The Portland daily press., 1863-01-27
ARMY NEWS.
The Battle at Arkansas Post.

Arkansas Post is the Oldest settlement in
the state OF Arkansas, and was founded by the
French in 1865. For many years it was a
frontier trading post, and was the resort of
the hunters aud trappers of the Arkansas riy-
er and the then almost unknown Indian ter
ritory. Ii Is situated on the first high ground
on the Arkansas river, and is On bluff about
eighty feet high. Back of the town is a slop-
ing strip Of land about half mile In width.
esssnding TO a forest on the edge OF the bottom
land leading TO White river. In high stage
of wafer this land Is overfowed, but at present
is comparatively dry. The bluff and the slop-
ing ground are cleared, while the bottom land
Is for the most part covered with dense cy-
press forest. A few farms and clearings were
found; but by far the larger potion had never
been redeemed from its natural state
The river here makes sharp bend to the
northward, forming complete n. The bluff
strikes the outside of the bend, aud the town
Of Arkansas Post, containing less than five
hundred inhabitants, is situated on the bluff,
near the river just below it, In position
looking for three miles down the sweep below
the bend, the rebels more than a year ago
erected the fort, which was rectangular,
built 80 as to repel an attack from any quarter,
and on each side mounted two heavy guns
Those looking down the river were long sixty
Tours, while the remainder were sixty-twos.
On the sweep looking down the river was a
finely finished one hundred-pou Parrott
gun that the rebels confidently hoped would
be able to sink any boat having the temerity
to approach.
rifle pits, extending along the bluff so as TO en-
circle the town. Outside of these is a long
line OF abatis, rendering it difficult to approach
the works. In the construction of these de-
fences the rebels showed especial care. All
the roads excepting the one to Little Rock
had been obstructed by felled timber. and on
ly the ingenuity OF our soldiers prevented
their finding 1t formidable obstacle in the
way of a movement. The garrison Of the
fort had been reported at seven thousand
strong, commanded by Brig. Gen. Garland
PLAN OF THE BATTLE.
General McClernand had laid his plans to
make his victory not ouly sure, but decisive.
To this end he had disposed his forces so as
completely TO circumvent the Post and pre-
vent any egress from it ia any direction what
ever. One division debarked on the south side
of the Arkansas. This was designed TO pre-
vent any escape by crossing the river. Anoth-
er division, instead of following the main force
into the common rendezvous ut Belleville,
continued directly up the White river about
twenty-five miles, where they debarked on the
west side of that stream, whence, by pushing
their way through the timbered bottom land
u uAcbduCc Vi llTtt ullltS, tlct would
emerge into higher land and open prairie, con-
tinuing thus until they again entered the
woods skirting the river, about three miles
back Of the Post. The distance across by this
route was but ten or twelve miles: and, al
though no well constructed roads existed, or
In fact any roads, the timber was so open and
free from underbrush that but little difficulty
was met with in getting through. The divis-
ion struck what Is called the White river road
4
miles and half from the Post. Following
this road about three-quarters OF a mile, to
avoid an extensive marsh or swamp lying
northeast OF the town, they filed Off by their
right flank through piece of woods, until
their right came upon the main turnpike lead
up the Arkansas river to Little Rock, and
took possession of small bridge on this road,
across creek leading from the north into the
Arkansas, about a mile and half from the
town, thus cutting off all retreat from the Post
in tins direction. The two divisions which
had debarked on the north side of the river,
below the Post, deployed into line, with their
extreme right resting upon the left of the di-
Vision from the White river, and their left COM
ing down nearly to the river below the town.
thus completing the circuit of the enemy's po-
siti0n.
THE GUSBoATs OPEN.
A general plan of attack had been previous
ly dSTetu upon DetWtcu OeutFai McClernand
and Admiral Porter, in accordance with which
the iron clad gunboats moved up into close
position before the fort at three o'clock p. NJ.
and opened the ball. The boats principally
engaged were the Louisville, Pittsburg, Gin
cinnati. and DeKalb. These kept up most
vigorous engagement with the enemy for an
hour and half, the fort responding with great
earneetness to every shot we sent The can
nonading was at one time most grand and ter
rible, fairly causing the earth to tremble with
the vast volume OF sound. At first the enemy
had difficulty In getting their guns to bear up
on our boats, owing TO their elevation and the
close position which the boats had taken. and
for a time their shot all fell far astern of us.
causing loud peals Of derision from the Jack
Tars who watched them. At the same time
our guns were too highly elevated and our
shells passed over the bluff, falling far into the
rear fthe rebel lines, and as the result demon
strated, doing more damage to our own forces
than TO those of the enemy. But by degrees
more perfect ranges were obtained on both
sides, and the rebel missiles fell around our
vessels In uncomfortable frequency. Alter the
few first rounds we got better range, and our
shell fell with great accuracy into the rebel
works, exploding and spreading CONSERVATION
and confusion all around. Thus we soon dis
, abled one OF their best pieces, a large rifed
gun, knocking 1t completely off its mountings
by well directed shot from the Louisville
Another of their guns also soon ceased work