Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-01-02

Favettville, Dec 09.-One Of the most difficult
and daring raids Of the war has Just been mcde
bv part Of the army Of the Frontier. On Sat
uTday Gen. Heron started with portion OF his
cavalry and infantry for the other side Of Boston
Mountains. Gen. Blunt left Cane Hill at the
uame time by another route. The two columns,
about 5000 strong went in light marching or.
der with six days cooked ratiOns and marched
40 miles without sleeping.
Heron took two batteries without caissons.--
The artillery and baggage wagons were drawn
across the mountains with IL horse teams.
Yesterday morning the commands joined at
Lees Creek three miles south Of the mountains.
when the cavalry and artillery, numbering two
thousand. started for Van Buren, leaving the in
fantry to follow as as fast as possible
Two rebel regiments Of cavalry were oncoun-
tered at Dripping Springs, and after nharp
skirmish, put to fight, leaving seven killed and
many wounded on the field. Our loss was none
killed and but few wounded Our force inn
medately followed the flying rebels 10 Van
Buren,, where a splendid charge was made, led
by Generals Blunt and Heron in person, result
| ing in a complete victory over tho enemy. The
rebel cavalry rushed aboard Of steamboats, and
escaped to the other side Of the river Two
steamers, four hundred prisoners, among them
several officers, aud Hindman's express messen-
gers, were captured. A third boat was run
ashore, which, with those that took the rebels
across the river will be destroyed. A large
quantity of corn, camp equippagc, transporta-
| ton mules and horses, were also seized. Ihe
full extent of the capture is not yet known.
When the messenger left, the infantry and ar
tillery were about miles in the rear fastening
forward as fast as nearly impossible roads would
allow. The people in that section were taken
entirely by surprise and were terribly frightened
i Hindman was on the other side of the river
with his whole force, and was either unable or
unwilling to engage us.
/ The pathway 10 Arkansas river has been
opened, and if gunboats will open the lower end
of it the winters work of the army OF the IRON
tier is clearly marked.
To H. w. Halook, Genera1-in- Chief:
Headquarters, st. Louis, Dec. 29.-Gens.
Blunt and Heron moved over Boston Mountains
on Saturday, and without hslting to Van Buren
driving the enemy across the Arkansas nyer
killing and wounding few. They also tool
three steamboats,, some camp equipage and lU'
prisoners.
The march of 45 miles with arms and service
over the mountains and through the deep mu'
of the valley, was a most arduous and gallan
affair. s. r. CURTIS, Maj. Gen. Com g.
Fayetteville, Ark, December 31.-Additiona
particulars of the raid to Van Barren have beel
I received. Our army was ten miles this side o
Van Buren yesterday morning. and would biv
ouac on the mountain top last night and expect
} cd to reach Prairie Grove again to-day.
den JOlHeu lSW ihhSS DSJ Sh'
the foot of the mountains.
Steamers Violet, Key West, Rose Douglas
0 Frederick Erie, No. G, and Van Buren,, wit
their cargoes of grain and provisions for the reb
el army, were burned. Also large amount {
army stores The rebels burned their arsena
!. and ferry boat at Fort Smith, to prevent thei
falling into our hands; also large quantity
forage and provisions. On the opposite Ban
of the river a general confagration was in pro
press when our forces left.
Many deserters came into our lines, who re
! port that two regiments of Mssourians stacke
their arms a few days ago, and crossed the rive
and went home. Another regiment of Nilsson
rians left short time after, taking their arm
with them regiment of Texas also stacke
their arms and left for home. A regiment {
: cavalry was sent in pursuit. but instead of al
resting, Joined the runaways. Everything goe
to show that the rebel army of the Trans Missif
= sppi is completely dsorganized. The Arkan
: sas is at a boatable stage and the country bord
| ering on the river, from point twenty -tv
: : miles below Van Buren, to Little Rock, is we
= provided with forage and food to subsist a
. army.
: Our troops are in splendid spirits, having mad
' most daring and successful raid without the lo
!. of single life.