ernoon of
the 22d.

Fifty-three small craft, capable of transporting three hundred men, had
been collected. Detachments for the boats were drawn from Green's
brigade and the 2d Louisiana horse. Major Hunter of Baylor's Texans was
placed in command, with Major Blair of the 2d Louisiana as second. After
nightfall Hunter embarked his men, and paddled down the Teche to the
Atchafalaya and Grand Lake. Fortunately, there was no wind; for the
slightest disturbance of the lake would have swamped his _fleet_. He had
about twelve miles to make, and was expected to reach before daylight
the northeast end of the island, a mile from Berwick's and the railway
terminus, where he was instructed to lie quiet until he heard General
Green's guns from the west side of the bay, then rush on the rear of the
Federal works. During the night Green placed a battery opposite the
gunboat and railway station, and deployed five hundred dismounted men
along the shores of the bay, here eight hundred yards wide. The battery
was run up by hand, and every precaution to secure silence taken. At
dawn of the 23d (June, 1863) our guns opened on the gunboat, and
speedily drove it away. Fire was then directed on the earthwork, where
the enemy, completely surprised, had some heavy pieces with which he
attempted to reply. A shout was heard in his rear, and Hunter with his
party came rushing on. Resistance ceased at once; but before Hunter
closed in, a train of three engines and many carriages escaped from the
station toward the Boeuf, seven miles away. I crossed in a "pirogue"
with Green, and sent back two flats and several skiffs found on the east
side for his men, who used them to get over, their horses swimming
alongside.

It was a scene of the wildest excitement and confusion. The sight of
such quantities of "loot" quite upset my hungry followers. Wandering
through the station and warehouse, filled with stores, a Texan came upon
a telegraphic instrument, clicking in response to one down the line.
Supposing this to be some infernal machine for our destruction, he
determined to save his friends at the risk of his own life, and smashed
the instrument with his heavy boots; then rushed among his comrades,
exclaiming: "Boys! they is trying to blow us up. I seen the triggers
a-working, but I busted 'em."

Mouton now crossed with some infantry, and order was restored; and
Green, who had brought over several scores of horses, mounted his men
and followed the rail