Battle of Pleasant Hill

This site is an optimum statement on the war and the cause of the Southern people. The battlefield actually rubs from Mansfield down to Alexandria, and beyond. Pleasant Hill is just one significant place along a highway of significant places. The monument is privately owned, and is well done in such a way as to portray the series of events. The best thing to do is visit Mansfield, then visit Pleasant Hill.
5 8 years ago (09-03-2018)

I attended the Reenactment of the Battle of Pleasant Hill this past Sunday, April 15, 2018. The Reenactment Planning Committee, the Citizens of the greater Pleasant Hill area and all participants, Reenactors and support personnel are to be congratulated on a job well done. I brought friends from Texas to watch their first Reenactment. They literally jumped from their chairs when the first cannon fired! They were not prepared for the noise or the excitement that goes with watching ones first Reenactment. The battle involved mounted cavalry, full scale artillery and a good amount of infantry. Pyrotechnic explosions in the air, on the ground and in the pond really added to the realism of the battle. This Reenactment was done differently from the ones I participated in back in the 70's & 80's. In the actual battle fought on April 9, 1864 the Confederate Division under the Command of Gen. Churchill mistakenly turned down one road too soon. The result left the Confederate right flank open to a counter attack by Union troops under Gen. A. J. Smith. In this particular Reenactment the troops were positioned in such a way that this Union counter attack could take place within the area allotted for the battle. As did happen in the original battle the Confederate right flank was attacked and turned slowing their forward momentum. This "change" made the Reenactment very historically accurate. Prior to the Reenactment the Camps of the Soldiers were open to the public and many uniformed participants answered questions of all sorts for visitors. One street of tents had Sutler's which during the war followed the Armies selling everything imaginable to the private soldiers. Today's Sutler's do the same thing and are prepared to "deck you out completely & authentically" for battle. The major difference? These Sutler's come with cellphone devices ready to take your Credit Card!!! Across the LA Highway 175 from the Reenactment battle site are refreshment food & beverage stands and souvenir stands. Between the Sutler's and these places no one should go home hungry, thirsty or without a "keepsake" from the battle. Parking area is plentiful and reasonably priced. Port o potties are also plentiful for comfort. The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department is on scene in force for the sake of traffic safety. It is an excellent portrayal of a Civil War Battle being reenacted on the actual ground fought upon over 150 years ago. The Battle of Pleasant Hill, LA was the largest battle fought West of the Mississippi River and it was fought exactly one year to the day before Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee would meet with Union Gen. U. S. Grant at Appomattox CH, Virginia to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia which marks the end of the War Between the States. If you, your children, your classroom or organization haven't been to see this Battle Reenactment you have missed something really educational and fun. This battle is reenacted each year so make your plans early to be in attendance!!!
5 8 years ago (09-05-2018)

The annual reenactment of the 1864 Battle of Pleasant Hill is one of my favorite events of the year. I've been each year since 2014 (except one year it was rained out). The Battle Committee clearly put their heart and souls into putting on a great event. The event itself usually includes a presentation of that year's Miss Battle of Pleasant Hill, a school day on Friday with reenactors and living historians, a parade through the town of Pleasant Hill, and reenactment of the battle by hundreds of reenactors on Saturday and Sunday. If you're interested in going, or just curious, I highly recommend you go. Even better, find a reenactor and ask about falling in with his company and fight in the battle!
5 8 years ago (17-05-2018)

Good explanation of what took place here. Very informative. Good for any history lover.
4 9 years ago (21-11-2017)