Arkansas Civil War

This is from the journal of James B. Lockney of Co "G" 28th Wisconsin Inf. on an expedition from Little Rock to Mount Elba in January 1865. The Journal can be found in its entirity at http://pws.cablespeed.com/~jshirey/CivilWar/
and the editor is Jim Shirley. He mentions the burial of one Union Soldier and the 12 Confederate soldiers from the battle of Mount Elba- March 30th 1864. Thought you might be interested.

On the March to Mt. Elba January 27th Friday 1865 A busy scene was presented about our Camp for an hour or two, all were so busy securing nails, logs &c. for fire & shingles & boards to make shelter & bunks. Our camp was at the house of an old settler, but the place was deserted & tenantless. Two or three out buildings were soon torn to pieces & divided among many hundred, each getting what he could. The family residence was occupied as officers’ quarters, & so was saved. All had plenty for fire all night, & much was yet left in the morning. Lewis & I slept warm & comfortable all night. He was waked once by the heat of our dry rail fire. We both have colds, & we cough some, & do not find this addition to our army troubles at all desirable. We had pine tops on the ground, & dry oak leaves over this for our bed. For supper & breakfast we boiled two pots of coffee & fried some pork each time. A clear stream of water was nearby & many such are crossed each day. Water is cold & frosty & the snow still lies scattered over the ground. Q.M. Sergt. Hawkes issued from 50 to 100 prs of boots & shoes to our regt. as several had great need of a new supply. Those were issued to him by Capt. Barnes Q.M. at Pine Bluff as an accommodation to our regt. because of past friendship. We started early & found the road much better than we expected for it was hard & firm where the mud was thick & deep last March & April when we were out. The pontoon train went ahead of all this morning except the Cav. that keep in the advance of all. Last night I finished reading the Psalms. I also washed my feet, which stand the march well. I have my portfolio with me & in it more than a quire of paper, Envelopes, Stamps, Gold Pen, Ink bottle &c. all of this makes me no more trouble & costs much less than Pipes & tobacco to others. On the way many hogs in lean order were butchered by the boys & loaded into the wagons. Co. B. has a dog called Calamity that catches the hogs & holds them.

Shooting is forbidden, but shots are sometimes heard along the way. The A.M. was cloudy, in the P.M. the clouds grew thin & scattered & some sunshine brightened the scene. Waste & desolation prevail all the way from Little Rock & many houses inhabited last spring are now tenantless. Some of those went toward Texas, while others went among the Yankees for security. Co. B. was unable to get any bread as the Capt. was in town carousing. He followed us out yesterday several hours late & was unable to walk. Too Bad! We reached Mt. Elba about 3 ½ or 4 P.M. & went into the camp. All well.

Waiting at Mt. Elba January 28th Saturday 1865 Yesterday we passed over the ground on which we met the rebel foe on the 30th of last March. Near the road is the grave of our comrade Thos. Greene. His last long resting place is under a white oak tree, but we did not see any mound nor anything else to mark the place. At a distance on low ground is a space covered with fence rails in a square & under those lie from 12 to 20 rebels who were killed in the fight. All this casts a sadness over the place which was diminished only by the lines of Cav. men that stood along the way as we marched past. Those said they had been in some two or three hours, & had time to have cooked something to eat & were to start across the river in an hour, or as soon as the pontoon bridge was laid. We saw a group of prisoners under guard & we soon heard the advance. Cav. had a little fight with some 50 to 75 rebels & captured 10, killed three & had one of our men killed, the rest of the party escaped. The bridge is made of frames that are made to form the framework of the boats with canvas covering thus forming a strong boat 16 to 20 feet long, 5 or 6 feet wide & 3 to 3½ feet deep. On those rest timbers which bear the floor or roadway. This makes a firm track & is the first of this kind of pontoon that I have seen. The usual activity prevailed in securing a supply of logs for fuel, as no rails were near us. We soon had log heaps to cook our food & to warm us. The evening was cloudy & threatened rain, I thought, & many thought yesterday that a change was taking place in the weather & we feared rain would follow the cold frosty spell of weather we lately had.

Before we lay down the sky cleared off & stars were bright & there was quite a severe frost. Today is bright & breezy. The Cav. crossed last evening & came to a camp held by a small party, all of whom escaped but the officer in command. Foraging parties were sent out early with one wagon for each Regt.,That from our Regt, went out 5 or 6 miles across the river. They got hogs, poultry, &c. finding a great plenty of bacon, sweet potatoes, &c. The impression now is that we will not cross the river or go farther, but are very apt to return to Pine Bluff very soon. Lewis & I slept together & were warm & comfortable all night. Night before last I sold one of the four loaves of bread that I got at Pine Bluff to Alonzo Monroe, as he could not get any. I thought I could better do with three loaves than he could with none. The officers have tents along, so have the battery boys. Many have sore eyes from the smoke & exposure.

