Battle of LaFourche Crossing

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of LaFourche Crossing
partof=Taylor’s Operations in West Louisiana


caption=
date=June 20–21, 1863
place=Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
casus=
territory=
result=Union victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1861 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=Albert Stickney
commander2=James P. Major
strength1= 838 men from eight regiments
strength2=2nd Cavalry Brigade
casualties1=48
casualties2=219
notes=

The Battle of LaFourche Crossing (also spelled Lafourche Crossing) was a battle in
Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States fought June 20-21, 1863, during the American Civil War as part of a campaign known as Taylor’s Operations in West Louisiana.

Background

Confederate Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor sent an expedition under Col. James P. Major to break Union supply lines, disrupt military activities and force an enemy withdrawal from Brashear City and Port Hudson. Major set out from Washington, Louisiana, on Bayou Teche, heading south and east. While marching, his men conducted raids on Union forces, boats, and plantations and in the process recaptured liberated slaves and captured animals and supplies.

Battle

Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, commanding the defenses of New Orleans, assigned Lt. Col. Albert Stickney to command in Brashear City and to stem the Confederate raid if possible. Emory informed Stickney of Major’s descent on LaFourche Crossing and ordered him to send troops. Feeling that no threat to Brashear City existed, Stickney, himself, led troops off to LaFourche Crossing, arriving on the morning of June 20. That afternoon, Stickney's scouts reported that the enemy was advancing rapidly.

Confederate forces began driving in Stickney’s pickets around 5:00 p.m.. Southern cavalry then advanced, but was driven back. After Union troops fired a few rounds, the Confederates withdrew in the direction of Thibodeaux. In the late afternoon of June 21, Confederates engaged the Union pickets, and fighting continued for more than an hour before the Rebels retired. About 6:30 p.m., the Confederates reappeared in force, started an artillery duel, and charged the Union lines at 7:00 p.m. An hour later, the Confederates disengaged and retired toward Thibodeaux. The Union held the field. Despite the defeat, Major’s raiders continued on to Brashear City.

References