from him. He found at the Station three freight-ruse, I immediately ordered the Thirteenth Concars, one passenger-car, two barbette guns, spik- necticut across the bayou to support the Eighth ed, (thirty-two-pounders,) two twelve-pound iron New-Hampshire and the Twelfth Connecticut, howitzers, in good order, and guns, equipments, Thompson's battery to play upon the enemy's etc., scattered along the road. artillery on the right bank, which was firing I therefore propose now to give you a more de- splendidly upon our forces and my bridge; ordertailed report of my operations since I left Don-ed Carruth to cross over with his two advanced aldsonville. I left this place at six o'clock on section, and the Seventy-fifth New-York to supSunday morning last, and marched on the left port Thompson and guard the head of the bribank until I was within one mile of Napoleon- gade and the front of the train. ville, where I bivouacked in line of battle. Believing that the enemy would, by means of the numerous flatboat ferries which I knew were in the bayou, probably cross from one side of the bayou to the other, I took in tow a flatboat bridge and carried it with me all the way, and have it with me now. I destroyed every boat I passed as a prudential military measure. It has proved of invaluable service to me.

I moved on the first day with but one company of the Eighth New-Hampshire on the right bank. The enemy's scouts were continually in sight of my advance-guard of cavalry, and just before going into camp one captain of the enemy was killed by my advance-guard and three prisoners were taken. Immediately afterward one of the Eighth New-Hampshire privates on the right bank was taken prisoner by the enemy.

I started on Monday morning again at six o'clock, but feeling that the enemy was in some force on the right bank, I threw over the whole of the Eighth New-Hampshire and Perkins's cavalry by means of my floating bridge, and in this order moved down the bayou.

At eleven o'clock, when I was about two miles above Labadieville, I received the report that the enemy was in force about one mile ahead, on the left bank, and that they had six pieces of artillery, I immediately ordered four pieces of Carruth's battery up, (two pieces were with the rearguard and Thompson's was already ahead,) and formed the Thirteenth Connecticut and Seventyfifth New-York in line of battle to support Thomp

son.

I then crossed over, ordered the Eighth NewHampshire to form line of battle across the road, the Twelfth Connecticut to form on its right, and ordered these forward to attack at once. They had scarcely commenced moving when the Thirteenth Connecticut arrived at a double-quick from across the bayou. I immediately ordered this in reserve. Subsequently, as the centre guides of the Eighth New-Hampshire and the Twelfth Connecticut moved in different lines of direction, they became sufficiently separated to allow me to throw the Thirteenth Connecticut on the line between the two. I ordered this regiment forward in line of battle. The line thus formed advanced steadily at my command forward. In a very short time the enemy's battery retreated, and also the infantry support. The fight did not last long. I found that the enemy had four pieces of artillery in the road. It was Connor's battery, Company A, Withers's light artillery, commanded by Captain J. Rutson, (who was wounded and is now a paroled prisoner.) This battery supported by the remnants of the Eighteenth Louisiana and the Crescent City regiments, numbering together about five hundred men. They were lying down in a ditch on the lower side of a plantation road in the edge of woods at Georgia Landing, and immediately on the left of the battery.

I ordered skirmishers at once in the woods to secure prisoners. Carruth arrived about this time, and I sent him with one section and Perkins's cavalry in pursuit. They pursued about four miles, Carruth firing upon the retreating forces on both sides of the bayou. I have since learned that Simms's battery of six pieces, supported by Col. Clark's (the Thirty-third) regiment of Louisiana volunteers, was in front on the left bank.

I lost eighteen killed and seventy-four wounded. Lieut. Francis, of the Twelfth Connecticut, was taken prisoner before the fight. We have buried five of the enemy, and have seventeen wounded in our hospital, but I have proof that

These two regiments formed splendidly, and moved at once forward to the attack, through a dense cane-field. I moved on with them, and after emerging from the cane-field I received the report, which was, that the enemy was in position on the right bank also, and that he had four pieces of artillery on that side. At the same time I received the report that the enemy's cavalry was in the rear of my rear-guard. I immediately swung my bridge across the bayou, order-their loss was greater. I took one hundred and ed eight companies of the Twelfth Connecticut sixty-six of the enemy prisoners the day of battle, over to support the Eighth New-Hampshire, leav- and forty-two of them since total, two hundred ing two companies of this regiment, one section and eight; I released them all on parole. The of Carruth's battery and Williamson's cavalry to commanding officer of the enemy, Col. J. P. Mcguard the rear. I immediately ordered, also, that Pheeters, was killed. I delivered his body to a road be cut up the steep bank on both sides of some of his brother officers, who were prisoners, the bayou for the passage of artillery and my and he was decently buried near the battle-field, train. I found soon that the enemy on the left the Chaplain of the Eighth New-Hampshire officibank, after delivering only the fire of its advance-ating. One of the pieces of the enemy's artillery guard, which killed one of my cavalry and wounded another, and killed two horses, had disappeared for some unaccountable reason. Fearing some

broke down in the retreat. We secured it, and have it now in our possession. All of my command did very well, both officers and men.

