New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-23
FIGHT NEAR HELENA, ARK
Lieut. Col. Giddings and Nine of the
Rangers Captured.
Three Union Soldiers Killed and Nine Wounded

From Dor Special Correspondent.
HEIgvA, Ark, Oct IL. 1882.
A sharp encounter occurred yesterday afternoon
between small force of Union troops, about IL
miles out OF Helena, toward Little Rock, on what is
called the Trenton road, and body Of mounted
Texan Rangers, commanded by Lieut..Col Cid.
dings, who is now in our hands prisoner. A de-
tschment of the 4,h Iowa Cavalry. consisting Of 60
mounted men, were sent out toward White River on
a SCOUTING expedition. TN Fer Major Rector. After
proceeding about 30 miles, they started on their re-
turn, when they were suddenly attacked in the rear
by body Of over 100 mounted Texan Rangers. I'M
der Lieui.-Co Giddings OF the Rebel army. The
Union cavalry were taken by surprise and thrown
into confusion. About half of them fCd in panic,
ana the other stood FIRE OF the enemy, discharged
their carbines at him, and then aso fed. Three Of
our troops were killed in this encounter, nine
wounded and several taken prisoners. among them
Major Rector. Tue Rebel eut.-Colonel, whom
we aiterwsrd captured in a second encounter, says
his force took 40 prisoners, with Major Rector; but
this is known 10 be an exaggeration. Many OF
those supposed " be captured have sinee come into
camp.
After this first encounter between the Rebels anu
the detachment OF the 4th Iowa Cavalry, they pur-
sued IA running fight for about seven miles, toward
Helena, our troops retreating aud the Texans pur-
suing.
On reaching cross road from the Clarendon road,
they came upon another detachment Of our troops,
the lst Missouri Cavalry, consisting Of about 90
mounted men under Capt. Barbour Lewis. This
body put themselves in line Of battle and received
the Rebels with we-aimed revolving carbines, un-
hOrsng several of them, causing the maln body 10
fly III confusion. and by skilu detour cutting oil
the retreat OF the advance guard Of the enemy. Of
whom they captured niue, with their Lieut.. Colonel
Ihese they brought into Helena, and they are now
Held AS prisoners Of war.
Lieut.Col. Gddings il u TALL hne-looking man,
over slx feet high, and evidently y brave officer
lie converses freely ON the subject Of the rebellion
contends that the whole South is unit and that we
are mistaken in supposing there is any Union senii
ment even in Texas, where ii is supposed there are
large numbers of Union men. lie denies the state
menis Of Mr.. Hamilton in his speeches at New.lork
and Brooklyn; and on my nquirn2 OF him about the
Germans of Wes FERN Texas, he said that for awhile
they beld back, but are now coming forward freely
and entering the ranks of the Confederate Army.
These are the 81 Atements OF an inveteIate Rebel,
and to be received with great deal OF allowance.
Lieut.-Col Giddngs informed Inc that be was Ia.
tive Of Pennsy lvana but denies any relationship to
the Hon. Joshua X. Giddings, though afterward con-
fessing that he had probably descended from the
same stock. lie has lived in Texas twelve years,
and il thoroughly devoted to the cause OF the Rebel
lion, believing firmly in it's ultimate success.
In n few days will forward u statement from the
Chapains OF this army, concerning the oontrabands
at Helena.
Everything here remains as il was, except the re
moval OF portion OF the army. The gunboats lie
floating in the stream, and the Two divisions of Gen.
Carr aud Gen. Hovey, under command OF the for
mer, are encamped at convenient distances above,
below, and back OF the town. Should the Rebels
venture to make an attack on us they will lind bot
work.
Cooler weather has at last come, the musketoes
are disappearing, and We may now reasonably ex-
pect a dminution Of the nalarious influence which
surrounds and oveupreads Helena like an atmo-
sphere. GUILBERr.