reached in the small hours of the morning, greatly fatigued. Our loss on this occasion was not severe; 12 men wounded.

To reduce the place was the work assigned, and it must be accomplished. General Banks issued an order on the 15th of June, congratulating the troops for their behavior and close investment of the stronghold, and calling for 1,000 Volunteers from the forces to form a storming column or "a forlorn hope." Soon more than the required number were on hand, and formed into two Battalions, to be commanded by General Birge. It did not become necessary to make this assault. General Gardner hearing of the fall of Vicksburg, capitulated on the 8th of July.

Every thing being satisfactorily arranged, our forces, preceded by the storming party, entered the fortification and filed past 6,000 brave but discomfited "Gray Backs;" freedom's emblem, the Stars and Stripes, was soon hoisted, saluted by a discharge from the guns which had so recently belched forth death against our lines.

On the 11th of July we proceeded down the river to Donaldsonville on board the steamer Iberville. The enemy a few nights prior to the surrender, made a desperate attack on a small garrison in the fort at this place, but were repulsed with severe loss. The garrison numbered not more than four hundred; more than three hundred of the enemy were seriously wounded. The enemy was posted just behind the town; batteries were placed along the levee at numerous places; several boats had been destroyed, and the transportation of supplies was getting quite precarious, but the surrender of Port Hudson put a stop to their amusement. We landed at night, slept on our arms, and woke up in the morning close to the enemy's pickets.

On the 14th a Brigade commanded by Colonel Morgan, of the 90th N.Y. Volunteers, advanced upon the Bayou about four miles, driving the enemy before him. The 159th was on his right flank doing picket duty, and the Company I belonged to was on the outside post in command of Captain William H. Sliter. Colonel Morgan came up to us and ordered us to go with him. The Captain told him he would not leave his post, a most important one, that the whole Brigade depended upon.

On the fifteenth the enemy made a stand under cover of a thick wood, protected by heavy artillery. Finding our forces not very formidable, the enemy advanced in force on our left flank, taking a number of prisoners. Reinforcements at this time came up, and the enemy fell back west of the Atchafalya River.

July 16th the 159th was detailed to guard wagon trains on the west side of the Mississippi. Arrived at Carrolton, where we were allowed to rest, remaining until the last of August, when we were sent to Thibodeaux, La., via Algiers.

September 1st, reached Thibodeaux. General Birge was in command of the District of Lafourche. Our Regiment, with the 13th Connecticut, was detailed to do provost and picket duty, while the other troops were distributed over the District.

Colonel Molineux was appointed on General Franklin's Staff on the 24th of September. We remained at this position until March 18th, 1864. Quiet prevailed during our advent here, only a few night alarms occuring, causing the long roll to beat and the men to turn out, but they amounted to nothing serious.

January 1st, 1864, Lieutenant-Colonel Burt took command of the Regiment at Thibodeaux, Colonel Molineux was relieved from duty on General Franklin's Staff, and assigned to command the Lafourche District, in place of General Birge, relieved on furlough.

On the 7th, Lieutenant-Colonel Burt resigned his Commission, on Surgeon's certificate, and was honorably discharged, and the command devolved on the senior officer, Captain Hart. His reign, however, was short. Major Gaul, who was on detached service at Albany, N.Y., was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Burt, and Captain Waltermire made Major. This arrangement was highly satisfactory to the whole Regiment.

February 25th, Lieutenant-Colonel Gaul reported for duty and took command of the Regiment.

A new Company of 64 enlisted men arrived from Hudson, N.Y., under command of Captain James S. Reynolds, First Lieutenant E. Spencer Elmer, and Second Lieutenant Peter R. Van Deusen. Old Company G was broken up, the men distributed through the Regiment, and the new Company installed in their place.

On the 19th of March we broke camp for the spring campaign, having been here nearly seven months. On the 21st took cars for New Orleans. Arrived at Algiers on the 24th. Embarked on board the James Battel and arrived at Alexandria, La., via. Red River, on the 27th of March.

Marched to west side of the river to Pineville while the dam was being built to enable the gunboats to pass down the river. Colonel Molineux was relieved from command of a recruiting party which he had been in charge of, called the "Louisiana Scouts," but the Regiment nick-named them the "Jay-hawkers." The gunboats having safely passed the dam, the army commenced moving back on the Mississippi.

May 11th, the 159th with some artillery and cavalry, were placed in charge of Alexandria and defences, under Colonel Molineux, and remained there while General Banks moved on Shreveport.

The engagements of Grandecore, Sabine Cross Road and Cane river, occurred while we were here. General Banks not being able to keep up his supplies, as the gunboats could not pass up in consequence of the rapid falling of the river, was obliged to fall back.

On the 16th, while passing through Marksville, the enemy made considerable show of resistance. The union forces deployed in line, making a grand and imposing appearance, extending for several miles over an almost level plain. The artillery on both sides belched forth for some hours. The casualties were light, and the enemy driven back. This is called the "Battle of Mansura."

On the 19th, reached Simsport; this was our second advent here.

The enemy continually harrassed us from the time we left Alexandria, from across the rivers and Bayous, and on our flanks and rear, but accomplished but little damage.

Crossed the river on the steamer Cumberland, and reached Morganzi, La., on the 22d. This terminated the "Red River Expedition" of 1864.

June 19th, General Grover's Division proceeded up the river as far as Fort Adams, and scoured the banks on either side for guerillas, who were numerous, firing into all boats passing on the river. Captured a few prisoners and returned. July 2d, Lieutenant-Colonel Gaul resigned, on account of disease contracted in the campaign, and Major Waltermire was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.

July 3d, took steamer Lancaster, and arrived at Algiers, opposite New Orleans, at 6 P.M., July 4th.

July 17th, went on board the U.S. Transport Cahawba. At 12 o'clock that night moved down the river and arrived at the Rip Raps and Fortress Monroe, on the 24th. Received water, and on the 25th proceeded up the James river, arriving at Bermuda Hundreds at 5 P.M. Move up to the entrenched position, and were kept continually moving about while there.

August 1st, went on board the steamer Winona, and arrive at Washington, D.C., the next day. Put baggage on cars for Harpers Ferry, but orders countermanded before we got off. Marched through Washington to Tenallytown. Remained there until the 14th, when we started to join General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, through Snicker's Gap. Crossed Chain Bridge and encamped at Owl Run, Va., that night. Arrived at Leesburgh on the 17th; passed through