The

Eighth New-Hampshire advanced steadily in front boats. Arrived at a point four miles below of the enemy's battery. The Twelfth and Thir- Donaldsonville, where the troops were landed teenth Connecticut crossed the bridge, formed in and marched into the town, the transports folline of battle under the very accurate and splen- lowing along with them. The front of where did fire of the enemy's artillery, without seeming the village of Donaldsonville once stood is now to notice it at all. My cavalry has been of in- in ruins, having been shelled by our gunboats valuable service to me; both officers and men some time since, for having harbored guerrillas. have done splendidly. I wish I had four times The rear portion of the town, however, is undisthe number. The signal corps, also, has been of turbed; but the deserted streets, the tenantless great service to me. houses, the few and squalid inhabitants remaining, contrast strangely with the appearance pre

I crossed over my train and encamped on the battle-field; had my own and the enemy's wound-sented to the visitor before the war. ed put in a house which I took as an hospital. I went into camp the next morning, (yesterday.) I moved on down the right bank of the bayou, throwing over the Seventy-fifth New-York and Williamson's cavalry on the left bank. I left about thirty wounded of my own, who could not be moved, and the enemy's wounded, in charge of Surgeon B. N. Cummings, of the Thirteenth Connecticut, and left with him provisions, money, and supplies, for their care. I entered Thibodeaux at three o'clock P.M. without opposition.

I certainly expected a fight at this place. When I arrived a short distance from it, I found from the smoke of burning bridges that they were retreating, and immediately ordered my cavalry in pursuit. They followed as closely as their force would allow, and prevented the total destruction of two railroad bridges, the one across Bayou Lafourche, the other across Bayou Terrebonne. I found three freight-cars at Lafourche Crossing, uninjured, one containing arms, shovels, and sugar, and another containing a lot of arms, ammunition, and accoutrements. I also found papers by the side of the road, which were thrown away in their retreat, proving that the enemy had left Bayou des Allemands. I went into camp on Burton's plantation, about one mile below Thibodeaux. I will repair the damage on the two bridges to-morrow. The enemy has retreated to Berwick's Bay. I send you a list of my killed and wounded; I also send you a list of prisoners I paroled. I think it would be well to publish the latter list, as a great many are from NewOrleans.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WEITZEL,
Brig.-General U. S. Vols., Commanding Reserve Brigade.
Major GEORGE C. STRONG,
Ass't Adjutant-General, Department of the Gulf, New-Orleans.

NEW-ORLEANS "DELTA" ACCOUNTS.

HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE,

IN CAMP, NEAR THIBODEAUXVILLE, Oct. 30, 1862.

The expedition under Brig.-General Weitzel reached this place last night, after a march of about three days and a half from Carrollton.

The brigade encamped at night in town. The night was truly a stormy one, the wind howling and whistling through the dilapidated and ruined tenements in mournful numbers, suggesting the idea of a requiem for the absent owners, many of whom will probably never return. The NewEngland boys here first felt the chilling influence of a Louisiana north-wester, but they paid little regard to that. They only asked for dry weather and the enemy, both of which, thank fortune, they found.

On Sunday morning, early, the whole column took up the line of march down the Bayou Lafourche, the main body on the left bank, and company F, Eighth New-Hampshire, under command of Capt. Flanders, thrown out across the bayou on the right as skirmishers. Companies were also thrown out on the left. All along the march, from the very beginning, crowds of negroes, of all ages and both sexes, came rushing to the ranks to join the column. Many came with packs of clothing, some with their picaninnies, but most of them empty-handed. The women and children were not permitted to join at first, as there was no transportation for them, and they could only go a few miles and then fall by the wayside with fatigue.

The first day passed without encountering the enemy except a few roving bands, many of whom were bagged, and the army bivouacked in the open field, at a point about two miles above Napoleonville, which is said to be about fifteen miles from Donaldsonville. At this point there were several signs of the enemy. The cavalry on the left surprised a captain of confederate cavalry, in a field, and called on him to surrender. He replied by shooting at one of the cavalrymen, the ball passing through his holster. He was then shot through the head with a carbine. This company of cavalry was under the command of Lieut. Perkins. On the right, a party of about a dozen rebel cavalry dashed on the outpost pickets of the Eighth New-Hampshire and captured a sentinel, and came near taking Lieut. Bell; but he, being mounted on a fleet horse, and disregarding their summons to surrender, made his escape amid a volley of balls sent after him. The man captured is named John O'Donnell, and hopes are entertained that we may succeed in retaking him.

