Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-04-28
THE BATTLES IN LOUISIANA.
A THREE DAYS FIGHT, ENDING IN A UNION
VICTORY

New Orleans journals of the 10Th instant fur.
nish some further and highly interesting particu
lars of the late battles in Louisiana. The sub
Joined account is copied from the New Orleans
Era, which deemed it probable that another en-
gagement would be fought at an early day, as
had learned on good authority that Gen. Banks
expressed the intention of giving battle once more
as soon as opportunity offered"
| THE ADVANCE AND FIRST FIGHT.
Our army broke camp at Natchtoches on the morning
of the 9th instant and marched out the shreveport
road the cavalry advancing twenyone miles and resting
for the night at Crumps Hl the infantry hang three
four miles to the rear, the banks of bayou. On the
following morning at daybresk tho cavalry again started
and upon body Of mounted rebels before they had
marched two miles Fighting began at once and the
emy were rapidly driven before troops This running
style OF fight kept up for fourteen miles, until they
had got two miles beyond Pleasant Hill Here force of
two thousand five hundred rebel cavalry commanded by
Gen Green found strongly posted Wilson's plan
tatlon The rebels deployed along the edge of
dense strip of woods, with open field in front,
which we had TO charge to reach them.
The only Union soldiers that had advanced far enough
to take part in the fight, which inevitable the
cavalry brigade of Lees corps commanded by Col Harry
Robinson Al he had either to attack be attacked he
decided to take the initiative and he led his in with
such dash aud vgor that at last the enemy
pletey whipped and driven from the field The engage
ment lasted two hours and half an losses amounted
to about forty killed and wounded, the enemys being at
least many. Col Robinson pursued the retreating
bells far Bayou du Paul. where he found they had
received heavy renforcemens including four pieces Of
artillery, and again in line of battle waiting attack
1t nearly dark and the risk being too great in again
attacking with his small force he placed his in the
advantageous position available and awaited the pro-
gress Of events Nothing further accomplished on the
| first day.
| SECOND DAYS FIGHT.
During the night brigade of infantry commanded By
Colonel Landrum up, and early in the morning of
the following day Friday, the Sth) the march
sumed The rebels were found to be the alert and
ready for the fray, and fighting opened almost at
The disposition Of forces at the beginning of this
days battle Colonel Landrums infantry brigade on
the right of the Shreveport road and Colonel Lucss's
cavalry brigade the left. The skirmshng fierce,
and every foot of ground from the enemy had be
taken by hard knocks; but at two O'Clock in the alter
forces had compelled the enemy retreat
miles Our loss, well as the enemys, very
during this tme-Lieut Col Webb of the 77th Illinois,
shot through the head and instantly killed. and Captain
] Breese commanding 9th Missouri cavalry, severely
wounded in the arm being among the casualties our
side.
The enemy was met in strong force, under
mand Of General Kirby Smith. That Generals Dick Tay
lor Mouton, Green ard Price also there, after
wards asceraned from prisoners who also stated that
they had under them from eighteen to twenty-five thou
sand men, while force comparatively
handful The rebels occupied strong position in the
vicinity Of Sabine Cross Roads concealed n the edge of
dense wood with open field in 'front.' Shreveport road
| passing through their lines.
Gen Ransom, arriving the field with his command
formed his line well circumstances would permit
after accommodating and feeling the rebel position Col
Emersons brigade Of the Thirteenth Corps, stationed
on the left OF the line with Nmss Massachusetts, Battery
Col Landruns forces part Of two brgades, the right
and centre with Rawless Battery g. Fifth Regulars and
battery of the First Indiana Artillery in Of his right
aud centre Col Dudleys brigade Of cavalry (of Lees
corps) supported the , and held itself in readiness to
repe any attempt TO faux, while Lucas protected the
right flank Col Robinson, with his brigade, in the
Of the centre protecting the wagon train, which
on the Shreveport road
Gen Banks and staff rode upon the field by the time this
disposition Of forces effected, and word sent
back to Gen Franklin to make all speed for the Of
the momentarly expected battle. 1t the design Of
| Gen Banks to remain quiet until the remainder Of bis
army came up, and then open the battle himself; but
Kirby Smith, knowing his superiority in numbers,
began the conf ct before they could arrive.
About FIVE O'Clock the firing between the skrmishers
became very hot and in a short time skirmsh line
was driven back upon the main body by overwhelming
force The whole strength Of the enemy then ad-
vanced and heavy and repeated voeys discharged
and replied to on right and Soon this portion
Of line became heavily engaged and all available
strength required prevent its being crushed by the
masses Of the enemy
Our left which also holly 6ghtng was neces
s4ry much weakened and it observed that strong
body Of the enemy massiug dense piece Of woods
preparatory to dashng down aud hsukng this end OF the
line. The danger plain and imminent; but there
no remedy Gen. Stone ordered Gen Lee to have Nimss
battery withdrawn, although it doing great
cuon ia order that it might not become prize to the
enemy and Gen Lee sent bis aidde-camp Colonel j. s..
Bnsbn to withdraw the battery On reaching the point
its removal found impossible nearly every Of the
horses having been killed In few moments solid
Of the rebels swept down upon the spot and four
the guns taken the two being dragged from
the field by hand
The havoc made in the ranks of the enemy this point
is represented appalling the whole six guns bechng
forth double charges Of grape and canister aud FIVE
rounds red between the time the rebels left the
woods until the artlleymen we're forced from their pieces
As the rebels we're n the execution such shower
Of missiles caused can easily be imagined The two senior
officers OF the battery we're wounded, Lieut. Snow NOR