The fine weather continued, as the Union army was still camped behind their defense works at Alexandria. The construction of the dam on the Red River began today.
Thursday, April 28, 1864
The weather was nice today. The Confederates continued to skirmish with the Union troops. Confederate General Taylor moved his 6,000 troops around Alexandria, and was intent on causing as much trouble for the Union forces as possible.
The Union forces were stalled in Alexandria for a good reason: the Union navy was trapped above the falls. The water level of the Red River had fallen so low that many of the Admiral Porter’s ships could not continue.
The situation seemed desperate. One option was to leave a large number of troops with the ships until the water level rose. But that might not happen until next Spring. Another option was to destroy all of the ships and move on. Neither of these options were desirable.
Lt. Colonel Bailey, the Chief Engineer of the 19th Army Corp, suggested they build a dam to raise the level of the river so that the ships could pass. His idea was accepted and orders were soon given to begin construction of the dam.
The Union forces were stalled in Alexandria for a good reason: the Union navy was trapped above the falls. The water level of the Red River had fallen so low that many of the Admiral Porter’s ships could not continue.
The situation seemed desperate. One option was to leave a large number of troops with the ships until the water level rose. But that might not happen until next Spring. Another option was to destroy all of the ships and move on. Neither of these options were desirable.
Lt. Colonel Bailey, the Chief Engineer of the 19th Army Corp, suggested they build a dam to raise the level of the river so that the ships could pass. His idea was accepted and orders were soon given to begin construction of the dam.
Wednesday, April 27, 1864
The Union army was still in camp near Alexandria today. There were reports of skirmishes all around them, and the troops anticipate a general engagement soon.
Tuesday, April 26, 1864
The rest of the Army came into camp today, including General Smith's forces, which made up the rear guard during the retreat. They received cheers and ovations at they entered Alexandria.
Monday, April 25, 1864
The march towards Alexandria began at 8 o'clock this morning. The Union army marched until nearly sundown and camped near Alexandria, Louisiana. Again, they camped in the same area where they camped on the march to the north. There was no fighting today.
Sunday, April 24, 1864
The Union army stopped at about dawn this morning, in the middle of a pine forest. They stayed only a few hours and began to move again. They reached the bank of the Red River, then moved on to the Bayou Rapides. They camped near where they camped on their march to Shreveport.
Saturday, April 23, 1864
The Union army skirmished with Confederate troops, beginning about 8 o'clock this morning. Both the front and rear of the retreating Union army came under attack.
This battle occurred near Monett’s Ferry. The Confederates intent was to prevent the Union army from crossing the Cane River. Even though they were outnumbered, the Confederates planned to surround the Union and give them all they could handle. The Confederates were situated on a bluff of the river, and the batteries from both sides began to fire. The shelling went on for more than an hour.
There had been a bridge here but the Confederates had destroyed it. The Union troops would have to build a pontoon so the wagons could cross.
While the shelling was in progress, the 13th Army Corps and part of the 19th Army Corps moved up the river about two miles. Here they were able to cross the river, by wading in the waist deep water. After crossing, General Weitzel's Division of the 19th Corps, took the advance. They had marched through the timber only a mile or two when they encountered the Confederate's picket. The battle quickly heated up, and soon Weitzel's column charged across an open field in the face of a galling fire. Several Union trrops fell, but the charge was a success.
Meanwhile the Southerners continued their battle with General Smith in the front. Eventually the Confederates front gave way and the Union claimed victory at the Battle of Kane River.
The Union army began moving again about midnight tonight.
This battle occurred near Monett’s Ferry. The Confederates intent was to prevent the Union army from crossing the Cane River. Even though they were outnumbered, the Confederates planned to surround the Union and give them all they could handle. The Confederates were situated on a bluff of the river, and the batteries from both sides began to fire. The shelling went on for more than an hour.
There had been a bridge here but the Confederates had destroyed it. The Union troops would have to build a pontoon so the wagons could cross.
While the shelling was in progress, the 13th Army Corps and part of the 19th Army Corps moved up the river about two miles. Here they were able to cross the river, by wading in the waist deep water. After crossing, General Weitzel's Division of the 19th Corps, took the advance. They had marched through the timber only a mile or two when they encountered the Confederate's picket. The battle quickly heated up, and soon Weitzel's column charged across an open field in the face of a galling fire. Several Union trrops fell, but the charge was a success.
