I am seeking primary sources from members of the 19th Kentucky that mention the Battle of Mansfield (Sabine Crossroads) on April 8, 1864.
The regiment was nearly destroyed at the battle, which might account for a lack of sources.
Thank you.
Report of Capt. William T. Cummins, Nineteenth Kentucky
Infantry, of operations April 6-11.
HDQRS. NINETEENTH KENTUCKY VOL. INFANTRY.,
April 12, 1864.
Sketch of the march from Natchitoches, La., to Sabine Cross-Roads,
and from there back to Grand Ecore, La.: April 6, Wednesday
morning, the regiment moved off at 7 a.m.; direction mostly west,
through a heavy pine forest; the roads not very good, as the
country is broken; crossed a small bayou and bivouacked for the
night, about 4 p.m., in the forest, making about 16 miles; roads
very dusty. April 7, the regiment moved off at 5.30 a.m., still in the
forest; roads not very good; rather broken. After marching 9 miles
the regiment crossed a small bayou, and that evening bivouacked
at Pleasant Hill, La., making 19 miles that day. Friday, April 8, took
up march at 3 a.m.; marched 9 miles and came on the enemy, and
had heavy skirmishing up till 2.30 p.m., during which time the
enemy was driven 8 miles, when they came in such force that they
drove the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, back 1 mile, and
met the Third Division, and rallied with them, and checked the
enemy a few minutes, and then fell back about 2 miles and met the
Nineteenth Army Corps, and the enemy was checked. The Thirteenth
Corps fell back to Pleasant Hill, arriving there at 6 a.m. Saturday.
The contest was heavy. The Nineteenth lost 20 officers and 225 men,
the greater part prisoners. April 9, the regiment was consolidated
with the Seventy-seventh Illinois, and then was ordered to march in
the direction of Natchitoches, as guard for
wagon train; marched till 10 p.m., and went into camp, the day's
march being 25 miles. Sunday, April 10, took up march at 5 o'clock,
and marched to this place, and encamped above town. Monday,
April 11, moved our camp below town. Nothing strange has
happened since.
W. T. CUMMINS,
Capt., Cmdg. Nineteenth Regt. Kentucky Vol. Infantry.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 297-61 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI.
[Series I. Vol. 34. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 61.]
Bringing the