Perhaps a Federal report can shed some light on the location of Offutt's Mill...
U.S. Expedition from Brashear City to Whiskey Bayou
Cpt. Luther Park
11 th. Wisconsin Infantry
Departed 1.16.65 aboat gunboat # 41 and Cornie. Our route, Bayou Teche,Grand Lake, Constitution Bayou,Round Lake,Bayou L'Embarrass. Arived at King's Plantation at 2: p.m. and captured 700 lbs. of sugar, Cpt. D.E. Grove, Pvt. Robert Wilson,Pvt. Charles Harris. King was not at home. At 3:20 embarked booty and troops and anchored in bayou.
1.17.65 at 6:15 a.m. got underway and went up L'Embarrass into Little Devil Bayou arriving at Grand River at 8:00 a.m..
We went South to Hart's house.Hart ran away, jumped in the bayou and swam away.We were unable to locate him.I confiscated 600 cigars,4 pairs of misses gaiters. We went South to Lee's Plantation arriving there at 9:30 a.m..We captured Lee and 1300 lbs. of sugar,destroyed one large rifle, 1 pistol, 8 lbs. of powder. We then went to Offutt's Mill and loaded 1400 ft. of lumber aboard steamer Cornie.We then steamed North to Grand River,to Whiskey Bayou arriving at it's head at 11:30 p.m..I sent row boats to the location where a C.S.A. steamer was reported hiding,but, they found nothing.We went to Lake Mangula and anchored the night.
1.18.65 at 6:30 we went down Bayou Chene to Oliver's Plantation and took 11 refuges.We went to the mouth of Bayou Sorrell and picked up 7 more.We Steamed into Lake Chicot,Chicot Pass,Faussee Point Lake,Grand Lake,Brashear City arriving at 6: p.m. 1.18.65
*** I believe this was U.S. General Robert A. Cameron's 3rd attemt to capture C.S.A. Cpt Ed. King.
I am unable to locate Offutt's Mill...Little Devil Bayou..Oliver Plantation...Lee Plantation***also unable to locate the full names of Lee and Hart and I wondered if they were the 2 U.S. naval deserters U.S. General Cameron was searching for*** what C.S.A Co. did Harris,Grove and Wilson belong to***was the steamer, they were unable to locate, the Milton Relf, a hidden C.S.A. steamer which arrived at New Orleans 6.11.65 from Washington,La. with considerable cargo and 100 passengers ?
Even with the best of maps these places are difficult to locate (Hurricanes- erioson...some simply do not exist anymore) but I deeply appreciate any help concerning any question above.
gumbojunkie