The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 24, In Three Parts. Part 3, Correspondence, etc. Page: 79
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CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.
of getting into Bayou Macon from the river at that point. There is
now a difference of 8 feet between the surface of the water in the river
and the general level of the country behind the levee, and there is an
open route across the fields, and following a road to the bayou, so that
the only question is whether the country between the river and the
bayou will fill up with water, after the levee is cut, deep enough to float
steamboats. If so, the route is perfectly feasible and can be opened in
four or five days. I have given Colonel Bissell directions to try it, and
he goes up in the morning with his regiment to commence the work.
The Rocket I have sent down to the fleet to obtain the powder for
blasting out the levee. The point where the levee will be cut is a short
distance below the Arkansas line.
No portion of General Quinby's division has arrived, though I am
expecting him hourly. I shall, unless otherwise directed, order his
command to disembark at Grand Lake, and push rapidly across Bayou
Macon, and thence down on the high ground on the western side to
some good point to the west or northwest of this place, where he can
guard the bayou, to prevent the rebels from obstructing it by felling
trees, and probably secure a large amount of rebel property, cotton,
horses, cattle, mules, &c., which have been moved over for safety.
The road from the river to Bayou Macon, at Grand Lake, is very
good, and will require only two bridges, which Colonel Bissell can con-
struct rapidly out of his pontoon train.
The work of cleaning out Bayou Baxter is progressing as rapidly as
circumstances will admit.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. McPHERSON.
LAKE PROVIDENCE, LA., March 2, 1863.
Brig. Gen. I. F. QUINBY, Commanding Seventh Division :
GENERAL: You will disembark your command at Grand Lake, and
push rapidly out to the westward, across to Bayou Macon, and thence
down on the western side of the bayou 6 or 8 miles, to some good point
where you can establish your main camp, for the double purpose of
preventing the rebels from obstructing the bayou by felling trees, &c.,
into it, and securing a large amount of rebel property-cotton, horses,
mules, &c., which have been moved over there for safety.
Colonel Bissell, who will deliver this to you, will indicate the road
you are to take, and will also throw pontoon bridges across the bayous
or streams.
There is a regiment of rebel cavalry scattered along the west side
of Bayou Macon, and an organization of Home Guards, which you will
have to look out for. From all I can learn, however, they are not very
formidable, but it will be best to keep on the alert. There is no direct
route from here across to Bayou Macon, as a great portion of the coun-
try is overflowed.
You will, of course, leave a sufficient force at your landing to protect
the transports, and keep open communication between them and your
camps.
One great object in pushing forward rapidly after you land is to se-
cure a large amount of cotton, which is said to be stored in sheds along
the bayou, and which will probably be burned if the enemy gets wind
of our coming.
I would like to see you in person as soon as convenient.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. MoPHERSON.79
CHaP. XXXVI.]
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 24. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 24.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 24, In Three Parts. Part 3, Correspondence, etc., book, 1889; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154593/m1/79/?q=Thrall: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.