The Opelousas courier., 1897-05-08
Battle of Bayou Bourbeux.

1t is over 33 years ago since the above
battle took place less than seven milel
from Opelousas. Many of our readers
will doubtless read with interest tlt
following account of this engagement
published in the Opelousas COURIER o
Nov. 81, 1858. which was printed on va
| rIegated wall paper, and containing
also the following significant notice al
! The head of its first column:
| "Gwins to IL second invasion by the Fedora
! troupS, we have been compelled to interrupt
| the regular issue of our paper for severa
weeks.
"Having been more lucky this time than the
first. we saved our printing materials and are
now enabled to continue our publications
hoping never again to be interrupted by such
opportunities. and hoping no less to deserve
public patronage"
HEADQUARTERS GREENS DIVISION. }
In the Field near Opeousas,
November 4th, 1868. )
Again we must chronicle among the glorious
achievements of our arms another brilliant sue
cess in the battle OF Bourbeux, some seven
miles south of this place.
Gen. Green attacked the enemy consisting OF
the 18th Army Corps, commanded by Gen.
cambridge, of the u. s. Army, causing great
havoc among them. driving them from the
field, through their camps-takng possession
OF their whole encampment completely rout-
ing their entire command and capturing their
artillery and parts of their cavalry, &c. The
fight commenced yesterday at ~ o'clock, tD-
ishing at two. he enemy contested every
inch OF ground, falling back slowly before our
brave boys who made the woods resound with
under the steady tramp of their restless
charge. The infantry commanded by Col.
Roberts. of Walkers Division, consisting of bis
own, Col. Kings and Harrson's Regiments,
were thrown on the extreme left, resting on
Bayou BourbcuX, being sheltered by the woods
which skirted the Bayou for four hundred
yards on each side. Here began the fight with
the greatest ferceness, and here the brnnt OF
it was borne. In the meantime Green's and
Majors Brigades Boone's Battalion and sec
ton of Daniels and Falverde Battery, were
ordered through the prairie on the extreme
right to flank the enemy's position and charge
his battery. which was pouring hail OF shell
and canister through the ranks OF our infan-
try. without much damage on account OF the
thickness of the woods.
Our battery sections were soon in position.
supported by Green's dIsmOunted Brigade,
and opened with telling fire on the enemy's
guns. Majors was already in position with his
cavalry, to the right of the batteries. At this
jupcture of affairs, Gen. Green ordered the
entire command to charge, leading it side by
iianked the enemy taking their battery and
routing and scattering the bOasted 18th Army
Corps" to the four winds. 1t was one O. the
most beautiful sights of tho Wharf.-The cavalry
and infantry charging at full run, over an open
prairie some fifteen hundred yards, actually
making the earth quake with then heavy and
rapid tramp. The enemy left over one nun
drcd dead upon the field. Our loss was very,
slight. We captured 53s non-commissioned
officers and privates, IA Lieutenants. 10 Cap
tans, Colonel and l Lieutenant-Colonel; be-
sides these, there are fifty wounded i'll our
hands, shot through the arms or body who
We're able to walk from the field; like num-
Der who were not able to move were left be-
hind Nearly all our wounded were brought
off. The enemy came UP with their entire
command, whereupon we fell back to our for
lner position. We were only able to bring off
one of the pieces of artillery captured, 10
ronnder Parrott The others having their
horses killed and disabled we spiked and left on
the field. Their tents, commissary and Ordi-
nance stores being destroyed, our army fell
back in good order, and are ready and anx-
io,ls to meet them again. The men and their
officers are confident that we can whip Gen.
Franklin's entire force with the greatest ease.
The prisoners left this morning for Alexandria.