New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-25

TIE nATILas IN LOUISIANA.
1t appears from the fuller accounts now re-
ceiyed of the recent battles in Louisiana that
Gen. Baukss forces left Natchitochcs on the 9th
inst: that on the 1,h his advance was skirmish-
ing with the enemy; that on the 9Th q severe
battle was fought ut Sabine Cross Roads be-
tween small portion of Gen. Banks's army
and the whole Of the Rebel army under Kirby
Smith, resulting in defeat and heavy loss to
the Union forces; that during tue night
Of the sth Gen. Banks fell back 10 Pleasant
Hill, at which place he was again attacked
on the 9Th, aud the remainder OF his army hay-
ing come up, the attack Of the Rebels vas re-
pulsed; but that Gen. Banks the next morning
resumed his retreat and returned with bis army
to Natchitoches, and TO Grand Ecore on the Red
River, and there, at the last alyices, remained,
being in communication with tie feet Of Ad-
mral Porter. Cen. Banks, during the week
following the 9TH inst, advanced forty-three
miles, fought two battles, lost about thirty
five hundred men, twenty guns, two Of
which were a.terward retaken and three
hundred wagons, and returned to tie point
whence he started.
These events are important in themselves and
in their probable consequences; they require,
therefore, to be examined more in detail. The
fight on the 7th may be dismissed without re-
mark; it was simply skrmish. The serious
work begins on the 9Th, and begins in this way.
Gen. BaDks's advance consisted wholly of
cavalry, whereof there were three brigades,
numbering five thousand men. Aware that
they had an enemy in their immediate front
they had been engaged the day bciore-Gen.
Banks allowed them 10 push on without an III
antry support, and with the whole Of their
train, consisting Of 300 wagons. There was but
one road. In response TO q report, on the morn
ing OF the 9Th, that the cavalry had
been checked and were hard pressed by an in
fantry force in front, Gen. Banks sent forward
two divisions OF the 18Th Army Corps. These
two diyisons-being less than orc-third
OF the whole auny-were precipitated
eight miles beyond the nearest portion
of the main body, and arriving in front
of the enemy were vigorously attacked. The
cavalry, in whose support they had come mp,
fed. The infantry were outnumbered, fanked,
beaten, and attempted 20 retreat The road by
which alone the artillery could move was
blocked by the wagoH-train Of the cavalry. A
scene Of wild confusion, panic, and finally an
utter rout, followed. Twenty guns were cap
tured by the eftmy. "Thcroads were 80 blocked
up" says an artillery officer; THAT the order
was given to cut the traces and save Themselves.
The retreat By this time had become a rout."
When it had continued for a long distance, the
pursuit Of the enemy was checked by the arrival
Of the 18th Corps, and Of night. From the
ground on which the 10Th Corps had taken is
stand, Gen. Banks ordered a retreat to Pleasant
Hill, which was effected during the darkness.
The causes Of this disaster were that Gen.
Banks suffered the cavalry to advance beyond
easy supporting distance; that the cavalry train
was suffered 20 get in front Of the whole inian-
try force, and so prevented the use Of the only
toad for troops and artillery to arrive or retreats
and that when Gen. Banks decided to deliver
battle, instead Of withdrawing bis cavalry he
committed to that engagement against TIE
whole body Of the enemy but small part Of
his Own force, and sent that, as he had
previously done the cavalry, ont Of reach Of the
remaining infantry, by whose aid the battle
could have been won. II is remarkable that he
here committed exactly the error by which, in
August 1869, he lost the battle Of Cedar Noun.
tain in Virginia.
On the 9th Gen. Banks, having concentrated
his army near Pleasant Hill, by bringing up
part from the rear and by Withdrawing n part
from the 'front.' and the enemy having continued
his pursuit Of that part which was withdrawn
from tho front. the engagement was resumed
Skirmishing occupied the greater part Of the
day. About 8 o'clock in the afternoon. the
enemy attacked. The force Of his onset was
received by the Sixteenth Army Corps.
under Gen. Andrew Jackson Smith. Par.
tally successful at some points, the
enemy captured the whole of battery.
and pressed on. Received at close quarters.
with very deadly discharge of artillery and
musketry, their final charge along the line was
repulscd; the battery was retaken, and the
Rebels were driven from the field. It appears,
however, tLat the 18th Army Corps, Of which