Having abundance of men and plenty of axes, each boat could daily procure a supply.
In proceeding down the river, one or more of Admiral Porter's gunboats took the lead; others were distributed throughout the column, and some brought up the rear.

We manoeuvred by divisions and brigades when in motion, and it was a magnificent sight as we thus steamed down the river.

What few inhabitants remained at the plantations on the river-bank were unfriendly, except the slaves; some few guerrilla-parties infested the banks, but did not dare to molest so, strong a force as I then commanded.
We reached Milliken's Bend on Christmas-day, when I detached one brigade (Burbridge's), of A.J.

Smith's division, to the southwest, to break up the railroad leading from Vicksburg toward Shreveport, Louisiana.

Leaving A.J.