supplied and rested, Gen. Grant sent a force under Gen. Steele to Helena, to cooperate with Gen. Schofield's troops against Little Rock, and another, under Gens. Ord and Herron, to New Orleans, to reënforce Gen. Banks for such ulterior operations as he might deem proper to undertake.

After Gen. Grant left Vicksburg to assume the general command east of the Mississippi, Gen. McPherson moved with a part of his force to Canton, Mississippi, scattering the enemy's cavalry, and destroying his materials and roads in the centre of that State.

THE military operations before Vicksburg were only the prominent features of a great campaign extending from Washington to New Orleans. The movements of General Banks, particularly against Port Hudson, which fell with the fall of Vicksburg, and the advance of General Lee upon Washington, one object of which was to make a diversion in favor of Vicksburg, or rather to take advantage of the concentration of so large a force at such a distance, were incidents of the same campaign. Gen. Banks's arrival in New Orleans at the close of 1862 has been stated. The fleet, which arrived at the same time, consisted of twentysix steam vessels and twenty-five sailing vessels, and the military force about ten thousand men. Immediately upon his arrival, General Banks took the position of General Butler as commander of the Department of the Gulf, and the latter reported at Washington. The leading objects of Gen. Banks's expedition were to strengthen the military force in Louisiana, and to cooperate in opening the Mississippi-two points on the banks of which were known to be strongly fortified, Port Hudson and Vicksburg. It was anticipated that these works might be reduced in a short time, and that the strength of General Banks might be sufficient for a movement on Texas. But it was soon perceived, after his arrival in New Orleans, that military affairs were in such an uncertain condition that the moment for immediate activity could not be determined. Meanwhile General Banks devoted his attention to the arrangement of affairs at New Orleans. Nothing of importance occurred, unless it was a small affair on the Teche River, in which Commander Buchanan, of the gunboat Calhoun, was killed, early in January. In March, Gen. Banks had concentrated his force at Baton Rouge, numbering nearly twenty-five thousand men. On the 13th a military movement on Port Hudson was ostensibly commenced, to divert the attention of the enemy, while the vessels ran above the batteries. The naval force was under the command of Admiral Farragut. Its result was to transfer a portion of the fleet above Port Hudson, where it could cooperate with the force

above, and also cut off supplies to the enemy from Red River. Maj.-Gen. Halleck, in his annual report, says: "Had our land forces invested Port Hudson at this time, it would have been easily reduced, as its garrison was weak. This would have opened communication by the Mississippi River with Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. But the strength of the place was not then known."

The naval force consisted of the frigates Hartford, Mississippi, Richmond, and Monongahela, and the gunboats Albatross, Genesee, Kineo, Essex, and Sachem, and six mortar schooners. They reached Profit's Island, five miles below Port Hudson, early the next morning. At one P. M., the mortars and the gunboats Sachem and Essex, being in position, opened fire on the batteries at Port Hudson. The line of the batteries commenced below the town and extended on the face of the bluff, midway between the crest and the river bank, about three and a half miles. At nine and a half o'clock that night the signal to advance was made. The Hartford, Capt. Palmer, with Admiral Farragut on board, with the gunboat Albatross, Lieut.-Com. Hart, lashed to her side, took the lead. The Richmond, Capt. Alden, the gunboat Genesee, Commander McComb, the Monongahela, Capt. McKinstry, the Kineo, Lieut.-Com. Waters, and the Mississippi, Capt. Melancthon Smith, followed in the order named. The mortars meanwhile kept up their fire. Soon after, rockets were sent up by the enemy to give warning of the approach of the fleet. As the vessels approached the batteries opened fire, which was replied to. At the same time fires were kindled by the enemy on the opposite bank of the river, which revealed the position of the vessels. The Hartford and Albatross were successful in running above the batteries, but the smoke from their fire obscured the river before the other vessels. The Richmond received a shot through her steam drum, and was compelled to drop down out of fire and anchor. Three of her crew were killed and seven wounded. The Monongahela, after her captain was seriously injured, also dropped down the river and anchored.

