Here is Tappan's full report:
MARCH 10-MAY 22, 1864.--The Red River (Louisiana) Campaign.
No. 98.--Report of Brig. Gen. James C. Tappan, C. S. Army, commanding Churchill's division, of engagement at Pleasant Hill.
[OR V34, Pt. 1, pp. 604-6]
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, ARKANSAS TROOPS
(KNOWN AS CHURCHILL'S DIVISION),
April 12, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: Being in command of the above-named division in the battle which occurred at Pleasant Hill, La., on April 9, it becomes my duty to report the action of said division in that affair, which will be ever memorable on account of its influence upon the destinies of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy. Said division was composed of two brigades, one (Tappan's brigade) commanded in said action by Col. H. L. Grinsted, and the other (Churchill's brigade) commanded by Col. L. C. Gause. Brigadier-General Churchill, having been put in command of Parsons' Missouri division and the above-mentioned Arkansas division, put me in command of said division.
On Thursday night, April 7, about 11 o'clock, I received orders from Brigadier-General Churchill to hold the division in readiness to move the next morning for Mansfield at daylight. I gave the necessary orders, and the next morning I moved promptly at the hour directed. We reached Mansfield that evening exactly at 3.30 p.m. The battle of Mansfield was then progressing, but Major-General Taylor not deeming it necessary to order us into the fight, we were directed to take position on what is known as the Gravelly Point road, to prevent a flank movement of the enemy which was anticipated in that direction. That night the division prepared two days' rations and slept upon their arms in line of battle. At 2 a.m. we were summoned and moved promptly at 3 o'clock. We expected to meet the enemy about 4 or 5 miles distant. When, however, we reached the point where he had retired to the night before we found that he had precipitately fled. We instantly took up the line of march in pursuit, the division under my command taking the lead of the infantry troops. We proceeded some 18 miles, to within 2 miles of Pleasant Hill, where we were informed that the enemy occupied an advantageous position at that place. Within thirty-six hours my division had marched some 45 miles, almost without sleep, and were necessarily very much worn out and fatigued. After resting about two hours we diverged from the main Mansfield and Pleasant Hill road and proceeded some 4 miles, for the purpose of making a flank movement upon the enemy. Brigadier-General Parsons' Missouri division was upon my right and my division was immediately upon their left.
My line was formed at about 4.30 o'clock. As soon as formed I threw out three companies of skirmishers, as ordered, under Major Steele, of Grinsted's regiment, and immediately ordered my line to advance rapidly as directed. As soon as we began to move forward we became engaged with the enemy. We advanced from our original position more than half a mile, and by the right flank a distance equally' as great. For an hour and a half we were as warmly engaged with the enemy as it has ever been my experience to witness on any battle-field. My division, however, never faltered, but moved steadily and firmly forward with the firmness of men who seemed determined to succeed or to fall in the attempt. Up to this time I obeyed implicitly the only order I had received, to press rapidly forward with my command and to keep up with the division on the right. At this juncture, learning that the division on the right had been outflanked and was falling back, I immediately directed my attention in that direction and saw that such was the case. When said division had swept entirely past mine, and my command became exposed to a heavy and murderous fire from the flank as well as the front, I ordered the brigade commanders to fall back with their respective brigades with a view of forming a line on a more advantageous position. As we commenced retiring I came across the brigadier-general commanding the two divisions, who was gallantly exerting himself to rally the division on the right. I reported to him, and under his guidance and direction exerted myself, in conjunction with Brigadier-General Parsons, to rally the men. The confusion which had, however, appeared on the right was soon manifested on the left. The exhausted condition of the men, the lateness of the hour, it being near dark, and the denseness of thicket made it extremely difficult to rally the men. While the battle lasted no men ever fought more gallantly. This is evidenced by the fact that the enemy made little or no attempt to pursue our line as we fell back; on the contrary, so thoroughly was-he worsted in the engagement that he fled toward Red River as soon as night came, leaving his dead to be buried and his wounded to be cared for by us. Thus ended one of the brilliant affairs of the war so far as its results have proven. The loss of the division in the engagement was as follows: Killed, 26; wounded, 112; missing, 63.
I would state that I had no knowledge of the topography of the country, nor was I furnished with a map. The number of dead and wounded Yankees found before the line of the division will attest their efficiency in the action.
To Colonels Grinsted and Gause I am deeply indebted for the promptness with which they obeyed my orders, for the gallantry and zeal they manifested upon the field in the management of their commands. No officers could have acted with more coolness, bravery, and determination than they did, for which they deserve well of their country. The officers and men of the division fought well and are deserving of credit. I would particularly call attention to Colonel Shaver, who commanded a regiment in the brigade commanded by Colonel Grinsted. The coolness, judgment, and bravery with which he managed his regiment deserve special mention.
I am under great obligations to the members of my staff--Capt. Amos Tappan and Capt. J. J. Horner, and Lieut. William P. McCabe and Lieut. Charles Mitchell. They bore themselves with distinguished gallantry and rendered me great assistance. The same may be said of my volunteer aides--Dr. Thomas G. Polk, of Mississippi, and C. E. Ives, of Arkansas. That night I carried my command to the camp selected and reported in person to General Churchill.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. TAPPAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Lieut. A. H. SEVIER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.