Battle of Mansfield

Battle of Mansfield
Part of the American Civil War
Map of the battlefield, 1891
Date April 8, 1864 (160 years ago) (1864-04-08) Location DeSoto Parish, Louisiana 32°00′44″N 93°39′55″W / 32.0121°N 93.6652°W / 32.0121; -93.6652 Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
Confederate States	United States (Union)
Commanders and leaders
Dick Taylor	Nathaniel P. Banks
Units involved
District of West Louisiana	Army of the Gulf
Strength
8,800[1][2] to 9,000 engaged[3]	20,000[4] 12,000 engaged[5][6]
Casualties and losses
1,000 total	2,235 total 113 killed 581 wounded 1,541 captured/missing
Mansfield class=notpageimage| Location in Louisiana

The Battle of Mansfield, also known as the Battle of Sabine Crossroads, on April 8, 1864, in Louisiana formed part of the Red River Campaign during the American Civil War, when Union forces were attempting to occupy the Louisiana state capital, Shreveport.

The Confederate commander, Major-General Dick Taylor, chose Mansfield as the place where he would make his stand against the advancing Union army under General Nathaniel Banks. Taylor concentrated his forces at Sabine Crossroads, knowing that reinforcements were nearby. Banks prepared for a fight, though his own army was not fully assembled either. Both sides were reinforced by stages throughout the day.

After a brief resistance, the Union army was routed by the Confederates, consisting mainly of units from Louisiana and Texas, reportedly strengthened by hundreds of men breaking parole. The Battle of Mansfield was followed immediately by the Battle of Pleasant Hill.