Col. O. M. Roberts, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 11.1, Texas
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

The battle of Mansfield was glorious in its timely conception, wise plan of attack, splendid execution, and victorious result that sent the confident invader with his whole host back on the road he came; and the battle of Pleasant Hill gave a thundering warning to the Northern invader to seek a safer place by continued retreat, with his hopes of renown by the conquest of Texas blasted.

Brig.-Gen. Thomas Green, beloved and honored by everybody as a man, the chevalier of Texas soldiery, whose training as a soldier was commenced at San Jacinto and was perfected as captain of cavalry in Indian warfare and at Monterey in Mexico, and whose flag floated in the ascendent in every battle in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico where his sword was drawn, determined to capture the enemy's gunboats on Red river. In the attempt at Blair's Landing, April 12th, his valuable life was given to his country, on the banks of the river, while leading his men to the onset. His name had been a household word in Texas, and his fame is still cherished in memory throughout the State that he honored in his life.

A portion of the Texas and Louisiana forces attended General Banks, encouraging his retreat all the way to the Mississippi river, and it may be presumed that he drew a long breath when, with his great army, he had floated down to New Orleans.

Maj.-Gen. Kirby Smith having arrived at Mansfield, perhaps the day after the battle at Pleasant Hill, took Walker's division of Texas infantry on a march to southern Arkansas to join Price's cavalry in meeting General Steele, who with a Federal force estimated at 18,000 was moving south in the expectation of joining General Banks at Shreveport. This formidable array of Southern troops approaching him, General Steele commenced a retreat, and was found by the Confederate advance protected with such fortifications as could be hastily erected on the west bank of the Sabine river at Jenkins'