Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-10-14
A Word from t6ss5th Ohio Battery
CAMP NEAR THE STATE ARSENAL, !
LITTLE Rock, ARKANSAS,
Sanfannhar ID 1852

our friends, and acqualntances in Ohio,
have undertaken the task of communica
| ting a few particulars of our recent en-
Fragments with the enemy in the vicini
ty of Little Rock, Arkansas, to them
through your columns, (if you deem il
worthy of insertion), the result of which
you will doubtless learn, long before this
reaches you.
Reader, go back with me through the
mist that encircles the past, as far as the
25th of last month, which found our Di
vision, or rather, Davidson's Division,
marching in three columns, or in other
words, in line of battle, across an exten-
sive prairie, some fifty miles in length, by
about thirty in width. At this time we
were nearing Brownsville, the county seat
of Prairie County, which is situated in a
narrow belt of timber. Everything was
moving on harmoniouslY, which remind
ed one of a review more than than an ad-
vance on an enemy, when suddenly the
order, DOUBLE QUICK fell upon our ears
from the commander of our battery, when
we wheeled out of column, and away we
went for thefront; and on moving up, we
found the advance guard in line of battle,
and skirmishers deployed. About a mile
in advance, near the timber, could be
seen a long line of the enemy's skirmish-
ers. A few minutes later, and the rattle
of musketry was borne back to our ears,
which Immediately settled the question
as regards friend or foe. We then wheel
ed our guns into position, and came in
heavy on the base" The enemy taking
it for granted that it was a ''duet" we had
struck up, attempted TO play an accom-
paniment, from two pieces, situated in
the timber; but thinking that it might
prove rather disastrous to both the in
struments, and the performers. to remain
in that position longer, concluded to re-
tire and leave US to play it alone, which
created some enthusiasm. and to make
this manifest, we struck up more lively
tune, while they kept step TO the music.
This was one of their out-posts, and
consisted of about 1000 men, commanded
by Gen. Walker On the 25th, we drove
them about miles, and fired about 200
rounds at them, and had the gratifying
assurance, that some of them had their
desired effect. They made several stands
during the day, whenever their position
gave them the advantage, but our guns
were of too long range to allow them to
do much execution; besides, thinking we
did not play fair, they would become dis
gusted with their own weakness and put
out again. At night we fell back to
Brownsville where we could feed our
horses, and rest without being annoyed.
On the morning of the Goth, at an early
hour, portion of our Division, together
with the I'd Mo. battery, went out TO the
front to annoy the enemy. Gen. David
son had strict orders from Maj. General /
Steele,-commanding the expedition, |
and who was at DuVals' Bluff on White
River, with the infantry,-not to bring on
a general engagement, but to move on |
and feel of the enemy, and find out if |
possible, his strength and position.
This detachment went out, and the ar /
tillery shelled them a while, but finding
them rather stubborn, they returned.
On the morning of the 9th, General |
Davidson moved his entire Division, /
which consisted of about 5000 cavalry, |
and Is pieces of artillery, to the front.
We found the enemy in considerable |
force about three miles east of Bayou |
Metre" which is II miles east of the reb-
Ell Capitol. We succeeded in driving
them across the Bayou, behind their for
tifcations. After crossing they set fire
to the bridge over the same. On seeing
the smoke ascending, their designs were
manifest, accordingly, the LIST Iowa cav
airy were sent to charge on the bridge, /
and drive the rebels from it and save il
from destruction. These boys drew their
sabres and moved off, as one man, and
on nearing the bridge, the rebels opened
on them with canister. from q battery
masked in the bushes on the opposite /
bank of the Bayou" This was more
than mortal man could endure; to charge I
the battery was impossible; 10 remain
where they were, was certain death; con-
they were obliged to fall back
Is the only alternative. This proved I
-ather disastrous to the lst Iowa, for in
i they lost 2 killed and % wounded
From the Bayou on the surface gradu-
lily rose into ridge about halfmile back
,owards the east. On this ridge, General
Davidson ordered Capt. Hall, (Chief of
artillery in Cav. Div J, to plant the whole
mount of his artillery, and concentrate
Is FIRE upon the enemies works, and if
possible. shell them out. Our battery oc-
,upied the right, the mountain howitzers
he centre, and the I'd Mo-, the left
Here the sharp-shooters disturbed US con-
iderable, Notwithstanding the cavalry
hat was dismounted and sent into the
imber, on our right and left to silence
hem. Their balls continually whistled
over our heads, and struck the ground
Iround US.
For three hours we thQndered away at
hem, but failing in our purpose, General
where we would wait until
zen. Steele should arrive from DuVals
Bluff, with the infantry. He came on the
st of September.
will not weary the patience of my
eaders, by asking you to follow me thro'
he details of our preparatory steps, prior
o another advance. nor of our march
rom Brownsville to Ashleys Mills, near the
liver and ten miles below the Rebel Cap
tol, but suffice it to say, that thirty min
ties to 10 o'clock, on the morning of the
9th, found our battery on the way to the
liver, to take our position before day
lawned, as we did not wish to be seen by
he rebels, which was in a cornheld.-
here were two Ohio batteries stationed
bove US, viz, the 5th and llth. This
Tas to protect our men while they threw
pontoon bridge across the river. The
liver here described very nearly semi .
ircle, near the centre of which, the bank
ad been cut down to the edge of the wa
er- Here they intended to throw the
ridge across.
At the lower end of this line, our bat I,
cry was concealed in a corn-feld, above,
nd little to the right of the bridge, was
be 1lth Ohio battery, also concealed in
cornfeld; and still further up the
.ream. and nearly opposite to US, the
tn took their position. ..Ll
At s o'clock, A. NJ, they commenced
wing down their pontoons. A half hour
ter, and the rebels ran down a battery
d the point opposite, and opened fire on
le bridge. Then it was that Ohio's sons