rps driven
back at sunset. With a much smaller force on the field, we invariably
outnumbered the enemy at the fighting point; and foreseeing the
possibility of this, I was justified in my confidence of success. The
defeat of the Federal army was largely due to the ignorance and
arrogance of its commander, General Banks, who attributed my long
retreat to his own wonderful strategy.

Night put an end to the struggle along the little stream, and my troops
camped by the water.

A dispatch was sent to General Kirby Smith, at Shreveport, to inform him
of the result of the day's fighting, and of my intention to push the
enemy on the following morning. Leaving instructions for Green, with all
the mounted force, to pursue at dawn, I rode to Mansfield to look after
our wounded and meet Churchill. The precautions taken had preserved
order in the village throughout the day. Hospitals had been prepared,
the wounded brought in and cared for, prisoners and captured property
disposed of. Churchill came and reported his command in camp, four miles
from Mansfield, on the Keachi road; and he was directed to prepare two
days' rations, and march toward Pleasant Hill at 3 A.M.

Sitting by my camp fire to await the movement of Churchill's column, I
was saddened by recollection of the many dead, and the pleasure of
victory was turned to grief as I counted the fearful cost at which it
had been won. Of the Louisianians fallen, most were acquaintances, many
had been neighbors and friends; and they were gone. Above all, the death
of gallant Mouton affected me. He had joined me soon after I reached
western Louisiana, and had ever proved faithful to duty. Modest,
unselfish, and patriotic, he showed best in action, always leading his
men. I thought of his wife and children, and of his father, Governor
Mouton, whose noble character I have attempted to portray.

Churchill's march disturbed these solemn reveries, and I returned to the
front, where Walker and Green were awaiting the approaching day. The
horse, with a battery, moved early to Pleasant Hill, fourteen miles,
leaving Walker and Polignac to follow Churchill's column as soon as it
had passed. I rode with Green, and we found many stragglers, scattered
arms, and burning wagons, showing the haste of the enemy's retreat. The
mill stream, seven miles distant, was reached, then the vicinity of
Pleasant Hill, before a shot was fired. A short mile in front of the
latter place the enemy was found; a