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which became the nucleus of the Second Regiment of Engineers, and was largely officered by members of the Forty-seventh.
The lines of defence were thirty miles long.
The immediate defences consisted of a parapet two and a half miles long, and a canal and military road to be guarded and scouted a distance of twelve to seventeen miles, through the swamps to the lake.
This important post was held under peculiar circumstances during the siege of Port Hudson.
As there were six hospitals belonging to the different regiments, the services of Doctors Blackmer and Mercer, as well as of the chaplain, Rev. E. W. Clark, cannot be too highly mentioned.
All soldiers connected with the Forty-seventh, or under command of its colonel, received at their decease a Christian burial.
The regiment was ordered home on the third day of August, arrived at Boston by rail via Cairo, Ill.; at Readville, Sept. 1, was mustered out of service.
The regiment lost by death, during its absence, twenty-three, and left forty-seven at New Orleans unable to come to land.
It had one hundred and ten officers and men detailed on special service most of the time, who filled some of the most important and useful positions in connection with the department.
The Forty-eighth Regiment was in the Department of the Gulf.
It arrived at New Orleans Feb. 1, 1863, and was sent to Baton Rouge as a part of the First Brigade, First Division, of Major-General Auger commanding.
March 13.—An important reconnoissance was made towards Port Hudson, in which this regiment participated.
The object of the expedition having been successfully accomplished, the next day it formed the rearguard of the baggage-train; the whole Nineteenth Corps having marched towards Port Hudson, for the purpose of making a diversion, while Admiral Farragut attempted to pass a portion of his fleet above the batteries.
The regiment remained at Baton Rouge, employed in the usual routine of camp duties, until May 18, when it was ordered to report to Colonel Dudley, in command of the Third Brigade, in camp at Merritt's Plantation.
May 21.—The whole force of General Auger having been
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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