Battle of Plains Store

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Battle of Plains Store
Springfield Road
Began:

May 21, 1863

Ended:

Same day

Location:

East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Theater:

Lower Seaboard Theater

Campaign:

Siege of Port Hudson

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

1st Division, XIX Army Corps
Cavalry Brigade

Small combined infantry, artillery,
and cavalry force

Commanders

Christopher C. Augur
Major General, USA

Frank P. Powers
Colonel, CSA
William R. Miles
Colonel, CSA

Strength
Casualties

150

100

  

Early in the morning of May 21, 1863, Maj. Gen. Christopher C. Augur’s Union division advanced from Baton Rouge toward the intersection of Plains Store and Bayou Sara roads on the way to secure a landing, on the river, for Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks. Col. Benjamin H. Grierson’s cavalry, in the lead, encountered Confederate forces under the command of Col. Frank P. Powers and skirmishing ensued. As the morning progressed the Union infantry approached the crossroads and came under fire, bringing on a general engagement. At noon, Col. W.R. Miles set out for Plains Store with Confederate reinforcements. By the time that Miles arrived in the area late in the day, the fighting had ceased, the Rebel forces had retreated, and the Federals were preparing camps for the night. Miles attacked the Union forces and, at first, drove them, but they regrouped and counterattacked. Miles could not stand against the overwhelming Union force and retired into the Port Hudson perimeter. The battle ended, and the last Confederate escape route from Port Hudson was closed. (NPS summary)