The Kineo received a shot through her rudder post, and her propeller was made foul by a hawser, which rendered her unmanageable, and she floated down and anchored. After the guns of the batteries were got into range the fire was so accurate and constant as to threaten the destruction of every gunboat in the fleet. The Mississippi grounded under the guns of a battery astern, another on the bow, and others opposite to her. The enemy, upon discovering her position, concentrated their nearest guns upon her. She continued her fire for some time after getting aground. Capt. Smith, finding it to be impossible to get her off, determined to abandon her. He then ordered the engines to be destroyed, the guns to be spiked, and the vessel to be set on fire. The officers and crew were then hurried off to the shore opposite the batteries. Some of the crew are supposed to have jumped overboard, a few were taken prisoners, and the rest proceeded down the shore and were taken off by the other vessels. Of two hundred and thirty-three officers and men, twenty-nine were missing. The vessel, after becoming lighter by burning her top, drifted off, and, floating down the stream, finally blew up. Her armament consisted of nineteen eight-inch, one ten-inch, one twenty-pound Parrott, and two small howitzers in the tops.

Meanwhile, at three o'clock on Friday afternoon, Gen. Grover's division marched out of Baton Rouge, followed in the evening by Gen. Emory's division, and on the next morning by that of Gen. Augur. The army reached Springfield road crossing without a skirmish. The headquarters of Gen. Banks were established here, which was about seven miles from Port Hudson. During Saturday the entire body of cavalry and some infantry regiments were sent out on the Bayou Sara road toward Port Hudson, and down the Ross and Springfield Landing roads to reconnoitre. One or two sharp skirmishes took place with a force of Confederate cavalry and infantry sent out from Port Hudson and deployed as skirmishers in the woods. Toward evening the enemy retired within their intrenchments. Two Federal officers were wounded. On Sunday morning orders were issued to return to Baton Rouge, which was accomplished by evening. On the next day, an attempt to open communication with Admiral Farragut by sending a small force across the point of land opposite Port Hudson-the fourth effort to cross the point was successful, but Admiral Farragut had moved up the river. The difficulties were caused by a flood. The rebels had cut the levee above.

The attention of Gen. Banks was now turned to that part of the State west of New Orleans and bordering on the Teche river. Opposite New Orleans, on the other side of the Mississippi river, commences the New Orleans and Opelousas railroad, which runs westwardly a distance of eighty miles to Brashear. This

place is situated on the Atchafalaya river where it flows out of Lake Chetimacha into the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly opposite, on the western side of the river, is Berwick City, situated at the junction of the Teche river, or bayou, with the Atchafalaya. The Teche river commences in St. Landry parish, a few miles from Opelousas, and flows southeast in a very tortuous course for two hundred miles. During high water it is navigable nearly its whole length. On the banks of this river flourish the finest sugar-cane plantations in the State. The chief towns on the river are Franklin, Martinsville, and Opelousas.

A considerable force of the enemy was at this time stationed within supporting distance on the Teche. It had been kept there to repel a threatened invasion up that stream by the Federal force under Gen. Weitzel. The planters, supposing the Confederate force sufficient for their protection, had put in their crops as usual. When Gen. Weitzel made the first attempt to advance up the river, with the intention of establishing his headquarters at Franklin, the river was obstructed a few miles above its month. To prevent these obstructions from being removed, the enemy had thrown up earthworks, extending from the bank of the river back to an impassable swamp, and planted a battery. Here Gen. Moulton, with fifteen hundred men, aided by the gunboat Cotton, made such a stubborn resistance, that Gen. Weitzel was obliged to fall back. The enemy, supposing his object had been to capture the gunboat, removed her stores and ammunition immediately afterward, and burned her; thus showing that they apprehended a defeat on another attack. Subsequently the water washed a channel round the obstructions, and the passage up ceased to be disputed at that point. But much more formidable works were constructed a few miles above Pattersonville, and earthworks thrown up on the opposite side of the river, to prevent a flank movement by land or water. The distance at this point from the river back to the swamp was about three fourths of a mile. A small force could thus hold at bay here one greatly superior in numbers. Several thousand troops of the enemy were posted here, and those below were expected to fall back as the Federal force advanced.

