The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-26
(Our War Coreespondence)
From Gen. Banks Department.

four DAYS, after march OF 3UO miles, having
fought three battles, and driven the enemy 80
mies-so closely pursued that each day our adj
vance guard came up with has rear guard-hav-
ing captured and destroyed several pieces of can
non, three glnboats, eight transports, -large
amounts of ammunition and ordnance, commits
sary and ouartermaster's stores in abundance
having destroyed the materials necessary for
working their sat- mines, having captured fifteen
hundred prisoners, with their small arms and
equipments having taken their camps and all
the equipage,-are now in possession of terri
tory rich with products ready for the market,
and covered with material necessary for the use
of our army. To-day the streets and roads have
the appearance of whole county moving Hun
dreds of three, four and six mule carts and wag-
ons line the way to Barry's Landing, loaded with
cotton, sugar, and corn, from whence it is to be
shipped by boats to New Orleans. Thousands OF
bales ofcotton and hogsheads of sugar will thus find
their way, by Uncle Sans hands, to a waiting
market, while the roads are full Of sheep, cattle
mules and horses on their way to the same attract
lie point eight thousand passing New Iberia four
DAYS ago, while a still larger drove is on the road
IF we are to remain here, as | have no doubt We
are till this country is cleaned out of these kinds
of produce, we shall not move in hurry, for IL
will require several weeks to move itall,-and then
hurrah for Port Hudson. Not less than ten
millions of dollars wor.hof property can thus be
easily put into Uncle Sans pocket, to defray, it
part the expenses of the war forced upon US by
these same people, who are now in sorrow reap
in, their merted but terrible reward. f,.
Of our march need only say it was through
tile lovely country bordering the Teche, ant
the fatgues were borne by our men with cheer
fulness and heroism. The fighting was princi
pally by the artillery, though Gen. Weitzep
Brigade, which led the advance the whole march
had several opportunities to salute the enem.
with rifle shots, and some warm work for the ST.
Vermont, 10Th Connecticut and 18th New Yorl
was offered at " Bethel Place" where the enem,
was driven from bis strong entertainments after
two days battle. In these encounters thes
three old and tried regiments lost nothing of tn
reputation they have earned for being the " bes
men out" but added new gems to the wreath 0
honors accorded to them by all their fellow
soldiers. ...sa.a. ,t1aa. .sl .sn--Het
To the 9Th Vermont was given the post o
honor, on the right. In the artillery fight of Sun
day and Monday, theirs was the duty of support
ing Co. A, regular artillery, and great praise
accorded them for their gallant defence and pro
lection OF this noble battery In this engage
ment, most miraculously, the loss of the Sth Yer
mont was but two killed, and twenty wounded
Among the wounded on Monday, was Lieut.. Co
Dillingham;, who, was struck in the. breast by
mnsket ball its force, however, being so niue
Spent that i. made only bad bruise without dc
ing any serious injury. To the bloody 9Th va
also accorded the honor of leading the army int
Opelousas, temporarily the capital OF the Stat
and though honors fall thick upon them, the
modesty is not spoiled by praise or pride, b'
continues still to bespeak their merit" 20.
of this regiment Capt. Dutton) did most of Il
diminishing on the advance, land during " h
and heavy Z" fire from both sides, they lay quiet
in a ditch front of the enemy's works, she'll ar
shot bursting thick about and above them, viii
they with cool and steady aim, one by one, caus
the rebel gunners to bite the dust and die. Am
che showers of iron hail which greeted them
several hours, an officer suggested to Col. Thou
that it was lively time. and shots were fall
unpleasan.ly near, eyes, " said the Colonel, the
charges oil canister and grape iremnd me OF