The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-04-29
The Red River Expedition.
Detailed Account of the Recent Battles.

{ The Red River Expedition.
Detailed Account of the Recent Battles.
! PRELIMINARY FIGHTING ON The 7TH.
The New Orleans Delta gives the follow
ing detailed account of the recent movements
in western louisiana. The fighting was ter
rife and the casualties very great. but there
can be little doubt that the blow has terribly
impaired if not destroyed the rebel power in
Louisiana. 1t is possible and even probable
that another engagement will be fought, as
we learn on good authority that Gen. Banks
expressed the intention of giving battle once
more as soon as an opportunity offered.
Oar army broke camp at Natchitoches on
the morning of the 9th and marched out on
the Shreveport road, the cavalry advancing
p miles and resting for the night at Camp
Hill and the infantry hating three or four
miles to the rear, on the banks of Z bayou.
On the 18th at daybreak the cavalry again
started and came upon a body of mounted
rebels before they had marched two miles,
Fighting began at once, and the enemy were
rapidly driven before our troops. This rum
ming style of fighting was kept up for four
teen miles until they had got two miles be-
yond Pleasant Hill. Here force of $500
rebel cavalry commanded by Gen. Green
were found strongly posted on Wilson's plan
tation. The rebels were deployed along the
edge of dense strip of woods, with open
field in front, over which we had to charge
to reach them. The only Union soldiers
that had advanced far enough to take part
in the fight which was inevitable was the cav
airy brigade of Lees corps, commanded by
Col. Harai Robinson. As he had either to
attack or be attacked, he decided to take the
iniative, and ne led his men in with such a
dash and vgor that at last the enemy was
completely whipped and driven from the
field. the engagement lasted two 'urs and
half and our losses amounted to about 40
killed and wounded, the enemy's being at
least as many. Col. Robinson pursued the
retreating rebels as far a, Bayou Du Paul,
where he found they had received heavy re-
Inducements, Including four pieces os artil-
lery, and were again in line of battle waiting
attack. 1t was nearly dark and the risk was
too great in again attacking with his small
force. He therefore, placed his men in the
most advantageous position available, and
awaited the progress of events. Nothing
| further was accomplished on the first day.
THE GRAND BATTLE on THE SIH.
During the night of the It'll brigade of
infantry commanded by Col. Landrum came
up, ard early on the morning of the Sth 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 dispo-
sition of our forces at the beginning OF this
DAYS battle was: Col. Landrum's cavalry
brigade on the right of the Shreveport road,
and Col. Lucas's cavalry brigade on the left.
The skirmish 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 rebels
to retreat seven miles. The enemy was now
met in strong force, under command of Gen.
Kirby Smith. That Generals Dick Taylor,
Noulton, Green and Price were also there
was afterwards ascertained from prisoners.
who also stated that they had under them
from $4,000 to 10000 men, while our force
comparatively was a mere handful. The
rebels occupied strong position in the vi
ciuity of Sabin 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 az
well as circumstances would permit. After
reconnoir ering and feeling the rebel position,
, Col. Emersons brigade of the 18th corps
was stationed on the left Of the line with
! Grimes Massachusetts, battery, Col. Land
mans forces, part Of two brigades, on the
right and center. with Rawlins battery OF
9TH regulars and battery of the lst Indiana
artillery in rear of his right aud center. Col.
/ Dudlev's brigade Of cavalry Of Lees corp,
supported the left and held itself in readiness,
to repel any attempt to flank, while Luca,
protected the right flank. Col. Robinson
with his brigade, was in the rear OF the CEN
ter protecting the wagon train which was on
the Shreveport road. Gen. Banks and staff
rode upon the field by the time this DISPOSE.
ton of our forces was effected, and word wa.
sent back to Gen. Franklin to make all speed
for the scene of the momentsrily expected
battle. 1t was the design Of Gen. Banks &c
remain quiet until the balance Of his army
came up and then open battle himself, bu,
Kirby Smith, knowing his own superiority
in numbers. began the conflict before the,
could arrive. About FIVE o'clock the firms
between skirmishers became very hot, and
in short time our skirmish line was driver
back upon the main body by an overwhelm
ing force The whole strength OF the enem,
was then advanced, and heavy and repeated
voleys were discharged and replied to or
our right and center. Soon this portion o
our line became warmly engaged and all oul
available strength was required to prevent it.
, being crushed by masses of the enemy. Ou
left, which was now also holly fighting wal
necessarily much weakened, and it was OBJ
served that strong body of the enemy wa
massing in dense piece of woods, prepare
tory to dashing down and fanking this emf
of the line. The danger was plain and i'm
mlnen,, but there was no remedy. Genera
Stone ordered Gen. Lee to have Minis bat
terry withdrawn, although it was doing grea
execution, in order that it might not becom
, prize to the enemy, and Gen. Lee sent hi
aid de camp, Col. J. S. Brishier. to Withdraw
the battery. On reaching the point its re
moyAl was found impossible, nearly ever,
one of the horses having been killed. In
few moments more solid mass of the rebel
! swept down upon the spot and four o
the guns were taken, the other two bein,
dragged from the field by hand. The havo
S made in the ranks Of the enemy at this poin
: was appalling, the whole six guns belchin;
forth double charges of grape and canister
+ and some five or six rounds were fired be
tween the time the rebels lett the woods an,
y the artllierymen were forced from thei
, pieces A, the rebels were in q sol;d mass