The National tribune., 1903-08-06

front, pushed rapidly on to within 4 few
miles of Sabine Crossroads, halting and
taking strong position at Pleasant
Grove. The ridge occupied by him was
heavily timbered. while a large, open space
sloped northward toward Mansfield. Here
Emory's Division formed line, with
Dwights Brigade on the right. Benedict 5
on the left, and McMillen's Brigade in
reserve. with Lieut-Col. Kinsey's 161st
n. Y. deployed well to the front as skirm-
ishers. Emory opened his ranks and al
lowed the overmatched fugitives to pass
through, when he again closed them and
awaited the approach of the defiant John
nies in pursuit. Onward they came at
headlong pace, yelling like furies, and
now, as they thought, sure of their prey.
The rebel line was somewhat longer than
EmOry's and overlapped the latters right.
McMillen, who had been held in reserve,
was quickly thrown forward Oh that flank,
and Emory was ready to receive the on
coming rebels. Onward they came, driv-
ing the 1G1st N. Y, deployed in front.
Emory's instructions were:
Reserve your fire until the enemy is
within easy rifle range, and then fire
rapidly"
EMoRY'S VETERANS CHECK CONFEDERATE
ADVANCE.
As the enemy charged up the slope to
within a few rods of Emory's line, a mur-
derOus fire of musketry and canister shot
was thrown into his lines, moving wide
swaths in his ranks, which had the effect
to check for a time his impetuous, head
long advance; but not for long. The de-
termined rebels closed up the rents in their
lines and continued the struggle at close
quarters for more than an hour, the fight
ceasing only when the deep shades of
night settled down upon the scene. The
Confederates charged EmOry's position re-
peatedly, but each assault was repulsed
by EmOry's men, entailing great loss upon
the enemy. Had the flushed rebels not
been checked here, it is not difficult to sur
mise what would have been the fate of
Banks's army and Porter's naval squad
ron in the river.
The Confederate Gen. Mouton fell in
the first assault on Pleasant Grove. The
redoubtable A. J. Smith was at Pleasant
Hill with his Sixteenth Corps of Western
veterans, awaiting with confidence the ad-
vent of the enemy.
Here the disheartening disaster of Sa-
bine Crossroads was glOriOusly reversed on
the following day 9th, Kirby Smith sus-
tanning a severe repulse. 1t is not my
purpose, however, to describe the brilliant
engagement Of Pleasant Hill in this
article.
When night closed the bloody scenes at
Pleasant Grove, Banks decided to fall
back to Pleasant Hill. He might easily
have held his position at Pleasant Grove;
but he was well aware that, should be
remain there during the night, the san
culinary scenes of the evening would be
renewed the following morning.
Not caring to risk another battle there
with the force then in hand, he determin-
ed to withdraw TO the strong position at
Pleasant Hill, where Gen. A. J. Smith
had established himself. and was extreme
ly anxious to see the other member of the
prolific Smith family, who represented the
other side Of the great armed controversy
Gen. Banks made some amends for his
shocking lack of management at the bat
tie of Sabine by an admirable exhibition
of courage.
Like the white plume of Henry of
Navarro, the iron-gray mustache and the
tall Sibley hat of Nathaniel p. Banks
were conspicuous in the thckest of the
fight. Where the musketry ratified fiercest
and the mimic balls fell thickest, Gen.
Banks was seen, dashing furiously along
his broken lines, swinging his tall SLOUGH
hat and endeavoring to stay the tide of
retreat, and rally and reform his broken
and demoralized battalions. AS well
might he have attempted to arrest the
food of Niagara. The General was
urged by officers Of his staff to retire to
place of greater safety; but he spurned
those entreaties and continued to expose
his person to the hot fire of the enemy
with reckless bravery. The courage Of
the Commanding General was admirable.
but it availed nothing now.
A little common sense management be
fore the enemy was encountered would
have been much more potent than his