held himself bound to obey. Soon on looking to the right and left not a blue-coated soldier could be seen, and away to the right the rebel could be seen passing rapidly to the rear. On the opposite side of the bayou the fighting was going on far to our rear while from our front in the corn desultory shots came, viciously striking the fence rails above our heads. Feeling that in this case "discretion was the better part of valor" and not caring to be a second Cassabianca, he directed the men to pass the word quietly down the line, without rising, and retire from their position as best they could, and rally in the rear on the colors.
This they did, and the rebs were so close that many of the men were captured before they had time to retire from the ditch! The 48th lost in killed, wounded and missing 65 out of a total 201 men engaged. Lieut. Wilson, Co. D, and Lieut. Bassett, Co. I, were taken prisoners. Lieut. Wilson was reported as also wounded.
The men after retiring from the ditch rallied in the rear, and later took their place in the line of the brigade in the rear and in a low swamp. A tremendous rain storm came up towards night flooding our camp.
July 14. Our camp is located in a low swamp and is completely inundated. The men are all thoroughly soaked to the skin. The day has been spent in bringing in the dead and wounded. Among the dead is Edward T. Bennett of Co. B.
July 15. Still in camp at Donaldsonville. Received dispatches from New Orleans, announcing a great victory in Pennsylvania by Gen. Meade's army, on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of July. The first week in July has been a week of tremendous importance to the Union
