Gen Banks' Army of the Gulf was moving up the Red River in Louisiana supported by 12 of Porters's gunboats to take Shreveport. They reached Sabine Crossroads 35 miles short of their objective when they were ambushed by the Confederate Gen. Richard Taylor. A hard day of fighting culminated in a left flank charge by the Confederates which broke the Union line and began a rout. The Union forces before dark were driven back some miles, loosing much of their artillery and supplies. After dark, in this precarious position, Banks decided to retreat another 10 miles to Pleasant Hill where he had reinforcements under A.J.Smith and water for his men.