The reserve brigade is composed of the Eighth New-Hampshire, Thirteenth Connecticut, Twelfth Connecticut, and Seventy-fifth New-York regiments, and First Louisiana, named in their order in the brigade, commencing on the right. We Early on Monday morning the forces again embarked on board the transports at Carrollton took up the line of march, with the Eighth Newon Friday, twenty-fourth, at four o'clock, and im- Hampshire regiment on the right bank, and had mediately started up, accompanied by four gun-proceeded about five miles, when the Louisiana

lar, skilful, and brave, and fell nobly fighting for the integrity of their Government. They have offered up their hearts' blood at the shrine of their country, and a grateful people will cherish their memory. Peace to their manes.

cavalry, on the left bank of the bayou, discovered the enemy in some force on the right bank. Thompson's battery was sent forward and opened with shot and shell, which was vigorously replied to by the batteries below, posted on both sides of the bayou-the battery on the right bank be- The gallant style in which these three heretoing the nearest. General Weitzel soon made his fore untried New-England regiments went into dispositions to attack the enemy, forming the at-action, is a source of great pleasure to General tacking force by placing the Eighth New-Hamp- Weitzel. The General is justly proud of his shire on the right, and ordered the Twelfth and brigade, and he enjoys the entire confidence of Thirteenth Connecticut to cross over and form in every man in the expedition. It is impossible line of battle. Some artillery was also sent over. for a general to have more fully the moral supThe crossing was effected under a vigorous fire port of an army, than that possessed by General from the rebel battery, the shells bursting all Weitzel. The physical support has been shown around, and some solid shot striking here and to be efficient. It is always impossible to speak there. But the two Connecticut regiments came of every officer in detail who distinguishes himalong without the least show of flinching, and self in action. It might suffice to say that every took their places, when the order was given to officer was at his post-every duty performed the New-Hampshire boys to charge the battery. every order obeyed. The post of danger, conseThree of these companies, A, E, and F, under quently of honor, belongs to the several cavalry command of Capts. Barrett, Warren, and Flan- companies. Capt. Cowan having been detailed ders, respectively, had been out as skirmishers, to serve on the staff, the command and direction and had ascertained that the battery had three of his fine company devolved on Lieut. Perkins, pieces with an infantry support. These compa- and whatever the fitness of "any other man nies, after having fearlessly scoured the woods, may be for the position, I consider Perkins fully under a heavy fire, were called to take their his equal. He is an incessant rider, always on places in the regiment, company E having lost the alert, always useful. While I thus speak of its brave Captain Warren while skirmishing; and the Lieutenant, I must not forget that the other all being ready, Col. Fearing, ably seconded by commanders have done their duty, but at this Lieut.-Col. Lull, called on his regiment to " go hurried moment I have not so good an opportunin," and in they went, the balls and shells of the ity to learn their names. enemy flying around in every direction, dealing death and frightful wounds to the ranks. Little heed they paid to that. On they went, through the underbrush, over fences and ditches, until they got near enough to deliver their fire, which was done with such effect as to cause an immediate stampede of the battery. This same stampede could have been prevented, but for the fact that the men were so fatigued with the charge that they could not follow up. The Twelfth Connecticut, which formed the left wing, came up in gallant style, and succeeded in flanking nearly the whole of the left wing of the enemy, who were in woods. This cut off their retreat, and secured them as prisoners. The manner of surrender is said to have been somewhat ludicrous. About thirty or forty of them threw themselves into a wide ditch, and, falling upon their backs and knees, waved their tattered white handkerchiefs in token of submission. There were some one hundred and twenty-five prisoners, rank and file, taken here, besides several officers. The confederate troops engaged belonged to the Eighteenth Louisiana and Crescent regiments. The Colonel of the latter, J. P. McPheeters, was killed on the field. He was buried by his own men, (who had been taken and paroled,) in a field by the wayside, about a mile above the field of battle, and about two below Napoleonville. Two confederate soldiers, names unknown, were buried by his side. In the same field, not far remote, lie the brave Captains Warren, company E, and Kelleher, company K, of the Eighth New-Hampshire. The whole regiment feels deep sorrow for the loss of these brave captains, who were popu

Our loss in killed and wounded will probably exceed that of the enemy, but we have lost but one prisoner, while theirs are now counted by hundreds. Those I send you were taken on the field. About as many more have been captured by the cavalry and paroled. It is said in Thibodeaux this morning that since our army has been encamped here, there have been some three hundred desertions out of the Lafourche militia.

The people are in desperate straits in this region of country. They have no flour, no shoes, very little salt, no butter, lard, candles or soapin fact, the only things at all plenty are sugar, corn, negroes, and shinplasters payable in confederate notes. They begin to heartily wish for. the restoration of the authority of the Federal Government. That Government protects them, feeds them, is like a parent to them. The rebels burn their bridges, their cotton, their sugar, impress their entire male population into their halffed, scantily clothed armies, and leave the women and children to starve at home.

How long we shall remain here depends on events soon to be developed. Every man, however, is anxious to meet the enemy again, in force sufficient to give the whole brigade a chance. It is hoped that communication will be opened to the city by the Opelousas Railroad soon. are some large sugar plantations here, and a great deal of sugar, and the Lord knows the people need the necessaries it might purchase in New Orleans.

There

It is likely that many of the crops now in the fields will be lost, as the whites have gone with the confederate forces-been compelled to go→

and the blacks have come within our lines. They I believe, had only three pieces in the fight-a are a great source of annoyance to our army, but, under the act of Congress, and instructions from the powers that be, in Washington, they cannot be turned away. They are good foragers. Nearly every man in the expedition has a servant, even the privates. Some of the officers have two or three.