It was to this region, comprising the parishes or counties of Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. Mary, and St. Martin, that Gen. Banks now transferred his army from Baton Rouge. His object was the reclamation of this rich country, which had furnished inestimable sup、 plies to the enemy, and which sustained a dense slave population. Having concentrated his forces at Brashear, Gen. Weitzel's brigade was crossed over to Berwick on the 10th of April. The landing was not disputed, but a reconnoissance discovered a force of the enemy, which retired. On the next day, Saturday, the infantry advanced a short distance. On Sunday, the di

vision of Gen. Emory crossed, and the combined force made an advance, which the enemy opposed, but not obstinately. In this order the Federal column advanced, feeling its way, while the enemy, whose forces were commanded by Gen. Taylor, slowly retired upon their fortified position a few miles above Pattersonville. On the 13th there was considerable fighting, mostly with the artillery, in which the Diana, a Federal gunboat, captured about four weeks previous, bore a conspicuous part. On the morning of Saturday, the 12th, the division of Gen. Grover left Brashear on the gunboats Clifton, Estrella, Arizona, and Calhoun, and transports, and proceeded up the Atchafalaya, into Lake Chetimacha. The object was to get into the rear of the enemy, and if possible cut off his retreat if he evacuated his position, or to attack him in rear at the time of the attack in front. Some difficulties delayed the expedition, but it effected a landing early the next morning, about three miles west of Franklin, near a spot called Irish Bend. At this time the gunboat Queen of the West, which had been captured previously by the enemy, was blown up and destroyed on the lake. Skirmishing immediately ensued with a small force of the enemy, that fell back as Gen. Grover advanced. His position was about eleven miles distant from Gen. Banks. At Irish Bend the enemy seemed to be determined to make a stand, and a sharp struggle followed, in which they were forced to retire to the woods and canes. On this retreat they destroyed the gunboat Diana and the transports Gossamer, Newsboy, and Era No. 2, at Franklin. This suc cess of Gen. Grover was followed by the evacuation of the works before Gen. Banks. Early on Tuesday morning, the cavalry and artillery, followed by Gen. Weitzel's brigade, with Col. Ingraham's force of Gen. Emory's division as a support, followed the enemy. So rapid was the pursuit that the enemy was unable to remove the transports at New Iberia, and five, with all the commissary stores and ammunition with which they were loaded, were destroyed at that place, together with an incomplete ironclad gunboat. On Thursday, the army reached New Iberia. A foundery for the manufacture of cannon and other munitions of war was immediately taken possession of, as a similar one had been seized two days before at Franklin. Two regiments were also sent to destroy the tools and machinery at the celebrated salt mine of the town. Thus far about fifteen hundred prisoners had been captured, and more than five hundred horses, mules, and beef cattle taken from the plantations. The Federal loss was small. The entire force of the enemy was about ten thousand men.

On the next day, the 17th, the army moved forward, but Gen. Grover, who had marched from New Iberia by a shorter road, and thus gained the advance, met the enemy at Bayon Vermilion. Their force consisted of a considerable number of cavalry, one thousand in

fantry, and six pieces of artillery, massed in a strong position on the opposite bank. They were immediately attacked and driven from their position, but not until they had succeeded in destroying by fire the bridge across the river. The night of the 17th and the next day was passed in rebuilding the bridge. On the 19th, the march was resumed, and continued to the vicinity of Grand Coteau; and on the next day the main force of Gen. Banks occupied Opelousas. At the same time, the cavalry, supported by a regiment of infantry and a section of artillery, were thrown forward six miles to Washington, on the Courtableau. On the 21st, no movement was made, but on the next day, Brig. Gen. Dwight, of Gen. Grover's division, with detachments of artillery and cavalry, was pushed forward through Washington toward Alexandria. He found the bridges over the Cocodrie and Bœuf destroyed, and during the evening and night replaced them by a single bridge at the junction of the bayous. A steamer had just been burned by the enemy, but the principal portion of her cargo, which had been transferred to a flat, was captured. Orders were also found there from Gen. Moore to Gen. Taylor, in command of the Confederate force, directing him to retreat slowly to Alexandria, and, if pressed, to retire to Texas.

Another expedition, under Lieut.-Col. Blanchard, was sent out by way of Barre's Landing, to examine the Bayou Courtableau in the direction of Bute-a-la-Rose, but he found the roads impassable four miles beyond Barre's Landing. The steamer Ellen was captured by him, which proved a timely assistance. Previously Bute-a-la-Rose had been taken by orders of Gen. Banks, with its garrison of sixty men, two heavy guns, and a large quantity of ammunition. The result of the expedition thus far is thus stated by Gen. Banks: "We have destroyed the enemy's army and navy, and made their reorganization impossible by destroying or removing the material. We hold the key of the position. Among the evidences of our victory are two thousand prisoners, two transports, and twenty guns taken, and three gunboats and eight transports destroyed."