Meanwhile the Southerners continued their battle with General Smith in the front. Eventually the Confederates front gave way and the Union claimed victory at the Battle of Kane River.
The Union army began moving again about midnight tonight.
Friday, April 22, 1864
After marching all night, the column stopped about 7 o'clock this morning and ate breakfast. They began moving again at 1 o'clock this afternoon, and stopped at 8 o'clock this evening and went into camp.
There was some urgency to the Union Army's retreat, as the Confederate forces were also moving south, with the the intention of cutting off the Union retreat before they could cross the Cane River at Monnett’s Ferry.
Thursday, April 21, 1864
They finally received orders to march for Alexandria. The march began at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon. It took awhile to get the train of wagons organized and moving. They traveled all night.
Wednesday, April 20, 1864
The men of the 130th were still in camp at Grand Ecore, Louisiana. But they still were ready to march at any moment. General Banks sent General Smith's forces ahead to Natchitoches to engage the enemy and provide cover for the rest of the retreating army. The men of the 130th were sure they would move tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 19, 1864
The Union soldiers were still in camp at Grand Ecore, Louisiana. However, they received orders to be ready to march against the enemy at any moment and draw two days rations.
Sunday, April 17, 1864
Private Jackson Kennedy, died today in St. Louis. He was assigned to Company K and from Marshall.
The Union army was still in camp at the same place. However, rumors ran through camp that they would soon be moving perhaps to Natchez. The Confederate General Taylor was reported to be just 3 miles away, with 5,000 men at Natchitoches.
The Union army was still in camp at the same place. However, rumors ran through camp that they would soon be moving perhaps to Natchez. The Confederate General Taylor was reported to be just 3 miles away, with 5,000 men at Natchitoches.
Saturday, April 16, 1864
The retreating army was still at Grand Ecore and nothing unusual happened today.
Friday, April 15, 1864
The regiment was still in line of battle. They were in the same place as yesterday. It was still quiet and there was no sign of the enemy.
Thurday, April 14, 1864
The Union army was still encamped near the river at Grand Ecore. Still at this place. The 130th Illinois has been out in line of battle since yesterday morning. However, there has been no attack.
One gun-boat and transports ran the Confederate blockade above Grand Ecore yesterday. The Confederates fired at them, but did little damage.
One gun-boat and transports ran the Confederate blockade above Grand Ecore yesterday. The Confederates fired at them, but did little damage.
Wednesday, April 13, 1864
The men of the 130th were on picket duty today. They were ordered to form a battle line at 11:00 A.M. The army continued to build fortifications and expect an attack today or tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, April 12, 1864
The reports of April 12, 1864 list the total strength of the 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment as just 3 officers and 65 men.
(Editor's Note: I am assuming William Fleming was one of those 65 men. He was not listed with the other 130th Illinois Infantry soldiers at the prison camp in Tyler, Texas.)
On the 12th of April there was heavy cannonading up the river. General Gordon, with 4,500 men, had gone in that direction.
Several thousand reinforcements came in to camp today by transports on the river.
(Editor's Note: I am assuming William Fleming was one of those 65 men. He was not listed with the other 130th Illinois Infantry soldiers at the prison camp in Tyler, Texas.)
On the 12th of April there was heavy cannonading up the river. General Gordon, with 4,500 men, had gone in that direction.
Several thousand reinforcements came in to camp today by transports on the river.
Monday, April 11, 1864
Other troops arrived today in Grand Ecore. The soldiers hastily constructed fortifications made from logs and dirt to guard against a possible Confederate attack.
Sunday, April 10, 1864
The retreat marched until 3:00 A.M. this morning and did not start up again until 8:00 A.M. Captain DeCamp was now in command of 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment, as Major Reid was missing. (He had been shot and captured by the Confederates).
They soon completed the 35 mile march from Pleasant Hill and arrived at Grand Ecore. Here they had some protection from the gunboats on the river.
Private William Wiley from the 77th Illinois described the march:
They soon completed the 35 mile march from Pleasant Hill and arrived at Grand Ecore. Here they had some protection from the gunboats on the river.
Private William Wiley from the 77th Illinois described the march:
We were badly worn out. I had marched for two nights and two days barefooted and bare headed. My feet were so swollen I could hardly walk during the last night. . . A great many of our wounded were being hauled back in the ambulances and wagons and the poor fellows were having a hard time of it and we could hear their moans and cries as they were hauled along on that weary march and many one of them died that might have lived if they could have had proper care.
