The National tribune., 1891-03-26

Infantry intended Tor Lee came back 20 Frank
in in the evening but the latter received
orders 10 send him another the following day
before daylight. The First Brigade Of the
Fourth Division OF the Thirteenth Corps was
appointed foI this duty. The remainder of the
corps set forward very carly in the morning OF
the Sth.
"The Union cavalry had set for
ward at daybreall with the brigade Of infantry
that Gen. Landr had brought. The Confed-
crates having abandoned Bayou ST. Patrice. and
having left in front OF Leo but n mere curtain
Of scouts, The latter might have pushed rapidly
forward, ms Franklin had directed him 10 do.
But thinking he had again before him all OF
Green's forces. he allowed himself 10 be de-
Ceiyed by the obstinacy OF the cnemys rear
guard
THE loss OF FEW MEX,
among them a Lieutenant Colonel, confirmed
hm in this opinion, and lie placed two OF
Landram's regiments in the first rank. imme-
diatcly in the rear Of the scouts. Thus not
only did the cavalry not explore the country,
but il was preceded and covered by the infantry.
lt followed up ia n column with the res, OF The
infantry a very little n the advance OF its
immense train, whose guard absorbed not less
than 1000 10 Zoe men. Smith
was nearing Pleasant Hiil, and franklin had
halted between 10 and IL O'Clock Ransom aud
Bayou St. PatIice. Bat Banks who. alter
having Joined him az this point, and approved
the choice of IL, had followed The cavalry, was
not long in sending him an order TO forward the
Second Brigade % Landram's Division 10 sup
port Lee. Franklin sent Ransom with the new
reinforcement, recommending him not 10 en-
gage his two brigadcs al the same time, and 10
relieve the one which, bearing almost alone
since the morning ali tho weight Of the onemy's
lnuf lrnr nd - ba NfHst n
the meantime arrived, only thought Of pushing
forward, forgetting that hs divisions Of inian-
try were en- echelon on the road at such Gsiln-
ccs apart that they could not sustain one another
efficiently, lie sent word 10 Franklin 60 move
forward at once the Thirteenth Corps. and
directed Lee to maintain himself in his posi-
tion until IL arrived. Without taking into
account TIE fatigue Of the infantry brigade,
which had been in advance Of the cavalry
since morning. be allowed IL 10 deploy on the
night when Ransom came about > O'clock, TO
form tho balance OF the Fourth Division, hold
ing both sides Of tho road"
The view taken by th is distinguished author
is cOrrrct Ia every respect. Ii was said by Gen.
George II. Ihomas THAI the fate Of battle
might turn Upon the loss OF a iuch-piu The
fatal error in the battle Of Sabine Cross
roads was Ia ordering the brigade Of infantry
TO the support Of Lees cavalry.
Before the close Of the battle there were two
Major Gcucrals and five Bripadicrs Of the Fed
cr3l army upon the field, which caused me 10
remark that what j needed WIS fewer Generals
and more mou.
There have been so many misrepresentation
or THIS engagement ihal have thought IL due
10 all concerned that a corfcrt report should le
made without deiFartiug from the merits Of
auy who rendered faithful and efficient seryice
ia the turning point Of the ill-fated and i'll
au 4 l-ud Camnaiuu