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command of Toomey's detachment of the Third Maryland Artillery, previously
commanded by Lieutenant T. J. Bates, of Waddell's Alabama Artillery. This
section, one of Bledsoe's Missouri battery, and one of a Louisiana battery
(Lieutenant Cottonham) were all under the command of Lieutenant R. L. Wood,
of the Missouri Artillery, and were a part of a force under General Ferguson,
which had for several months been operating along the Mississippi River. Their
employment was to harrass the enemy by firing into their vessels of war and
transports. When, in March, 1863, Porter's fleet of five gunboats entered Black
Bayou in order to flank the Confederate batteries at Snyder's Bluff, General
Ferguson met him at Rolling Fork and after an engagement lasting three days
drove him back, inflicting considerable loss.

The greatest execution in this battle, strange to say, was done, not by the
Confederate artillery, whose shot rolled harmlessly upon the backs of the enemy's
iron-plated vessels, but by the sharpshooters. These were mainly Texans, who
acted with characteristic daring. They approached the very bank of the stream
and fired into the portholes of the iron-clads as soon as these were opened by the
Federals for a shot at the Confederate artillery. The enemy labored under the
additional disadvantage of being unable to depress their pieces sufficiently to reach
their antagonists, so that their shell damaged only the tree tops. Harrassed and
annoyed past endurance, they at length withdrew.

During April nothing of special note occurred. Steel's command of Federals
employed itself in burning dwellings and gin-houses along Deer Creek, in its
usual manner.

On the 29th of April Lieutenant Ritter, with his section of the Third Mary-
land, was ordered to join Major Bridges' force at Fish Lake, near Greenville,
Mississippi. He came up with that command on the 1st of May, and the next
day proceeded to the river to fire upon the boats, which were continually passing.
The object of the Confederates was to prevent, as much as possible, reinforce-
ments from reaching Grant at Vicksburg. Soon after the arrival of the Maryland
section a transport appeared in view, ascending the river. Lieutenant Ritter
opened fire on her, some of the shell exploding on her deck and others passing
through her. She got by, but cast anchor a few miles up the river to repair
damages. A swamp prevented further attack on her at her anchorage.

The firing had scarcely ceased when a gunboat hove in sight. The section
took position behind the levee, where it would be sheltered somewhat during the
engagement which was now anticipated. Lieutenant fitter had taken the precau-
tion to cut embrasures in the levee, so that he might thus protect his guns in an
emergency. Approaching within range, the gunboat proceeded at once to open
fire on the Confederates. The latter replied with shot and shell, and the engage-
ment lasted about half an hour, when the enemy steamed away. It was afterward