Saturday, April 9, 1864
Last night the supply wagons began to move back to Pleasant Hill - a distance of about eight miles. There was a general sense of confusion during the entire retreat, as soldiers who had survived the battle made their way back in search of their units. The 13th Army Corps was literally cut to pieces. The 4th Division was a mere shadow of its former self, and the 130th regiments (and others) were almost annihilated.
All available means were used for the transportation of the wounded. They were mounted on horses and mules, on artillery caissons, on carts and wagons - any manner of transportation that could be found. Many soldiers lost their knapsacks and contents, as they had been dropped yesterday when they moved to the front.
Today, skirmishing began at daylight, and the battle of Pleasant Hill began in earnest at 10 o'clock. However, the men of the 130th (those that weren't killed, missing, injured, or taken prisoner the day before) were not involved in the battle. Instead they guarded the wagons on the retreat to Ecore.
The battle at Pleasant Hill continued throughout the day, and eventually the Union forces repulsed the Confederate advance. In fact, the Union army captured at least 500 men and some of the cannons and wagons they lost on the previous day.
Union General Smith was encouraged by the day's events and wanted to take to the offense immediately. However, General Banks ordered a retreat, and that was the end of the Red River campaign. The Confederates would harass the Union army throughout their retreat.
All available means were used for the transportation of the wounded. They were mounted on horses and mules, on artillery caissons, on carts and wagons - any manner of transportation that could be found. Many soldiers lost their knapsacks and contents, as they had been dropped yesterday when they moved to the front.
Today, skirmishing began at daylight, and the battle of Pleasant Hill began in earnest at 10 o'clock. However, the men of the 130th (those that weren't killed, missing, injured, or taken prisoner the day before) were not involved in the battle. Instead they guarded the wagons on the retreat to Ecore.
The battle at Pleasant Hill continued throughout the day, and eventually the Union forces repulsed the Confederate advance. In fact, the Union army captured at least 500 men and some of the cannons and wagons they lost on the previous day.
Union General Smith was encouraged by the day's events and wanted to take to the offense immediately. However, General Banks ordered a retreat, and that was the end of the Red River campaign. The Confederates would harass the Union army throughout their retreat.
Friday, April 8, 1864
This morning the Union Army continued their march toward Shreveport. They left their positions at Pleasant Hill and moved towards Mansfield. The Union cavalry under General Albert L Lee was in the front skirmishing with the Confederates.
The infantry march was slow and tedious, as the night was dark. At daylight the 77th Illinois came upon General Lee's cavalry, which had advanced about ten miles from Pleasant Hill, and was still advancing.
The Union infantry advanced through undulating hills that were thick with pine timber. The confederates, which seemed to the Union army to be only a force of cavalry, continued to fall back. They would be driven from one hill, and then take their position on the next hill. The Union casualties to this point in this running fight were relatively small.
About mid-morning, General Lee asked for fresh units to support the fatigued soldiers who had fought the initial skirmishes. Brigadier General Thomas Ransom, commander of the Union army's 13th Corps, ordered Colonel Joseph Vance's 2nd Brigade, comprised of the 130th Illinois, 48th Ohio, 83rd Ohio, and 96th Ohio regiments, into position to the right of Colonel Frank Emerson's 1st Brigade. This was achieved by 1:30 p.m.
Lt. Colonel Reid, the regimental commander of the 130th Illinois Infantry, remembered the day so far:
After having retreated in front of the advancing Union Forces throughout their march through Louisiana, Major General Richard Taylor's Confederate army decided this is where they would make their stand. General Taylor selected Moss Plantation, about three miles southeast of Mansfield, as his army's new defensive stand. His force consisted of two infantry divisions and three Texas cavalry brigades. General Taylor positioned his army just inside the woods on either side of the Old Stage Road, at a strategic communications hub known as Sabine Cross Roads. Opposing Vance's 2nd Brigade (including the 130th Illinois) were three Louisiana regiments commanded by Colonel Henry Gray. Facing Emerson's 1st Brigade were Texas cavalry brigades commanded by a Frenchman named Camille J. Prince de Polignac.