On the 6th of May, Admiral Porter appeared before Alexandria with a fleet of gunboats, and took possession of the town without opposition. On that evening the cavalry of Gen. Dwight dashed into the place, and the next morning the advance of Gen. Banks arrived. Alexandria is the capital of Rapides parish in Louisiana. It is situated on the Red river, about one hundred and fifty miles from its mouth, and in the centre of a rich cotton-growing region.

The country thus occupied by Gen. Banks was the most fertile portion of the State of Louisiana. His movements had been so rapid that the enemy had been allowed no opportunity to make a stand against him after their defeat near Franklin. The capture of Alexandria and the attack on Fort de Russe below, was reported by Admiral Porter, with his movements, thus:

MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAG SHIP GENERAL PRICE, GRAND GULF, Miss., May 13th. To Secretary Welles: SIR: I had the honor to inform you from Alexandria of the capture of that place, and the forts defending the approaches to the city, by the naval force under my command. Twenty-four hours after we arrived the advance guard of United States troops came into the city. Gen. Banks arriving soon after, I turned the place over to his keeping. The water beginning to fall, I deemed it prudent to return with the largest vessels to the mouth of the Red river. I dropped down to Fort de Russe in the Benton, and undertook to destroy these works. I only succeeded, however, in destroying the three heavy casemates commanding the channel and a small water battery for two guns. About 600 yards below it I destroyed by bursting one heavy thirty-two pounder and some gun carriages left in their hurry by the enemy.

The main fort, on a hill some 900 yards from the water, I was unable to attend to. It is quite an extensive work, new and incomplete, but built with much labor and pains. It will take two or three vessels to pull it to pieces. I have not the powder to spare to blow it up. The vessels will be ordered to work on it occasionally, and it will be soon destroyed. In this last-mentioned fort was mounted the 11-inch gun, which I am led to believe lies in the middle of the river, near the fort, the rebels throwing it overboard in their panic at the approach of our gunboats. The raft which closed the entrance I have blown up, sawed in two, and presented to the poor of the neighborhood. I sent Commander Woodworth in the Price, with the Switzerland, Pittsburg, and Arizona, up Black river to make a reconnoissance, and he destroyed a large amount of stores, valued at $300,000, consisting of salt, sugar, rum, molasses, tobacco, and bacon.

(Signed)

DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron. While at Opelousas, Gen. Banks issued the following order:

HEADQUARTERS Department of the GULF,

19TH ARMY CORPS, OPELOUSAS, May 1st, 1863.

The Major-General commanding the Department proposes the organization of a corps d'armée of colored troops, to be designated as the "Corps d'Afrique." It will consist ultimately of eighteen regiments, representing all arms-infantry, artillery, cavalry-making nine brigades, of two regiments each, and three divisions of three brigades each, with appropriate corps of engineers, and flying hospitals for each division. Appropriate uniforms, and the graduation of pay to correspond with the value of services, will be hereafter awarded.

In the field, the efficiency of each corps depends upon the influence of its officers upon the troops engaged, and the practical limits of one direct command is generally estimated at 1,000 men. The most eminent military historians and commanders, among others,

Thiers and Chambray, express the opinion, upon a full review of the elements of military power, that the valor of the soldier is rather acquired than natural. Nations whose individual heroism is undisputed, have failed as soldiers in the field. The European and American continents exhibit instances of this characestimated by the centuries it has devoted to military contest, or the traditional passion of its people for military glory. With a race unaccustomed to military service, much more depends on the immediate influence of officers upon individual members, than with

ter, and the military prowess of every nation may be

those that have acquired more or less of warlike habits and spirit by centuries of contest. It is deemed best, therefore, in the organization of the Corps d'Afrique,

to limit the regiment to the smallest number of men

consistent with efficient service in the field, in order to secure the most thorough instruction and discipline, and the largest influence of the officers over the troops. At first they will be limited to five hundred men. The

average of American regiments is less than that number.

The Commanding General desires to detail, for temporary or permanent duty, the best officers of the army, for the organization, instruction, and discipline of this will render important service to the Government. It corps. With their aid he is confident that the corps is not established upon any dogma of equality, or other theory, but as a practical and sensible matter of business. The Government makes use of mules, horses, uneducated and educated white men, in the defence of its institutions. Why should not the negro contribute whatever is in his power for the cause in which he is as deeply interested as other men? We may properly. demand from him whatever service he can render. The chief defect in organizations of this character has arisen from incorrect ideas of the officers in command. Their discipline has been lax, and, in some cases, the itable. Controversies unnecessary and injurious to the conduct of their regiments unsatisfactory and discredservice have arisen between them and other troops.

