I took post near a plantation of one Trible, near Markham's, and frequently reconnoitred the whole line, and could see the enemy engaged in like manner, on the east aide of Big Black; but he never attempted actually to cross over, except with some cavalry, just above Bear Creek, which was easily driven back.

I was there from June 20th to the 4th of July.

In a small log-house near Markham's was the family of Mr.Klein, whose wife was the daughter of Mrs.
Day, of New Orleans, who in turn was the sister of Judge T.W.
Bartley, my brother-in-law.

I used frequently to drop in and take a meal with them, and Mrs.Klein was generally known as the general's cousin, which doubtless saved her and her family from molestation, too common on the part of our men.
One day, as I was riding the line near a farm known as Parson Fog's, I heard that the family of a Mr.Wilkinson, of New Orleans, was "refugeeing" at a house near by.

I rode up, inquired, and found two young girls of that name, who said they were the children of General Wilkinson, of Louisiana, and that their brother had been at the Military School at Alexandria.