The story of the 48th Ohio is similar to the other regiments in their brigade:
other to the east. The 130th Illinois was at the point of the 90-degree angle facing to the North, while the the 77th Illinois was to their left, and behind them and facing to northwest. The Union infantry regiments (from the southwest to the northeast corner) were the 23rd Wisconsin, 67th Indiana, 77th Illinois, 130th Illinois, 48th Ohio, 19th Kentucky, 96th Ohio, and the 83rd Ohio. Cavalry units flanked the infantry regiments on either side. Artillery units were positioned on either side of the Old Stage Road (the road that ran between Mansfield and Pleasant Hill) between the 23rd Wisconsin and the 67th Indiana regiments.
Two Confederate brigades commanded by Brigadier General Alfred Mouton stepped out of the woods in which they had assembled and moved into the open field. They arranged themselves into several long lines of soldiers and began their advance on the Union columns less than a half mile away.
As the Confederate army moved into the open field, the Union army opened up with a heavy volley of their muskets. One Confederate recorded his recollections of this fire in his diary, noting that
During the night of April 8th, the Union army retreated about 20 miles to the southeast towards Pleasant Hill. Confederate General Richard Taylor wished to take advantage of the demoralized Union army - he planned to pursue the Union army on April 9th and force their continued retreat. This set the stage for the Battle of Pleasant Hill.
Editor's Note: The battlefield is now a state park. The marker for the 130th Illinois reads as follows:
The infantry march was slow and tedious, as the night was dark. At daylight the 77th Illinois came upon General Lee's cavalry, which had advanced about ten miles from Pleasant Hill, and was still advancing.
The Union infantry advanced through undulating hills that were thick with pine timber. The confederates, which seemed to the Union army to be only a force of cavalry, continued to fall back. They would be driven from one hill, and then take their position on the next hill. The Union casualties to this point in this running fight were relatively small.
About mid-morning, General Lee asked for fresh units to support the fatigued soldiers who had fought the initial skirmishes. Brigadier General Thomas Ransom, commander of the Union army's 13th Corps, ordered Colonel Joseph Vance's 2nd Brigade, comprised of the 130th Illinois, 48th Ohio, 83rd Ohio, and 96th Ohio regiments, into position to the right of Colonel Frank Emerson's 1st Brigade. This was achieved by 1:30 p.m.
Lt. Colonel Reid, the regimental commander of the 130th Illinois Infantry, remembered the day so far:
After a hard day's march, on the 7th day of April, 1864, we camped at Pleasant Hill, La., and on the morning of the 8th, at 4:30, were on our way to Mansfield, La., or Sabine Cross-Roads.
The enemy were falling back slowly. We had marched about twelve miles and went into camp, when an order came for a brigade of infantry to move the "rebs." Our brigade was ordered out. It was about 1 p. m. and we were rushed to the front, two miles from Mansfield, where General Taylor had his command in hand, and about 4 p. m. the whole line was advanced.The 48th Ohio's story for the day was very similar:
We started next morning, April 8th, with the brigade, at 5 1/2 o'clock. The enemy, who had been easily driven the day before by the cavalry, became quite stubborn, and it at times required the aid of the infantry to dislodge them. We marched until half past ten,At about 3 o'clock the Union infantry came to an open field to the left of the road. About a mile ahead they could see the battle flags of their enemy. A battery was brought forward and fired a few shots, but the Confederates did not respond. The brigade then crossed to the East side of the road and moved across a ravine. They came upon a house and near here planted their batteries in preparation of the battle.
when we arrived at St. Patrick's Bayou, which Gen. Franklin selected as our camping-ground. We had scarcely stacked arms, when Gen. Ransom ordered one brigade forward on double-quick. We found great difficulty in passing the cavalry train, which obstructed the entire road through the dense pine forest. At intervals we could hear the heavy firing in our front, indicating that there was work ahead for us. Soon we began to see the wounded and dead, along the road, which showed clearly that the rebels were fighting at
every point.
After having retreated in front of the advancing Union Forces throughout their march through Louisiana, Major General Richard Taylor's Confederate army decided this is where they would make their stand. General Taylor selected Moss Plantation, about three miles southeast of Mansfield, as his army's new defensive stand. His force consisted of two infantry divisions and three Texas cavalry brigades. General Taylor positioned his army just inside the woods on either side of the Old Stage Road, at a strategic communications hub known as Sabine Cross Roads. Opposing Vance's 2nd Brigade (including the 130th Illinois) were three Louisiana regiments commanded by Colonel Henry Gray. Facing Emerson's 1st Brigade were Texas cavalry brigades commanded by a Frenchman named Camille J. Prince de Polignac.
