Civil War fact of the day. On this day in 1864 as the Red River Campaign was winding down, Kirby Smith sent this report to Magruder in Texas. HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, May 2, 1864. Major General J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding District of Texas: GENERAL: Let me thank you for your prompt compliance with my telegram. The campaign here has for the present virtually closed. The perfect desolation of the country and the absence of supplies of every kind makes a further prosecution of it now impossible. The probable occupation of Alexandria by Banks will make it necessary to move a portion of the infantry to Taylors assistance. The permanent occupation of that strategic point by the enemy would be a serious evil to us. Our defeat of Steele in the Saline Bottom on the 30th ultimo was complete, though attended with severe loss. He destroyed and abandoned pontoon train and transportation, placing the Saline, which [had] overflowed its banks and covered the bottom, between us and his defeated and disorganized command. He has lost in the campaign over 1,300 killed, between 500 and 600 wounded (which have fallen into our hands), 1,400 prisoners, over 800 wagons, over 4,000 mules, and 11 pieces of artillery. Two brigades of his army have been destroyed and full 5,000 men put hors de combat. The troops are ordered back of the Ouchita. I shall probably return soon to Shreveport, after ordering a cavalry command north of the Arkansas to destroy the railroad and cut of Steeles supplies. Under the circumstance the administration of your district had better be resumed by yourself. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. KIRBY SMITH, General.
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 13:34:57 +0000
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