Letter Taylor-Boggs (1863); Rapides, Louisiana
Submitter: Mark Baggett, Florence, MS.
Date: 2000
Converted to text file by: Jo Branch
Date: 29 Jun 2004



**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 

Headquarters District of Western Louisiana,
Washington, October 22, 1863.
General: I have the honor to report that, on yesterday morning, the advance of the enemy along his whole line compelled me to withdraw from Opelousas. The enemy's advance of some 5,000 up the Teche road turned our position at Opelousas. This I was prepared to expect. After some skirmishing in front of Opelousas, in which we lost 2 killed, General Green withdrew to Washington, inflicting some loss on the enemy. The expedition sent by General Green, under Colonel [W.G.] Vincent, Second Louisiana, to the enemy's rear, on the 13th, returned last night, bringing 1 lieutenant and 7 men of the signal corps, captured near Vermillion. the lieutenant had on him a signal book, with copies of many important dispatches between Franklin, Ord, and Banks. The latter was with the enemy on the 8th instant, but subsequently returned to New Orleans. It appears from these dispatches that one thousand wagons crossed Berwick Bay; that the reserve artillery at Baton Rouge has been ordered tothe army; that the enemy are increasing their cavalry. The last dispatch from Banks to Franklin, of the 20th, directs him to establish and hold the best line he can, and wait for the Red Chief to arrive. This is a very small, light steamer, that is intended to navigate the Courtableau. I have taken measures to destroy her if she comes up. . . . . . . .[more not included here]
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. Taylor,
Major-General.
Brig. Gen. W. . Boggs,
Chief of Staff.