Battle of Pleasant Hill Monument - Pleasant Hill, LA - American Civil War Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

To commemorate the battle, the Poimboeuf, Bayard, and Breaux Families erected several slab monuments inscribed with prose relating to the battle at Pleasant Hill and the Red River Campaign (April 1864).

West Side Inscription:

Headquarters Trans-Mississippi Dept.
Confederate States Army

General S. Cooper
Adjutant and Inspector General
Richmond, VA.

Shreveport, LA.
April 12, 1864

Sir:

I have the honor to report that the 13th Army Corps, of General Banks Command was singly defeated 3 miles below Mansfield, LA., on the afternoon of the 8th. The 19th Army Corps coming to its support was repulsed with loss and in disorder, reinforced by parts of the 16th and 17th corps, the enemy in force made a stand at Pleasant Hill, a strong position. 20 miles below Mansfield, our troops attacked with impetuosity on the afternoon of the 9th. Night closed a most sanguinary struggle, in which the enemy were worsted, and retreated under cover of darkness, leaving their wounded on the field. From the best information we can obtain, General Banks command numbered at least 35,000, of which 28,000 were engaged at Pleasant Hill on the 9th. Our calvary (sic) pursued to Natchitoches. General Taylor commanded on the field. The whole disposable infantry force of the department had been concentrated from Arkansas and Texas. Our whole force was under 16,000. We captured 21 pieces of Artillery and over 3,000 prisoners, over 200 wagons. Our loss is very severe - over 2,000 killed and wounded. General Mouton, Colonels, Beard, Noble, Armant, Taylor and Buchel. Among the casualties, providence has given a signal and glorious victory. I shall immediately march to meet Steele, who is advancing with 12,000 from Little Rock.

E. Kirby Smith
General Commanding

Poimboeuf, Bayard and Breaux Families

East Side Inscription:

Headquarters Department of the Gulf (U.S.A>)

Alexandria, LA., April 2, 1864

Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck
Headquarters of the Army
Washington, D.C.

General: - Out troops now occupy Natchitoches, and hope to be in Shreveport by 10th of April. I do not fear concentration of the enemy at that point. My fear is that they may not be willing to meet us there, if not, - I shall pursue the enemy into the interior of Texas, - I leave Alexandria for Natchitoches tonight - the President has expressed the wish that our ground may be maintained in Texas. -

I have the honor to be, with highest respect, your obedient servant.

N.P. Banks
Major General Commanding

(Source - Official Records Union and Confederate Armies - Vol. 34)

Name of Government Entity or Private Organization that built the monument: Poimboeuf, Bayard and Breaux Families Union, Confederate or Other Monument: Other or General Civil War Rating (1-5): Related Website: [Web Link] Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes Date Installed or Dedicated: Not listed

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