GEN. BANKS’ DEPARTMENT: The Battles in the Red River District; Heavy Losses Sustained by Our Forces at Sabine Cross Roads (4/25/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/25/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Our Own Correspondent.

NEW-ORLEANS, Friday, April 15, 1864.

DESPARATE BATTLE IN WEST LOUISIANA.

The whole City has, for the last day or two, been in the utmost condition of excitement over the news of the bloodiest fighting that perhaps ever yet occurred on the soil of Louisiana. Amid the many conflicting rumors now current here -- for or against us, just as they may emanate from friends or foes -- it is extremely difficult to get at the real particulars; but from what I have gleaned of the many eye-witnesses with whom I have come in contact here, the following may be considered as a correct summary of the affair.

It appears that on the morning of the 7th a cavalry brigade of LEE's corps, under command of the gallant Col. HARAI ROBINSON, was far ahead of the remainder of our forces between Natchitoches and Shreveport, when they came suddenly upon a body of mounted rebels. An engagement immediately took place and the enemy were driven back 14 miles, to two miles beyond a place called Pleasant Hill. Here they met a force of 2,500 rebel cavalry, under Gen. GREEN, very strongly posted. Col. ROBINSON again attacked them, and, after two hours' desperate fighting, in which we lost 40 killed and wounded, and the enemy equal, if not more, the latter were driven from the field and pursued as far as Bayou de Paul, where, night coming on, Col. ROBINSON halted to await the events of the next day.

Early the next morning, (Friday, 8th,) they moved forward again, Col. LUNDRUM's brigade of infantry and the cavalry brigade of Col. LUCAS having come up during the night. The enemy were prepared for them, and there was some hard fighting, with great losses on both sides,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Gen. Banks’ Department: The Battles in the Red River District – 2-3
The Army of the Potomac: Probability of an Early Movement – 3
Gen. Butler and the Department of Virginia: His Alleged “Protest” a Fabrication – 3
The Attack on Plymouth, N.C.: Probable Surrender of the Town and Garrison – 3
The Pirate Florida: Interesting Particulars of Her Visit to Madeira – 3-4
Splendid Offer from the Northwest: Eighty-five Thousand Troops Volunteered – 4
Return of a Maine Regiment-Murder of a Sailor – 4
News from Washington: Special Dispatches to the N.Y. Times – 4-5
Editorial: The Three Days’ Fighting on the Red River – 5
Editorial: An American-Built Iron-Clad on the High Seas – The Re d’Italia – 5-6