When the river is full water runs through it, converting the point of land into an island.

The bayou was grown up with timber, which the enemy had felled into the ditch.

At this time there was a foot or two of water in it.

The rebels had constructed a parapet along the inner bank of this bayou by using cotton bales from the plantation close by and throwing dirt over them.

The whole was thoroughly commanded from the height west of the river.