The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06
THE RED RIVER BATTLES.
Three DAYS FIGHTING.
A Full and Authentic Account.
Terrible Slaughter on Both
Sides.
DESPERATE FALOR OF OUR
TROOPS.
The Last Grand Charge and
Overthrow of the Enemy.
A thousand Rebels Aisied and
at a Single Discharge.
OUR TROOPS RETIRE TO GRAND
ECOKE.
A Thousand Rebels Ai.ieG and
at a Single Discharge.
OUR TROOPS RETIRE 70 GRAND
ECOKE.
From the New Orleans Era, April Is.

ECORE.
From the New Orleans Era, April Is
We are enabled to lay before our readess this
morning full and connected history of the
great battle in Western Louisiana. and one
which can be relied upon as truthful. The
fighting was terrific, and the casualties very
great, but there can be but little doubt that
the blow has terribly impaired. if not de,
strOyed the rebel power in this State. 1t is
possible, and even probable, that another en-
gagement will be fought as we learn on rood
authority that Gen. Banks expressed his inten-
ton of giving battle once more as soon as oD-
portunity offered. We gain the suhjoined ac
count from eye-witnesses and participants:
Our army broke up camp at Natchitoches on
the morning OF the 9th inst, and marched out
on the Shreveport road, the cavalry advancing
about twenty-One miles and rested for the
night at Crump's Hill. the infantry hating
three or four miles in the rear on the banks of
bayou. On the following morning at day.
break, the cavalry again started and came
upon body Of mounted rebels before they
had marched two miles. Fighting begun at
once, and the enemy were rapidly driven be.
fore our troops. This running style of fight
was kept up for fourteen miles, until they had
got two miles beyond Peasant Hill.
Here force of $500 rebel cavalry, COM
manded by General Green, were found strongly
posted ON Wilson's plantation. The rebels
were deplOyed along the edge of9a dense strip
of woods, with an open field in front, over
which we had to charge in order to reach
them. The only Union soldiers that had ad-
vanced far enough TO take part in the fight
which was inevitable, WAS the cavalry brigade
of Lees corps commanded by Col. Haral Rob-
inson. As he had either to attack or be attack
ed, he decided to take the initiative, and he led
his men in with such dash and vigOr, that at
last the enemy was completely whipped and
driven from the field. This engagement lasted
two hours ard half. and our losses amounted
to about forty killed and wounded, the enemys
being at least as many. Col Robinson pursued
the retreating rebels rs far as Bayou du Paul,
where he found they had received heavy rein.
forcements, including four pieces of artillery,
and were again in line of battle waiting an at
tack. As it was nearly dark, and the risk was
too great in again attacking with his small
force he placed his men in the most advanta-
geOus position available. and awaited the pro-
gress of events. Nothing further was accom-
plished on the first day.
SECOND DAYS FIGHT
During the night brigade of infantry, COM
manded by Col. Landrum came up, and early
in the morning of the following day FRIDAY,
the 8th) the march was resumed The rebels
were found to be on the alert and ready for the
fray, and fighting opened almost at once.
The disposition of our forces at the beginning
try brigade on the right of the Shreveport road
and Col Lucas cavalry brigade on the left.
The skirmishing was fierce and every foot of
ground won from the enemy had to be taken
by hard knocks; but at two o'clock in the af-
ternoon our forces had compelled the enemy to
retreat seven miles: Our loss, as well as the
enemy's during this time was small, Lieut.
Col. Webb, of the 18th Illinois, shot through
the head and instantly killed, and Capt Breese,
commanding the 9th Missouri cavalry, severely
wounded in the arm, being among the casual
ties on our side.
The enemy was now met in strong force un.
der command Of General Kirby Smith. That
Gems. Dick Taylor, MoutOn, Green, and Price
were also there. was afterwards ascertaned
from prisoners, who also stated that they had
under them from Is 900 to % 600 men, while
our force comparatively was mere handful
The rebels occupied strODg position in the
vicinity of Sabine Cross Roads, concealed in
the edge of 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 as well as circum-
stances would permit, after accommodating and
feeling the rebel position. Col. Emerson's bri-
gade, OF the 30 corps. was stationed on the left
OF the line, with Minis Massachusetts battery
Col. Landrum's forces parts of two brigades
Oh the right and centre, with Rawlcs battery
G., 9TH Regulars, and battery of Indiana ar
t:llery in rear OF his right aud centre. Colonel
Dudleys brigade of cavalry (of Lees corps)
supported the Left and held itself in readiness
to repel any attempt to flank: while Lucas
protected the right flank. Col. Robinson with
his brigade was IN the rear OF the centre, pro-
tecting the wagon train, which WIS on the
Shreveport road
Gen Banks and staff rode upon the field by
the time this disposition Of Cur forces was eli
fected and word was sent to Gen Franklin to
make all speed for the scene OF the moinenta-
rly expected battle
About five o'clock the firing between the
skirmisher3 became very hot, and in short
time our skirmsh line was driven back upon
the main body by an overwhelming force. The
whole strength of the enemy was then ad
vanced, and heavy and repeated vOlleys were
then discharged and replied to on our right and
heavily engaged, and all our available strength
was required to prevent its being crushed by
the masses of the enemy. Our left, which was
now also hotly fighting, was necessarily much
weakened, and 1t was observed that strong
body OF the enemy was massing in a dense
piece OF woods preparatory to dashing down
ana Ranking this end of our line The danger
was plain and imminent but there was no re-
medy; General Stone ordered General Lee to
nave Minis battery withdrawn although it was
DONG great execution, in order that it might
not Become prize to the enemy. and General
Lee sem. ms aid-de-camp Col. J. s. Brisbin, to
Wlthdraw the battery. On reaching the point.
its removal was found impossible, nearly every
one Of the horses having been killed. In few
moments more solid mass of the rebels swept
down upon the spot and four of the guns were
taken, the other Two being taken from the field
by hand. The havoc made in the ranks of the
enemy at this point Of the action is r.presented
is appalling. the whole six guns belching forth
double charges of grape and canister; and
some five or six rounds were fired between the
rymen were forced from their pieces AS the
rebes were in mass the execution such a
shower of missiles caused can be easily imag.
ined. The two senior officers Of the battery