Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-28

his former plan-a turning movement by
the Atchafalaya. That involved dispos-
ing of Taylor's force of about 4,OO0 or
5000 men encamped and intrenched on the
Bayou Teche, below Franklin, eighty-fve
miles west of New Orleans. Our force
was SO much stronger than Taylor's as
to suggest the idea Of capturing him in
his position. by getting in his rear. stimuli
taneously with front attack; and this
was particularly to be desired, as other
wise he might retire indefinitely into the
vast open country behind him and return
at his leisure at some inopportune mo-
ment. So perfectly was the movement
masked that Taylor was actually prepar-
ing to attack the force in his front
(WeitzeD when the main army began
crossing Berwick bay. an arm Of Grand
lor's position on the Bayou Teche.
Weitzel crossed the lake April g.; Emory
followed; they then bivouacked on the
west bank to wait for Growers move
ment up the lake to Taylor's rear. So
few were the facilities that 1t took Grover
two days to embark. Six hours more
were lost by dense fog, and four by the
stranding Of the Arizona. When the pro-
posed landing place at Nine. Porters
plantation was reached after dark, the
road was found to be under water and i'm
passable, but practicable way was dis
covered six miles farther up the lake.
There the landing began early on the 18th
and with great difficulty, owing to the
shalioWness of the water, was completed
by o'clock in the afternoon Favored
by the woods and underground, which
concealed their numbers, Vincent's I'd
louisiana and Reily's 4th Texas Cavalry,
with section of Cornay's battery, de-
layed the advance until Dwight's brigade,
supported by two regiments OF Birge's
ana by Blossoms battery. went out and
drove them away. At the division took
up the line OF march to the Teche and
blVouacked at nightfaIl on Nine. Porter's
plantation, five miles distant
4 y
Meanwhile Banks had moved Emory
and Weitzel slowly up the Teche. seek
ing to hold Taylor's forces in position
until Grover could gain their rear. Tay-
lor fell back behind the intrenched
lines known as Fort Bisland, and there
brisk engagement took place on the
18th Banks only seeking to gain a
good position on both sides of the bayou
and To occupy the enemy's attention
while he listened in vain for Growers
guns, which were TO have been the signal
for direct and determined attack in
front.
At night, knowing that Growers move
ment must certainly have been seen and
reported during this passage up Grand
Lake and surmising some miscarriage
Banks gave orders to carry the works by
assault at daylight. However early in
the night. Taylor ordered his whole force
to fall back on Franklin. The sounds of
the movement We're heard, and to-
ward daylight accommodating parties
discovered the evacuation. Banks whole
force at once moved in pursuit.
Early in the morning TAYLOR met Gro
yer advancing against his line OF re-
treat. which here followed the great bow
of the Teche, struck Birges brigade in
flank. forced Grover to develop, and
with the assistance of the Diana, a
Union gunboat captured by the Con-
federates. held him just long enough to
make good the retreat
Taylor had made gallant fight and
had extrieated himself cleverly. His re-
ports show his whole force to have been
5000. Grover had about the same. We
lost at Bisaand. 40 killed and 1874 wound
ed-total, pa: at Irish Bend, 40 killed.
274 wounded, 80 missing-total. 353 The
losses of the Confederates are not re-
ported, but they DESTROYED their two
gunboats and all their transport steam
ers except one, which we captured and
their troops began to dispense soon after
passing Franklin. We captured many
came down on the Atchafalaya too late
to dispute Growers landing, were defeat
ed by our fotilla, under Lieut.. Com
mander A. p. Cooke. and the Queen of
the West was destroyed. On the 10th
Butte-a-l Rose. with sixty men and two
heavy guns, surrendered to Cooke, and
the same day Banks occupied Opelousas,
sixty-one miles north Of Franklin.
Here he received his first communities
ton from Cen Grant. dated before vicks-
burg, March %, and sent through Ad-
miral Farragut. This opened q CORES
spondence. the practical effect of which
was to cause Gen. Banks to conform his
n,ove,nor&. tnssthn AwrAcf affon that Gar,
Grant, who was rapidly closing In on
Vicksburg, would send an army corps to
Bayou Sara. ten miles north of Port Hud-
son. and also on the east bank OF the
mississippi. to Join in reducing Port Hud-
SOii.