SOLDIER 43 



a terrible march of twenty miles. The men fell out by scores, 

 but we pushed the rebs so hard, we captured their officers' 

 baggage-wagons. At 5 p.m. they made a slight stand, and 

 an artillery duel of an hour's duration ensued, in which 

 we lost two or three men. The rebs then retired burning 

 the bridge over the Bayou. We halted for the night and 

 have been most of the day constructing a new bridge. It's 

 a very good rest for the men, but those confounded rebs 

 will just escape us, I am afraid. I supppose we are bound 

 for Alexandria via Opelousas. By to-morrow or to-night 

 we shall be off again. I must close, for there is an opportun- 

 ity, I hear, to send back." 



For once his guess was correct. They drove the Con- 

 federates before them, and on April 20 occupied Opelousas, 

 which since the capture of Baton Rouge had been the capi- 

 tal of the State of Louisiana. Here General Banks gave his 

 worn and weary army a rest until May 5. The 25th Con- 

 necticut took position about ten miles east of headquarters, 

 at Barre's Landing, now called Fort Barre. While the 

 privates enjoyed the suspension of active operations the 

 officers seem to have been unusually busy, as their num- 

 bers had been greatly reduced by resignation, sickness and 

 death. 



With a little rest his natural exuberance of spirit burst 



out afresh. 



Barre's Landing, April 28, 1863. 



Daddy Goodell has been jubilant this morning and in 

 a state of unwonted excitement. Cause, the receipt this 

 morning of the "Atlantic" for April, and seven letters in- 

 cluding yours of April 4. Thrice-happy dog of a Goodell! 

 Sweet Singer in Israel, why recall to my mind the touching 



