The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-29
Particulars of the Battle on Red River.
FIRST DAYS rIouT.

Our army broke camp on tho morning Of
the 9Th, marched out on tho Shreveport road
cavalry advancing, for twenty-one miles, and
resting for tho night at Camp Hill, the inlan.
try hating three or four miles to the rear on
the banks Of bayou.
The following morning ut daybrcak the
cavalry again started and came upon body
of mounted rebels before they had marched
two miles. Fighting begun at once, and tho
enemy werc rapidly driven before our troops.
A running fight was kept up for four miles.
until they had gone two miles beyond Pleas
ant Hill. Here force OF 1000 rebel caval.
ry, commanded by Gen. Greene, were found
strongly posted on Wilsons's plantation.
The rebels were deployed along dense strip
of woods, with on open field in front, over
which we had to charge to reach them. The
only Union troops that had advanced far
enough to take part in the fight which was
inevitable, was the cavalry brigade OF Lees
corps, commanded by Col. II. Robinson. As
he had either to attack or DO attacked, he
decided to take tho initiative, and he led his
men In with such dash and vigor that at
last the enemy was completely whipped from
field to field. :.
The engagement lasted two and half
hours, and the losses amounted to about 40
killed and wounded-the enemy's loss being
about rs many. a.
rebels rs far rs bayou Dupaul, where no
found that they had received heavy reinforce
ments, including four pieces OF artillery, and
where again in limo Of battle, waiting to DO
attacked. It was nearly dark, and the risk
was too great in again attacking with his
small force. He placed his men in tho most
advantageous position available and Awaited
tho progress OF events. Nothing further
was accomplished on the first day.
SECOND DAY's FIGHT.
During the night brigade Of Infantry
came up, and early in the morning Of the
following day, friday, 8th,) the march was
resumed. The rebels were found in large
strength, and ready for the fray, and fight
ing opened almost at once. Skirmishing was
fierce; every foot Of ground taken from the
rebels had to DO taken by hard knocks, but
at 2 p. n. our forces had compelled the rebels
to retreat seven miles.
The enemy was now met in strong force
under Kirby Smith. Gen. Dick Taylor.
Moulton, Greene and Price were also there.
They had force Of from $4,000 to 10000,
80 prisoners afterwards stated, while our
force was comparatively nero handful.
The rebels occupied a strong force in the
vicinity Of Sabine Gross Roads, concealed in
a dense wood, with an open field in front the
Shreveport road passing through their lines.
Gen. Ransom arriving on the field with his
command, formed his line rs we'll On circum.
stances would permit. Gen Banks rode upon
tho field by the timo the disposition OF our
forces was effected, and word was sent back
to Con. franklin to mako oil speed for tho
scene of the momentarily expected battle.
It was tho design Of Gen. Banks to remain
quiet until tho balance Of his army should
como up, then open battle himself but Kir.
BY Smith, knowing his own superiority in
numbers, began the conflict before they could
arrive. About p. NJ, firing between Skin
mishcrs became hot.
In short time our skirmish line was driv.
on back on the main body by an ovcrwhelm-
ing force. The whole strength of tho enemy
was then advanced and heavy and repealed
volleys discharged and replied to on our
right and centre. Soon this portion Of our
lines became heavily engaged, and oil our
available strength was required to prevent Its
being crushed by masses Of rebels. Our left,
which was now also holly fighting, was nee.
essarily much weakened, and 1t was observed
that strong bodies of tho enemy were mass-
ing In dcnsc picco OF woods, preparatory
TO dashing down and aanking this end Of tho
limo. Tho danger was plain and imminent,
but there was no remedy. Gen. Stone order.
cd Gen. Lee to have Minis battery with
drawn, although IL wan doing good cxccu-
ton, In order that Il might not become q
prizo to tho enemy. On reaching the point
whero Il was stationed, II was found impos-
siblo to remove 1t, nearly every ono OF the
horses having been killed. In few minutes
moro solid mass Of rebels swept down upon
tho spot and four OF our guns were taken,
tho other two being dragged from the field
by hand.
The havoc madc in the rebel ranks ut this
lime is represented as spalling.-the whole
,ix guns belching forth double charges oil
vrapo and canister. Some fvo or six rounds |
were fred between tho time the rebels left
Tho woods until fhe artillerymcn werc forced
rom their pieces. As tho rebels were in q
mass, tho execution can easily DO imagined.
Two senior officers Of the battery wound.
I'd, Lieut.. Swan mortally, having since died.
Tho forces that mado this charge werc COM
mapded by the rebel General Moulton. who
FELL, shot through the body with four balls.
Fighting on all parts Of tho line was at short