Year: 1862

les. The n. L. then came to anchor, while the
Cloud took the doctor aboard passed through
the draw, into another small lake, where they
took possession of schooner, five prisoners,
and some small boats. After we DESTROYED
everything at the North Pass, we started after
the other boats, arrived about dark, stationed
our pickets. laid down, slept soundly, on the
strength of accomplishments, until daylight,
when we commenced our work of destruction.
which was done in good shape. We were
Joined by the little steamer Fancy Natchez
which we used as a dispatch boat. The n. L.
started down about an hour before us, so as to
cross the bar at high water. We followed
shortly after and found her at the mouth, hard
and fast on the bar. Both steamers made fast
to her, and after pulling and backing almost an
hour we got her off, and proceeded to the
mouth of the Tehonic river, where we left the
n. L.. she not being able to get over the bar
we went up on our own hook, our boat taking
the lead. In about half an hour we arrived at
Madisonville, a very pretty village.


Our boat had not fairly touched the wharf,
before two companies were off the boat and
going double quick, in pursuit of some troops
which left before we arrived. One company
surrounded the town: the other kept on for
about two miles, when they returned, not find
ing any troops.


The Cloud passed by with her troops and
sailed up the river about three miles. We took
colonel and his horse, the Provost Judge,
captain, and another scamp. We also took
$4,000 of the colonel, his muster rolls and
number of small prizes. The town is full
blooded secesh, and all guerrilas, who 90
mounted, armed with rifles and double barrel
guns.


After taking our prisoners aboard we started
after the Cloud, which we thought had gone
to Coventon, 20 miles up, but we met her COM
ing down, so turned round and concluded to
lay by the town that night. The Cloud an
chored in the river with her guns bearing upon
it and we laid along side of the wharf until
morning, when we prepared to leave for Man
dersville. The Cloud arrived at the South
end, landed her troops, and we sailed up to
the North end and landed ours, when the
Mayor came down to the wharf and invited
the Colonel to his house. The town is one of
the most splendid places for summer resi-
dence that have ever seen. 1t is situated on
the border of Lake Ponchartrain, with heaps
of BATH houses, and everything requisite for
pleasure resort. The Colonel returned after
an hours conference with the Mayor, whom
he found to be Union, as far as he dared TO
express himself. Having accomplished all
that we thought was required, we started for
Lakeport with II prisoners, secesh flag.
horse, hand cars, and lots of small prizes.
Took the cars for New Orleans where we ar
rivedat the Mint and as the boyscaught sight of
the American flag waving over the secesh,
cheer after cheer was given for the Colonel
and boys. Our force was not quite 500 men.
but we drove over twice our number / did
not intend to write so much when / commen-
ced, but did not know hardly when to stop.
was told to-day that we should start again
next week with more troops for Camp Moore,
where we hear Gen. Lowell has 5000 troops.
You will probably see an account of our ex-
cursion in one of the Portland papers before
long which will give you better account
than mine.