Arkansas Civil War

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., January 21, 1865 – 3. 45 p. m.

Brigadier-General CLAYTON,

Pine Bluff, Ark.:

You will hold in readiness to move all the force that can be spared to move in your front from Pine Bluff, and cause it to be reported to Brigadier General E. A. Carr on his arrival at Pine Bluff, which will be on the 24th instant. The Seventh Missouri Cavalry will turn over all its serviceable horses to the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. The Seventh will be held in readiness to move to Illinois Rock for remount.

J. J. REYNOLDS,

Major-General, Commanding.

Page 605 Chapter LX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – UNION

PINE BLUFF, ARK., January 21, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS:

Am I to infer from your dispatch that I am to turn over to General Carr any infantry force? If so, two regiments can be spared. My effective cavalry force is but 222, but if required can spare them.

Respectfully,

POWELL CLAYTON,

Brigadier-General.

Page 605 Chapter LX. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – UNION

LITTLE ROCK, October 31, 1864.

GENERAL: A train of thirty-five wagons from Price’s army crossed at Dardanelle on the 20th. On the 23rd about fifty men from the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and some loyal men, attacked the rebel escort, killed 15, wounded others, and drove the rest into the mountains, capturing 35 wagons, 200 horses, and $11,000 in money. Seven hundred of our troops from Fort Smith came up just as the affair was over. We are watching Price’s movements closely. I have both infantry and cavalry en route for Fort Smith now. General Thayer has orders to draw in his outposts and all public property to Fort Smith before Price can reach them, in case he should come that way. I think he is so hard pushed by Rosecrans, that he will go west of Fort Smith. Our cavalry from Pine Bluff had a sharp skirmish with Logan on the Little Rock road day before yesterday with success. No official reports received. I will send you a summary, of operations for the month. Several escaped prisoners from Tyler, Tex., have just come in. They were assisted off by deserters who have not yet got in. It is reported that rebel cavalry is moving from Red River country toward Camden. A cavalry scouting party just returned from north side of White River. They had a skirmish, killed 3, captured 15 prisoners and 73 head of horses and mules.

F. STEELE,

Major-General.

Major General E. R. S. CANBY.

Page 853 Chapter LIII. OPERATIONS 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.