Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-02
Our Army COrrespOndenee-Th Cap
ture OF fort Hindman.
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,
FoRT HINDMAN, ARKANSAS River,
January Is. 1863.

MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,
Fort HINDMAN, ARKANSAS River,
January Is, 1868.
EDITORs STATE SENTINEL: In writing TO you
the other day / omitted to tell you the name OF
the fort our naval land forces had taken, and to
tell you how nObly all the troops sustained them
selves, and particularly the "HOosiers," and es-
pecially how superior to all Others Jack" be-
haved and as proof of the latter, when the very
brave and gallant Col burlington, late of the
United States Navy but now of the rebel army,
and who commanded Fort Hindman, said, in sur
rendering, 81 give myself and command up to the
navy, for they have done it all" He fought his
guns in splendid manner, and throughout the
whole engagement none conducted themselves
more calamity than did burlington, rebel as he
was. Gen. Churchill commanded the rebel forces
outside Fort Hindman. He, along with Col
DunmgtOn, sent up the. river on the 18th
inst, aud the other prisoners on the 18th. On
the 18th the army began to raze Fort Hndman
and to day it presents a very desolate appearance
indeed. The casemateS were blown up. TheiI
ordnance thrown into the Arkansas river
Their horses and dead were buried i'm their own
intrenchments "Requi escat ia pace" Our dead
were very decently inferred, some OF them or the
bank of the river Just below the tort
1t is very cold here. The snow is six inches
deep. 1t is colder here LOW than it has ever been
before within the memory of man.
We will go, think, in a few days, to attack
Vicksburg and when We do 90 our motto will be-
" Vestigia nulla retrOsum" This time it will not
be armed reconnaissance, but awful and
terribly contested battle. Perhaps it will be the
greatest OF the war. The salvation OF the rebels
depends upon Vcksburg and Charleston.
j must conclude by saying that in no Instance
during the war has there been so complete vic
tory as that of the l. tn inst, (FUrt Hindman }
with so little doubt as To where the credit be-
longs. Our iron clads and gunbOats Knocked the
fort to pieces. dismOunting every gun, eleven in
ALL in the fort besides those outside, (six in all
while our light draught vessels and the ram Mon
arch cut off the retreat of the enemy, throwing
them back upon thr army, who captured them by
thousands. Too much credit cannot be given to
the officers and men of the navy. This | say
even at the risk of hurting the feelings of others
but am sure the brave soldiers who we're pres
ent will not desire to take away from "Jaek" the
credit of doing what they themselves would have
finally accomplished
We all have to regret the dead who have fallen
in the defense of our glorious flag; but they died
rs heroes should die. We should all be ready 10
do the same when our country needs the sacrifice
The rebels have long since learned that there
is no such thing as defeat expected by the navy
and ON the / lth inst. | am sure the fleet demon
lstrated conclusively that mud forts and railroad
directed fire of American sailors Aud though
placed by Admiral Porter nearly muzzle to muzzlt
with the foe, it was but to save life and insur,
complete and overwhelming victory. Three
cheers for the army aud navyl VIM. @. +.