Waiting at Mt. Elba January 29th Sunday 1865 In the army a person is liable to many vexations, for one can scarcely be entirely alone, for many relations exist by means of which ill-temper & unreasonableness are often shown & with many fault finding in regard to the share done by others & boasting of what themselves do is common. I think I have always done a full share of some kind of work in every mess of which I was ever a member & yet few are the instances in which someone did not complain. Day before yesterday evening I was so disgusted by what some in our mess said that I hastily declared I would give ½ all I was or would be worth to a substitute rather than be subjected to the abuse of others in the army. Yesterday we chopped old dead trees that stand in the fields after the Southern way of clearing land & we carried pieces from 6 to 10 feet long & as heavy as from 4 to 6 of us could bear a distance of 20 to 30 rods. Today was pleasanter so we did not require so much wood to burn, & we had some fence rails drawn to us in one of the baggage wagons. Since we left Little Rock several of our Co. have had attacks of sickness. Gelzer, Layhee, Chas. Findley, & Cameron have had chills, but they manage to keep along & do some duty. Yesterday C. Findley went on picket, but feeling sick last night he came in & I was sent out in his place.

The night was the pleasantest & calmest since we started. I was out as vidette from 1 ½ to 2 ½ this A.M. & from 6 ½ to 7 ½. I had several hours sleep, but was waked sometimes to cough & raise phlegm & saliva. My cold is broken but is yet disagreeable & troublesome. wish I had some liquoria root or extract as I think it would help me. While I write 4 ½ P.M. the Cav. are crossing to this side on the pontoon bridge. We may start back tomorrow. All wish we would do so for rations were wasted & stolen at first & now are quite scarce. The excitement in camp today was hunting for wild rose briar roots & making tobacco pipes of all sizes & shapes from them. Some prize those highly, & tell their intention to take or send the pipes home &c.

I rejoice that no such trash troubles me. The day was clear & bright. Last evening I exchanged three hard tack for about ½ loaf of soft bread. Tack gets to be scarce, meat is plenty, fresh and salt. Our Co. is better supplied than any other in the Regt. I think this because of the bread we got at Pine Bluff. Coffee, sugar, &c. are scarce. I read to 17 Chap in Proverbs. I was on post at sunrise & we were relieved early. How I long for the Happy Days of Bliss to come when I will not be a soldier.

On the march back January 30th Monday 1865 Last night we sat about our warm bright fire having arranged our blankets & beds of fire weeds dry & dry long grass so as to secure a warm sound sleep. Capt. told me that our Regt’l. Adj.-now A.A.A.

Gen. A.S. Kendrick said to him & others of our officers that Gen. Dana had a force of 40 to 50,000 with which he started from Gains Landing on the West side of the Miss. River making his way as fast as possible to Shreveport, La. This was say-so among officers, & it seems our feint coming here was only to divide the forces of the enemy. I very much doubt the advance of any such force as that stated, & in fact no army at all may be moving in that direction. We slept warm & soundly & were early on the alert & ready to march at daylight. Lieut. Gilbert rode in the ambulance & I think will ride all the way back. Capt. is on picket in advance, so orderly leads the Co.

I heard the total no. of prisoners taken is about 50 while we lost but one man killed. The roads are in fair order but not so good as on our way out. As we passed on the way we saw many buildings burning. Those had been fired by some of the soldiers that were ahead of ours. When we reached camp we heard a report was made to Act. Brig. Gen. Mackey that the buildings were fired by our Regt. This was evidently a mistake. There was a two story frame building about four miles from Mt. Elba of which the first floor was used for a church, & the upper was used by the Free Masons. When we passed no smoke or fire was seen, but we heard this & the frame school house were both burned. All right-minded men will regret the destruction of buildings used for religious or school purposes, for this is directly contrary to our ruling professions. A member of Co. F told us that much of the land between Pine Bluff & Mt. Elba was yet government land. He said the soil would yield good crops if well cultivated, though we think it poor. McKee & Draper are to join the Co. on 8th inst. March 30th, Wednesday, 1864.

Last night I lay with Henry Smart. Cav. brought in 21 Prisoners. This morning I & others with Lt. Tichenor were going on Picket at 7 1/2 delayed till 8 Pickets were driven in by Rebs. We had a fight with 1500 or 2000 from 8 1/2 to 10 1/2 or 11. Cav followed them toward Monticello. We lost 3 killed.

March 30th Wednesday, 1864 Day of Battle, at Mount Elba, Bradley Co, Arkansas Last night I slept with Smart. I waked twice in the night by the cold as we had no wool blankets over us each time. I warmed at a good fire & laid down again. I & Lewis had a long & pleasant talk together about various matters, but chiefly of domestic life & social relative and our won chances, hopes, preferences, & fancies of the partners of our peace & happiness & days of the raptures of bliss yet to be. He told me many of his experiences & of the trickery & treachery & petty jealousies of some of his former associates, who are now members of our Co. but not present & belonging in New Berlin. Also of some of his acquaintance with young women , all of which I believe was true & honorable on his part. His manner is very retired, still & unpretending.

