Smith's command to where it belonged and get back to New Orleans himself in time to execute his part in the general plan.

But the expedition was a failure.

Banks did not get back in time to take part in the programme as laid down.

Nor was Smith returned until long after the movements of May, 1864, had been begun.
The services of forty thousand veteran troops, over and above the number required to hold all that was necessary in the Department of the Gulf, were thus paralyzed.

It is but just to Banks, however, to say that his expedition was ordered from Washington and he was in no way responsible except for the conduct of it.