Diary of Sergeant George G. Smith: July 12, 1863

Whole army marched down the bayou, about four miles where they met the rebels in force. Lieutenant Koblin and myself were in command of the guard. Stationed the guard in a cornfield. Next morning the two forces had an artilery duel, and our forces fell back again under the protection of the guns of the fort. I never really understood the purpose or necessity of that movement. After the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson the control of the Mississippi river was forever lost to the enemy as they could never expect to gain another foot hold on its banks with the whole United States Navy on its waters: so it was not a good or safe place for a hostile army to remain long near its shores. In a few days the rebel army went away to the Teche country in Western Louisiana and they never troubled that mighty highway again.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 88-9