Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[543] from Alexandria, and had directed him, to that end, to take a position in the rich valley of Red River between these two points. He had particularly urged upon him to study the situation of Monet's Ferry, where he would be able to prevent forces much stronger than his own from crossing Cane River. The Federals were none the less aware of the strength of this position. Accordingly, Banks, still believing himself to be surrounded by Taylor's entire army, was fearful of meeting a resistance which he could not overcome, and of being obliged to cross to the left bank of Red River. In order to conceal his retreat from the enemy he feigned an offensive movement. A. J. Smith received orders to occupy Natchitoches on the 20th of April and to push forward reconnoitring-parties along the route to Pleasant Hill. His soldiers, full of eagerness, were already rejoicing in the expectation of soon getting their revenge. But Taylor, on learning of this demonstration when he arrived on the 21st at Polignac's headquarters, was not its dupe. He comprehended at once that Banks --was going to fall back on Alexandria. It was too late to send Wharton with the rest of the cavalry to the support of Bee at Monet's Ferry, but there was reason to hope that the latter could hold the enemy in check long enough to give the rest of the little army, despatched in pursuit, sufficient time to follow close and hem him in between the two arms of Red River.

The Federals left Grand Écore during the 21st and 22d, hoping thus to cloak their retreat, but the setting of the town on fire by some stragglers speedily betrayed them. A part of the cavalry took the lead, followed by the Nineteenth corps; the Thirteenth, and behind them the wagons, formed the centre of the column, which this time marched in as close order as possible. As soon as they had passed Natchitoches—that is to say, toward seven in the morning—A. J. Smith fell in behind them; Lucas' brigade of cavalry brought up the rear. As soon as the movement declared itself, Wharton with Steele's cavalry entered Natchitoches, which the Federals had scarcely left, and dashed off in pursuit. He followed them so close that Lucas was obliged to appeal for help to Kilby Smith, whose division formed the rearguard. Ward's brigade of infantry broke the force of Wharton's attacks, who came to a halt at a point called Twenty-four Mile Ferry, where the road for the