ed that night.

"20th.--At 10 P. M. again for Port Hudson. After hours of hard marching
in heavy order in a hot sun on dusty roads and very little water to
drink, the regiment camped at dark in the left of the Union line on the
road leading to Springfield landing.

"21st.--Battle of Plains Store. During the morning there were rumors of
a fight, as the rebels were determined to prevent a junction of the
force under Augur and Grover, of Banks' army, who were moving down from
St. Francis. This brought on the above-named battle, in which the negro
regiment held the extreme left, and thus prevented the rebels getting in
the rear of the Union troops.

"22d.--Companies A and G drove back some rebel pickets, capturing one
man, horse, equipments, and two rifles. The man was thrown by his horse
and was badly hurt, his head striking against a tree.

"23d.--We formed a junction to-day with Banks, and Port Hudson is
invested.

"24th.--Companies E and G, under Captain Blake, on a scout.

"25th.--To-day the regiment marched from the extreme left to the extreme
right of the Union line, a hard long tramp again in heavy order. At
night we encamped near Sandy Creek, close to the Mississippi. Each man
had to carry his own baggage. This regiment was never given any wagons.

"26th.--At Sandy Creek protecting men laying the pontoon bridge.
Skirmishing all day with the rebels. The boys are getting used to
fighting.

"27th.--Storming the batteries. The negro soldiers prove the bravest of
the brave. To-day was fought one of the most desperate battles on
record. Our brigade, six companies of the 1st, and nine companies of 3rd
Regiment Louisiana Native Guards, commenced fighting at quarter of an
hour before 6 A. M. The 1st, under Lieutenant-Colonel Bassett, advanced
in skirmish line up through the wood and soon drew the enemy's fire. The
3rd under Lieutenant-Colonel Finnegass, were in line of battle about
fifty yards in rear of the first, the whole command under Colonel John
A. Nelson, of the 3rd Regiment. The rebels opened with infantry fire and
shells at short range, and their fire was very effective and for a short
time the first, which was in danger of utter destruction, wavered, when
Colonel Bassett and his colored officers moved among the men encouraging
them by their own fearless examples. At this crisis, Colonel Finnegass
sent forward his four left companies, under Captain John E. Quinn, to
support the 1st. Captain Quinn moved up