouts
went up from our wearied and desperately
situated little band. This belief was strength
ened by the arrival of Gen. Franklin, who
dashed boldly into the thickest OF the fight,
cap in hand, cheering en- his men. Gen. Banks,
too, seemed ubiquitous, riding wherever the
men wayered, and by personal example incit-
ed them TO renewed deeds Of daring and reck-
less valor. Coils. Clark and Wilson, with other
members of his staff sabre in hand, mixed
with the soldiers on foot and on horseback,
and cheered and encouraged them to continue
the unequal fight. But human beings could
not longer withstand the fierce and oyerpow-
ering onslaught our men were bearing up
against. Our line finally gave way at all
points, and then fell back, hercely contestiDg
the ground they yielded unfortunately sad
mishap befel them at this time. A large and
cumbersome wagon train blocked up the way,
and the frightened horses dashed through the
| infantry lines, creating a momentary but I'M
fortunate confusion. This gave the rebels
| possession of several pieces OF artillery. Gen.
Franklin was conspicuous during this part Of
the day, cheering his men. Two horses were
killed under him. Capt. Chapman, OF his
staff, had both his feet taken of by round
.h4t