The story of the 48th Ohio is similar to the other regiments in their brigade:
We arrived at the front between one and two o'clock P. M. In our front was a cleared field, and on the opposite side was a belt of timber, where our cavalry was skirmishing with the enemy. Col. Landrum ordered our brigade across to the right of the road, on double-quick, to take position in the edge of the woods. We charged across the open field and over a small stream, then up to the timber. Here the men threw off their knapsacks,The Union line soon formed a 90-degree angle, with one arm stretching south of the Old Stage Road and the
advanced a short distance and halted.
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As the Confederate army moved into the open field, the Union army opened up with a heavy volley of their muskets. One Confederate recorded his recollections of this fire in his diary, noting that
'The balls and grape shot crashing about us whistled terribly and plowed into the ground and beat our soldiers down even as a storm tears down the trees in a forest.Private William Wiley of the 77th Illinois described the early Union response to the rebel attack:
The 48th Ohio was to the immediate right of the 130th Illinois. Their story of the early battle:Just as the rebels were coming up the hill in our front we made a stand in the edge of the timber and poured such a withering fire into their ranks that they gave way and fell back in our front but they swung around and flanked the left of our line doubling it back onto us. [We] were ordered to fall back across the open field and form a new line in rear of our Chicago Mercantile Battery.
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We remained in line of battle until near 4 o'clock, when the cavalry pickets came back on a gallop through our lines, saying the enemy was advancing in strong force. We occupied a narrow strip of timber, and the rebels an open field beyond. Midway between the two armies was a rail fence, running parallel with our line of battle, at the further edge of the timber. We were ordered forward, and had proceeded but a short distance, when wediscovered the long line of rebel infantry, coming on double-quick, to gain the fence. It now became an exciting race, but fortunately we reached the fence while the enemy was still about fifty yards distant. Our men, dropping on their knees, rested their rifles on the fence and delivered a volley with terrible effect. The enemy delivered their fire entirely too high, but stood their ground for half an hour, when the whole line wavered in our front and retreated in disorder, leaving the ground covered with killed and wounded. Cheer after cheer went up from our troops when they saw the rebels flying from the field.
The fence as it appeared in 2012.
In a short time, however, they reformed, and came up in two lines, and renewed the attack, but were repulsed as before. Their field-officers being mounted, were picked off as fast as they came in range. The Division held its position for nearly two hours, against the combined forces of the rebel Generals, Dick Taylor, Walker and Mouton, when suddenly the right of the Regiment was forced back from the fence, caused by an enfilading fire from the enemy.The following is J. H. Snyder's (77th Illinois) account of the battle:
We advanced across another field; then entered a piece of timber. Here the line was formed for battle. But we waited nearly an hour before the engagement began. The Seventy-Seventh halted in a small field to the right of the road that had timber on three sides, and while here tarrying, a cavalryman of the 7th Illinois came riding up to us, knowing many of our boys, and informed us that the rebels were advancing in three columns, and would soon engage us. Just then Gen. Banks ordered the Division forward, the 77th moving to the right oblique.
When the engagement began the Third Division was in the rear some three miles, and the 19th Corps seven miles. Gen. Smith was twenty miles away. The Fourth Division (which included the 77th Illinois and the 130th Illinois) numbered 2,400 effective men on that morning, and this little handful of men, with the cavalry, was brought face to face with the combined armies of Dick Taylor and Kirby Smith.
The line had advanced scarcely three hundred yards when the action began. The rebels threw their line upon our flanks, telescoping our line, and as the timber was denselystudded with underbrush, our boys, in many instances, were entirely surrounded before they knew it. The line being flanked -- the movement striking our extreme right -- the Regiments fought by detail, and by detail were defeated. As the timber was dense with underbrush, and the line of the enemy constantly advancing, surging around farther and farther on our flank, our troops were placed in the dilemma of having the enemy in front and rear.
Thick timber and underbrush in 2012
The column thrown into confusion, hundreds of the boys captured, the enemy pressing us from all quarters, what men were able to get out of the tangle, fell back, forming a line on the batteries which had not, as yet, fired a shot.
When the second line was formed -- the boys acting without organization, for in falling back, each man was left to his chances -- the batteries did good execution. But it was only for a short time, as the enemy were flanking the guns and cutting off all retreat.
