As the trees would have to be cut close to the bottom--under water--it was an undertaking of great magnitude.
On the 4th of February I visited General McPherson, and remained with him several days.

The work had not progressed so far as to admit the water from the river into the lake, but the troops had succeeded in drawing a small steamer, of probably not over thirty tons' capacity, from the river into the lake.

With this we were able to explore the lake and bayou as far as cleared.

I saw then that there was scarcely a chance of this ever becoming a practicable route for moving troops through an enemy's country.

The distance from Lake Providence to the point where vessels going by that route would enter the Mississippi again, is about four hundred and seventy miles by the main river.