Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[530] the artillery the enemy had four hundred cavalry and two hundred infantry. The advance was now resumed, and beyond an occasional stray musket-shot and the capture of a few prisoners, nothing important occurred. The cavalry were supported by the One Hundred and Sixtieth New-York, and the gunboat Clifton sent for. By General Weitzel's orders, Colonel E. B. Smith placed a guard over the houses and plantations. The sugar-houses and out-buildings were filled with sugar, corn, and molasses. The advance was now very rapid, the Clifton ahead, occasionally shelling the woods. Many of the families of the planters were taken so unawares that when our forces arrived at their residences an untouched or half-eaten dinner on the table, or valuable article left here and there, proved with what surprise they heard of our advance, and in what haste they left. Black and white all hurriedly crossed the Atchafalaya or accompanied the enemy. None were there to welcome us. It was well that General Weitzel placed a guard over their homes and property, or the owners would have returned to a homeless desert. At half-past 5 P. M., Pattersonville was reached. This village is distant nine miles from Berwick City. The Atchafalaya runs to the right, parallel with it, and in this neighborhood, it will be remembered, that some four weeks ago the Diana was captured by the rebels.

At four o'clock General Banks and staff started from Berwick City for the front. General Emory's division followed the advance, the ambulances and wagons bringing up the rear. All had arrived at Pattersonville by six P. M., including the staff. A detachment of Major Robinson's cavalry acted as General Banks's body-guard. Nearly every house of respectable size and appearance in the village was honored by either division, brigade, or regimental headquarters, while the Commanding General and staff occupied a large white house to the right, some twenty yards from the side of the road. The whole army was in a very small space, but a strong force of infantry and artillery guarded it well on every side from surprise and attack.

At six o'clock on Sunday morning I started for the extreme front. Williamson's cavalry were scouring the country ahead and on the right, occasionally skirmishing with the enemy, who were out of range of our artillery.

About seven o'clock the Seventy-fifth New-York moved slowly ahead, throwing out skirmishers, and acting as support to Bainbridge's artillery. The infantry deployed toward the dense woods on the left, about half a mile in the advance of a large force of Generals Emory and Weitzel's commands. Artillery was also posted to the right and centre, and in front of the Atchafalaya.

The skirmishers having moved about half a mile, and beyond a bend of woods about two hundred yards, discovered a large force of the enemy's cavalry advancing on the main road. Falling back to their support, the skirmishers reported what they had seen, when the artillery opened, firing three shells. The enemy hastily left. About eight o'clock a cloud of dust was seen in the distance. It was evidently caused by a large force of the enemy advancing. This fact was communicated to General Weitzel. Captain Williamson was also notified of the move, and cautioned to be on the alert against surprise.

I now looked along the level country beyond the woods to the left. With the exception of the buildings on the plantations, the shrubbery around, and the ridges on the sugar and cornfields, there was no obstruction for miles. Indistinct moving bodies night be observed with the naked eye. By the aid of a glass I could see see that they were rebel cavalry and infantry. They were mostly in small squads of three and four. This was about nine o'clock A. M. They were moving from what appeared to be a road, leading in the direction of the woods on the left, and some buildings to the right.

General Banks and staff, accompanied by Generals Emory, Andrews, and Weitzel, now rode up for the purpose of reconnoitring the country. After a careful survey they were only able to see a few rebel cavalry, and in a few moments their horses' heads were turned in the direction of Pattersonville, General Banks remarking: “There are no enemy in front. We will advance the army, gentlemen.”

Half an hour after the cavalcade returned, General Weitzel's brigade of artillery and infantry advanced to the open ground beyond the point of woods on the left and formed in line of battle, as follows:

Seventy-fifth New-York centre; One Hundred and Fourteenth New-York right centre; Eighth Vermont right; One Hundred and Sixtieth New-York left centre, and the Twelfth Connecticut left.

Captain Bainbridge's battery, company A, First United States, was in position at the right, and Captain Carruth's Sixth Massachusetts battery in the centre.

Colonel Ingraham's brigade of General Emory's division formed the extreme left of the line of battle in the advance, and was composed of the One Hundred and Tenth and One Hundred and Sixty-second New-York, Fourth Massachusetts, and Sixteenth Vermont.

At this time both Generals Banks and Emory had a narrow escape from the bullets of the enemy's sharp-shooters. General Emory was placing his men in position when General Banks rode up. The two commanders were not more than three feet apart, and were conversing together as to future movements, when suddenly from the woods on the left, not more than two hundred yards distant, half a dozen muskets were discharged, and the bullets went whistling past and between the Generals, one ball entering the breast and killing one of the body-guard.

Quick as lightning General Emory half-turned in his saddle, and pointing to the woods and addressing his mounted guard said: “After them, men, there are but five or six of them, or we should have had more shots.”