Date
- April 9, 1864
Location
- DeSoto Parish
- Sabine Parish, near Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
Campaign
Principal Union Commanders
- Major General Nathaniel P. Banks
Principal Confederate Commanders
- Major General Richard Taylor
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.
- March 14, 1864 — Battle of Fort DeRussy
- April 8, 1864 — Battle of Mansfield
- April 9, 1864 — Battle of Pleasant Hill