McPherson reported that the connection was navigable on March 18, but the few "ordinary Ohio River boats" that had been sent to Grant for navigation of the bayous could only transport 8,500 men, far too few to tip the balance at Port Hudson.
McPherson rapporterede, at forbindelsen var farbar den 18. marts, men de få "almindelige flodbåde fra Ohiofloden", som var blevet sendt ned til Grant til sejlads på de mange bayouer, kunne kun transportere 8.500 mand – alt for få til at ændre balancen ved Port Hudson.