The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-29
INTERESTING FROM ARKANSAS.
Our Helena Correspondence.

Hx'ESA, Ark. August 20, 1862
The 7o,ca Beag Fort, fed.oo5ined Nora aud Army Er
petition tie Yogoo RiveYMatt1s ot Pickstmy-The
Rebel Garrison D,cysased-Slenen Of Rebel Des7ier in
Regard 10 the Bate u Eaton Rouge, &c.
The fact that this point is to DO permanently fortified
will DO Of interest 10 capitalists interested here,
and to any who may think Of making business establish
mons at place on the river. Men viii feel secure in
commencing business hero, and in investing capital.
Property will be safe and will flourish under
the guns of United States fort. manned by American
soldiers.
Tho site dxed upon for tho main fertilization Is
i.snding position the blur in rear Of tho town. Re
doubts aud side batteries located at different available
points, viii strengthen sad support the main fort the
blun.
The bluff fort and side batteries will command cvcry
possible approach of enemy by land water. IT
will not long before all these OF defeAcar In
working condition
The labor is TO lie performed by negroes taken for
that purpose into the government service. The
guns arc already here and under the efficient super
vision OF competent officers viii soon be placed 10
effective position
1t il now proper 10 speak Of the expedition which start
cd from this point down the river on the 10th inst Tho
expedition composed Of naval force, under Captain
Phelps and land force under Col Wood Of the seventy
sixth Ohio regiment. The land force conveyed in
transports. Capt Phelps had q ram and the gunboais
Eentoa, Mound city and Gen. Bragg. Captain
Phelps directed to reconnoitre along the
shores and destroy all beats by which tn,
the enemy is planting any batteries on the banks.
Gel Wood whose force consists Of infantry, artillery
and cavalry, is t. make demonstrations inland He will
lend his troops a. different points and by dashcs Of
cavalry sudden advances into the country cut OF
detached parties capture mails, and gaia information
about the whereabouts numbers, position, &c., OF the
enemy.
1hc ultimate destination OF the expedition Is
vicksburg, about which place II ia expected all
existing mysteries will Soon DO cleared away, and
The town taken possession OF, or the way
prepared for it, capture by largcr force We are walt
ing vii eager interest 10 hear from the expedition.
dessrcr, who represents himself to have been orderly
70 Gencr Helm of breckenridge army, arrived here last
night, and brings some interesting reports about tho A.
fais naton Rouge lie says he saw the Arkansas bkw
up. She lay on sand bar al day before
| tack Baton Rouge were those OF Breckin.
| ridge that had been AZ v4cksburg. vicssburg "
now left without any army, except enough TO
] man the guns Of the Notifications. BroCk.fidge com
msidcd Dsto Rougs lie had three thoisafd infantry,
four bsites les and two hundred and nlfy mounted
troots wir,m Tho dsserieT calls Iastisan ranssEa IL
They aAvanfid by exlcmroreed roads which they has
made through The woods Wild 30 much secreSy ana slc
cess that they reached the twD without seeing being
by any of the pockets Tho attack was mafs al Jour
O'clock IL ana had Il not been a 0luncr ii their
own they would have completely surprised out troops
Ia the camp. Tho rangers we're scnt forward rs an
/ advansc ar-t rcconLoire the town. While tho
main body Of the rebels coming w. the rangers took
4 sudden fright and came runnng,back The rebels sup
posed this roreat Of their 10 be charge OF
FEDERAL cavalry and fred upon them charging hat way
down tie column before they discovered Their mistake
The firing alarmed our troops In the town and they
hastsy prepared for action. or soldiers fought well
bui were com,eed fall lack 10 the runboas They
however, retained possession " the Arsenal which the
rebcs male desreraie efforts take II the
Arsenal that the hardest lighting took place and that
greatest slaughter occurred The dcserte says tfat the
ioss Of the rebel. was much heavier than Tys rebels
we're IN the place two hours before they we've shelet
out by the ganboais