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{{short description|Battle of the American Civil War}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict

|conflict=Battle of Fort Bisland
{{Infobox military conflict
|image=
| conflict = Battle of Fort Bisland
|caption=
| image =
|partof=the [[American Civil War]]
| caption =
|date=[[April 12]] – [[April 13]], [[1863]]
| partof = the [[American Civil War]]
|place=[[St. Mary Parish, Louisiana]]
| date = {{Start date|1863|4|12}}–{{End date|1863|4|13}}
|result=[[United States of America|Union]] victory
| place = [[St. Mary Parish, Louisiana]]
|combatant1=[[United States of America]]
|combatant2=[[Confederate States of America]]
| result = [[United States of America|Union]] victory<ref name="NPS"/>
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|USA|1863}} [[United States]] ([[Union (American Civil War)|Union]])
|commander1=[[Nathaniel P. Banks]]
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|CSA|1863}} [[Confederate States of America|CSA (Confederacy)]]
|commander2=[[Richard Taylor (general)|Richard Taylor]]
| commander1 = [[Nathaniel P. Banks]]
|strength1=[[Department of the Gulf]], [[XIX Corps (ACW)|XIX Corps]]
| commander2 = [[Richard Taylor (Confederate general)|Richard Taylor]]
|strength2=[[Army of Western Louisiana]]
| units1 = [[Department of the Gulf]] <br> [[XIX Corps (ACW)|XIX Corps]]
|casualties1=234 (estimated)
| units2 = [[Army of Western Louisiana]]
|casualties2=450 (estimated)
| casualties1 = 234 <ref name="NPS"/>
| casualties2 = 450 <ref name="NPS"/>
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach}}
{{Campaignbox Operations in West Louisiana}}

The '''Battle of Fort Bisland''' was fought between [[Union army|Union]] [[Major General]] [[Nathaniel P. Banks]] against [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[Major General]] [[Richard Taylor (general)|Richard Taylor]] during Banks' operations against the [[Bayou Teche]] region in southern [[Louisiana]].
The '''Battle of Fort Bisland''' was fought in the [[American Civil War]] between [[Union army|Union]] [[Major General]] [[Nathaniel P. Banks]] against [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[Major General]] [[Richard Taylor (Confederate general)|Richard Taylor]] during Banks' operations against the [[Bayou Teche]] region in southern [[Louisiana]].


==Prelude==
==Prelude==
When Banks was made commander of the XIX Army Corps, Department of the Gulf, on [[December 16]] [[1862]], he was ordered to coordinate an attack against the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] bastion of [[Siege of Port Hudson|Port Hudson]] while General [[Ulysses S. Grant]] moved against [[Siege of Vicksburg|Vicksburg]]. Banks' made the preparations to begin but he knew the difficulties he would face on the march there. First, the area from [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] is marshy, full of swamps, and disease would be rampant. There was also another obstacle in Bank's path and that was General [[Richard Taylor (general)|Richard Taylor]]'s small Army of Western Louisiana.
When Banks was made commander of the [[XIX Corps (ACW)|XIX Army Corps]], [[Department of the Gulf]], on December 16, 1862, he was ordered to coordinate an attack against the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] bastion of [[Siege of Port Hudson|Port Hudson]] while General [[Ulysses S. Grant]] moved against [[Siege of Vicksburg|Vicksburg]]. Banks made preparations for this campaign, but he knew the difficulties he would face on the march there. First, the area from [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], was marshy, full of swamps, and disease would be rampant. There was also another obstacle in Bank's path — General [[Richard Taylor (Confederate general)|Richard Taylor]]'s small [[Army of Western Louisiana]].


The battle plan that Banks formulated would take his XIX Army Corps to [[Alexandria, Louisiana]], securing the [[Bayou Teche]] region that was laden with natural forage and unused supplies, establing certain supply depots along the way, and securing his left flank. He would then move from Alexandria against [[Siege of Port Hudson|Port Hudson]].
Banks formulated a plan that would take the XIX Corps to [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], securing the Bayou Teche region that was laden with natural forage and unused supplies. He would establish supply depots along the way and then would move from Alexandria against Port Hudson. However, the quick movement he hoped for was slowed by Taylor's small army in a series of attacks, beginning with Fort Bisland, located in [[St. Mary Parish, Louisiana]].

