emy. Here our loss was severe. General
Mouton was killed, as were Colonels Armand, Beard, and Walker,
commanding the 18th, Crescent, and 28th Louisiana regiments of Gray's
brigade. Major Canfield of the Crescent also fell, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Clack of the same regiment was mortally wounded. As these officers went
down, others, among whom Adjutant Blackman was conspicuous, seized the
colors and led on the men. Polignac's brigade, on the left of Gray's,
also suffered heavily. Colonel Noble, 17th Texas, with many others, was
killed. Polignac, left in command by the death of Mouton, displayed
ability and pressed the shattered division steadily forward. Randall,
with his fine brigade, supported him on the right; while Major's
dismounted men, retarded by dense wood, much to the impatience of
General Green, gradually turned the enemy's right, which was forced
back with loss of prisoners and guns.

On the right of the main road General Walker, with Waul's and Scurry's
brigades, encountered but little resistance until he had crossed the
open field and entered the wood. Finding that he outflanked the enemy's
left, he kept his right brigade, Scurry's, advanced, and swept
everything before him.

The first Federal line, consisting of all the mounted force and one
division of the 13th army corps, was in full flight, leaving prisoners,
guns, and wagons in our hands. Two miles to the rear of the first
position, the 2d division of the 13th corps brought up, but was speedily
routed, losing guns and prisoners; and our advance continued. Near
sunset, four miles from our original position, the 19th army corps was
found, drawn up on a ridge overlooking a small stream. Fatigued, and
disordered by their long advance through dense wood, my men made no
impression for a time on this fresh body of troops; but possession of
the water was all-important, for there was none other between this and
Mansfield. Walker, Green, and Polignac led on their weary men, and I
rode down to the stream. There was some sharp work, but we persisted,
the enemy fell back, and the stream was held, just as twilight faded
into darkness.

Twenty-five hundred prisoners, twenty pieces of artillery, several
stands of colors, many thousands of small arms, and two hundred and
fifty wagons were the fruits of victory in the battle of Mansfield.
Eight thousand of the enemy, his horse and two divisions of infantry,
had been utterly routed, and over five thousand of the 19th co