Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-05
THIBoDEAUXvILLE, La,
Nov. 9. 1862.

duly to hand | thank you for the favo
and the interesting matter ii contained
and will endeavor in return to post yol
in the affairs from this distant portion o
the great battlefield. / am at presen
very comfortably quartered with others o
the signal party in the once fourishins
village of Thibodeaux, but now almos
deserted. We have large two story
house assigned to our party, and as oul
services are not required in camp, we are
taking things easy.
On the oath ultimo General WeitzaP;
brigade, consisting of five regiments, .
cavalry companies and ten batteries, left
New Orleans in transports and landed at
DonaIdsonville, twenty five miles above.
We expected some opposition in landing
but were disappointed, as we should have
had an admirable opportunity of teach
ing the rebels that non-interference is
their best policy when our gunboats are
arrived. We quartered in the deserted
houses of Donaldsonville Saturday night
Next morning we took up our line Of
along Bayou La Fourche on both sides
Of which there is turnpike road, intend
ing to form a junction with the 9Th reg
iment at La Fourche railroad crossing
some fifty miles distant. We marched
some twenty miles the first day and en-
camped in the open field at night. We
saw some guerillas during the day ant
shot one captain. We were on the marcel
early Monday morning, first taking the
precaution to throw one regiment, the 8ll
New Hampshire, across the Bayou, no
knowing when or where We might NEE
The enemy, knowing that they were il
force somewhere in the vicinity. We
had in - from the start --- bri
gade, enabling US to cross at any point
From information obtained from somt
captured rebel pickets we expected some
warm work before night. My position
was in the rear with the 18th Connect,
cut. About II o'clock we heard the
booming Of cannon. / soon received the
message that the enemy were in position
on both sides of the Bayou and for the
18th to move forward and cross the Bay
GU to the support Of the 6th New Hamp-
shire. The orders necessary for the men
to relieve themselves of their knapsacks
were promptly given and executed, and
we moved forward on the double quick
about half mile and across the Bayou.
We were under heavy fire while cross
ing as the enemy's batteries were endea,
voring to destroy the bridge. The enc
my consisted of the 18th Louisiana and
Crescent City regiments on this side
posted in rifle pits under cover Of woods
supported by three pieces of artillery
commanding our approach on either side
Of the Bayou. In front was an oper
! field in which the 9Th N. II. and 12ll
Conn. formed and advanced. The en-
gagement lasted something over an hour
when our boys charged and the rebel,
skedaddled. We captured 208 prisoner,
and one gun, and killed Col Mop heters
The rebel force on the other side of til,
bayou consisted of 500 militia and Sem
mes battery Of six pieces, but finding oul
force so large retreated after firing a doz
en- shots. The two Louisiana regiment
are veteran troops and haye fought il
Virginia, but could not stand the charg,
of our brave troops. Our loss in the en-
gagement was IL killed and "A wounded
that of the enemy much less, owing t.
their position and our superior numbers
| am Of the opinion that they would no
have made a stand at all if they hat
known our force. | had the misfortune
to have my horse wounded by piece o
she'll and become manageable; canno
quite agree with soma writers that there
is music in she'll and solid shot. We me
the 9Th Vermont on Wednesday they
met with no opposition coming up the
railroad track, but had considerable re.
pairing to do. The 9Th have gone on
/ some Is miles above. We have direct
communication with the city by rail and
! telegraph. Tue rebels have all skedad.
died and we hear are in force above Der.
wicks' Bay; do not know whether we &c
further or not. am in good health and
spirits. Do wish Mac" might get time
to clean out Virginia.
Mansfeld's Dispensatory says that most
of the Sarsaparilla of the shops is inert
and worthless. DR.. Aver in his writing
on this drug states that not only is it in.
ert as found in the shops, but so also are
most of the preparations from it, or bear
ing its name. He shows, however. that
this fact arises from the use of worthless
varieties, or unskilful preparations by in
competent men that the true medicinal