Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[47] cavalry, on the left bank of the bayou, discovered the enemy in some force on the right bank. Thompson's battery was sent forward and opened with shot and shell, which was vigorously replied to by the batteries below, posted on both sides of the bayou — the battery on the right bank being the nearest. General Weitzel soon made his dispositions to attack the enemy, forming the attacking force by placing the Eighth New-Hampshire on the right, and ordered the Twelfth and Thirteenth Connecticut to cross over and form in line of battle. Some artillery was also sent over. The crossing was effected under a vigorous fire from the rebel battery, the shells bursting all around, and some solid shot striking here and there. But the two Connecticut regiments came along without the least show of flinching, and took their places, when the order was given to the New-Hampshire boys to charge the battery. Three of these companies, A, E, and F, under command of Capts. Barrett, Warren, and Flanders, respectively, had been out as skirmishers, and had ascertained that the battery had three pieces with an infantry support. These companies, after having fearlessly scoured the woods, under a heavy fire, were called to take their places in the regiment, company E having lost its brave Captain Warren while skirmishing ; and all being ready, Col. Fearing, ably seconded by Lient.-Col. Lull, called on his regiment to “go in,” and in they went, the balls and shells of the enemy flying around in every direction, dealing death and frightful wounds to the ranks. Little heed they paid to that. On they went, through the underbrush, over fences and ditches, until they got near enough to deliver their fire, which was done with such effect as to cause an immediate stampede of the battery. This same stampede could have been prevented, but for the fact that the men were so fatigued with the charge that they could not follow up. The Twelfth Connecticut, which formed the left wing, came up in gallant style, and succeeded in flanking nearly the whole of the left wing of the enemy, who were in woods. This cut off their retreat, and secured them as prisoners. The manner of surrender is said to have been somewhat ludicrous. About thirty or forty of them threw themselves into a wide ditch, and, falling upon their backs and knees, waved their tattered white handkerchiefs in token of submission. There were some one hundred and twenty-five prisoners, rank and file, taken here, besides several officers. The confederate troops engaged belonged to the Eighteenth Louisiana and Crescent regiments. The Colonel of the latter, J. P. McPheeters, was killed on the field. He was buried by his own men, (who had been taken and paroled,) in a field by the wayside, about a mile above the field of battle, and about two below Napoleonville. Two confederate soldiers, names unknown, were buried by his side. In the same field, not far remote, lie the brave Captains Warren, company E, and Kelleher, company K, of the Eighth New-Hampshire. The whole regiment feels deep sorrow for the loss of these brave captains, who were popular, skilful, and brave, and fell nobly fighting for the integrity of their Government. They have offered up their hearts' blood at the shrine of their country, and a grateful people will cherish their memory. Peace to their manes.

The gallant style in which these three heretofore untried New-England regiments went into action, is a source of great pleasure to General Weitzel. The General is justly proud of his brigade, and he enjoys the entire confidence of every man in the expedition. It is impossible for a general to have more fully the moral support of an army, than that possessed by General Weitzel. The physical support has been shown to be efficient. It is always impossible to speak of every officer in detail who distinguishes himself in action. It might suffice to say that every officer was at his post — every duty performed — every order obeyed. The post of danger, consequently of honor, belongs to the several cavalry companies. Capt. Cowan having been detailed to serve on the staff, the command and direction of his fine company devolved on Lieut. Perkins, and whatever the fitness of “any other man” may be for the position, I consider Perkins fully his equal. He is an incessant rider, always on the alert, always useful. While I thus speak of the Lieutenant, I must not forget that the other commanders have done their duty, but at this hurried moment I have not so good an opportunity to learn their names.

Our loss in killed and wounded will probably exceed that of the enemy, but we have lost but one prisoner, while theirs are now counted by hundreds. Those I send you were taken on the field. About as many more have been captured by the cavalry and paroled. It is said in Thibodeaux this morning that since our army has been encamped here, there have been some three hundred desertions out of the Lafourche militia.

The people are in desperate straits in this region of country. They have no flour, no shoes, very little salt, no butter, lard, candles or soap — in fact, the only things at all plenty are sugar, corn, negroes, and shinplasters payable in confederate notes. They begin to heartily wish for the restoration of the authority of the Federal Government. That Government protects them, feeds them, is like a parent to them. The rebels burn their bridges, their cotton, their sugar, impress their entire male population into their halffed, scantily clothed armies, and leave the women and children to starve at home.

How long we shall remain here depends on events soon to be developed. Every man, however, is anxious to meet the enemy again, in force sufficient to give the whole brigade a chance. It is hoped that communication will be opened to the city by the Opelousas Railroad soon. There are some large sugar plantations here, and a great deal of sugar, and the Lord knows the people need the necessaries it might purchase in New-Orleans.

It is likely that many of the crops now in the fields will be lost, as the whites have gone with the confederate forces--been compelled to go — and