He told me of his disadvantages for study as he had to work at his home with his step father Monroe, as if he were in a strange place, doing chores late in the night & early mornings till after school time. He attended school one winter in Minnesota about the year ’57 where he learned more than in many winters at home. He went to Minn. in 1855 and got 1/4 section. He is older than I & so fortunate as to have the promise of the heart & hand of a Waukesha Co. school mistress in Brookfield. She is a talented & gifted singer & worker, brave, & gay lady. This I say from what I heard & saw of her. I wish I was so favored, so blessed with a cheering prospect in promise, but I can trust to Him who rules the future. The night was clear & starry calm, but a little chill. Lafford cooked some beef & a chicken making soup which we had for breakfast. Lt. Tichenor ate breakfast with our mess. I & Lewis, Moore, McKown, Reamer, & Sergt Foster with Tichenor was detailed on picket. We fell in at 7 1/2 AM but were detained till 8 O’clock by some misunderstanding or mistake. Before the 1/2 hour passed firing was heard along the picket line. Soon this became so rapid that orders were given for all the infantry to fall in line of battle to meet the enemy if he advanced. The force present was all Inf. so about 225 or 250 of 18 Ill. & as many of 28 Wis. V. Inf. total 450 or 500. Soon the firing ceased & the train was moved nearer the river on low ground. Blankets were piled in heaps, as in fight they would be cumbersome. The Lt. Col. of 18 Ill. commanded & Capt. Smith Co I. 28[th Wis.] was second in commanded & acted as cool & collected as on Dress Parade. Soon Co’s G. H. & I on the left of Co. 28 were ordered to go to the extreme left of the position to prevent a surprise to the left flank which would cause the loss of our pontoon bridge & expose our whole force. We went on the double quick & were soon again in line. 15 from the left of G. were ordered forward 20 or 30 rods as skirmishers under command of Sergt. McKee. 13 privates (of which I was one) & corps. Church & Snyder went forward, most of us in the woods along the river but 5 or 6 on the right were in a field among a few old peach trees.

Those few last got some few shots at the foe while the rest of us advanced & retreated many times but failed to see one during the fight. About 9 O’clock or soon after the fight again raged & heavy volleys of musketry were returned from for the scattering fire of the Rebs. Shot was fired from a steel piece & shells from one or two 12 lb brass howitzers. Again there was a lull[??] of a few minutes duration, when the Rebs again advanced yelling as rebels only know how to yell when round after round of shot & shell together with repeated volleys of musketry was hurled against them for a welcome from the Goddess of Liberty. At the time we noticed, & rejoiced they had no artillery. This gave us a strong hope of victory whatever might be their numbers. About 10 1/2 or 11 AM they gave up the fight & beat a hasty retreat toward Monticello being the same way they had come. As soon as the fight began, one or more messengers were sent across the river to Clayton, distant to some 8 or 10 miles. Before the end of the fight, the cavalry began to arrive & cross the bridge leaving their horses on the other side in the woods. As soon as Lt. Col. Jenkins came he assumed command & soon came Col. Clayton & the pursuit of the enemy began. We heard heavy volleys of the Cavalry carbines & some shell was fired. Soon began the flood of captured prisoners to pour across the bridge & continued till 283 had crossed with about 200 horses & mules. Those were taken after crossing their pontoon bridge near Monticello on their way to Camden. About 50 wagons were destroyed by Lt. Greathouse of 1st Ind. & 1st Lt. Young of 5th Kansas. The enemy mistook them for some of their own men that had our uniform. Our loss was three men killed & not one wounded. Thomas Greene of our Co. G was mortally wounded & died about 2 PM & was buried there on the battle ground. O’Brien of Co I was driver in the battery & was killed. Also one of 5 Kansas. The enemy lost 20 to 30 killed & 50 to 75 wounded. The wounded Rebels said their attacking force amounted to 1500 or 2000 men. Day was sunny & pleasant.

This article can be downloaded from the January, 2008 edition of the newsletter located at the top of the page…great Civil War articles written by Civil War buffs in Arkansas.

Numbers 3. Report of Colonel John F. Ritter, First Missouri Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade.

HDQRS. 2nd Brigadier, CAV., DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., October 13, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to Special Orders, Numbers 8, dated headquarters Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, Little Rock, Ark., October 3, 1864, and letter from district headquarters of the same date, I proceeded to Pine Bluff with available portion of this brigade (777 aggregate), arriving there on the 6th instant. Received a re-enforcement of 250 men at Pine Bluff and marched on the 7th in the direction of Monticello, with orders to ascertain the where abouts, strength, &c., of the enemy. Encamped within fifteen miles of Monticello that night, my patrols going within eight or nine miles of the town without encountering anything. My scouts brought me information that the enemy had positively evacuated Monticello, and that two brigades of cavalry had left that vicinity a few days before and marched to Mount Elba. Marched to Mount Elba on the 8th instant and found a picket of about fifty men there, which was quickly driven across the Saline River. This is the only force of the enemy seen on the whole march. The inhabitants of the country reported that the enemy had all withdrawn to Camden, some said, for the want of subsistence. I found it very difficult to forage my animals, and from information I received, it would have been almost impossible to do so in the vicinity of Monticello. The reported strength of the enemy is from 14,000 to 15,000, about 3,000 of this force being cavalry. Returned to Pine Bluff on the 9th and there received orders to proceed to Little Rock. Arrived at Little Rock on the 11th instant. Total distance marched, about 200 miles. A good supply of forage on the north side of the Arkansas, about midway between Little Rock and Pine Bluff, in some cases a good distance from the river, but it could be easily obtained before the rainy season sets in. Also, it was reported to me that 900 bushels could be obtained at Doctor Watkins’, on the south side (middle road), about sixteen miles from Little Rock. The following is the list of casualties, viz: Missing and supposed to have deserted-James McNamara, Third U. S. Cavalry; James Maxwell, Third U. S. Cavalry; John Cosbell, John F. Crosby, First Cavalry Missouri Volunteers. Number of horses abandoned 7; number of horses taken up, 3.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN F. RITTER,

Colonel First Missouri Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

Lieutenant W. A. MARTIN,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Cav. Division, Seventh Army Corps.