However, the quick movement he hoped for would be slowed due to Taylor's small army. The first of the attacks that slowed Banks' movements occurred at the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] installation Fort Bisland, located in [[St. Mary Parish, Louisiana]].


==Battle==
==Battle==
[[File:Fort_Bisland_Battlefield_Louisiana.jpg|305px|thumb|right|Map of Fort Bisland Battlefield core and study areas by the [[American Battlefield Protection Program]].]]
When Banks departed New Orleans, he planned to capture Taylor's army in its entirety. He wanted to rid himself of Taylor's pesky little force, but that would prove easier said than done.
On [[April 9]], two divisions from Banks' XIX Corps crossed Berwick Bay from Brashear City (present day [[Morgan City, Louisiana]])to the west side at Berwick. On [{April 11]], Banks began his advance in earnest. Taylor was well aware of Banks' advance due the performance of his cavalry under [[Thomas Green (general)|General Thomas Green]]. Green shadowed Banks' army and reported back to Taylor every detail of the maneuvers of the Union army.
When Banks departed New Orleans, he planned to capture Taylor's army in its entirety. On April 9, two [[division (military)|divisions]] from the XIX Corps crossed Berwick Bay from Brashear City (present day [[Morgan City, Louisiana]]) to the west side at Berwick. On April 11, Banks began his advance in earnest. Taylor was well aware of Banks' advance because of successful scouting by his [[cavalry]] under Brig. Gen. [[Thomas Green (general)|Thomas Green]]. Green shadowed Banks' army and reported back to Taylor every detail of the maneuvers of the Union army.


On [[April 12]], a third division, under [[brigadier general]] [[Cuvier Grover]], of Banks' Corps went up the Atchafalaya River to land in the rear of Franklin, intending to intercept a Confederate retreat from Fort Bisland or turn the enemy's position. General Taylor sent some of Green's cavalry to the front to ascertain the enemy's strength and slow his advance. He also sent General [[Alfred Mouton]] along with some of his men to impede the advance of Grover's division. Late on [[April 12]], Union troops arrived outside the defenses in battle line. An artillery barrage ensued from both sides until dark when the Federal troops, many of whom were hit by Rebel cannon fire, fell back and camped for the night.
On April 12, Banks sent a third division, under [[Brigadier General|Brig. Gen.]] [[Cuvier Grover]], up the [[Atchafalaya River]] to land in the rear of Franklin, intending to intercept a Confederate retreat from Fort Bisland or turn the enemy's position. General Taylor sent some of Green's cavalry to the front to ascertain the enemy's strength and slow his advance. He also sent troops under Brig. Gen. [[Alfred Mouton]] to impede the advance of Grover's division. Late in the day, Union troops of Brig. Gen. [[William H. Emory]]'s division arrived and formed a battle line outside the Fort Bisland's defenses. An artillery barrage ensued from both sides until dark when the Federal troops fell back to camp for the night.


About 9:00 a.m. on [[April 13]], the Union forces again advanced on Fort Bisland. Combat did not begin until after 11:00 a.m. and continued until dusk. In addition to Confederate forces in the earthworks, the gunboat ''Diana'', now in Confederate hands, shelled the Union troops. U.S. gunboats joined the fray in late afternoon. The fighting ceased after this exchange.
About 9:00&nbsp;a.m. on April 13, Union forces again advanced on Fort Bisland. Banks had three brigades under in position south of the [[Bayou Teche]]. The brigades were deployed with [[Godfrey Weitzel]] on the left, [[Halbert E. Paine]] on the right (anchored on Bayou Teche) with Timothy Ingraham in support. Opposing the Union forces south of the Teche was the Texas cavalry brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. [[Henry Hopkins Sibley]]. North of Bayou Teche was the Union brigade of [[Oliver P. Gooding]] who faced off against Mouton's Confederate brigade.


