battle of Pleasant Hill

The Civil War battle of Mansfield/Pleasant Hill--also known as Sabine Crossroads, will be reenacted April 14 & 15 on part of the original battlefield south of Mansfield, LA. Camps are open 13 April. The original battle(s) were the largest west of the Miss River and involved some 35000 men and some 14000 casualties. The Confederate army met an advancing Union army of superior numbers. The result of the actions was that the Union forces retreated back down the Red River towards New Orleans. The rebels won the first battle, the second was a draw with heavy losses, but the retreat stopped the union advance towards Shreveport so in effect the south won the day. We get about 800 reenactors--infantry, plus about 20 cannon and numerous cavalrymen (a Texas Ranger unit helped turn the tide for the south). If you are close, drop in. I am in the 4th LA Artillery and we will have several tents in the main camp plus our 10 lb Parrot gun.

 

A reminder, the Yanks are advancing up the Red River towards Shreveport, maybe 20,000 of them! Rally boys! We are advancing to Mansfield to stop them. General Taylor will lead us to victory! Units of Texas cavalry have arrived to help us stop these invaders.....the reenactment of this pivital battle will be this weekend at Pleasant Hill, on part of the original field of conflict. It may be a little damp, but we'll keep our powder dry!