Battle of Pleasant Hill Facts

April 9, 1864

The Battle of Pleasant Hill facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Portrait of Nathaniel P. Banks

Strategically, the Battle of Pleasant Hill was a Confederate victory because General Nathaniel Banks lost his nerve after the battle, abandoned his plan to capture Shreveport, and began a full-fledged retreat down the Red River and back to southern Louisiana. [Wikimedia Commons]

Date

  • April 9, 1864

Location

  • DeSoto Parish
  • Sabine Parish, near Pleasant Hill, Louisiana

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Red River Expeditionary Force (Army of the Gulf)

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Assembled soldiers from the Trans-Mississippi Department

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 12,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 12,100

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 1,369 (150 killed, 844 wounded, 375 missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 1,626 (1,200 killed and wounded, 426 captured)

Result

  • Union victory

Significance

  • From a tactical standpoint, the Battle of Pleasant Hill was a Union victory because the Federals repulsed the Confederate attack and because they inflicted nearly twice as many casualties on the Rebels as they suffered.
  • From a strategic standpoint, the Battle of Pleasant Hill was a Confederate victory because General Nathaniel Banks lost his nerve after the battle, abandoned his plan to capture Shreveport, and began a full-fledged retreat down the Red River and back to southern Louisiana.

Timeline of the Red River Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Red River Campaign in order.