Possibly
no campaign of the American Civil War evolved from a more complex series
of events than did the Federal invasion of Northwest Louisiana known as
the Red River Campaign.
Although lasting only from March 12 to May 20, 1864, this
expedition represented the culmination of political, economic,
ideological, and diplomatic pressures, some of which had been at work
even before the war itself began.
The affair at Henderson’s Hill was part of this Red River
Campaign.
Henderson’s Hill is located about 3.5 miles southwest of Boyce
and 300 feet west of this marker.
At
Alexandria, on March 21, 1864, an expedition was organized against the
Confederate strong point at Henderson’s Hill.
This expedition, under the command of Brig. Gen. Mower of the 16th
Corps, included three brigades of Gen. A.J. Smith’s command and a
brigade of cavalry of the 19th Corps under Col. Lucas of the 16th
Indiana Volunteers.
Confederate forces, which included the 2nd Louisiana Cavalry
under the command of Col. William G. Vincent, and William Edgar’s
battery of light artillery, were surprised by the Federal units.
Col. Vincent escaped, but 250 Confederates were captured along
with Edgar’s four-gun battery.
Eight Confederates were killed and one Federal soldier was
reported wounded.
