Well, Strider is back in the house after an awesome 3500 mile road trip I reckon. My trip odometer reset on me when my lighter shorted, so I am not sure of the actual miles, but it was something like that. Got up this morning and low clouds were rolling around, but no rain so I packed Traveler up and went up to the lobby for a couple of cups of coffee. By the way, the Motel 6 ain't bad in Longview, Texas. It is definitely a $35 a night digs but it was clean and the staff was friendly. That is all you can ask for when you are just using it for a bed and a shower in the morning. They even called to make sure the room was ok - like I said, friendly staff and the internet was fast.
Got on Traveler and headed out east on I-20 to Marshall. I knew they had an IHOP that Bird, Moonshine, Charlie the Sculpter and I had eaten at about 2 years ago on the way up to Arlington for Ranger's BBQ. I pulled up to it and thought, "Man, that is too nice to end a road trip on for breakfast." Then I spotted the Valhalla of breakfast for road trips....GRITS!
I didn't think I had ever had the grits here, but when I pulled into the parking lot, it looked familiar so in fact I may have partaken of grits in this fine establishment before. Never mind, because the grits were good today and that is all that matters. Yep, I reckon a breakfast extravaganza like this will tide you over till lunch - yessir.
After a couple of cups of joe (since I spilt one cup down the front of me when I stepped out for a smoke and forgot about the dropoff of the curb) and a grand breakfast, threw the leg back over the saddle of Traveler and we headed back onto I-20 and crossed back over to the holy swamplands.
Sailed into Shreveport and got up on I-49 south and headed southeast towards home. The weather was awesome. It started out overcast and then cleared up with spotty clouds and warmed up nicely. Since I knew I only had the last little 300 miles to get home, I was in no rush, so I stopped in Mansfield, Louisiana and checked out the spot of the last Confederate victory during the war of northern aggression.
The Battle of Mansfield was the major battle fought west of the Mississippi River. The battles west of the Mississippi are often ignored by text books, but there were many. This particular battle was part of the Union's Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
For some time the Union forces had been moving up the Red River area of Louisiana and Confederate General Richard Taylor decided to set up a defensive line just south of Mansfield, Louisiana. On the morning of April 8, 1864, Union forces led by General Nathaniel P. Banks engaged this defensive line. Skirmishes continued throughout the day and about 3 p.m., Taylor decided that the Rebels, although outnumbered would launch a major attack. The north had taken more than enough of Louisiana! The Confederate forces repelled Banks first division, then another and then a third. The battle continued into the night, resulting in over 4,000 casualties. The next day, both sides met again at nearby Pleasant Hill.
The Battle of Mansfield ended with a victory for the highly motivated Confederates and the Union forces led by General Nathaniel P. Banks retreating south to Alexandria.
(From the website of the Mansfield Battlefield)
The Battle of Mansfield was fought on April 8, 1864, just south of the town of Mansfield, Louisiana. The battle was part of the Red River Campaign, a Union effort to wrest control of the Red River and capture the City of Shreveport. Shreveport was the Confederate capital of Louisiana, a busy river port with an active cotton economy, the site of military industry, including ship and submarine construction, and the head of the Texas Trail. The capture of Shreveport would have allowed Union forces to enter Texas and crush the supplies moving from Texas, Mexico and western points to supply Confederate forces in the east.
The Battle of Mansfield saw the defeat of Union forces under the command of General Nathaniel Banks by Confederate forces commanded by General Richard Taylor. It was the last major Confederate victory of the Civil War.
This is the picket fence that the Union Army was behind when the Rebels made the charge.
Well, the confederates were led by General Mouton.
(From Wikipedia)
Mouton's leadership in his Louisiana brigade helped the Confederates undermine Union attempts to access the rich Bayou Teche region. He was a key participant in the battles of Irish Bend, Fort Bisland, Franklin, and Bayou Borbeau, along with numerous other smaller skirmishes.
Mouton's brigade was used as the lead unit in the Confederate attack at the Battle of Mansfield. While leading his brigade in a charge against the Union position, Mouton was shot and killed.
Historian John D. Winters reports on the battle: "On his horse, Mouton made a perfect target, and a Federal marksman dropped him from his saddle. The gallant Polignac now rode forward and took over the command. With tears of grief and rage in their eyes, the yelling men followed Polignac. They ran on through the deadly hail, determined to avenge the death of their leader. ... Mouton's division lost about one third of its total strength."
(Plaque to Mouton in Lafayette)
Mouton's death was lamented by General Taylor, who said, "Above all the death of the gallant Mouton affected me ... modest, unselfish, and patriotic. He showed best in action always leading his men." He was first buried on the battlefield but was moved in 1874 to St. John's Cemetery in Lafayette, Louisiana.
(Mouton's monument in Mansfield)
Sailed back to Lafayette on I49 with a brief stop at a rest area for a smoke.
I thought I had remembered General Mouton being buried at St John here in Lafayette, so I went there to see if I could find his grave. Folks that came to the Romp will remember St John as the place with the awesome oak tree.
I walked around for about 30 minutes and couldn't find it, but I will go back (Did find some other CSA Generals and soldiers though). Today, I was wanting to get home and it was really hot.
Hot enough that I went to Borden's Ice Cream for a sundae and a malt. This building was put up as Borden Ice Cream parlor in 1941 and has not changed since.
Got into the house about 3:30 this afternoon and let's just say that the critters went a BIT NUTS to see me again.
Red got home a little while ago and we sat around in the kitchen and caught up on things. Home safe and sound. Life is good.
It was an awesome road trip and the wind sure felt good. Got to blow some soot out of the brain package and visit with family and friends.
Thanks and safe winds!
