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Battle of Mansura

Coordinates: 31°3′18″N 92°2′52″W / 31.05500°N 92.04778°W / 31.05500; -92.04778
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Battle of Mansura
Part of the American Civil War
DateMay 16, 1864 (1864-05-16)
Location31°3′18″N 92°2′52″W / 31.05500°N 92.04778°W / 31.05500; -92.04778
Result Union victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States Nathaniel P. Banks Confederate States of America Richard Taylor
Units involved
Army of the Gulf District of West Louisiana
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Mansura was fought near Mansura, Louisiana, on May 16, 1864, during the Red River Campaign of the American Civil War. A Union force defeated elements of the Confederate States Army.[1]

Background

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As Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks's Red River Expeditionary Force (from the Department of the Gulf) retreated down the Red River, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor attempted to slow the Union troops’ movements and, if possible, deplete their numbers or, better yet, destroy them. The Union forces passed Fort DeRussy, reached Marksville, and then continued east. At Mansura, Taylor massed his forces in an open prairie that controlled access to the three roads traversing the area, where he hoped his artillery could cause many casualties.

Battle

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Map of Mansura Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

Early on the morning of May 16, the Union forces approached, and skirmishing quickly ensued. After a four-hour fight (principally an artillery duel), a large Union force massed for a flank attack, inducing the Confederates to fall back. The Union troops marched to Simmesport. Taylor's force harassed the enemy's retrograde movement, but was unable to halt it.

Notes

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the National Park Service

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. "Battle of Mansura Historical Marker".

Bibliography

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Further reading

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