CAPT.: Pursuant to orders I left camp with a detachment of my regiment at 7 a. m. the 19th instant, with five days' rations, camp equipage, &c., and halted at 10 p. m. at Poydras' College, on Fausse River, where I established a camp and sent orders to the detachment of cavalry at Grossetete Bayou to report to me by direction of Gen. Lawler. At 9 p. m. the 20th instant left my camp with 225 men (leaving fifty men to guard camp) and moved out to Bayou Maringouin, where I searched every house. At the house of Wiley Barrow I left the bayou and went straight back into the swamp, and after passing over a very muddy road through an almost impenetrable swamp, arrived at Bayou Alabama at 7.30 a. m., having been five hours going over eight miles of road. Halted my command one-third of a mile from the bayou and dismounted my men to fight on foot. Went forward myself to ascertain the position of the enemy; found an island in my front from which some of the enemy were bathing. Width of the bayou to the island about fifty yards. On the opposite bank a camp fire, one piece of artillery in position, a hut surrounded by camp kettles, &c., and three or four men in the water. A flat-boat lay at the opposite bank directly under the piece of artillery. Posted sharpshooters behind trees, stumps, &c., to keep the artillery silent and cover a crossing. Brought up my men, while Lieut. Albert Westinghouse, Company B, and Sergeant Cadwell, Company B, both of my regiment, swam the bayou and brought across the flat-boat, by which I was able to cross thirty men at a time. The enemy disappeared in the woods upon seeing us. Sixty men across and I commenced moving at a double-quick into the woods; came upon the camp of Capt. Ratliff after one mile and a half march and captured it with but a slight skirmish. The camp consisted of wooden buildings, houses, barns, negroes quarters, and a saw-mill, all of which I burned, except a few quarters occupied by old negroes. Captured at this camp 1 piece of artillery, a few carbines, sabers, and pistols, a large amount of ammunition, including artillery, carbine, and pistol powder, percussion caps, &c., five dozen pairs pants, eight dozen shirts, large supply of commissary stores, camp equipage, &c., also 15 horses, 3 prisoners of war, and a large mail. I was unable to bring away but a very small quantity of the captured stores on account of the bad roads. Many places my men had to dismount and lead their horses, having many bayous to ford and never finding a bridge. I spiked the piece of artillery and sunk it in the middle of the bayou, first dismounting it; water about fifty feet deep and very soft bottom. Destroyed everything of value not brought away. Found at the camp Mrs. Ratliff, the captain's wife. Returned by another road, striking the State road at Robert I. Barrow's, five miles above Livonia; halted at sundown at John Lombard's, where we fed and rested for the first time since the day before. My men were very much fatigued, the work performed by them being of the most laborious character. Resumed the march at 7 a. m. the next day and arrived at my camp on Fausse River at 1 p. m. Broke camp on Fausse River at 7 a. m. 22d instant, and arrived at this camp at 12 m. I was informed by Mrs. Frank Harding that he husband was arrested by Confederate authority and confined for during the war for taking the oath of allegiance to the United States and for friendliness to our soldiers.
The order was issued for his arrest upon an application signed by Mr. Pullman, of Grossetete Bayou, Mr. Mathews, at junction of Fordoche and Grossetete Bayous; Mr. Ciberth, of Fausse River; Rev. Mr. Smiley, Grossetete; Robert I. Barrow, State road above Grossetete. Mr. Howard, whom I arrested, conducted Capt. Pryne and men to arrest Frank Harding and assisted in the arrest. I would respectfully recommend that the parties causing the arrest of Mr. Harding be arrested and confined until Mr. Harding is released and return to his family, which is very large and poor.
The following were the troops under my command on this expedition: Second Veteran Cavalry, New York Volunteers, 234 men; First Texas Cavalry Volunteers, 75 men; total, 309.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. L. GURNEY,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.
Capt. B. WILSON,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., U. S. Forces.
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