140 Years Later, Importance of Battle of Mansfield, LA, Is Still Debated {Last Confederate Victory}

Shreveport, LA, Times ^ | 04-04-04 | Not given

[FireTrack]

Thanks for posting Theodore! This happens to be one of the more interesting and least known campaigns of the entire war.

[Theodore R.]

I visited the battle site with a cousin on a hot summer afternoon in 1973, and I cannot recall much about the physical terrain at all after so many years. I had even forgotten that this was the last Confederate victory of the war.

[DustyMoment]

Oh for heavens sake!! Who cares?? The Civil War has long since been over and the Confederacy lost. One battle in an overall losing campaign is pretty insignificant. It's time to let it go and move on.

[cajungirl]

southerners never just "move on". Besides there is nothing much to do in Mansfield. You have to be there to know that.

[WhiskeyPapa]

With the advantages the rebels had generally, they could hardly fail to consumate their rebellion. But they did flub it, politically, economically, diplomatically and strategically.

There's this, "you fought all the way, Johnnie Reb" myth, but the rebel armies did laregly melt away after the 1864 campaign. Even in 1862, the insurgents had to resort to a bitterly resented conscription to fill their armies.

Southern "Heritage" purveyors use Orwellian doublespeak to push their agenda.

Walt

[FireTrack]

The terrain consists of rolling hills of piney woods and during the time of the battle, it had been dry and the meager streams provided little fresh water for the Union Army which became a factor during the several days of fighting.

The actual battle field was about 30 miles west of the Red River which the Union Ironclads were using in support of the ground forces. They were blocked south of Shreveport by a steamer the Confederate Navy had turned cross-ways in the River and sank. The Confederates put a sign on the steamer inviting the Union Navy to a dance in Shreveport.

Richard Taylor put his wife and two sons on one of the steamer evacuating Alexandria just ahead of the Union flotilla. Both sons died of the fever before arriving in Shreveport.

Richard, as mention in the article was the son of Zachary Taylor. Zachary Taylor was Washington's equal on the battle field. Lincoln a private, served under Zachary Taylor in the Blackfoot Indian wars in Illinois. Jefferson Davis a lieutenant, was Zac's his Son-in-law. Zachary Taylor also fought Indians in Florida, brought law and order to the no man's land of western Louisiana and captured Mexico City. He established Fort Jesup close to where much of the fighting in the article above took. During his presidency some in the South were even then talking of receding from the Union. He threatened to hang the ringleaders and that ended that until after his death.

[DustyMoment]

I lived in Bossier and New Orleans - that's as close as I want to get.

[skinkinthegrass]

Besides there is nothing much to do in Mansfield.

Well..There is/was SMU & Texas A&M Basketball

hehe....I used to live in Tx. :)

[FireTrack]

It's not where you're at, it's who you're with!

;-)

[AndrewB]

Just a little thing we CW buffs like to call.."history".

[Joe 6-pack]

My question is, "What did Bush know, and when did he know it?" </ sarcasm>

[SAMWolf]

WBTS Bump and ping

[stand watie]

!!!!!!!!

[Vision]

I thought the last battle of the Civil War was fought in Texas and the Confederates won. Is this a myth?

[sharktrager]

You may be thinking of the wrong Mansfield.

[Theodore R.]

Perhaps the last battle in TX (or NM) that you mentioned occurred after April 9, 1865, and was technically after the war had officially ended.

[carton253]

Before I scrolled down to see who posted this "typical anti-Southern" rant, I knew it had to be you.

You shouldn't be so predictable.

[Skooz]

Besides there is nothing much to do in Mansfield. You have to be there to know that.

As someone who lives a few minutes north of Mansfield and has visited it several times, I can vouch for that.

Mansfield's real claim to fame is that it is the home town of the best cornerback in NFL history, the incomparable Albert Lewis.

[Theodore R.]

An honor guard from the Sons of Confederate Veterans marches during a memorial service for General Alfred Mouton before the Battle of Mansfield reenactment Saturday, April 3, 2004 in Mansfield, La. Mouton was the highest ranking confederate soldier killed at the Battle of Mansfield which was fought on April 8, 1864.
Robert Ruiz/The Times. 04/03/04.

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