Battle of Monett's Ferry

Battle of Monett's Ferry
Part of the American Civil War
William H. Emory was in tactical control of the Union forces at Monett's Ferry.
Date 23 April 1864 Location Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana 31°29′53″N 92°51′25″W / 31.498°N 92.857°W / 31.498; -92.857 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Nathaniel P. Banks William H. Emory Henry Warner Birge	Richard Taylor Hamilton P. Bee George W. Baylor
Units involved
Department of the Gulf XIII Corps and XIX Corps	Dept. of West Louisiana Bee's Cavalry Corps: 4 cavalry brigades, 4 artillery batteries
Strength
Banks: 25,000 Emory: 15,000	Taylor: 5,200 Bee: 2,000
Casualties and losses
300	50
Monett's Ferry class=notpageimage| Location in Louisiana

The Battle of Monett's Ferry or Monett's Bluff (April 23, 1864) saw a Confederate States Army force led by Brigadier General Hamilton P. Bee attempt to block a numerically superior Union Army column that was commanded by Brigadier General William H. Emory during the Red River Campaign of the American Civil War. Confederate commander Major General Richard Taylor set a trap for the retreating army of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks near the junction of the Cane River with the Red River. Taylor assigned Bee's troops to plug up the only outlet from the trap while Taylor's other forces closed in from the rear and sides.

Emory responded by sending an infantry brigade to cross the river upstream and turn Bee's left flank. During the battle, Bee ordered a retreat, fearing that his troops were about to be surrounded. This allowed Banks' army to escape the trap and reach temporary safety at Alexandria, Louisiana. Taylor was so disappointed that he relieved Bee from command, despite the fact that Bee's subordinates agreed with his decision to withdraw.^[1]