Admiral Porter thought he had passed the worst, and that he would be able to reach the Rolling Fork and Sunflower.

He requested me to return and use all possible means to clear out Black Bayou.

I returned to Hill's plantation, which was soon reached by Major Coleman, with a part of the Eighth Missouri; the bulk of the regiment and the pioneers had been distributed along the bayous, and set to work under the general supervision of Captain Kosaak.

The Diligent and Silver Wave then returned to twin's plantation and brought up Brigadier-General Giles A.Smith, with the Sixth Missouri, and part of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois.

Admiral Porter was then working up Deer Creek with his iron-clads, but he had left me a tug, which enabled me to reconnoitre the country, which was all under water except the narrow strip along Deer Creek.