ADDENDA.

Itinerary of the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, Colonel John F. Ritter, First Missouri Cavalry, commanding.*

During the month of October this brigade has been constantly engaged in scouting, escort, picket, and outpost duty.

October 4.- The available portion of the brigade (about 800 men) was ordered upon an important reconnaissance, under command of Colonel J. F. Ritter. Marching via Pine Bluff, Ark., the command was augmented to about 1,000 men by forces from that place, and proceeded to the vicinity of Monticello, whence, learning that place had abandoned that place, it proceeded to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, the limit of the reconnaissance, where a large force of the enemy had crossed over, going south, two days before. The command returned by the way of Pine Bluff to Little Rock, where it arrived on October 11, having traveled about 200 miles. No casualties resulting from engagements with the enemy occurred during the expedition.

October 19.- Major General G. S. Avery, Third Missouri Cavalry, in charge of about 360 men from this brigade and about 100 men from the Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Division, made a reconnaissance to Princeton, Ark.

On the return, and when within twenty miles of Little Rock, the command was attacked by 500 of the enemy in ambush. After a sharp engagement the enemy were routed, leaving 27 dead on the field and carrying off a number wounded. Our casualties were as follows: Second Brigade, – killed, 1 wounded mortally, and 9 slightly and severely, including 1 commissioned officer; Fourth Brigade, 1 killed, 1 wounded.

The scout returned on the fifth day.

October 26.- Captain Tilford, Third U. S. Cavalry, with about 375 men of this brigade, was ordered on a scout; traveled about sixty miles and returned on the second day. During the month this brigade has furnished a number of escorts for trains and military telegraph, and numerous details for special service, &c.

Page 854-855 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter LIII.

Numbers 4. Report of Major Frederick Behlendorff, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry.

PINE BLUFF, ARK., October 9, 1864.

COLONEL: In obedience to orders received from you to keep a journal during the scouting expedition which left Pine Bluff on the morning of the 7th day of October, under command of Colonel J. F. Ritter, I hereby have the honor to submit to you the following report:

The troops selected for the purpose consisted of detachments from the First and Second Brigades of the Cavalry Division and were parts of the following regiments: Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, First Indiana Cavalry, Fifth Kansas Cavalry, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, First and Third Missouri Cavalry, Third Regular Cavalry, Third and Fourth Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers, U. S. Army. The command moved out of Pine Bluff on the morning of the 7th of October, toward sunrise, on the so-called lower Monticello road, Colonel Ritter’s brigade in advance. This road is emphatically a bottom road for twelve miles, and winds through heavy timber throughout, except where corn-fields and here and there an old cotton-field relieve the monotony of the woods. For the first three miles from the town of Pine Bluff a shallow bayou skirts the road on the left. For the next nine miles the bayou runs on the right side of the road affording water at all seasons. Six miles from town Mr. Clay has some corn in the field on the left side of the road, a good deal of it gathered. Seven and three-quarters miles from town Mr. Currie has a big corn-field. He gathered most of his corn already; estimates it a from 800 to 1,000 bushels. Half of it belongs to the negroes who work on the place. Ten miles from town Mr. McCahey has some corn in field on the left; could not estimate it; not much. Ten and a half miles from town Mrs. Atkins has some corn. Twelve miles from town Widow Busby’s place is on the left of the road; pretends to have planted but ten acres of corn. The bayou crosses here the road to the left. Broken bridge across bayou there; ford in summer and fall easy. There is a good camping ground at and near Mrs. Busby’s place. Two miles and a half down the bayou and about one mile to the left of the lower Monticello road J. B. Rodgers has a farm and some corn; not much; could give no estimate. Beyond the bayou and bridge the ground rises and the road leaves the bottom grounds. Here begins a tract of rolling country, with open oak woods on both sides of the road. Soil sandy. Settlements few and far between. Fourteenth miles from town low, swampy place, difficult of crossing during rainy weather. Right below a creek crosses the road with sufficient water during dry season. Fifteen miles from town good grazing ground is found for more than a mile on both sides of the road. Seventeen miles from town a swampy creek bottom breaks the road with thick underbrush on both sides of the road; very favorable spot for an ambush. Open oak woods with good grazing ground are found beyond this. Nineteen miles from town, old field and orchard, with tolerable good spring on the right-hand side of road and good grazing ground.

