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Battles -
Battle Summaries
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| Battle Name: |
Vermillion Bayou |
| Other Names: |
None |
| State: |
Louisiana |
| Location: |
Lafayette Parish |
| Campaign: |
Operations in West Louisiana (1863) |
| Dates: |
April 17, 1863 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover [US]; Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
4th Division, XIX Army Corps, Army of the Gulf [US]; District of Western Louisiana [CS] |
| Estimated Casualties: |
Unknown |
| Description: |
While Rear Adm. David G. Farragut remained above Port Hudson with USS Hartford and Albatross,
Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks decided to go after Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor’s Confederate forces in western
Louisiana. He moved by water to Donaldsonville and began a march to Thibodeaux up Bayou Lafourche. Banks
beat Taylor at Fort Bisland and Irish Bend, forcing the Rebel army to retreat up the bayou. Taylor reached
Vermillionville, crossed Vermillion Bayou, destroyed the bridge, and rested. Banks, in pursuit, sent two columns, on
different roads, toward Vermillion Bayou on the morning of April 17. One column reached the bayou while the
bridge was burning, advanced, and began skirmishing. Confederate artillery, strategically placed, forced the
Yankees back. Then Federal artillery opened a duel with its Confederate counterpart. After dark, the Rebels
retreated to Opelousas. The Confederates had slowed the Union advance. |
| Results: |
Union victory |
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