Mansfield, LA

[mt155]

Looking north from the 48th OH and the 19th KY positions on Honeycutt Hill. Gray's Louisiana Brigade attacked from the small pines in the background. The small pines were not there in 1864, it was all open field. Gray's men broke the line and suffered 400 killed and wounded out of 1000. All three of the regimental commanders were killed.

 

[Jimklag]

I was in Mansfield about five years ago inspecting railroad cars on a KCS siding there. Never knew there was a battle there.

 

[Drew]

I was in Mansfield about five years ago inspecting railroad cars on a KCS siding there. Never knew there was a battle there.

Um, yes, there was. It was big.

This is where Gen. Nathanial Banks' and Admiral David Porter's Red River Campaign was turned around. They were sent back down the river.

What can we do to help you understand what happened at Mansfield?

 

[Jimklag]

Um, yes, there was. It was big.

This is where Gen. Nathanial Banks' and Admiral David Porter's Red River Campaign was turned around. They were sent back down the river.

What can we do to help you understand what happened at Mansfield?

Get my head out of my . . .! I have been neglectful of anything in the western theater that didn't involve Grant or Sherman, I'm afraid. I have begun a reading program to remedy that neglect. I started with the battles of Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge and I recently got

Dark and Bloody Ground: The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana​

and another book on the battle of Milliken's Bend, plus a book by Michael Forsyth about the Red River Campaign. So, I'm taking steps to lessen my ignorance.

 

[Drew]

So, I'm taking steps to lessen my ignorance.

There's a new book, Jimklag, The Red River Campaign and It's Toll, by Henry O. Robertson. I thought it was very good and gave it to my mother, in her 80s. She's native to the Red River Valley and her grandfather was there, when the Yankees came.

She's enjoying the book, it tells what happened in an even-handed way and how the RR Campaign may have influenced the Reconstruction period in its aftermath. Well worth it if you're inclined - good luck with your education!

 

[bdtex]

Looking north from the 48th OH and the 19th KY positions on Honeycutt Hill. Gray's Louisiana Brigade attacked from the small pines in the background. The small pines were not there in 1864, it was all open field. Gray's men broke the line and suffered 400 killed and wounded out of 1000. All three of the regimental commanders were killed.

Great picture. When were you there? I made a quick trip up there back in January. Didja go through Keachi while you were there?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I've been to that wonderful battlefield many times, and still like to stop by whenever I'm in the neighborhood. A lot of people are steadfast that only the area around the visitors center is preserved, and the "mines" had gobbled up the whole battlefield. I was once among the number, but across the road, I was surprised to learn that part of the field has been almost completely preserved as an open field, I don't know if its a part of the State Park or not, but it was a thrill to march across the field during the 145th anniversary during a reenactment, near or on the same ground the namesake of my reenactment unit.

 

[mt155]

Great picture. When were you there? I made a quick trip up there back in January. Didja go through Keachi while you were there?

I just made a road trip for the weekend for a photo request. Got there hoping for a good sunset and/or sunrise and drove back. I'd like to spend more time driving the Red River Campaign.

 

[mt155]

A couple more pics from the trip.

 

[bdtex]

A couple more pics from the trip.

Those are great. I know exactly where you were standing in all of them. Looks like you got a good sunrise. I was at Keachi the morning I was there. It was overcast and a bit drizzly at sunrise but it got better as the day progressed.

 

[bdtex]

I've been to that wonderful battlefield many times, and still like to stop by whenever I'm in the neighborhood. A lot of people are steadfast that only the area around the visitors center is preserved, and the "mines" had gobbled up the whole battlefield. I was once among the number, but across the road, I was surprised to learn that part of the field has been almost completely preserved as an open field, I don't know if its a part of the State Park or not, but it was a thrill to march across the field during the 145th anniversary during a reenactment, near or on the same ground the namesake of my reenactment unit.

I was thrilled on my first visit to Mansfield in 2015, to hear that part of the field had been preserved. Unfortunately,the State of Louisiana has not yet allocated any funds to do anything with it. I was told on that trip that reenactments aren't held there anymore because there are no parking or sanitation facilities there.