The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1914-07-16
A Gallant Cavalry Fight.

Gallant Cavalry Fight.
Mansfield Enterprise, July sth
The details OF the retreat of the Federal
Army, commanded by Gen. A. P. Banks,
after its disastrous route at Mansfield in
April, 1864, is always full of interest, and
during the recent reunion, celebrating the
5Oth anniversary of the battle of Mansfield,
the survivors related many interesting
stories. AS history tells us, it was one
continuous fight between the Confederate
cavalry and the retreating Federals, until
the latter rested under the protection OF
their gunboats at the mouth of Red River.
Gen. Dick Taylor, who commanded the
Confederate force in pursuit, conceived the
brilliant idea of throwing force of cavalry
by dashing flank movement, in front OF
the retreating army, capturing all their
supplies, leaving them stranded in the
swamps without transportation or food,
with the view of effecting their destruction
even with his inadequate force. The sup
plies of the Federals had been captured
and destroyed, the country between Alex
andria and the mouth of the river had been
depleted, and large supply train had
been sent out from Simsport, on the
Atchafalaya River to meet the retreating
army that they might make their way
back to their base of supplies. 1t was this
wagon train that Dick Taylor wanted to
capture or Destroy. 1t was a desperate
undertaking, and its accomplishment had
been entrusted to Lieut.. G.. L.
Yearger, who commanded the First Texas
Cavalry, he having assumed command
when Col. Bushel was killed at Pleasant
Hill. Under the guidance of Capt. Bailey
Vincent, who commanded q company of
Louisiana scouts, and knew the country
well, the First Texas Cavalry made de-
tour, and by forced march got in the
rear Of the Federal Army. Maj. R. A.
Myers was leading the advance with five
companies of the First Texas, and as he
marched out of the swamp, he was met by
Capt Vincent, who reported that the entire
Federal relief train was passing through
the plantation in their immediate front,
under escort of detachment of infantry.
The time had arrived, and the opportunity
meant action with Maj. Myers. The charge
was sounded, and head-long went his five
companies. The escort taken completely
by surprise, stampeded without resistance,
and the entire supplies for the retreating
Federals was in his possession. The head
of the wagons were turned towards the
swamp, and each driver was urged for
ward by a trooper with a revolver at his
back. The expedition seemed to have been
crowned with success, when Col. Yearger's
bugles sounded the retreat, and an orderly
dashed up with orders for Maj. Myers tc
withdraw his men at once. The order was
obeyed, and the Federal supply train, ano
perhaps the, remnant of Banks army was
saved. Seeing the Confederates with.
drawing the escort rallied, and opened fire
on the Texans, several of whom were killed
AS they withdrew across the field, Maj
Myers said to Capt. Vincent, captain
you must do the cussing, for man needs
more than one language to do the subjec
Justice 1t is probably that the Captain
was equal to the emergency, for when hi
reached the woods and met Col. Yearge1
there was stormy interview, and Col
Yearger ordered the Captain to the rear
under arrest. Dick Taylor says the failure
of Col. Yearger to hold that wagon trair
ended Banks Red River expedition, ane
that while Col. Yearger may have been I
brave soldier, he did not have a spot o
military genius, and that the grandes
opportunity of the campaign had been per
mtted to slip from his grasp. Bailey Vim
cent says that if he could have got thos,
wagons into the swamp, he could have
held it indefinitely with his company 0
scouts against defeated, demoralized ant
!, hungry army, who were already willing t.
t surrender.