Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[644] the reduction of that place, but the danger of overflowing the road from here to New Carthage, where the water is let into the new canal, connecting the river there with the bayous coming out at Carthage. One division of troops is now at Carthage and another on the way. By turning the water into the canal, water communication can be opened between the two places in a very few days for barges and tugs. Of the former I have but fifteen as yet, and of the latter but three, suitable for this navigation. To use this route, therefore, it is absolutely necessary to keep open the wagon-road to take the artillery and to march the troops.

In about three nights from this time Admiral Porter will run the Vicksburg batteries, with so much of his fleet as he desires to take below, and I will send four steamers (the machinery protected from shot by hay-bales and sand-bags), to be used in transporting troops and in towing barges.

The wagon-road (this work must now be early completed), by filling up the lowest ground, will be about twenty inches above the water in the swamps. The river, where it is to be let into the canal, is four and eight-tenths feet above the land. This, however, is fifteen miles by river below where the dirt-road starts out. Had I seen nothing of the effect of crevasses in the back country, I should not doubt the effect would be to overflow the whole country through which we pass. But there has been a large crevasse just below where the canal leaves the river for a long time, through which the water has been pouring in great volume. I cannot see that this additional crevasse is going to have much other effect than to increase the breaks in the bayou levees, so as to make the discharge equal to the supply.

I will have a map of this section made to send to you by next mail, which will make this move intelligible. The embarrassment I have had to contend against, on account of extreme high water, cannot be appreciated by any one not present to witness it. I think, however, you will receive favorable reports of the condition and feeling of this army from every impartial judge, and from all who have been sent from Washington to look after its welfare.