ix batteries.

I remained at Shreveport three days, occupied with reports and sending
supplies to my little force near Grand Ecore, toward which I proceeded
on the 19th of April. Major-General Wharton, who had gained reputation
as a cavalry officer in the Confederate Army of Tennessee, accompanied
me. He had reported for duty at Shreveport on the 18th, and was assigned
to the command of the horse to replace the lamented Green. We reached
Polignac's camp, in the vicinity of Grand Ecore, ninety odd miles from
Shreveport, on the evening of the 21st, and learned that the enemy had
threatened an advance during the day. This convinced me of his intention
to retreat, and an officer was sent to General Bee to warn him.

Cane River leaves the main channel of the Red below Grand Ecore, and,
passing by Natchitoches, returns to the Red after a winding course of
sixty miles. Except at the season of floods, it is not navigable; but
the alluvion through which it flows is very productive, while the pine
forest immediately to the west is sterile. Bee, under instructions,
occupied the valley of Cane River with his horse, and had been ordered
to keep his pickets close to Grand Ecore and Natchitoches, draw his
forage from plantations along the river, and, when the enemy retreated
toward Alexandria, fall back before him to Monette's Ferry, which he was
expected to hold. Monette's Ferry, forty miles below Natchitoches, was
on the only practicable road to Alexandria. Here the river made a wide,
deep ford, and pine-clad hills rose abruptly from the southern bank. On
the left, looking toward Natchitoches, were hills and impassable lakes,
easily held against any force. On the right, hills, rugged and
pine-clad, extended eight miles to the point at which Cane River
reenters the Red. The distance from Monette's to Alexandria is
thirty-five miles, of which fourteen is through wooded hills. Roads led
west to Carroll Jones's and Beaseley's, twelve and thirty miles
respectively; and on these roads Bee was directed to keep his trains.

Concerning the position at Monette's General Banks reports: "The army
marched from Grand Ecore on the morning of the 22d of April. To prevent
the occupation of Monette's Bluff, on Cane River, a strong position
commanding the only road leading across the river to Alexandria, or to
prevent the concentration of the enemy's forces at that point, it became
necessary to accomplish the evacuation without his knowledge." As bef