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our pickets.
This battery was ordered to the front at double quick and at 7 A. M. we were at the extreme advance—we opened a heavy fire which caused them to break for the woods.
At 9 A. M. Captain Simmes' Battery opened on us from a masked position—we dismounted one gun and exploded their ammunition chest forcing them to retreat.
A piece of one of our shells cut off the head of one, passed through another and killed his horse—deadly work.’
October 21. ‘6 A. M. whole force moved forward, the battery with advance cavalry.
At 7 A. M. met the enemy in line of battle.
Right section with cavalry engaged left flank while remaining section engaged them in front.
We succeeded in driving them back on the flank and then in front and they retreated in disorder.
Our troops followed to Opelousas when right section with cavalry branched off to Barry's Landing and went into camp after a hard march over ditches, through corn field, etc. October 28.
A running fight for 17 miles. Center section with Grover's division at Opelousas.’
And so it goes day after day till Opelousas is reached, and on November 1 a retrograde movement is ordered.
Here again we find the battery in the post of danger, acting often as rear guard, skirmishing with the enemy.
Under the date of November 2 we read: ‘7 A. M. enemy fired on our pickets.
Section ordered on the double quick to the front about a half mile away.
We opened fire and after a short skirmish drove them four miles and then fell back slowly across the plain to draw them into a fight.
They followed and when within short range we opened on them with shell which broke up their line.
We pursued them again till 4 P. M. when we gave up the chase and returned to camp.
Generals Washburne and Burbridge were with us during the engagement and gave us much credit.’
This battle is known as that of Carrion Crow Bayou.
The Rumford Press, Concord, N. H., 1912.
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