The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-10-03
GEN. BLUNT,s LATE CAMPAIGN.
From the #. Smith, tArl.,) Union. ]


F.. Blunt, formerly Ft. Gibson, crossed /
the Arkansas river, and camped at the for
mer Headquarters of the rebel army. can
torment Davis, FIVE miles from the Arkap
sas. It would not do to tell in this publc
manner just how many regiments he com
msnded. 1t is enough to say, that the}
were sufficient for his operations,
The second days march, brought his ar
my to Honey Springs, thirty five miles
south Of the Arkansas, the battle field 81
July 18th. It was then ascefIained that
Steele and Cooper with their forces were.
or had been to the sout-eastward. beyond
the Canadian river. That night il rained.
the weather clearing off so cold lha, over
coats aud blankets were necessary TO com
fort on the march.
The third days march, (Ang. % h J
brought US into camp, at o'clock P
thirty i've miles farther, and near the Can
adam riyer-cold. raining and uncomiorta
BILE.
Probably a copy of our journal will be
the best description of the balance OF the
march.
Aug. a5.h Marched to camp Stand
Waite, the Headquarters. day Def re yes
v,
FIVE miles south OF the Canadian river. and
is beautiful opening, near the spurs OF the
San Bots Mountains.
Aug Goth. Marched at O'Clock
Six miles from camp struck the broad trail
of the enemy, leading southwark. They
had been gore twenty four hours. Eiuht
miles farther came upon the pickets-kllle
and captured three TIE cavalry being in
the advance pushed on rapidly-more pick
cts Notwithstanding fight oFened-ene-
my's dead strewed along the road-many
! prisoners takeu-halt to refresh the horses
at o'clock P. M.-again push forward
road winding by the base OF huge bluffs
across spreading prairies and by occasi nal
water courses-at P. NJ. we are near Per
ryville, forty FIVE miles from camp Stand
Waite. 1t is little log village forty eight
miles north of Red river. The enemy have
there depot Of Commissary and Quarter
masters stores. As the heed of our col
ulnn rises the hill to enter the village, they
are assaulted by artillery and musketry
A rapid charge, and few rounds from our
carbines and howitzers closed the engage
ment. The euemy retreats at full speed
down the bluff, southwark and into the roads
lined with chapperal, leading towards Red
river. Gen. Blunt encamps-further pur
suit with our jaded troops deemed useless
rebel depot destroyed.
Aug. 9Th and 28sh. Return by easy
marches TO camp Stand Waite.
Aug. 29th. Col. Judson's brigade de
tached and sent to North Fork town and vi
cinity, in pursuit of Mcintosh and the rebe
Greek brigade Col. Bowen moves to camp
at Weber Falls. Gen. Blunt. with Col
Clouds brigade and the balance OF his force
moves toward FIT Smith.
Aug. 3Oth and 3lsL. Continued march
towards Fort Smith. To-day (3lst) 6nC
frequent marks of the recent presence of th'
enemy-ascertain that Caball with severa
regiments is camped on Poteau river. HIS
force is reported variously at from 9 500 [,
1000; and some say he has four. some SIX
and others eight pieces of artillery. We
encAmp three miles west of Poteau-heav,
picket firing during the nighttime othe
roads toward Fort Smith have been obstruc
ted by abatis, and the fords have been block
ed with fallen trees, DC. Cabell is strongI'
} posted with his artillery at the ford, On tio
opposite side of the river, at the crossing q
the road which is our line of march-activ'
resistance to our further advance expected
Sept. 1st We march at DAYLIGHT to At
tack Cabell's position, Col Cloud with tn
Second Kansas in the advance reach TIN
ford at sunrise. Dsshing at he head of tn
cavalry across the stream and up the steel
bluffs opposite, Gen. Blunt finds the enemy
camp deserted, and that Cabell is in full re
treat. The track of the emmy is folowet
( towards Fort Smith, until it is a-certaineC
that Cabell with his full force has branchet
off on by roads and hog paths to the south
ward. Col Cloud with the Cavalry. goe
in pursuit AT the DEVILS Back Bone, six
teen miles from Fort Smith, an engagement
takes place-enemy totally routed, with thu
f loss of twenty or thirty killed and wounded
and forty prisoners. Clouds loss, two kill
: ed, and twelve wounded and two missing
Gen Blunt, with the infantry and his stat
2 and body-guard, enter and occupy For
Smith Among Col. Clouds loss, wa
Capt. Lines, a most excellent, courageou
and admirable officer.
The further pages of the diary from which
the above is extracted, relate merely to TN
details of the occupation of the fort and city
The results ofthis brief and brilliant cam
paign are, that the rebels have been driver
to Red river, and the entire Indian TERRITORY
is restored to the possession of the Govern
ment. This has been no mere raid; th,
country is permanently occupied by the au
thority of The Union Government; and I'll,
Union troops here and in the vicinity ar
! sufficient 70 hold it, and proceed by aggres
siye movements southwark, till the rebr
army surrenders, or is driven into the Gul
; of Mexico.
5 Col. Cloud. whose gallantTy and DARING
2 have been so conspicuous on 50 many battle
fields, is in command Of the Post and forces
here He will enforce order and loyalty