The Louisiana Democrat., 1889-05-08
Battle of Mansfield.

18th of April, 1864, orders we're re
ceived at the headquarters OF the loth
Louisiana (Gray's old regiment the"
commended by Colonel William wal
ker) to prepare for marching, the Con
federates had been resting for Ga!
or two, q few miles north of Mansfield,
after the fatigues Of a long retreat
1t was generally believed among the
soldiers, that when they resumed the
line of March, it would be towards
instead of from, the enomy. So when
on the morning named, they tnrne"
face towards the south, and began to
retrace their steps, there was little or
no surprise everyman felt that there
was soon to be battle. All were
cheerful and some even gay-memo-
rably so those two noble and gallant
officers, Gen. Mouton and Col Al |:
maud, who before the sun went down,
we're cold in the embrace of death.
A short distance south of Mansfield,
in the edge of woods, and near
large open field, the troops were drawn
I'D in battle array. While in that
exposition, there were continued ap'
{ pearanccs of cavalry on the brow OF
the hill, about three quarters of mile
b in front, who were evidently recon
S noitering. Not long after several
!. companies of cavalry descended the
l. hill at gallop, in perfect order, upon
10 our left Gen. Mouton commanded IN
IS personals old regiment (the loth)
g holding the position on the left his
a. orders were for the men to hold their
is fire until the enemy were within forty
$ Yards. Notwithstanding, our men
" fred too soon but not without effect.
NV The beautiful order Of the cavalry
FL. was suddenly broken up, riderless
ed horses we're scamping over the field
IN and many of the enemy were lying
On, mead or wounded ou the ground.
rrv This little skirmish produced grea
es: enthusiasm. Gen. Monton with hi
i've powerful form raised to its full he'gh
,ge in his stirrups, and with hat in hand
sas added to it. He swept along til
command crying "Louisiana has draw
the first blood to-day and the victor
is ours"
wa After this the troops were move
Ian still further to the left, in the edge
d to the woods, and near an open hel
9ois. 3. They were soon halted and rested u
wife der slow but continued and harmle
fire from batteries and sharpshoote
j B. stationed in the woods beyond t
field. It was not long until Lleute
free ant Colonel Milton-who took
"n evea q company A from Bieuville parish "
Ca, ordered with skirmishers, to char
N nat itl through the field towards the enen
Six With a handful Of men from es
90 vs. company, dashed up the hill in fr'
.tisn, of his men, and his powerful vo
81 r''Ga' "a was heard rising above the battle
/ 9th ping his men onward. The VIII
command followed, in double qu'
Ark, nj hill aud over the field towards
year years enemy concealed in the woods.
been the meanwhile it was subjected to
ed my fire of the Federals during the ell
n moth tn charge. Many gallant men fell
Se nei fore they saw the foe before tn
lieutenant Col. WIN. Walker, c
lana. manding the 2sth, was mortally w
dcd, and expired in Mansfield, at
T., residence of relative, after suite
:, in great agony.
'''road Major ". f. Blackman signal
tlletin. himself for gallantry and daring.
g and soldiers having commenced to "
con. in their long uphill charge the n
w. 49, dashed for the colors, grasped t
Q new and rode Immediately upon the
hand sconced enemy. He thereupon wh'
hes of and shouted to his men to con-
cordia, their colors. This they did WI
= otber will. A captured soldier OF the
-. rails afterwards stated that not
oni'i than two hundred shots were tlre
Alex Black when he was not
subsidy fifty yards distant. He escape@
District hurt.
aon,t After reaching the brow Of the
~ and the woods, the 2Sth was OF
lbs ana to lie down behind an interv
S, Nat fence. 1t did so just in time
valua- cape most severe fire of small
vork Is grape and she'll. After resting
t was ordered to charge and the
'nez anu went down with crash. The
eing ex- ment precipitated itself upon tn
ID it will erals. They fell back in confu
he near the woods, and thence into a
its hest open field, where they reformed
"' ~ Confederates were ordered to
last oo' but became entangled and SC
lion and in the woods, and the line be
brightest waver. Lieut.. afterwards Cal
there be E. Kidd, of Jackson Parish,
NNI1 H.