Battle of Henderson's Hill

Battle of Henderson's Hill
Part of the American Civil War

Map shows Henderson's Hill (top) and its relation to Alexandria. The town of Cotile is now named Boyce.
DateMarch 21, 1864 (1864-03-21)
Location31°23′12″N 92°40′14″W / 31.38667°N 92.67056°W / 31.38667; -92.67056
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States Confederate States of America Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States Joseph A. Mower Confederate States of America William G. Vincent
Casualties and losses
Negligible 222–250 men, 4 guns
Henderson's Hill is located in Louisiana
Henderson's Hill
Henderson's Hill
Location in Louisiana

The Battle of Henderson's Hill (March 21, 1864), also known as the Bayou Rapides, saw a reinforced Union Army division led by Brigadier General Joseph A. Mower opposed by a regiment of Confederate Army cavalry and attached artillery under Colonel William G. Vincent. That evening, during a rainstorm, Mower sent one infantry brigade on a circuitous march to gain the rear of Vincent's command. The brigade's subsequent attack surprised and captured most of the Confederates. Mower could not exploit his minor victory because the arrival of additional Federal army and naval units was delayed. This clash occurred during the Red River campaign of the American Civil War which saw Major General Nathaniel P. Banks' Union army try to seize Shreveport, Louisiana, from its Confederate defenders led by Lieutenant General Richard Taylor.