The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-24
LA BATAILLE DE MOUCHOIRS.

l LA DA1AUA1 LIE MOUVuVlNSo
At this particular time, when the g. S
forces in this city are being used for the mos
| disgraceful purposes, we think it not inappro
pirate to reproduce the official report of Majo
General Mp. Banks, on the result of the ever
memorable engagement which has beer
handed down in the pages of history as the
"Battle of the Handkerchiefs, which was
fought on the Goth February, 1868, between
the Federal forces and an immense concourse
of ladies and children.
Ohicial Report.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, February 20, 1868.
To Major General Halleck, Commander in Chief
g. s. A.:
Generdi-I have the honor to report to you
q brilliant victory for our arms achieved by
the forces under my command against supe-
rior number of the enemy. Early this NOM
ing, / placed my men in position, forming a
hollow square, the right resting on the river
bank, two hundred (2OO) yards to the front of
Gravier street; the left resting on the river
bank, fronting Poydras street, and extending
Ill that direction to the distance of one hum
dred 400 yards; the centre extended from
to right left in horizontal line along the
levee, and at a distance Of about
one hundred 1OO) yards from the river The
force Of the enemy, variously estimated at
from 100, 600 to $50, 900, consisted principally
of females and .'infanI'ry, and were armed
with '.rifled parasols," fans, handkerchiefs,
and other murderous weapons. About III
A. NJ, heavy skirmishing commenced on our
right, and was kept up with great vigor until
about l P. NJ, the rebels fighting with great
desperation. 1t becoming apparent that my
tanks were seriously threatened, and rein
forcements for the enemy continually arriving
in considerable numbers, dispatched an aid
de-camp to hasten up the reserve and ordered
an advance, when in a few minutes the en-
became general along the whole
line. The rebels contested every inch of
ground, and several times repulsed our troops
ut the point Of the ''par0soL." The hottest
part of the fight took place on our right,
where the enemy was strongly entrenched
behind oyster banks. Here, for some time,
hey made a determined stand, but
our gallant troops charged the enemy, stormed
he Entertainments at the point Of the bayo-
net, and with a loud yell drove the rebels from
heir position, infiicting heavy loss upon
hem in parasols, handkerchiefs and slippers |
Dur artillery was now brought into play, and |
contributed in great measure to the final dis |
,ersion and route of the rebels. About 3 P. |
1t became apparent that the enemy was
'adly defeated, as we could plainly distinguish |
,reat confusion in their ranks. At P. NJ,
'ur troops having maintained steady ad-
ance during the whole day, and having driv-
n the enemy distance of seven hundred |
7OO) yards, commanded halt in order to
i've the Union army time for rest and re-
rochvnout nuriprv f1o Er1k
be enemy took refuge on balconies and
ouse tops, but our brave boys pressing
losely after them, scaled their entertainments
nd drove them from their strong positions
t the point of the bayonet
The fruits of this great victory are the cap
IRE OF 5000 handkerchiefs, 1000 fans, 600 pa
asols and parasolettes, and many stands of
ebel colors. The latter I will send on i'm
lediately to the North as trophies. In the
eginning of the engagement, one of our trans
Laurel Hill-was boarded and ia
en- by about twenty thousand 100000, more
r less, OF the enemy, but was afterwards re-
aptured, and the whole rebel force on board,
18th their arms and equipments made pris-
ners. They will be paroled and sent back to
leir lines tomorrow. II
ehaved like veterans under the whitening fire ,
re enemy poured into them. To the Off i
srs on my staff return my sincere thanks T
= the aid rendered during the day, and |
hich assisted materially in defeating the enc
y. Where all behaved SO well, it would be
lvidious in me to mention names, but I can '
ot forbear recommending to your favorable /
otice Gen. Bowen and Col Jonas H. French. /
hey fully deserve to be promoted to the rank v
Major Generals Of Regular towards. Q
The enemy, as usual, outraged the laws of b
vilized warfare, by continually waving white e
lgs, and on our troops. Withholding their fire a
supposing them to be flags of truce-the S
bells seized the opportunity to pour deadly b
lilies into our ranks. Il
The loss on our side, am happy to state, Ii
very slight, consisting only in loss of char I
ter, but we went into the fight with so very Il
tie, it will not be felt. The loss of the enc a
y is also very slight. Only the little respect p
ey had tor US was lost on their side From v
9 statement of prisoners taken, learn that
n. Indignation commanded the rebels on fl
Q right, Gen. Contempt on the left, and the ft
ole under the immediate command of Gen. O
tired. have the honor to be 10
Your obedient servant, "
n. P. BANKS, Il
Major General Commanding.