giment.

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 pas