Combat did not begin until after 11:00&nbsp;a.m. and continued until dusk. In addition to Confederate forces in the earthworks, the gunboat ''Diana'', which had been captured and was now in Confederate hands, shelled the Union troops. U.S. gunboats joined the fray in late afternoon.
Later that night, Taylor learned that the Union division that went up the Atchafalaya and landed in his rear was now in a position to cut off a Confederate retreat. Taylor began evacuating supplies, men, and weapons, leaving a small force to slow any enemy movement. The next morning, Banks and his men found the fort abandoned.

By early evening, fire had halted. Later that night, Taylor learned that the Union division that went up the Atchafalaya and landed in his rear was now in a position to cut off a Confederate retreat. Taylor began evacuating supplies, men, and weapons, leaving a small force to slow any enemy movement. The next morning, Banks and his men found the fort abandoned.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Fort Bisland was the only fortification that could have impeded this Union offensive, and it had fallen. Banks continued his march up [[Bayou Teche]] after this initial battle onward to his ultimate objective of [[Alexandria, Louisiana]].
Fort Bisland was the only fortification that could have impeded this Union offensive, and it had fallen. Banks continued his march up Bayou Teche after this initial battle onward to his ultimate objective of Alexandria, Louisiana.


Though Fort Bisland had fallen, there was still more than Taylor and his army planned to do to slow down Banks. The next battle between the two would come a few days later at the [[Battle of Irish Bend]].
Taylor would slow Banks again a few days later at the [[Battle of Irish Bend]].

==Opposing Forces==

=== Union ===
'''[[Army of the Gulf]]'''<ref>Dyer, p. 745</ref><ref>Dyre, (pages relevant to individual regiments).</ref><ref>Scott, p. 319</ref> – Major General [[Nathaniel P. Banks]]

'''19th Corps''' – Major General [[Nathaniel P. Banks]]
* '''1st Division -'''
** '''2nd Brigade''' - BG [[Godfrey Weitzel]]
*** [[12th Connecticut Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[75th New York Infantry Regiment|75th New York Infantry Regiment (2nd Auburn Regiment)]]
*** [[114th New York Infantry Regiment|114th New York Infantry Regiment (Albany County Regiment, Seymour Guard)]]
*** [[160th New York Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[8th Vermont Infantry Regiment]]
*** ''Attached to 2nd brigade'' :
**** [[1st U.S. Artillery, Battery A|Battery A, 1st United States Artillery Regiment]]
**** [[6th Massachusetts Battery|6th Massachusetts Light Artillery Battery]]
**** A, B, C, and E Squadrons, [[1st Louisiana Cavalry Regiment (Union)|1st Louisiana Cavalry Regiment]]
* '''3rd Division''' - BG [[William H. Emory]]
** '''1st Brigade''' - Col T. Ingraham
*** [[4th Massachusetts Militia Regiment|4th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[16th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment]] (''garrisoned at Brashear city'')
*** [[110th New York Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[162nd New York Infantry Regiment]]
** '''2nd Brigade''' - Col [[Halbert E. Paine]]
*** [[8th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[133rd New York Infantry Regiment|133rd New York Infantry Regiment (2nd Regiment, Metropolitan Guard)]]
*** [[173rd New York Infantry Regiment|173rd New York Infantry Regiment (4th National Guard)]]
*** [[4th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment]]
** '''3rd Brigade''' - Col [[Oliver Paul Gooding]]
*** [[31st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[38th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[53rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment]]
*** [[156th New York Infantry Regiment|156th New York Infantry Regiment (The Mountain Legion)]]
*** [[175th New York Infantry Regiment]]
** '''Divisional Artillery'''
*** [[1st Maine Light Artillery Battery]]
*** [[1st U.S. Artillery, Battery F|Battery F, 1st United States Artillery Regiment]]
* '''19th Corps Artillery''' - BG [[Richard Arnold (general)|Richard Arnold]]
** [[1st Indiana Heavy Artillery Regiment]]
** [[18th Independent Battery New York Light Artillery]]