The organization proposed will reconcile and avoid many of these troubles.

Officers and soldiers will consider the exigencies of the service in this department, and the absolute necessity of appropriating every element of power to the support of the Government. The prejudices or opinions of men are in no wise involved. The coopera nomination of fit men from the ranks, and from the tion and active support of all officers and men, and the lists of non-commissioned and commissioned officers, ing the respective divisions. are respectfully solicited from the Generals command

By command of Major-Gen. BANKS. RICHARD B. IRWIN, A. A. G.

The subsequent movements of Gen. Banks in this part of the State met with no serious opposition from the enemy. After the investment of Vicksburg, his forces were concentrated at Simmesport for an advance against Port Hudson. Meanwhile the division of Gen. Sherman, which had been quartered at New Or out under Gen. Nickerson, for the purpose of leans, was not inactive. A brigade was sent attacking any forces that the enemy might have in the neighborhood of Lake Pontchartrain. The first Texas cavalry, under Col. Davis, pushed as far as Tickfaw Station on the railroad, and captured a large amount of cotton, lumber, corn, and bacon. A lieutenant and eight men were made prisoners, among whom were fourteen Choctaw Indians. In this neighborhood a large tannery was also destroyed, and a large car shop, the Tangipaha bridge, and other val uable property. On the lake, four schooners, with cargoes of contraband goods, were burned.

The division of Gen. Augur had returned to Baton Rouge, from which a force was sent out that penetrated to a point on the railroad be tween Clinton and Port Hudson. A body of the enemy were encountered and routed. Of this body five were killed, several wounded, and twenty-five prisoners taken with their horses and accoutrements. About the same time Col. Grierson captured near Port Hudson three hundred head of cattle. The squadron, meanwhile, was anchored at the head of Profit's Island, not attempting any hostile demon strations, except the mortar vessels, which at night threw a few shells into Port Hudson.

About the middle of May all the available force near the river was concentrated at Baton

GEN SHERMANS CAMP feet above high water mark. Thence three series of batteries extended along the river above Port Hudson to a point on Thompson's creek, making a continuous line about three and a half miles in extent. Above Thompson's creek is an impassable marsh, forming a natural defence. From the lower battery began a line of land fortifications, of semi-circular form, about ten miles in extent, with Thompson's creek for its natural terminus above. The guns were of heavy caliber; in addition to which there were light batteries, that might be easily taken to any part of the line. The position was under the command of Col. Frank Gardner.

Rouge, to assist in the attack on Port Hudson. Thence Gens. Augur and Sherman moved to the south and east of that position, to coöperate with Gen. Banks. From Simmesport Gen. Banks moved his army to invest Port Hudson. A portion of his infantry was transported in steamers, and the residue with the artillery and cavalry and wagon train moved down on the west bank of the river, and thence across to Bayou Sara, which is five miles above Port Hudson, on the east bank of the Mississippi river. It was on the 21st of May that Gen. Banks landed, and on the next day a junction was effected with the advance of Maj.-Gen. Augur and Brig.-Gen. Sherman. His line occupied the Bayou Sara road. On this road Gen. Augur had an encounter with a force of the enemy, which resulted in their repulse with heavy loss. On the 25th, the enemy was compelled to abandon his first line of works. On the next day Gen. Weitzel's brigade, which had.covered the rear in the march from Alexandria, arrived, and on the morning of the 27th a general assault was made on the fortifications. Port Hudson, or Hickey's Landing, as it was called some years ago, is situated on a bend in the Mississippi river, about twenty-two miles above Baton Rouge, and one hundred and forty-seven above New Orleans. Approaching Port Hudson by water from below, the first batteries were situated on a bluff about forty

The fire of the artillery of Gen. Banks opened about six o'clock on the morning of the 27th, and continued with animation during the day. At ten o'clock, Gen. Weitzel's brigade, with the division of Gen. Grover-reduced to about two brigades-and the division of Gen. Emory, temporarily reduced by detachments to about a brigade, under command of Col. Paine, with two regiments of colored troops, made an assault upon the right of the enemy's works, crossing Sandy creek, and driving them through the woods into their fortifications. The fight lasted on this line until four o'clock, and was very severely contested. On the left, the infantry did not come up until later in the day; but at two o'clock an assault was commenced on the works on the centre