The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-01
SABINE CROSSROADS.
One Of Ransom's Men Tells about What He
Saw There.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Our corps
was the Thirteenth, commanded by Gen.
Ransom on the Red River campaign. The
division was under Gen. Landrum. This
expedition was managed by Gen. Banks.
Our division consisted of 130th ILL.,, 9th
Ind, 18th KY, and s3d, Goth, and 4sth Ohio.
The engagement took place April 8, 1864.
We were placed near the right of the
Fourth Division, and marched up within
sight of the enemy in regimental formation
along high rail fence. The timber was IN
our rear, and we had little the advantage
of the rebels. We could see them very
plainly. but our position was darkened Dy
the timber.
We at last had orders to fire, which we
did, and thus commenced the action at
Sabine Crossroads, near Mansfield, County
seat of De Soto County, La Our cavalry
and mounted infantry had skirmished with
the Johnnies for several days before the
fight, when our two divisions were rushed
to the scene. The Nineteenth Corps was in
our rear, and did not participate in the fight
at the same time; hence our defeat. A
large number of rebel officers and men fell
in front of our line, among them Gen.
Mouton, Coils. Armand, Beard, and Walker,
commanders of 18th (Crescent) and 2eth
La, of Gray's (rebelD Brigade; but they were
too many for us, and "scooped Us in"
1t was noticed shortly after we became
engaged that large bodies of cavalry were
passing from the front to the rear each side
of our line-of-fire, and when we did get or
ders to retreat we ran against large force,
cutting off our escape. Our division was
surrounded, and those who did escape cap
ture left the field soon after we commenced
to fire.
We were standing in line with trailed
arms, and had shot away all our ammu-
milton, when was ordered by rebel on
horseback to drop my gun, he at the same
time leveling musket at my breast. But
/ grabbed the rebels gun at the muZzle. and
it was discharged, wounding my left hand
with an ounce ball.
The rebel rode away, but as he did so he
received a ball through the breast from some
one belonging to the both III. After fall
ing from his horse he was shot through the
head by someone in my regiment. If the
comrades of the both Ill. and my regi-
ment who made those shots are alive,
should like to have them write to me.
We were disarmed. led to the rear
kept there till next day sometime, and then
marched to church, where the wounded
were slowed away; but, by accident, the
building was burned down. We were kept
at this place until the middle of June, when
we were taken in boats at the mouth of Red
River, paroled, and sent to Marine Hospital
New Orleans and I was there discharged in
July.
Those of our brigade who were moi
wounded were taken to Camp Ford, foul
miles east of Tyler, Tex, where they were
kept prisoner. for over 10 months. Capt.
Bering and Lieut. Shrofe, made their escape
from prison to near our lines in southern
Arkansas, but were recaptured and taken
back to rebel prison. The Fourth Division
only had about 2,400 men engaged in the
fight, while the rebels had $500 infantry
walker and Moutonl, 1000 cavalry
Bee, Mayer, and Bagby1 and 500 artillery.
They captured 200 Of our men 48th Ohio
and 10Th KY, 20 cannon, and $50 baggage
wagons. The Nineteenth Corps tough the
battle Of Pleasant Hill next day, April 8,
and defeated the Johnnies-O. ID. MOOR
HEAD, Co. B, 4sth Ohio, Creston, Iowa.