under command of Lieutenant Carruth, whom I accompanied. Upon observing our approach Jennings fled to an adjutant swamp, leaving his horse tied to a fence in front of the house. The family, all of whom were present, did not deny of having aided in his escape, and frankly gave me to understand that they would not reveal to us his hiding place were it known to them. It was, moreover, subsequently ascertained that they had purposely deceived us in regard to the time of his departure, in order to give him time to make his escape. They furthermore declared that they were deeply interested in the rebellion; that they were anxious for the frustration of the object of Colonel McMillan's expedition; that with their consent and approbation the men on their estate had engaged in the attempt to defeat him; that witch their knowledge and assistance the men had eluded our pursuit; that they held no allegiance to the Government of the United State, and neither desired nor claimed its protectional. Thereupon the mules, cattle, and horses belonging to the plantation, the horse of Dr. Jennings, and several wagon loads of forage were taken and conveyed to Houma. We also visited Bond's plantation, and finding that the criminals connected therewith had made their escape, we seized all the premises. A detachment under Captain Rose, sent in quest of Colonel Robinson, finding that he too had fled, he took possession of certain mules, horses, and other property and returned to Houma. The reports of result of their operations.* Our efforts to secure the quilt parties having proved fruitless nd being convinced that further attempts at the present time would be equally futile, and satisfied that the prisoners held by me in custody had used every effort, joined to that of their friends, to secure them and would continue to do so in the future, I suppressed the proclamation referred to, concluding to bring them with me upon my return, which I did. I then determined to destroy all the property owned by the guildry parties who had secured their personal safety by flight. I accordingly, on the morning of May 16, issued an order, a copy of which is hereto attack and marked D. In pursuance of said order the following-named property was burned or otherwise destroyed or seized upon, viz:

Property on premises of Howard Bond burned: One dwelling-house, furniture, and contents; one sugar-house, filled with sugar; from 50 to 100 negro houses and other outhouses; one steam saw and corn mill; blacksmith-shop; with tools and other contents; on store-house, filled with molasses; two buggies and harness; stacks of hay and fodder. Taken from above premisses, 35 mules, 20 sets harness, 6 plantation wagons, 1 cart, 2 yoke of oxen, and 5 loads of forage.

Property owned by Dr. Jennings burned; One dwelling-house, other outhouses, barn, stables, all their contents, buggy, and a valuable library and other articles.

Property owned by E. N. Dutrail, consisting of dwelling-house, stables, and other outhouses, with all their contents, were torn down and utterly destroyed.

Property of A. Wood, consisting of the Ceres newspaper establishment, was completely destroyed, the type and other material being thrown into a bayou.

The parish jail (in which Private Morris had been incarcerated), a strong brick building, by means of a battering-ram was demolished.

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*Not found.

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