70 HENRY HILL GOODELL 



colonel, two majors, four captains and several lieutenants. 1 

 Our loss was exceedingly small. Since then the little garri- 

 son has been strengthened. 



Now comes the cream of everything. The rebs have got 

 into Bayou Bceuf and captured or destroyed the whole of 

 our division property there stored. Tents, baggage, knap- 

 sacks, company and regimental books, all swept away. 

 We are all as poor as Job's turkey, or as that unfortunate 

 damsel who had "nothing to wear.' 5 Except the rags that 

 cover us we have not a thing. In common with the other 

 officers, I have lost my blankets, overcoat, valise, dress- 

 uniform and sash, and a hundred little knick-knacks picked 

 up here and there. Were we near you I should write a feel- 

 ing address to the soldiers' aid society for some pocket- 

 handkerchiefs, being reduced to the last shift, that is the 

 flap of an ancient shirt picked up in a deserted mansion. 

 The adjutant has now returned to duty. I have gone back 

 to my own company, or rather the first three, A. F. and D. 

 being without officers, have been consolidated with F, and 

 Captain Napheys and myself are in command. From Colo- 

 nel Bissell we heard not long since. He is slowly and steadily 

 improving, and we are hoping to count the days before 

 we can welcome our colonel back. We have missed him 



1 The incident here alluded to ought not to be forgotten. The provost- 

 marshal, Major H. M. Porter, reports, that "at 1.30 on the morning of 

 the 28th, the enemy, about 5,000 strong, attacked both the fort and the 

 gunboat, with infantry and artillery, and continued fighting until 4.30 

 a.m. There were about 180 men in the Fort and this was the first engage- 

 ment of most of them. Nobly did the officers and men acquit themselves." 

 The loss of the enemy he puts at probably 350 killed and wounded. In 

 short the little garrison, with the gun-boat, put hors de combat about 

 twice their own number. 41 W. R. 205. 



