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Battle of Irish Bend

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Battle of Irish Bend
Nerson’s Woods, Franklin
Began:

April 14, 1863

Ended:

Same day

Location:

St. Mary Parish

Theater:

Lower Seaboard Theater

Campaign:

Operations in West Louisiana

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

4th Division, XIX Army Corps

28th Louisiana Infantry
2nd Louisiana Cavalry
12th Louisiana Infantry Battalion
4th Texas Cavalry
Cornay's Louisiana Battery

Commanders

Cuvier Grover
Brigadier General, USA

Richard Taylor
Major General, CSA

Strength
Casualties

353

Unknown

  

While the other two Union XIX Army Corps divisions comprising the expedition into West Louisiana moved across Berwick Bay towards Fort Bisland, Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover’s division went up the Atchafalaya River into Grand Lake, intending to intercept a Confederate retreat from Fort Bisland or turn the enemy’s position. On the morning of April 13, the division landed in the vicinity of Franklin and scattered Rebel troops attempting to stop them from disembarking. That night, Grover ordered the division to cross Bayou Teche and prepare for an attack towards Franklin at dawn. In the meantime, Confederate Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor had sent some men to meet Grover’s threat. On the morning of the 14th, Taylor and his men were at Nerson's Woods, around a mile and a half above Franklin. As Grover’s lead brigade marched out a few miles, it encountered Rebels on its right and began skirmishing with them. The fighting became intense; the Rebels attacked, forcing the Yankees to fall back. The gunboat Diana arrived and anchored the Confederate right flank. The Confederates were outnumbered, however, and, as Grover began making dispositions for an attack, they retreated leaving the field to the Union. This victory, along with the one at Fort Bisland, two days earlier, assured the success of the expedition into West Louisiana. (NPS summary)