tions as prophets or sons of
prophets. Subsequently, it was given out that General Kirby Smith had a
wonderful plan for the destruction of the enemy, which I had disturbed
by rashly beating his army at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill; but this
plan, like Trochu's for the defense of Paris, was never
disclosed--undoubtedly, because _c'etait le secret de Polichinelle_.

After many days of energetic labor, the enemy on the 13th of May
succeeded in passing his fleet over the falls at Alexandria, evacuated
the place, and retreated down the river, the army, on the south bank,
keeping pace with the fleet. Admiral Porter, in his report to the
Secretary of the Navy, gives a graphic account of the passage of the
falls, and under date of May 19th, says: "In my report in relation to
the release of the gunboats from their unpleasant position above the
falls, I did not think it prudent to mention that I was obliged to
destroy eleven thirty-two-pounders, not having time to haul them from
above the falls to Alexandria, the army having moved and drawn in all
their pickets. For the same reason I also omitted to mention that I was
obliged to take off the iron from the sides of the Pook gunboats and
from the Ozark, to enable them to get over."

To harass the retreat, the horse and artillery, on the river above
Alexandria, were directed to press the enemy's rear, and the remaining
horse and Polignac's infantry to intercept his route at Avoyelles
Prairie. During the 14th, 15th, and 16th he was constantly attacked in
front, rear, and right flank; and on the 17th Wharton charged his rear
near Mansura, capturing many prisoners, while Colonel Yager, with two
regiments of horse, cut in on the wagon train at Yellow Bayou, killed
and drove off the guard, and destroyed much property. Meanwhile Liddell,
on the north bank of the Red, followed the fleet and kept up a constant
fire on the transports. But for the unfortunate withdrawal of his
battery, before alluded to, he could have destroyed many of these
vessels. On the 18th we attacked the enemy at Yellow Bayou, near
Simmsport, and a severe engagement ensued, lasting until night. We held
the field, on which the enemy left his dead, but our loss was heavy,
four hundred and fifty-two in killed and wounded; among the former,
Colonel Stone, commanding Polignac's old brigade. Polignac, in charge of
division, was conspicuous in this action. The following day, May 19,
1864, the enemy crossed the Atchafalaya and