One-half a mile beyond a swampy depression of the ground occurs; creek crosses the road, with heavy brush and timbers on both sides. Open oak woods and good grazing beyond. Twenty-one miles from town poor wood farm on left of road. A big old field on the right; good place to camp. Opposite the field road leads off the left and south. Twenty-two miles from town farm of Mrs. Wilson, with some corn in field on the right. Adjoining this is Mr. Lesel’s farm, fifteen acres of corn, situate on northern edge of Drew County, boundary line of Jefferson County above farm. Twenty-three miles and a half from town large corn-field on left, farm-house of Mr. Reynolds on right. Road leading off to the left on south side of corn-field. Open woods beyond. Twenty-five miles and a half from town small wood farm; twenty acres of corn on left. One mile below, road leading off to the right on top of hill; old field below. Calvin Jones, twenty-seven miles from town; corn-field on top hill on right-hand side of road; twenty-one miles and a half to Monticello from this place. Approaching Branchville, a poor deserted place, a good road traverses the Monticello road diagonally; one family only residing there; also one good grist-mill at Branchville worked by horse power. Right below Branchville, road to Cornersville leads to the right; distance to Cornersville five miles. Three miles beyond Branchville and about thirty-one miles below Pine Bluff the county road crosses the Monticello road at right angles; Cornersville four miles to the right; heavy timbers, with plenty of brush all over. Thirty-two miles below Pine Bluff Mr. Oldham’s farm; road to Warren branches off from the Monticello road to the right and south. Very little corn left at this place. Wells shallow and easily dried up. Water for stock to right and left of the farm-house in hollows and ravines in the woods, scarce at that. Sixteen miles distance to Monticello.

The command went into camp at Mr. Oldham’s place, where we learned that the rebel troops had all left Monticello, bound for Camden and finally the Red River country.

Saturday, October 8, 1864, reveille at 3 a. m.; general at 4 a. m., boots and saddles 4.30 a.m.; to horse 5.30 a. m.; forward 6 a. m., Colonel Erskine’s brigade leading. The command moved forward toward Mount Elba on the country road, passed Cornersville at 8 a. m. Lane’s brigade of rebel cavalry reported to have passed over this road on Tuesday, October 4. Road cut by wagons and traveled much. One-half mile west of Cornersville ten acres of corn in field on the right of the road. Three miles west of Cornersville a bayou crosses the road. Bridge across bayou partly destroyed; may be repaired, if necessary, in less than two hours. Very bad bottom beyond the bayou, road almost impassable; thick brush and heavy timber on both sides; frequent signs of recent encampments; road reported as the base line of rebel chain. Guard of pickets from Mount Elba to Branchville. One-half mile west of bayou the ground rises again. One mile below bayou, road comes in from the right just before you come to Robert Harper’s farm. No corn there but fine situation for a camp on left of road in old field (high ground). At Robert Harper’s place the Warren and Pine Bluff road crosses the Cornersville and Mount Elba road. Distance from Robert Harper’s to Warren, fifteen miles. One mile west of Robert Harper’s place a small creek crosses the road. About one mile beyond comes Jim Harper’s place, nine miles to Mount Elba. Forty acres of corn at Jim Harper’s. At this place a rebel outpost of eight or ten men is discovered by some of Lieutenant Grove’s men. The advance gives chase, but the road gets worse again; perfect swampy bottom; quick pursuit impossible. One half mile west of Jim Harper’s John M. Hamilton’s farm, with fifteen acres of corn and good water near, affords a fine camping-ground. Extensive pasture on the left of the road right behind Hamilton’s farm-house. Road coming in from the right just below Hamilton’s. Widow McKinley, seven miles to Mount Elba. Three hundred of Harrison’s brigade of rebel cavalry reported to have passed this place on Thursday, October 6. One hundred bushels of corn on Davis’ farm, one-fourth of a mile below McKindred bushels of corn on Davis’ farm, one-fourth of a mile below McKinley’s. One mile below Davis’ Creek, with plenty of good water, crosses the road, with deeply cut-in banks; bad crossing; swampy bottom on both sides of creek; heavy timber and thick underbrush on both sides of road. Widow Wudlow’s, four miles to Mount Elba. Right below, Main’s farm with good, water and some corn; also cattle. Small creek passes the road one-half mile below Main’s farm. At Mr. Main’s farm a road leads off to the right and north, intersecting the Warren and Pine Bluff road. One mile and one-fourth, below Main’s county road crosses the Mount Elba road at right angles, leading south to the ford of the Saline River, two miles below Mount Elba, and leading northward into the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road. Mr. Vint’s farm, two miles to Mount Elba. The road to Pine Bluff leads off to the right and north opposite the gate of Mr. Vint’s house. Mr. Vint reports that since Monday, October 3, 2,000 mounted troops, all in all, passed by to Mount Elba. The last of them, on Thursday, October 6, were 300 of Harrison’s men (rebel cavalry). Rebel vedettes encountered by the advance just below Mr. Vint’s; chase to the Saline by the advance. One fourth of a mile below Mr. Vint’s large old field on the right of road splendid camping-ground and good grazing. One-half mile below Vint’s farm road from Pine Bluff intersects the Cornersville and Mount Elba road. Short skirmish between our advance, under command of Captain Bechand, of the Thirteenth Illinois, and some fifty or sixty rebels, supposed to be the rear guard of the rear guard of the rebel cavalry. Captain Bechand drove them across the Saline River in gallant style. Mount Elba consists of one old farm-house and a few dilapidated negro huts. The command returns to Pine Bluff at 2.15 p. m., on the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road. Heavy timber and impassable thickets lining both sides of road and shutting out the sun almost. Regular bushwhacker’s country. Ground rising; soil poor and sandy. Five miles north of Mount Elba county church painted white on left of road; four miles across to Chowning’s Ferry, on Saline River; favorable haunt of bushwhackers. The command goes into camp toward sunset at a deserted from on right of road, six miles from Mount Elba.

