- Battle of Stirling's Plantation
Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Stirling's Plantation
partof=theAmerican Civil War
caption=
date=September 29 ,1863
place=Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
casus=
territory=
result=Confederate victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863United States (Union) 2nd Division, XIII Corps,Army of the Tennessee
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy) (local forces)
commander1=Napoleon J.T. Dana
commander2=Thomas Green
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=454
casualties2= ca. 125
notes=The Battle of Stirling's Plantation was an
American Civil War battle took place on September 29, 1863 in Pointe Coupeé Parish, Louisiana.Background
Following the Union defeat at the
Second Battle of Sabine Pass earlier in the month, Maj. Gen.Nathaniel P. Banks intended to occupy important locations inTexas . He decided to send troops up theBayou Teche , disembark them on the plains and march overland to Texas. Maj. Gen.Ulysses S. Grant sent him a division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Napoleon J.T. Dana to garrison Morganza and prevent Rebel troops from operating on theAtchafalaya River . A 1,000-man detachment, under the command of Lt. Col. J.B. Leake, was atStirling’s Plantation to guard the road to the Atchafalaya River and deter any enemy troops from passing by. Brig. Gen.Alfred Mouton , commander of the Sub-District of Southwestern Louisiana, decided that he had a favorable opportunity to defeat the Union forces aroundFordoche Bridge .Battle
On September 19, Mouton instructed Brig. Gen. Tom Green to prepare for such an attack. Mouton provided Green with reinforcements and gave the order to attack on the 25th. Green’s force began crossing the Atchafalaya River on the 28th, and all were over after midnight of the 29th. At dawn on the 29th, Green’s men marched out. Confederate cavalry began skirmishing with Union pickets at Fordoche Bridge before noon and continued for about a half hour. Green’s other troops then hit the Union force, drove them and captured many, although most of the Federal cavalry found an escape route. Although Dana sent reinforcements, mud and rain slowed their progress and allowed Green to get away.
Aftermath
Green had defeated this Union force handily, but it did not deter Banks from his intended movement.
References
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