Joseph Mower vs. William Germaine Vincent, 2nd. la. cav....in his report Mower mentions that he captured Taylor's courier and "was able to obtain the countersign" which enabled him to capture most of Vincents force. what does 'obtain the countersign' mean ? Capturing of the 2nd. La. Cav. left Gen Taylor without his vanguard cavalry...is this the reason Thomas Green's Cavalry (Tx.) soon joins Taylor prior to the battle of Mansfield ? In other matters, does anyone know the present day location of Morgan's Ferry on the Atchafalaya