Part of Thayer's brigade took a wrong direction, and did not cross the bayou at all; nor did General Morgan cross in person.

This attack failed; and I have always felt that it was due to the failure of General G.W.Morgan to obey his orders, or to fulfill his promise made in person.

Had he used with skill and boldness one of his brigades, in addition to that of Blair's, he could have made a lodgment on the bluff, which would have opened the door for our whole force to follow.

Meantime the Sixth Missouri Infantry, at heavy loss, had also crossed the bayou at the narrow passage lower down, but could not ascend the steep bank; right over their heads was a rebel battery, whose fire was in a measure kept down by our sharp-shooters (Thirteenth United States Infantry) posted behind logs, stumps, and trees, on our side of the bayou.
The men of the Sixth Missouri actually scooped out with their hands caves in the bank, which sheltered them against the fire of the enemy, who, right over their heads, held their muskets outside the parapet vertically, and fired down So critical was the position, that we could not recall the men till after dark, and then one at a time.

Our loss had been pretty heavy, and we had accomplished nothing, and had inflicted little loss on our enemy.