A third and last stand was made at the timber to the rear of the open field. But this was merely a feint, for the road being narrow and the timber dense, and impassable for horses and teams, the rush was to occupy the road, and consequently the road was blocked, cutting off all retreat, except in the most confused form. In the confusion of retreat, nearly three hundred wagons and the Chicago Mercantile and Nims' Batteries were captured by the Confederates.
We fell back some distance, perhaps a half-mile from the place of the last stand, before any relief came, when the Third Division met us and formed their line, advancing to the open field, only to be served as we had been. The Third Division was flanked and routed, and fell back to about the same place where they had relieved us, before the advance of the 19th Corps came up. The advance was a Regiment of Zouaves, who had double-quicked until they appeared exhausted and flushed. But forming their line, they checked for the time, the advancing enemy, and the shadows of night brought an end to the further disasters of the day.
Many brave boys were killed and many were captured. The 77th lost one hundred and seventy-one men, the 19th Kentucky two hundred and fifty, and other regiments accordingly. One hundred and forty-three of the 77th boys, with all others captured, were taken to Mansfield and Shreveport and finally to Tyler, Texas, where they lingered in a rebel prison for nearly fourteen months, returning to the Regiment just at the hour of its discharge from the service, the cruel war being over.Lt. Colonel Reid remembered the battle and aftermath this way:
Our division was near a new fence, which the confederates has thrown down to enable them to get to us, but we got there first and held close to the fence, and the "rebs" were in an open field. We used them up. They lost all their field officers and most of their men. We were out of ammunition and I sent Lieutenant Johnson and Sergeant Major Leigh for more, and they returned with the word that the "rebs" were in our rear, and the next move was to get out.
We attempted to form a line of battle, facing south, where the cavalry were farming and near where the 130th had left their knapsacks. Here, while executing this order, I was shot down and paralyzed from head to foot.
My first desire was to get to an oak tree, where our artillery were attempting to keep back the rush of the rebel cavalry and infantry, who were flushed with victory. All our guns, twenty in number, were taken, but my condition was such that I could not move.
When the stampede was over a young man of the confederate army was looking over me. While he stood there a gentleman rode up and demanded my sword, which I was unable to give him. He then told my first visitor to take off my belt and sword and hand them to him, which the first comer did. Then, no doubt, thinking that "all is fair In love and war," and taking a good look at my regulation hat, silk bandanna handkerchief and gauntlets, he remarked that be did not think I would need them any more, and, throwing his old white wool hat down by my side, walked off with the most of my war accoutrements.
Before long a detail of confederates came to carry the wounded to a temporary hospital (out in an open field). I was carried there, and at midnight was taken to Mansfield, a distance of two miles. I was one of three wounded ones placed in an ambulance together. I laid in the middle and on the way to town one of these men died and rolled onto me, almost smothering me to death. 1 had to use my little strength in keeping his body off of me as much as I could.
In Mansfield I was put in a church, with 111 others, and here we wounded fellows stayed until June, when we were paroled at Alexander, La.Historian Victor Hicken summed up the Union defeat:
The Battle of Sabine Cross Roads was probably more vicious than any fought in the entire Red River campaign . . . The Union lost 2,235 in dead, wounded and missing, as well as 20 guns and 250 wagons.The 130th Illinois lost 26 men killed or wounded and 9 officers and 223 men captured for an aggregate loss of 257. Among those wounded was Lt. Colonel John B. Reid. The captured soldiers were imprisoned at Tyler, Texas and not paroled until 13 months later, just before the end of the war. The flag of the regiment, and the color bearer were also captured.
During the night of April 8th, the Union army retreated about 20 miles to the southeast towards Pleasant Hill. Confederate General Richard Taylor wished to take advantage of the demoralized Union army - he planned to pursue the Union army on April 9th and force their continued retreat. This set the stage for the Battle of Pleasant Hill.