Sunday, October 9, 1864, reveille at 3 a. m., general 4.30 a. m., boots and saddles 5 a. m., forward 6 a.m. We pass bridge over Big Creek at 6.30 a. m., bad and dangerous bottom; dense brush and tangled woods line both side of the road. A perfect paradise for an ambuscade; bridge may be held by a few men against a crowd; no way to cross except by bridge and a narrow bridle-path with ford across creek. One fourth of a mile northeast of Big Creek bridge, a big old field extends on both side of the road, affording room to camp for a small army; also, fine positions for artillery.

First white frost of the season on morning of October 9. Right beyond old field a road turns off to the right; 300 yards farther north another road crosses the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road from southwest to northeast. Big field of Brewer’s farm, nineteen miles to Pine Bluff, forming a square cut-out of dense woods; affords fine and ample camping-ground and a fine position, with some water in the hollow indentation in middle of field. A good field of corn, two miles above Brewer’s; place of encounter with the advance of Lane’s rebel brigade of cavalry and scouting expedition under Colonel Erskine on Sunday, October 11, 1864. This is the only place where corn might yet be found on the Pine Bluff and Mount Elba road. Tracks of rebel forage wagons all around and on cross-road. Frequent fresh marks of rebel camps and feed places. The Warren road joins the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road twelve miles from town, intersecting from the right as you march north.

Rumor on the road of a rebel courier bringing the news of Price’s defeat in Missouri; Fagan killed by Marmaduke in a duel. The rebel force recently concentrated at Monticello is stated to have been assembled there for the sole purpose of preventing troops in General Steele’s department from following Price from Missouri. General report says that they all went back to Red River. Forage around Monticello and on the other side of the Saline River as far as the Washita. The troops under command of Colonel Ritter returned to Pine Bluff by 2 p. m. October 9, 1864.

Magnificent weather favored this expedition.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FREDERICK BEHLENDORFF,

Major Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Vol. Cavalry.

Colonel A. ERSKINE,

Commanding First Cavalry Brigade.

Page 855-858 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter LIII.

HDQRS. COMPANY B, THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY,
Pine Bluff, Ark., October 27, 1864.

I have the honor to report that I left this post on the evening of the 24th in command of twenty-six men and proceeded toward Mount Elba. Camped that night fifteen miles from here, between the Warren and upper Monticello road. Left camp at daylight; marched within one mile and a half of Mount Elba. From there I marched by way of the Cornersville road within three miles and half of Vance’s Ferry. Camped that night two miles north of Cornersville. Left camp at daylight; marched toward the upper Monticello road, which I struck about twenty miles south of here. Marched within eleven miles of this post, where I met the enemy, from twenty-five to thirty strong, marching toward Monticello. They broke upon getting sight of my command toward a creek bottom between the Warren and upper Monticello road, about one-half mile distant from the latter road. I charged them at once and found them in line of battle in the creek bottom facing the road they had come, but which I avoided, my guide, William Milton, knowing another crossing. This movement brought me upon their rear and also confused them, so much so that after our first fire they broke without firing a gun, abandoning mules and saddles, shotguns, muskets, and a great many blankets. On account of the many vines and thick underbrush in the creek bottom I was made to make any prisoners. I was also unable to learn to what command they belonged. The following information I obtained: Part of Parson’s brigade at Warren picketing up and down the Saline; lines are crossed; citizens are not allowed to pass. All these pickets are stationed on the south side of the Saline with patrols and vedettes on the north side. As to their strength at these different ferries I learned as follows: At Mount Elba, 150; at Vance’s Bluff, 50; and at Redden’s Ferry, 150 men. I have also learned that a force, between 300 and 400 men, had crossed at Mount Elba on the 22nd of his month to join Logan’s command on the north side of the Saline River and had marched up the Saline.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. BECHAND,

Captain Company B, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry.

Lieutenant S. MONTE CAMBERN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Page 858-859 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter LIII.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Little Rock, May 4, 1864.

GENERAL: On my arrival at this place night before last I learned that my dispatches from Camden up to the 18th ultimo had been forwarded to you, and also dispatches from Colonel Clayton and General Anderws giving imperfect accounts of subsequent events.

