pon which
they grew. In no other quarter, however, was there a single
hedge-row, or plantation of any kind; excepting a few apple and
other fruit trees in the gardens of such houses as were scattered
over the plain, the whole being laid out in large fields for the
growth of sugar-cane, a plant which seems as abundant in this
part of the world as in Jamaica.

Looking up towards the town, which we at this time faced, the
marsh is upon your right, and the river upon your left. Close to
the latter runs the main road, following the course of the stream
all the way to New Orleans. Between the road and the water is
thrown up a lofty and strong embankment, resembling the dykes in
Holland, and meant to serve a similar purpose; by means of which
the Mississippi is prevented from overflowing its banks, and the
entire flat is preserved from inundation. But the attention of a
stranger is irresistibly drawn away from every other object, to
contemplate the magnificence of this noble river. Pouring along
at the prodigious rate of four miles an hour, an immense body of
water is spread out before you; measuring a full mile across, and
nearly a hundred fathoms in depth. What this mighty stream must
be near its mouth, I can hardly imagine, for we were here upwards
of a hundred miles from the ocean.

Such was the general aspect of the country which we had
entered;--our own position, again, was this. The three regiments
turning off from the road into one extensive green field, formed
three close columns within pistol-shot of the river. Upon our
right, but so much in advance as to be of no service to us, was a
large house, surrounded by about twenty wooden huts, probably
intended for the accommodation of slaves. Towards this house
there was a slight rise in the ground, and between it and the
camp was a small pond of no great depth. As far to the rear as
the first was to the front, stood another house, inferior in
point of appearance, and skirted by no outbuildings: this was
also upon the right; and here General Keane, who accompanied us,
fixed his head-quarters; but neither the one nor the other could
be employed as a covering redoubt, the flank of the division
extending, as it were, between them. A little way in advance,
again, where the outposts were stationed, ran a dry ditch and a
row of lofty palings; affording some cover to the front of our
line, should it be formed diagonally with the main road. The
left likewise was w