Editor's Note: The battlefield is now a state park. The marker for the 130th Illinois reads as follows:
At approximately 4:00pm, Confederate General Alfred Mouton launched his infantrydivision forwarding an attack on the Union line positioned along this snake-rail fence. Today, the ground in front of you is wooded, but in April 1864 it was an open expanse of cleared fields. Initially, the 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment and its sister regiments of Second Brigade, Fourth Division were posted about 200 yards behind, or south of where you now stand in a section of timber. At Mouton’s Louisiana and Texas troops advanced across the open fields toward this position, Union commanders saw the dire importance of moving their brigades forward to the fence line. This would give the 130th Illinois and other Union regiments a clar field of fire. Reaching the fence line, the Illinois men began to deliver well-aimed volleys into Mouton’s men. Occupying the fence line to their right, the men of the 48th Ohio, 19th Kentucky, 96th Ohio and 83rd Ohio Infantry Regiments were adding their musketry to the fight as well. To the left/rear of the 130th Illinois, the 77th Illinois, Infantry Regiment had halted in the woods and was overwhelmed, their attempt to gain the fence linehampered by General Polignac’s Texans. As Polignac’s men swarmed through to the left and Colornel Gray’s Louisiana troops broke through front and right, the 130th Illinois and the other Union regiments along the fence line found themselves surrounded, devastated by the musket fire they were receiving from all sides by Gray and Polignac’s men. Those who were not killed or wounded escaped as best they could, but many were captured en-masse near this area. The 130th Illinois had been destroyed, suffering a casualty rate of 80 percent, more than any Union regiment engaged in the battle and one of the highest of the War. Of the 325 men who went in the fight, only 3 officers and 65 enlisted men answered roll the following day.
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Thursday, April 7th 1864
The column was up and moving early this morning. There was a battle today at Pleasant Hill. The Confederate cavalry and soldiers numbered around 6,000. About 80 union troops were killed and wounded in the battle. The Union troops were able to push them back and set up camp in the town. The wounded were brought into town and the broken limbs were amputated.
This was the first real battle of the Red River Campaign and it was just a small taste of things to come tomorrow.
After a 300-mile march from Brashear City, the men of the 130th Illinois arrived at Pleasant Hill. Along with other regiments in the 13th Army Corps, they were frustrated at the perceived preferential treatment 19th Army Corps received from General Banks. From the time they left Berwick Bay until this afternoon, the 19th Army Corps was at the front of the column which gave them first choice of forage, camp sites, etc. But as soon as the sound of battle was heard, the 19th Army Corps was halted and the 13th Army Corps was sent to the front.
This was the first real battle of the Red River Campaign and it was just a small taste of things to come tomorrow.
After a 300-mile march from Brashear City, the men of the 130th Illinois arrived at Pleasant Hill. Along with other regiments in the 13th Army Corps, they were frustrated at the perceived preferential treatment 19th Army Corps received from General Banks. From the time they left Berwick Bay until this afternoon, the 19th Army Corps was at the front of the column which gave them first choice of forage, camp sites, etc. But as soon as the sound of battle was heard, the 19th Army Corps was halted and the 13th Army Corps was sent to the front.
Wednesday, April 6, 1864
The 130th Illinois Infantry joined the march at 7 o'clock this morning. They were headed towards Shreveport with two day's rations. The came upon the camp of 16th Indiana Mounted Infantry about seven miles outside of town. There was nothing but thick pine woods on either side of the road.
The 130th captured three Confederate prisoners today. The roads were dry and in good shape, and they made good time. They camped this evening in the pine woods about 18 miles from Natchitoches.
A Union cavalryman was shot by the Confederates this evening.
The 130th captured three Confederate prisoners today. The roads were dry and in good shape, and they made good time. They camped this evening in the pine woods about 18 miles from Natchitoches.
A Union cavalryman was shot by the Confederates this evening.
Tuesday, April 5, 1864
The 130th was still encamped at the same location. However, they received orders to be ready to march tomorrow with two day's rations.
The Union Army was now ready to move on to Shreveport, taking the road to the west. General Banks wasn't too concerned about leaving the safety of the river - he was confident the enemy would continue to retreat in front of them, just as they had been doing since the beginningvof the campaign.
The Union Army was now ready to move on to Shreveport, taking the road to the west. General Banks wasn't too concerned about leaving the safety of the river - he was confident the enemy would continue to retreat in front of them, just as they had been doing since the beginningvof the campaign.
Monday, April 4, 1864
The men of the 130th were still encamped near Natchitoches. It was a fine spring day.
Sunday, April 3, 1864
The regiment camped all day near Natchitoches. Gen. Smith’s troops passed by at 2 o'clock. The men of the 130th assume they will move tomorrow.
At this point, the army was moving a little further up the Red River to Grand Ecore. General Banks was already in Grand Ecore, and this is where he would soon make his fateful decision. After conferring with his chief of staff, Banks decided to continue on to Shreveport using a road leading west, away from the safety of the Red River and Admiral Porter’s fleet. There was actually a road that continued to follow the Red River, but Banks was evidently unaware of this fact, and this oversight would seal the fate of his troops.