===Confederate===
'''District of West Louisiana''' - Major General [[Richard Taylor (Confederate general)|Richard Taylor]]
* '''Mouton's Brigade''' - Brig. Gen. [[Alfred Mouton|Jean Jacques Alfred Alexander Mouton]]
** [[18th Louisiana Infantry Regiment]] - Colonel Armand
** [[28th Louisiana Infantry Regiment]] - Colonel [[Henry Gray (politician)|Henry Gray]]
** [[24th Louisiana Infantry Regiment]] (Crescent Regiment) - Colonel Bosworth
** 10th Louisiana Infantry Bataillon (Yellow Jacket Bataillon) - Lieutenant Colonel Fournet
** 12th Louisiana Infantry Bataillon (Clack's Bataillon / Confederate Guard Response Bataillon)
** [[5th Louisiana Field Battery|Pelican Battery]] - Captain Faries
** [[1st Louisiana Field Battery|Cornay's Battery]] - Lieutenant Gordy
** [[1st Louisiana Regular Battery|Semmes' Battery]] - Lieutenant Barnes
* '''Sibley's Brigade''' - Brig. Gen. [[Henry Hopkins Sibley]]
** [[4th Texas Cavalry Regiment]] - Colonel James Reily
** [[5th Texas Cavalry Regiment]] - Colonel [[Thomas Green (general)|Thomas Green]]
** [[7th Texas Cavalry Regiment]] - Colonel [[Arthur P. Bagby Jr.|Arthur Bagby]]
** 13th Texas Cavalry Bataillon (Waller's Bataillon)
** [[Val Verde Texas Battery]] - Captain Sayer
* '''Unattached'''
** [[2nd Louisiana Cavalry Regiment]] - Colonel Vincent


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
*Ayres, Thomas., ''Dark and Bloody Ground : The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana'', Cooper Square Press, 2001.
<ref name="NPS">[http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/la006.htm Battle Summary: Fort Bisland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112082101/http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/la006.htm |date=November 12, 2012 }}</ref>
* Parrish, T. Michael, ''Richard Taylor, Soldier Prince of Dixie'', University of North Carolina Press, 1992.
}}

==Sources==
* Ayres, Thomas, ''Dark and Bloody Ground : The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana'', Cooper Square Press, 2001.
* Parrish, T. Michael, ''Richard Taylor, Soldier Prince of Dixie'', University of North Carolina Press, 1992.
* Taylor, Richard, ''Destruction and Reconstruction : Personal experiences of the late war'', Time-Life Books, 1983.
* Taylor, Richard, ''Destruction and Reconstruction : Personal experiences of the late war'', Time-Life Books, 1983.
* {{Cite book|last=Dyer|first=Frederick H.|title=A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion|publisher=Thomas Yoseloff|year=1959|volume=II: Chronological Record of the Campaigns, Battles, Engagements, Actions, Combats, Sieges, Skirmishes, etc., in the United States, 1861 to 1865|location=New York, United States of America|lccn=59-12963}}
* {{Cite book|last=Scott|first=Lieutenant Colonel Robert N.|title=The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies|publisher=Government Printing Office|year=1886|series=I|volume=XV|location=Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America}}

{{Coord|29.7101|-91.351|display=title|region:US-LA_type:event}}

{{Louisiana in the Civil War}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Operations in West Louisiana (American Civil War)|Fort Bisland]]
[[Category:Battles of the Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach of the American Civil War|Fort Bisland]]
[[Category:Union victories of the American Civil War|Fort Bisland]]
[[Category:Union victories of the American Civil War|Fort Bisland]]
[[Category:Louisiana in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Battles of the American Civil War in Louisiana|Fort Bisland]]
[[Category:St. Mary Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:1863 in Louisiana]]
[[Category:April 1863 events]]

Latest revision as of 01:09, 12 May 2023

Battle of Fort Bisland
Part of the American Civil War
DateApril 12, 1863 (1863-04-12)–April 13, 1863 (1863-04-13)
Location
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
Result Union victory[1]
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Nathaniel P. Banks Richard Taylor
Units involved
Department of the Gulf
XIX Corps		 Army of Western Louisiana
Casualties and losses
234 [1] 450 [1]

The Battle of Fort Bisland was fought in the American Civil War between Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks against Confederate Major General Richard Taylor during Banks' operations against the Bayou Teche region in southern Louisiana.

Prelude[edit]

When Banks was made commander of the XIX Army Corps, Department of the Gulf, on December 16, 1862, he was ordered to coordinate an attack against the Confederate bastion of Port Hudson while General Ulysses S. Grant moved against Vicksburg. Banks made preparations for this campaign, but he knew the difficulties he would face on the march there. First, the area from New Orleans, was marshy, full of swamps, and disease would be rampant. There was also another obstacle in Bank's path — General Richard Taylor's small Army of Western Louisiana.

