The National tribune., 1903-08-06

Gulf. long since the close of the war,
am inclined to agree with Mr.. Greeley.
When Gen. Banks launched his famous
expedition up the Red River, we soldiers
innocently thought that the object of the
movement was to disperse or capture the
army of Gen. L. Kirby Smith, conquer
that portion of Louisiana held by the
enemy. and ultimately move to the con-
quest of Texas and the Southwest. There
NAV have been such Interior design; but
it appears clear to my mind now, in the
light of recent information, that the
primary object of that all-tlmed and bad
ly-managed venture was to collect the I'M
mense cotton crop of that region, when,
in our own good time, we should attempt
the conquest Of Kirby Smiths army and
occupy Texas permanently.
Some years ago new light was let in
upon the Red River affair by an officer OF
Gen. Banks's staff.
In 1850, when the Presidential cam
paign was on. Gen -, of Boston, came
to our County to make number of cam
paign speeches. l prefer not to use the
Generals name, as he might not wish
publicity in connection with the statements
that shall make presently. For the pur-
poses of this paper l will call him Gen.
Blank.
1t was my privilege to hold a number
of meetings in collaboration with Gen.
Blank: and one evening. rs we were driv-
ing to our appointment, l sought to lead
him out on the subject of the Red River
affair. | said: General. as a member of
Gen Banks's military family, you having
been behind the scenes, l have no doubt
you are in possession of facts anent the
Red River fiascO that the public do not
know" l had succeeded admirably in
=, into
talk on that subject. He answered
promptly and without reserve: .ies. sir,
he replied; Il am in possession of all the
inside facts, and they are soon told. 1t
was tacitly understood between Gen.
Banks and Gen. E. Kirby Smith that
Banks should advance up the Red River.
the army radiating many miles into the
interior from the line of march. collecting
all the cotton within reach and conveying
it to the river for transportation to mar
ket at New Orleans; Kirby Smith, mean
while, making show of resistance, but
falling back regularly before our advance
with as little fighting as possible. This
agreement. of course. was entered into
with the knowledge and approval of our
Government. The cotton was to be sold
and Smith was to receive handsome
moiety of the proceeds of said sales, the
larger portion going to the Government"
This was beautiful little compact; but
Burns says:
"The best laid schemes of mice and
men, gang aft a-glee."
ADMIRAL PORTER SEXES sPoILs.
Gen. Blank further said:
Admiral Porter, when he entered the
river with his squadron. utterly ignored
the compact between Banks and Smith.
seiZing all the cotton he could find stored
On the river bank, loading it on his gun
boats, and claiming it as a prize of war.
The Admiral went much further. and,
with characteristic naval impotence.
claimed all the cotton within three leagues
of the river on either side, as prize for
his crews"
All the cotton within nine miles on
either side of the river was his without
a finger raised by the navy ITO secure it.
The army should collect and convey to
the landings of the river all cotton found
within the radius named. as a prize for
Porter's sailors, who had done no work
and were living like fighting cocks on
their gunboats. Prize cotton, indeed!
Gen. Banks very naturally grew indig
nant. and one ine day he went down to
the flagship to interview Porter about it.
Porter was insolent and overbearing.
Banks told the Admiral fatty that, un-
less he should roll those stolen cotton bales
ashore. he would "blow him out Of the
water" This is the statement of Gen.
Blank
Porter, however, was not to be intimi-
dated, and kept the cotton.
KIRBY SMITHS DIRE THREATS.
Banks, of course, did not execute his
threat, making no effort to "blow'' Por-
ter's squadron ''out of the water;' but he
realized that, by reason of this breach of
the covenant, he had a great fight on his
hands that he was silly prepared to meet.
Kirby Smith was raving angry over this
Yankee perfdy, prancing around in his
wrath and threatening dire vengeance
against Banks, whom he held responsible
for the breach of the compact. Banks
had taken the field in pursuance of this
agreement. expecting but little. if any
fighting. Now, Porter had spoiled it all,
and he must fight to the death. The bar
gain under which he is said to have
launched the movement may account in
measure, for the lack of preparation for
vigorous fighting campaign; but Gen
Banks should have handled the splendid
army he had in hand with more skill and
judgment than he displayed after the bit
ter fight was on.
But, Banks was in for it; no "dodging
the question" now without an ignominous
retreat to the Mississippi without attempt
ing anything, Kirby Smith was aroused
and the Army of the Gulf must fight. In
stead Of Smith gently falling back before
us. as per the agreement, we did the fall
ing back" but, as we shall see, not SO
very gently.
Gen. Banks's advance reached Natchi-
toches (Nackitosh) on April 2, and on the
Sd skirmished smartly with the enemy's
advance; the latter falling back gradually
before Gen. A. l.. Lees cavalry, to the
vicinity of Pleasant Hill, where Gen.
Kirby Smith had concentrated a force of
about 25,000 men and IS cannon. This
formidable force was strongly intrenched
near Pleasant Hill, and completely barred
the further advance OF Banks toward
Shreveport. That place is distant from
Natchitoches 100 miles by the main road.
The river was steadily falling, and it was
evident that Admiral Porter's squadron
could not pass above Grand Ecore, on the
old channel, and if the army proceeded it
must go without the cooperation of the
squadron.
Banks hurried the work, fearing the
loss at an inopportune time of Gen. A. J.
Smiths splendid corps; as Gen. Sherman
might, at any moment, call Gen. Smith to
his own department. Banks moved bold
iy toward Pleasant Hill, near the in
trenched rendezvous of Kirby Smith. Some
desultory skirmishing occurred between
small detachments of Federal and Con-
federate cavalry: in one of which Col.
4. 4