Arkansas Civil War

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 Chapter LIII. OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS.

Numbers 5. Report of Captain Adolph Bechand, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry.

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

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 Chapter LIII. OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS

Numbers 5. Report of Captain Adolph Bechand, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry.

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

PINE BLUFF, ARK., October 4, 1864.

Major-General STEELE:

Since my last dispatch a deserter from McNally’s battery (Monticello) has come in, and reports the following, which you will see agrees with what I have sent you coming from Doctor Julian: General Magruder reviewed the troops at Monticello one week ago last Monday. The army reviewed was composed of the following commands: The divisions of Churchill, Walker, and polignac, Hawthorn’s brigade, McNally’s battery, and other artillery, amounting to thirty-six pieces. That at that time it was universally believed that the army was to attack Pine Bluff. The strength of the army was estimated at from 15,000 to 18,000 5,000 of which was cavalry. Last Saturday the army commenced moving toward Warren. He was himself in Warren on Sunday night, and at that time Churchill’s division and Hawthorn’s brigade were encamped twelve miles beyond Warren in the direction of Camden. He thinks that the whole force are going to Camden, but that Parsons’ division and the cavalry are still upon this side of the Saline. He says the Saline is not fordable; that the enemy have a bridge at the crossing near Warren. He seems earnest in his desire to quit the Confederacy. Says he wants to get his family out and then go to Indianapolis. I believe he gives correct information. I have Lieutenant Grove with fifty men scouting about Mount Elba. He has been out two days and will probably return to-morrow. He will be able undoubtedly to give further information.

POWELL CLAYTON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Page 608 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter LIII.