est.

This condensed account of the Kentucky campaign, extending over many
months, is given because of my personal intimacy with the commander, who
apprised me of his plans. General Bragg died recently in Texas. I have
rarely known a more conscientious, laborious man. Exacting of others, he
never spared himself, but, conquering disease, showed a constant
devotion to duty; and distinguished as were his services in the cause he
espoused, they would have been far greater had he enjoyed the blessing
of health.

Leaving Chattanooga, I proceeded to my destination, western Louisiana,
and crossed the Mississippi at the entrance of Red River. Some miles
below, in the Atchafalaya, I found a steamer, and learned that the
Governor of the State was at Opelousas, which could be reached by
descending the last river to the junction of the Bayou Courtableau,
navigable at high water to the village of Washington, six miles north of
Opelousas. Embarking on the steamer, I reached the junction at sunset,
but the water in Courtableau was too low for steam navigation. As my
family had sought refuge with friends in the vicinity of Washington, I
was anxious to get on, and hired a boat, with four negro oarsmen, to
take me up the bayou, twenty miles. The narrow stream was overarched by
trees shrouded with Spanish moss, the universal parasite of Southern
forests. Heavy rain fell, accompanied by vivid lightning, the flashes of
which enabled us to find our way; and before dawn I had the happiness to
embrace wife and children after a separation of fourteen months. Some
hours later I reached Opelousas, and met the Governor, Thomas O. Moore,
with whom I had served in our State Assembly. This worthy gentleman, a
successful and opulent planter, had been elected Governor in 1860. He
was a man of moderate temper and opinions, but zealously aided the
Confederate cause after his State had joined it. Forced to leave New
Orleans by the approach of Farragut's fleet, he brought my family with
him, and was unwearied in kind attentions.

Melancholy indeed was the condition of the "District of Louisiana," to
the command of which I was assigned.

Confederate authority had virtually ceased with the fall of New Orleans
in the previous April. Fortifications at Barataria, Berwick's Bay, and
other Gulf-coast points had been abandoned, the garrisons withdrawn,
works dismantled, and guns thrown into the water. The Confederate
Government had no soldiers, no arms or munit