Banks formulated a plan that would take the XIX Corps to Alexandria, securing the Bayou Teche region that was laden with natural forage and unused supplies. He would establish supply depots along the way and then would move from Alexandria against Port Hudson. However, the quick movement he hoped for was slowed by Taylor's small army in a series of attacks, beginning with Fort Bisland, located in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.

Battle[edit]

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

When Banks departed New Orleans, he planned to capture Taylor's army in its entirety. On April 9, two divisions from the XIX Corps crossed Berwick Bay from Brashear City (present day Morgan City, Louisiana) to the west side at Berwick. On April 11, Banks began his advance in earnest. Taylor was well aware of Banks' advance because of successful scouting by his cavalry under Brig. Gen. Thomas Green. Green shadowed Banks' army and reported back to Taylor every detail of the maneuvers of the Union army.

On April 12, Banks sent a third division, under Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover, up the Atchafalaya River to land in the rear of Franklin, intending to intercept a Confederate retreat from Fort Bisland or turn the enemy's position. General Taylor sent some of Green's cavalry to the front to ascertain the enemy's strength and slow his advance. He also sent troops under Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton to impede the advance of Grover's division. Late in the day, Union troops of Brig. Gen. William H. Emory's division arrived and formed a battle line outside the Fort Bisland's defenses. An artillery barrage ensued from both sides until dark when the Federal troops fell back to camp for the night.

About 9:00 a.m. on April 13, Union forces again advanced on Fort Bisland. Banks had three brigades under in position south of the Bayou Teche. The brigades were deployed with Godfrey Weitzel on the left, Halbert E. Paine on the right (anchored on Bayou Teche) with Timothy Ingraham in support. Opposing the Union forces south of the Teche was the Texas cavalry brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley. North of Bayou Teche was the Union brigade of Oliver P. Gooding who faced off against Mouton's Confederate brigade.

Combat did not begin until after 11:00 a.m. and continued until dusk. In addition to Confederate forces in the earthworks, the gunboat Diana, which had been captured and was now in Confederate hands, shelled the Union troops. U.S. gunboats joined the fray in late afternoon.

By early evening, fire had halted. Later that night, Taylor learned that the Union division that went up the Atchafalaya and landed in his rear was now in a position to cut off a Confederate retreat. Taylor began evacuating supplies, men, and weapons, leaving a small force to slow any enemy movement. The next morning, Banks and his men found the fort abandoned.

Aftermath[edit]

Fort Bisland was the only fortification that could have impeded this Union offensive, and it had fallen. Banks continued his march up Bayou Teche after this initial battle onward to his ultimate objective of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Taylor would slow Banks again a few days later at the Battle of Irish Bend.

Opposing Forces[edit]

Union[edit]

Army of the Gulf[2][3][4] – Major General Nathaniel P. Banks

19th Corps – Major General Nathaniel P. Banks

Confederate[edit]

District of West Louisiana - Major General Richard Taylor

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Battle Summary: Fort Bisland Archived November 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Dyer, p. 745
  3. ^ Dyre, (pages relevant to individual regiments).
  4. ^ Scott, p. 319

Sources[edit]

  • Ayres, Thomas, Dark and Bloody Ground : The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana, Cooper Square Press, 2001.
  • Parrish, T. Michael, Richard Taylor, Soldier Prince of Dixie, University of North Carolina Press, 1992.
  • Taylor, Richard, Destruction and Reconstruction : Personal experiences of the late war, Time-Life Books, 1983.
  • Dyer, Frederick H. (1959). A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Vol. II: Chronological Record of the Campaigns, Battles, Engagements, Actions, Combats, Sieges, Skirmishes, etc., in the United States, 1861 to 1865. New York, United States of America: Thomas Yoseloff. LCCN 59-12963.
  • Scott, Lieutenant Colonel Robert N. (1886). The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. I. Vol. XV. Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America: Government Printing Office.

29°42′36″N 91°21′04″W / 29.7101°N 91.351°W / 29.7101; -91.351

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