...ent when those instructions were given, now made it evident that such a plan of campaign might be a questionable one, but as late as May 17, 1863, Banks had not abandoned it. Yet it seemed clear that Port Hudson , with its large army, ought not to be left between our forces and New Orleans, as it would be if Banks marched on Vicksburg, unless we wished to lose New Orleans. The plan of campaign, viz., to uni...