Leaving the security of the river they would turn westward, following the land between the Red and Sabine Rivers. The landscape consisted of low rolling hills and dense pine woods interrupted only by a few narrow roads. The heavily wooded terrain made the deployment of artillery pieces very difficult. The army's intended route, known as the Old Stage Road, led through the towns of Pleasant Hill and Mansfield on the way to Shreveport.
At this point, the army was moving a little further up the Red River to Grand Ecore. General Banks was already in Grand Ecore, and this is where he would soon make his fateful decision. After conferring with his chief of staff, Banks decided to continue on to Shreveport using a road leading west, away from the safety of the Red River and Admiral Porter’s fleet. There was actually a road that continued to follow the Red River, but Banks was evidently unaware of this fact, and this oversight would seal the fate of his troops.
Leaving the security of the river they would turn westward, following the land between the Red and Sabine Rivers. The landscape consisted of low rolling hills and dense pine woods interrupted only by a few narrow roads. The heavily wooded terrain made the deployment of artillery pieces very difficult. The army's intended route, known as the Old Stage Road, led through the towns of Pleasant Hill and Mansfield on the way to Shreveport.
Saturday, April 2, 1864
The 130th joined the column at 6 o'clock. They got to Natchitoches at 9 o'clock. The Confederates caught three U.S. soldiers, killing one, beating another over the head with a gun, and taking the third prisoner. The 19th Corps passed the regiment, which camped about 3/4 mile from town and stayed there all day. They expect to stay in camp until Monday.
The History of the 77th tells this story of the three men:
The History of the 77th tells this story of the three men:
On the 2d of April, two of the boys from the 48th Ohio, and one from the 24th Iowa, were out foraging. They were caught by the rebel bushwhackers, and one of them shot. Our boys felt very indignant, and especially so, as Gen. Franklin had thrown constant protection around those fellows all along the line of march. And yet the flanks and rear of our army were constantly annoyed by these cowardly sneaks -- men who had not the courage to enlist and fight like soldiers, but stood at their gates and bowed as the army passed, and then, seeking the cover of the brush, acted their mean, contemptible part in the capture or killing of our men.
On some of the residences were placards bearing the inscription: "NEUTRALITY -- FRENCH PROTECTION HERE," and the French flag fluttered in the breeze. But the western boys had been too long in the service to show much respect for "French protection" or "neutrality," and even Franklin's "protection" availed them nothing, for the boys showed their contempt for all such claims, by sets of wholesale destruction as they passed along.The History of the Forty-Eighth Ohio told the story this way:
On the 2d of April, we arrived at Natchitoches, La., 127 miles above Alexandria. During our stay here, one of the soldiers of the 24th Iowa was killed in sight of camp by the rebels. He, with two of our Regiment, Pavy and McCune, of Company D, were just outside the lines, foraging, when they were surprised in a barn by two armed rebels and captured. Being unarmed, they made no resistance.
After tying them loosely together, they were marched back some distance and seated on a log, when the rebels decided to shoot them, and began tying them more securely. The Iowa soldier, who was in the middle, attempted to release himself; whereupon one of their captors fired, killing him instantly.
At this Pavy broke loose and ran for camp, with one of his captors after him, while McCune was knocked down with a musket by the other, who then turned and watched
the race. McCune, in the meantime, recovering, untied himself from his dead comrade, and made good his escape, as did also Pavy, who came into camp almost exhausted. A force of cavalry was sent out and the body of the dead soldier was brought in, and the house and barn burnt.
The two rebels were afterward captured, but claimed they were Confederate soldiers, at home on a furlough. The rebels threatened retaliation if they
were executed, so they were afterwards exchanged.
Friday, April 1, 1864
The regiment joined the march at 8 o'clock this morning. They marched about fifteen miles then camped on the Cane River just five miles from Natchitoches. The regiment captured three Rebel prisoners today. The men expected a fight tomorrow in that town.
As they drew nearer to Shreveport, the men knew a battle was imminent They just weren’t sure when the enemy would make a stand. The Confederates didn’t make their stand at Natchitoches, but things were to change soon, as on April 3rd a fateful decision would be made.
As they drew nearer to Shreveport, the men knew a battle was imminent They just weren’t sure when the enemy would make a stand. The Confederates didn’t make their stand at Natchitoches, but things were to change soon, as on April 3rd a fateful decision would be made.
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