The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-25
GEN. CURTIS MARCH FROM BATES
WILLIE TO HELENA. aaae ii
Defeat of the Rebels by his
Advance Column Qnsathe
: 5s5za'en eth Inst, zesl eds n
PROCLAMATION OF THE REBEL
GENERAL HINDMAN.9 $50 .& :

Special Dispatch TO the Chicago Times.
MEMPHIS, July IA (cia CAIRO. July ICY.
The advance of Gen. Curtis army reached
Helena, on the Mississippi River, 80 miles
below here, on Saturday morning. His en-
tire army, numbering over fifteen thousand
men, Is undoubtedly there before now. ar9
He started from Batesville, his encamp.
ment during the last two or three months,
on the Oath of June, intending to effect .
junction with Col. Fitch at Clarendon, but
be- arrived one day too late, the latter having
returned to st. Charles, after persistent
effort to advance up the river. ,.f s..
Gen. Curtis then struck across the coun.
try for Helena, and made forced march
which carried him through safely.
On the 7th of July, at Bayou de Caiche,
his advanced guard encountered force of
1900 guerillas, mostly conscripts. A sharp
engagement ensued, during which the First
Regiment of Indiana Cavalry came up, with
four. mounted howtzers, and after most
determined fight of one hour and half the
rebels finally broke and fed, leaving ITO
dead bodies on the field. The Federal loss
was eight killed and tbirty.two wounded,
including Major Glendiuin, of the First
Indiana Cavalry, severely wounded, and
Captain Sloan of the 18th Wisconsin killed.
On the 4th inst the 18th Illinois Regi>
ment under Col. Wyman, while descending
the river in flatboat, was fred upon by a
large force of guerillas concealed in thicket
Fortunately they had taken the precaution
to place barricades of cotton bales around
the outer edge of the boat, and no one was
,lr ,osu h. h. Gno &c ho
The Thirteenth Immediately returned the
fire, and the guerillas were seen to spring
from their hiding places and run away. 1t
was reported that ten dead bodies were left
on the bank.
Our informants represent the army to be
generally in good health and fine spirits, al
though somewhat exhausted, and o good
deal dilapidated in regard to clothing, from
their long march. They have not suffered
to any great extent from want of food, as
has been reported, although but three quar>
tiers Of the usual rations have been served
out during the last twenty days.
The country through which they came is
in better condition than has been repre-
sented hitherto. They found abundance of
corn for forage most of the way, and occa-
SAOhoiy SUuib PloSulC lCSu pl OStolOuos
They did not meet any portion of General
Hindman's forces, who are supposed to be
concentrating at Little Rock. ..e
A beat load of provisions was sent down
the river foom here yesterday, containing
such articles as General Curtis is most in
need of.
1t does not appear that bis men have suf.
fered much although they have been i'm.
INJURED Tor months in hostile country and
without communication with the North.
The address with which General Curtis
has extricated himself from the difficulties
which surrounded him, must insure him
high position among the military leaders of
the present war.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Times.
HELENA, July II, via CAIRO. July l6-
The advance of General Curtis army, un-
der General Washburn, reached here at
a. N. today. The entire force will follow.
thus making march of IT'S miles from
Batesville, which be left on the Oath of
June, with twenty days provisions.
The army is in good spirits. We suffer.
ed some for the want of water, but found
an abundance of forage for the horses, and
halted at Jacksonport FIVE days to bring in
our forces guarding outposts. .-..
Moving on the east side OF White River,
We had several skirmishes with the enemy,
meeting with slight losses, and cut our way
through two or three barbados of fallen
timber felled by negroes
On the 18th, Col. Hovey, with parts of
eight companies, numbering $50, fought
two days and nights near Bayou de Chiche.
He held his position until reinforced by one
battalion of the First Indiana Cavalry
when the enemy were routed, with loss of
ITO killed and ~ wounded. Capt. Sloan,
the Eleventh Wisconsin was killed, and
Maj. Glendinin of the First Indiana Caval.
~, MORALLY wounded.
The Fourth was celebrated at Augusta.
On the 9th we reached Clarendon, where
We were grievously disappointed and en-.
FILTERED by the following proclamation O"
Hindman, dated Little Rock, June IA:
"The Yankee General Curtis is attempt.
ing to escape. His position has become un-
tenable. He is appalled, by the dangers
that surround him. To bis terror he resorts
to the desperate expedient of moving to the
south, along White river, trusting for sup.
plies from the Mississippi by boats. The
supplies cannot ascend the White river.
We have already blown up one Of his iron
clad boats, crippled another, and can hold
the river against bis feet. The question is
now, shall bis army reach the feet below.
You can prevent it. The power is in your
hands. The plan is not secret. I pro.
claim to you all, that if it is not carried out,
the responsibility will rest on you.
"Take your gun in your hands and am,
muuition, every one Of you. Mount your
borses Or go afoot. Do not wait an hour
upon your neighbor. Lose no time in hold
ing meetings. Move towards the enemy by
the shortest road. Join the first company
you overtake on the march. Press upon
the invaders from every direction. At
tack him day and night. Kill his
scouts and pickess. Kill bis pilots
and troops On transports. Cut off
bis wagon trains. Lie in secret ambush
and surprise his detachments. Shoot bis
mounted officers destroy every pound Of
meat and flour, every ear Of corn, and stack
of fodder, oats and wheat, that can fall into
hi, hondo. fell frocc a fb;ol,l~, ~ - -, e. an