Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper/Volume 18/Number 451/Capture of Gen. Lee's Wagon Train

CAPTURE OF GEN. LEE'S WAGON TRAIN, AT MANSFIELD, L.A.

Rebel attack on Gen. Lee's wagon train at Mansfield, La., April 8.—From a sketch by our special artist, C. E. H. Bonwill.

In the late reserves in Louisiana one of the most disgraceful points was the loss of the wagon train of Gen. Lee's cavalry, which had been sent so far forward that it became impossible for the defeated cavalry to retreat. This led not only to the disgraceful rou of the men but also the capture of the train.

"Our forces," says our Artist, "were driven in confusion down the hill, through, the clearing and into the woods. The overwhelming force of the enemy, attacking from every quarter simultaneously, prevented all effectual resistance. Gen. Lee lost 150 wagons, with 10 days rations, 900 mules, many horses, etc. The officers lost all their private baggage."

The attacking of a train is done systematically. In a narrow road like this one, running through a wood, it is merely necessary to kill the front horses or mules of a few wagons at the head of the line, and the whole are taken.