The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-05-19
OpELousAs, La, April Goth, 1863


FRIEND RICH In our last camp. one
days march behind this place, late at
night, we were very agreeably surprised
by the arrival of a mail In my pack
aye were two numbers of my old and
constant friend, the Guardian. In ac-
knowled gment of their long journey TO
find me, propose to steal an hour from
this nights rest in camp to send you a
note of our progress.
Very soon after the abandonment OF
the attack on Port Hudson, which con
slider perfectly justifable on account of
the strength of It's Notifications and gar
rison, too great TO admit reasonable
hope of success in an attempt to take ii
by storm, an expedition was organized
to the Attakapas pronounced 7ackopaw)
country, the great granary ofthe confed-
eracy. We came by rail 10 Brashear
City, Berwick Bay. One days march
from that point brought US to Patterson
vile, within few miles of extensive
earthworks, which the confederates had
erected, under the name of Fit. Bsland
These were built on both sides the Teche
(Tesh) navigable stream or bayou
communicating with the Mississippi by
the great net work of waters which wan
der in every direction through all this
region. They extend on each side from
the river to the timbered marsh, which
at that point is not more than half or
three quarters of mile distant. Our
approach to these works was contested
feebly. On the afternoon of the second
day, as we were feeling our way along
not knowing exactly the position of the
enemy's works, we suddenly found our.
selves exposed TO furious eannonading
Our artillery was brought into position,
and exchanged few shots, when it re.
tired for the night. In the morning the
conflict was renewed by shot from the
confederates at the bridge which had been
strung across during the night, for the
transfer of a portion of our forces from
one side to the other. This was repeat
ed while the troops were crossing, with
out other effect than some alarm at the
close approximation of the dangerous
missiles, and the construction of another
pontoon bridge at a safer distance Ii
was my fortune 10 be on the left or north
bank of the river--it was the right in
the order of battle on our side. Ii
proved subsequently that the enemy had
the largest infantry force on that side the
river, but more artillery on the other
Col. Gooding, of The 3lst Mass, brigade
commander, commanded on this side,
having only his own brigade with him,
but a small part of the entire Union
army, engaged. The battle was fought
cautiously in the early part of the day,
aud more vigorously on both sides, in
the afternoon. Night found the armies
opposed front 10 front, with the victory
apparently undecided. No part of the
enemy's works had been carried, except
the extreme right, where they consisted
Of rifle pits hauked and backed by heavy
timber, and occupied by a large force
Later in the day the enemy were driven
out OF them with great slaughter, and
they were held by our men during the
night. Our entire brigade lay upon
their arms exactly where the darkness
overlook them. anxiously waiting for The
morning, when a general assault along
the whole line was anticipated. Ia the
night the wakeful ones heard Tor hours a
rumbling like that of moving
carriages. From our position
It WAS impossible to determine the nature
OF the movement. but ii decidedly sug.
gssted change of base, on the part Of
the enemy. A cautious advance of the
pickets ON the right, early IN the morn
ing, revealed the fact that the enemy
bad evacuated in the night, leaving
many oltheil dead unburisd, aud wound