Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-01-23
FrnnnArlkansas.

Cairo, Jan. 16.-The rain Switzerland arrived
this evening from the squadron, and brings news
of the taking of the Arkansas Post, on the Ar
kansas river one hundred miles from its mouth,
by the land and naval forces under Gen. Nc
Clemand and Porter. The surrender occurred
Sunday, with all the guns, stores, ammunition,
&C. As yet we are without full particulars
Our loss reported at two hundred and the rebel
loss five hundred in killed and wounded, and
from five to seven thousand prisoners. These
results may be modified by fuller and more au-
thentic accounts.
Cairo, Jan. 1.-THE Rain Storm. which left
Arkansas Post on Monday, arrived here to-day
and confirms the capture of that place. The at
tack was made on Friday evening, by gunboats,
and small land force, debarking two miles be-
low and marching to the rear OF the Notifications.
The rebels had earthworks two miles below the
main fort, from which they were shelled, not
however, before they bad done some damage TO
the gunboats. Three shells entered a port-hole
of the Lexington, killing four men.
The main fort; which is reported as having
been very strong, surrendered Sunday. Officers
of the Storm say we captured six regiments in
the works, and at daylight Monday two Texan
regiments, not knowing the place had surren-
dered came in to reinforce, and also were cap
tured. Nearly all the ammunition taken by
the rebelsfrom the steamer Blue Wing stOming
days since was recaptured. A accommodating
party sent up the river had not returned at the
time the Storm left. Our loss is not 30 heavy
as first reported.
Memphis JAN IT,
To II. W. Halleck, General in-chief:
Head Quarters Army of Mississippi,
Post of Arkansas, January, IL.
To Major General Grant,
Commanding Department of Tenn.
have the honor 10 report that the forces un-
der my command attacked the Post Of Arkansas
to-day. Having stormed the enemy's works
we took large number of prisoners, variously
estimated at from 1000 to 10000, together with
all his stores, animals and munitions of war.
Rear Admiral David d. Porter, Commanding
the Mississippi Squadron effeetually and br'i
liantly co-operated in accomplishing thic COM
plete success.
IA M'CLERNAND,
Maior-G Gen. Commanding.
The following particulars of Gen. McCler'
nand's successful attack on Arkansas Post, will
be read with interest
On Saturday last, the main portion of wha
was Sherrnan's Vicksburg expedition, conveyed
by the Louisville Mound CITY, Cincinnati, ano
three of the mosquito feet, entered Arkansas
river through the cut of, about fifteen miles be.
low Arkansas Post, which is forty miles above
the mouth of the Arkansas. The place is in Q
sort of a horse shoe bend of the river, and is vel
calculated for defense. The landing was made
on Saturday, a mile below the fort, under cover
of the guuboats; but out of sight of those at the
fort. The gunboats then proceeded up the river
took positions. and about 3 p. NJ. commenced
firing heavy guns on the defenses. The LAND
forces arrived P. M. A bayou was found inter.
fering, and division was sent out for the pur
pose Of discovering way to get over it, but me-
with rifle pits. These latter were fanked with
some difficulty, consuming the remainder o
Saturday. Sixty rebel prisoners were taken il
this operation.
Our loss was small. The fort was then in full
view for the next morning While this was GO
ing on on land the hegunboats We're having smar
engagement on the river front, the rebels reply
ing with their heavy metal The first shell
fired by the enemy struck Lieutenant of tn,
18th Illinois regiment shattering his leg. Or
Sunday morning il was found the enemy, from
the loss ofthe rifle pits, had spent the night in
trenching Our forces advanced upon the for
at eight O'clock, over abattis, rifle pits, timber
dc. As the advance divisions neared the work.
they also relieved each other. 1t was ther
found a thousand rebels had reinforced the for;
from st. Charles. They We're held in check by
these and the old forces. The gunboats and rv
er batteries were in the meantime fighting il
earnest a duel. From one O'Clock, and for thre,
and half hours after this, the duel continued
OH eaCH sioc eNSI y nerve was st'dlheu ioi 'lciO
ry. The fort classmates were made Of three fee
solid timber, covered with railway iron suppos
ed to have been inpenetrable; but iron hail from
the heavy guns on the gunboats was too mucl
for them. The battered rails tumbled down
and splinters from the timbers flew with fata
effect among the rebels. The second shot free
entered the classmates and killed seven rebels
by another a casson exploded killing six NOR
and nine horses. With this going on in front
and an advance of two sections of Federal from
in the rear, there was but course left for tn
defenders of Arkansas Post to pursue the,
must succumb, and they did so.