I shall defer my detailed report of the campaign until reports and returns of casualties can be obtained from subordinate commanders, giving in this only a synopsis of the operations since the 18th ultimo. The command had been on short rations during the whole campaign, except when occasionally supplies could be obtained in the country. On the 20th ultimo we received a supply from Pine Bluff, with ten days’ half rations for the command. Some meat was obtained on the east side of the Ouachita, and one small grist-mill and ten handbills were constantly kept at work grinding corn, for which the country for a great distance from Camden on both sides of the river was scoured. Four thousand or 5,000 bushels were captured on the steamer Homer. The rebels destroyed all the good mills and all the corn in the neighborhood of Camden. On the 22nd ultimo the supply train was sent back under escort of a brigade of infantry (about 1,600 men), 400 cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. Captain Dunham, bearer of dispatches from General Banks, arrived, confirming the report which I had previously received that Banks had fallen back behind entrenchments at Grand Ecore. I also received information that Price had been re-enforced by 8,000 infantry from Shreveport. In the evening of this day he opened with artillery upon my out-posts. Captain Dunham returned with dispatches to General Banks, informing him of my inability to advance on account of a want of supplies and the superior rebel force in front of me. He had sent me a request to move forward at once and join him on Red River. On the night of the 25th, we learned that the train, the artillery, and most of the infantry of the escort had been captured by a force under Fagan, said to be 5,000 or 6,000 strong. This force must have crossed the Ouachita 50 or 60 miles below Camden, as my cavalry scouting parties and spies reported the country all clear between the Moro and Washita, and that no crossing of the river by rebels could be heard of. The rebels came up between the Moro and Saline and attacked the train about 8 miles from the crossing on the latter in the Moro Swamp. Our troops fought gallantly, but were overwhelmed by a dash of the rebels. Lieutenant-Colonel Drake, their gallant commander, was severely wounded and taken prisoner. About 500 veterans of the First Iowa Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, going on furlough, were a few miles in rear of the train when it was attacked. On hearing the firing they pressed forward, but were met by a superior force and fighting fell back. I sent all of my available cavalry to their support. They returned to Camden, having lost 1 lieutenant captured and a few men wounded. They captured a rebel captain and killed a colonel, who led the attack upon them.

We received information through prisoners, deserters, and spies that Kirby Smith had come up with re-enforcements from Shreveport, and was been supplied at Camden I could have held the place against Kirby Smith’s entire force, but on learning that my communications were effectually interrupted, and that the line of the Arkansas was threatened by so large a force of the enemy, I decided to fall back at once. The ammunition and baggage trains were put across the river on the pontoon bridge, and at nightfall on the 26th the troops commenced to cross, the pickets being kept in position until everything was over, when they were quietly withdrawn and the pontoon bridge taken up without any suspicion on the part of the enemy that the movement had commenced. To avoid the bad roads through the Moro Swamp on the Mount Elba road, the march was directed toward Jenkins’ Ferry, via Princeton. Fagan, with a considerable force, crossed our road a few hours in advance of us, moving toward Benton, where it was said he was going to cross the Saline for the purpose of threatening Little Rock.

Our advance reached the Saline at Jenkins’ Ferry at 2 p. m. 29th. It rained very heavily. The pontoon was laid, and the cavalry commenced crossing immediately. The stream was high and was continually rising from the rain which continued to fall. From the same cause the bottom, being cut up by our artillery and baggage Before the rear of the column got into the bottom it was attacked by infantry and artillery. No damage was done us; the rebels were kept off by our skirmishers. The infantry bivouacked in the bottom, while the trains and artillery. No damage was done us; the rebels were kept off by our skirmishers. The infantry bivouacked in the bottom, while the trains and artillery were being crossed all night. At daylight on the morning of the 30th, the enemy commenced skirmishing with our pickets. I suppose it was Fagan’s command, which had returned on our rear. The firing did not become very heavy for several hours. I directed General Carr, with nearly all shortest route to Little Rock to intercept any rebel force that might be moving in that direction. The Saline bottom is 2 miles wide on each side of the river along the Jenkins’ Ferry road. The rain continued and many of the wagons became irretrievably struck in the mud on the east side of the river. Some of the animals, from exhaustion and want of forage, were unable to make their way through the miry places without the harness, consequently a good deal of baggage and some of the wagons had to be destroyed and teams doubled on the ammunition train. The train and artillery were parked on the high grounds, 2 1\2 miles from the bridge, as they arrived. They were guarded at first only by about 1,500 dismounted and ineffective cavalry. As we did not know where the enemy might strike us, it was thought prudent to order forward two regiments of infantry to their support. While the crossing was going on General Salomon was left with his division, consisting of the brigades of General rice and Colonel Engelmann, supported by General Thayer’s division of the Army of the Frontier, except two regiments that had been sent to the front to cover our rear and prevent the enemy from interrupting the crossing. The fire of the enemy became heavy, and Salomon formed his line of battle in a good position for defense, the right resting perpendicularly on an impassable bayou, and the left, which was protected by a wooded swamp against anything except, perhaps, skirmishers, was thrown back. The reserve was so posted that any part of the line which might be pressed could be promptly re-enforced. About 9 a. m. the enemy made a desperate assault in heavy force upon our line, but were handsomely repulsed, our troops having the advantage in cover as well as position. General Salomon asked for more troops, and expressed some doubts of being able to hold his position without them. I ordered up two regiments of infantry that had been sent to the front, and instructed him to hold his position at all hazards. This effort was renewed with redoubled energy, but they were again repulsed and driven back with great slaughter.

