Cursing Banks and Franklin: With the 77th Illinois at Sabine Crossroads

Corporal Samuel Van Horne of the 77th Illinois spoke the sentiments of many of his comrades in the ranks when he found the generalship of Generals Nathaniel Banks and William B. Franklin lacking in the spring of 1864.

Thinking specifically of the Battle of Sabine Crossroads, Van Horne opined “I don’t suppose you will ever get a true account of the affair as it was so miserably managed all through. Generals Banks and Franklin will never have it published. It seems to me that any private in the ranks would have done better. I tell you it was poorly managed and there is not a soldier in this department but will (or do rather) curse Generals Banks and Franklin.”

Such sentiments are understandable when Van Horne shares that of the 460 men of his regiment who went into action at Sabine Crossroads, only 160 came out and many of them (himself included) were wounded. His account of the battle first saw publication in the May 16, 1864, edition of the Zanesville Daily Courier.


This detailed view of the regimental colors of the 77th Illinois shows a bald eagle and shield with a ribbon calling our state sovereignty and national union. The colors were presented to the regiment by the Misses' Aid Society of Peoria, Illinois. 

U.S. General Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana

May 1, 1864

          I once more have the opportunity of penning you a few lines. You see by the heading that I am in the hospital but, thank fortune, not on account of bad health. I suppose ere this you have heard all the particulars of the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill fought on the 8th and 9th of April. The 77th Illinois with several other regiments were pretty badly cut up. Our regiment went in with about 460 men and came out with about 160. Co. B, of course, lost its share in killed and prisoners.

          Our brigade was in front and was driven back some three or four miles before the enemy could be checked so that nearly all of our wounded and a great many who were not fell into the enemy’s hands. Our company numbered 28 and about 12 came off the field, 5 of them wounded. I received two slight wounds early in the engagement; a Minie ball passed through my hip just below the joint and not deep enough to strike the bone so it is a slight wound. Another small ball went through my right leg below the knee, passing through the thickest part of the calf. I think it too is merely a flesh wound and both are doing well. Quite a number with whom you are acquainted are wounded and with me here. George Chambers received a fatal wound and died here in the hospital a few days ago. We know of 7 or 8 who were taken and I hope without wounds. Four or five of our company came out without a scratch; there are only 8 men left in Co. B commanded by the orderly.

General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks


          I don’t suppose you will ever get a true account of the affair as it was so miserably managed all through. Generals Banks and Franklin will never have it published. It seems to me that any private in the ranks would have done better. Our brigade skirmished from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. when we met the main enemy 25,000 strong and our brigade only numbered 5,000. The Second Brigade came up and was ordered to our right which gave us no support at all. The Third Division of the 13th Corps was some 3 or 4 miles in the rear when we first made the attack. They were brought up on the double quick but were too late to give us any assistance. The enemy was flanking us on both right and left, forcing us to fall back. Still they came in solid column outnumbering us and driving the Third Division in confusion.

          About the time the fight commenced, the 19th Corps was ordered into camp 6 or 7 miles back. When we were driven back, the 19th Corps was ordered up while the Third and Four Divisions were still falling back with the Rebels following close behind in solid mass, both flanks moving up with the center. The 19th Corps held the enemy in check until dark when the firing ceased. The whole army fell back that night, the 13th Corps as far as Pleasant Hill where we camped the night before and where General A.J. Smith with the 16th Corps was preparing to meet the enemy. The Rebels followed close up, skirmishing with the 19th Corps until they reached Pleasant Hill where General Smith held them until the night of the 9th. Smith was then ordered to fall back that night.

Battle of Sabine Crossroads

          It was afterwards found out that the Rebs retreated at about the same time Smith did. Smith held his men in a horseshoe shape and trapped the Rebs before they were aware of it and opened on them all at once, just more than mowing them down. The Rebs made three desperate charges but were forced back with about one half the number they came up with. General Smith wanted to follow them up but Banks ordered him back. Smith told Banks he was losing a glorious victory but no attention was paid to this and so he was. I and many others know (or think at least) that General Smith could have captured all or nearly all that we lost the day before, but no, he must fall back.

          One of the worst features of the whole affair was having the train right up front. A long ammunition train was not more than a mile and a half behind the advance and it blockaded the road so that the artillery could not get back. The Chicago Mercantile Battery lost every gun, nearly all their horses, and half of their men. I tell you it was poorly managed and there is not a soldier in this department but will (or do rather) curse Generals Banks and Franklin.

          The wounded here are to be sent home in a few days on 60 days furlough. I should like to see you then.

To learn more about Sabine Crossroads, please check out these posts:

Worse Than Madness for Us: The 56th Ohio at Sabine Crossroads

Every Man for His Own Pork and Beans: The 29th Wisconsin at Mansfield

Source:

Letter from Corporal Samuel Van Horne, Co. B, 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Zanesville Daily Courier (Ohio), May 16, 1864, pg. 2


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