Below are some of the ORs (Original Reports) from the 162nd's Colonel Lewis Benedict
HERMITAGE,
Sunday, May 24, 1863.
Lieutenant Colonel RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: Yesterday we captured the rebel signal corps, and last evening took Lieutenant [John] Barthelemy, Twentieth Louisiana Regiment, who had just crossed from Port Hudson. No information of any consequence was obtained from any of the parties.
I took the position I was directed by order of 23rd to assume, and am confident that no forces can be thrown across and escape by the roads indicated by Lieutenant Harwood. To-day I shall examine the country to the interior, and close any roads I may find.
In the hurry of our embarkation, we did not supply ourselves with rations. Captain Dunham was advised of the deficiency, and promised that we should be supplied to-day. We want coffee, hard bread, and port for 350 men.
Will you oblige me by sending down my servant, Frank, with baggage which I need?
I send you the signal corps flag. Possibly it may be of use.
Very respectfully,
LEW. BENEDICT,
Colonel, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Trudeau's Landing, May 28, 1863-3. 30 p. m.
Brigadier-General ANDREWS,
Chief of Staff, Nineteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: A report reached me this morning that a force of 500 cavalry, which followed Weitzel's march from Alexandria, was advancing on the this place, and had reached Morganza last evening. I this morning sent out a cavalry squad above Waterloo to again information, which has not yet returned. About an hour since, Lieutenant Harney, of the cavalry, reported to me that he learned from Mr. Hodbell (who has General Augur's permission to trade in cotton, and is a New Yorker by birth and residence until a few years since), that it was currently reported that Kirby Smith was advancing toward Port Hudson with a large force of infantry and cavalry. Several negroes have reported that they were on their route to Bayou Sara last evening with some forty wagons, when they were attacked by some 15 to 20 cavalry (men on horseback, armed), and they fled, and supposed the cavalry had taken the balance of the negroes.
Under these circumstances (though not credit the report fully, and deeming it to be compounded of rebel hope, loyal apprehension, and a mixture of guerrilla), I have considered it my duty to withdraw half of my picket force on the levee opposite Port Hudson, and post them in my rear, to advise Commodore Palmer of the case, and to dispatch you this note.
As we have no forces in the rear, if may be that the rebels have acquired confidence on learning that our whole army is before Port Hudson. I shall attempt to hold this position against any force. By retreating to the river, I can secure the aid of the Hartford and the Albatross.
I am, very respectfully,
LEW. BENEDICT,
Colonel, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Trudeau's Landing, June 1, 1863.
Brigadier-General ANDREWS,
Chief of Staff, Nineteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: Since my last dispatch we have had many rumors of advancing forces and gathering guerrillas bands, but my cavalry scouts have been unable to verify any such intelligence, although the country has been scoured as far as the Grossetete on the one side and Morganza on the other. Occasionally we hear of small parties of our stragglers and guerrillas levying contributions on quiet people. These I have used every endeavor to arrest, and have doubtless secured some of them, although unable to fix their crimes on them. In such cases, if enemies, I have paroled them, and expressed my determination to punish them, if from home at night, or being confederated with others.
This parish is full of loyal creoles and French. Large numbers have taken the oath. Daily I am in receipt of intelligence from them, not of much intrinsic value, but good evidence of honest intention.
This point was the cattle depot for the supply of Port Hudson. Large supplies were collected here and carried over as they were wanted. Many of them have been reclaimed (upon your advance) and driven into the interior some 10 or 12 miles.
I have taken and paroled many prisoners. They, with scarcely an exception, seem glad to get out of the army, both volunteer and conscript.
Dr. Charles Smith was sent to the lower fleet yesterday with the implicating papers found on him. To-day I have sent the Confederate money ($700) taken from him, and a copy of the order to send him to General Bowen, New Orleans, to the admiral.
Very respectfully,
LEW. BENEDICT,
Colonel, Commanding.
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