At 10.30 a. m. another assault was made along the whole line and the rebels repulsed and driven off the field, our troops charging them as they fell back. The Second Kansas (colored) took 2 guns and the Twenty-ninth Iowa 1, under the immediate direction of General Rice. A number of prisoners were captured, officers and privates, all of whom concurred in saying that Kirby Smith and Price were both present, and that they had nine brigades of infantry. Smith did not know that we had evacuated Camden until noon next day, when he immediately gave orders for the pursuit. His troops were crossed on a raft constructed of logs with planks nailed across them, at the very spot where out pontoon bridge lay. The artillery was crossed in a flat-boat. They marched without baggage, with five day’s rations in haversacks, and expected to capture a man except those whom I thought it necessary should be left on the battle-field. This necessity I regretted, but thought it of more vital importance to secure the safe passage of my command across the Saline than to attempt to bring off wounded men for whom I did not have proper transportation. More were brought off than we could have carried away had they been as severely wounded as those who were left behind. Some of our troops pursued the retreating rebels a mile, and even over the whole field. They say the enemy’s loss was five to one compared with ours. I cannot now give a correct estimate of the loss on either side, but will endeavor to do so in my detailed report. The number of our troops engaged did not exceed 4,000. I have no means of estimating that of the enemy, but it was at least three times this number, with artillery. All our artillery had been sent across the river early in the day except one section, and even that was withdrawn to get it out of the mud. At the time the enemy was routed, all of our trains and artillery had just completed the passage of the river.

The enemy having disappeared from the field our troops were withdrawn and passed over the brigade, without interruption from the enemy. The bridge was kept two hours to pass over our wounded men and stragglers. It was nearly worn out (India-rubber floats), having been in use over two years; some parts of it were 2 feet under water and I ordered it to be destroyed. We had no transportation for it, the mules were exhausted, the wagons were destroyed. It had done good service; without it my whole command would in all probability have been lost. General Halleck sent it to me two years ago last March, to operate on Current and Blank rivers. One surgeon and two assistant surgeons, with sufficient number of hospital attendants, were left to attend the wounded. Hospital supplies were also left. The rebels did not attempt to follow us. The rain continued until late in the evening and the road toward Little Rock had become almost impassable for trains and artillery. I ordered the worst of the wagons and the least valuable baggage to be destroyed, and the best teams to be put to the artillery and the remaining wagons. The ambulances and wagons carrying the sick and wounded and all the route to the Arkansas and the one least liable to interruption from the enemy. The command and the train were started toward Little Rock, in order to frustrate the designs which the enemy was supposed to have on that place. Owing to the state of the roads, for the first 5 miles progress was very slow, and it became necessary to destroy a few more wagons which could not be god along. We moved on as rapidly as possible and reached this place on the 2nd instant, without having seen the enemy after they retired from the battle-field near Jenkins’ Ferry. It was reported, however, that Fagan crossed some artillery and part of his troops at Benton for the purpose of threatening Little Rock. If this were true they retired on learning that we were marching on the same point. Our troops behaved in all the engagements of this campaign in the most gallant manner. I have never seen troops in whom I had more confidence on the battle-field, and I regret exceedingly the necessities which have caused me to lose so many brave men in detail, while I firmly believe that while together they could not have been routed on a fair field by the superior force which Kirby Smith could have brought against them. The conduct of the colored troops of my command proves that the African can be made as formidable in battle as a soldier of any other color.

I wish to recommend to the favorable consideration of the Government, for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field, Brigadier General F. Salomon, commanding division; Brigadier General S. A. Rice, commanding brigade. These are both officers of superior merit. General Rice has been twice wounded during recent campaign. At Jenkins’ Ferry he received a wounded which will cause the loss of his right foot. His self-possession, good judgment, energy, and faculty for managing men in the camp as well as in the field entitles him to distinguished honor. He was wounded in a charge upon the enemy’s battery, after which his brigade fell to the command of Colonel C. E. Salomon, Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, who managed it with skill. Brigadier General J. M. Thayer, although commanding the reserve, was frequently under fire and deserves special mention. Colonel Engelmann, Forty-third Illinois, commanding a brigade of Salomon’s division.

Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

F. STEELE,

Major-General, Commanding.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff.

ADDENDA.

Memorandum.*

General Salomon says:

My opinion is we must fall back to the line of the Arkansas, and that the movement should commence at once. To go out and fight the enemy would only cripple us, and if supplies are exhausted we have no means to get more.

General Carr says:

I concur with General. Kirby Smith has evidently no further fear of General Banks, and throws his strength against us. He can pass to our rear and cut us off.

General Rice says:

I am in favor of going to Hampton, leaving this place and endeavoring to destroy the enemy’s means of crossing Washita, and then if needful go toward the Arkansas.

General Thayer says:

I am in favor of falling back to the line of the Arkansas, and commencing the movement at least by to-morrow night. The line for supplies is too long, and we evidently cannot keep it up.

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