Civil War top sites -- Battle of Mansfield re-enanctment

a web page by Don Roberson

A RE-ENACTMENT: Phase Three of the Battle of Mansfield, 8 Apr 1864
re-enacted 27 Apr 2014 on the Mansfield battlefield



I was impressed with the authenticity of re-enactor uniforms, rifles, and accoutrements, from CSA drum-and-fife boys (above left) to USA troops (above right). Both southern (below left) and northern (below right) cavalry took part in the event, as well as artillery with cannons and mountain howitzers.

Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor (son of former U.S. President Zachary Taylor), commanding the Confederate forces at Mansfield, was represented on the field by event coordinator Paul Gramling, Jr. (right). Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, commander of the Red River Campaign, was not personified, although he was actually on the field among the front lines in the "third phase" of Mansfield. Banks, former Governor of Massachusetts and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was a "political general" appointed by Lincoln. He lacked formal military training (as did Richard Taylor) and did not achieve much of a reputation during the War, despite personal courage shown, for example, at Mansfield.
As to the broader set of re-enactors, coordinator David Worsham advised that: "Most re-enacting 'clubs' choose to portray a specific unit but might attend a re-enactment recreating a battle that their particular unit did not participate in. The clubs will then either choose to portray a unit that fought at the battle being recreated or just portray soldiers of the side to which they belong. The vast majority of units fall into the latter category for the Mansfield reenactment. . . . [However], there were groups portraying specific units engaged at Mansfield at the reenactment as well: the Consolidated Crescent Regiment (a Louisiana Confederate unit) recreated some of their actual experiences during the battle. . . . The Federal Zouave unit was portraying the 165th NY from the Federal 19th Corps." So, on Sunday afternoon (27 Apr 2014) the public arrived and lined a 134-acre portion of the actual battlefield (left), not usually available to the public, awaiting the re-enactment According to their website: "Saturday will feature the overwhelming assault of Mouton’s and Walker’s Divisions, in concert with Green’s Confederate cavalry, on the initial 13th Army Corps line at the battle’s opening phase. Sunday’s scenario will feature the attack and repulse of General Taylor’s Confederate forces as they attempted to destroy the 6,500 men of General William H. Emory’s 19th Corps division at the battle’s third and final phase."

The park's historian moved up and down the line, explaining that we would be watching "phase three" of the Mansfield battle of 8 April 1964, which actually occurred 3 miles south at Chatman's (Chapman's) Bayou. Confederates called the spot "Chatman's (Chapman's ... there is a dispute about the actual name) Orchard" or "Chapman's Bayou," while Union soldiers called the spot "Pleasant Grove."

An overview of the entire battle, and maps of phase one and phase three are Civil War Trust's site.
In particular, see the excellent Civil War Trust maps of the Battle of Mansfield.

So, with this preface, on to the re-enactment of "phase three" of the Battle of Mansfield:

The Confederates, having crossed Chapman's Bayou, begin the battle with a thunderous artillery barrage. Union artillery, atop the sloping hill to the east, return the fire (below). [Note — historically, an artillery duel did precede Mouton's attack in phase one of the Battle of Mansfield. Artillery were not involved in phase three. We may best think of this cannonade as a prequel ... setting the tone. It was certainly very loud and thrilling.]

As the smoke from the cannonade clears, rebel forces march towards the Union position (right), often stopping (below) to fire a volley.

As the movement progresses towards the Union position, on-lookers follow more individual forays, including the small engagements of cavalry or, perhaps, the story of a Confederate teenager who is a lone sharpshooter (see him just below).

A Confederate office said, 'Never shall I forget that moment. The very air seemed dark, and hot with balls, and on every side was heard their dull, crushing sound, as they struck the swaying mass, tearing through flesh and bone and sinew. The position of our line could have been traced by our fallen dead."