Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-22
Four Thousand Seven Hundred and
Ninety-three Prisoners Taken |
TBETR ARRTVAL At CATBot

Arkansas Post, Jan. IL, 1868.
Sra have the honor to Inform you that, on
the 4th Of January, General McClernand con-
cludod 10 move mp the river upon the Post Of
Arkansas, aud requested my cooperation.
| detailed three iron-clads, the Louisville,
Baron dc Kalb, and Cincinnati, with all the
light-draft Runboats, all Of which had 10 be
towed mp the river. On the 9th we ascended
tho Arkansas river, as high as Arkansas Post,
when the army landed within about four miles
Of the fort. The enemy had thrown up heavy
earth-works and extensive rihe.plts all along
the lovee. While the army were making de-
tour TO surround the fort, sent up the iron
clads 10 try the range Of their guns, and after
wards sent up the Rather, Lieutenant Com
mander Watson Smith, 10 clear out the rife
pits and the men behind an extensive breast
work, In front Of our troops. The Black Hawk
also opened on them with her rihed guns, and,
after few fires, the enemy left the works, and
our troops marched In. AT O'Clock, General
McClernand told me tho troops would be In po-
sitlon 10 assault the main fort, a very formlda-
hle work, and held all the vessels In readiness
to attack when the troops were In position. At
$50 p. m, General McClernand sent me mes
sage stating that everything was ready, and the
vanCUd TO within 400 yards Of the fort, which
then opened FIRE from three heavy guns and
eight nned guns, and with musketry.
The superiority Of our fire was soon mani
feat, tho batteries were slleneed, and We ceased
firing; but no assault took place, and 1t being
too dark 70 do anything, oil the vessels dropped
down, and tied up to the bank for the night.
The Baron de Kalb, Lieutenant Commanding
Walker, Louisville, Lieut.. Commanding Owen,
and the Cincinnati, Lieut.. Commanding Bacho,
led the attack, and when holly engaged, i
brought up the light draft vessels, the Lexlng-
ton and the Black Hawk, TO throw In shTapnel
and rife shcll. This fire was very destructive,
LII III L.. aa.N
about the fort, whom the battery was pretty well
silcnced, | ordered Lieutenant Commanding
Smith TO pass the fort in the light draft iron.
clad Rather, and enflade II, which he did In a
very gallant and handsome manner, but suffered
q good deal in his hull In doing so. All hIs
cabin works were knocked TO pieces, and a
heavy shell raked him from stem to stern In the
hull Strange 10 say, two heavy shell struck
his iron plating q inch) on the bow and nevoI
injured u. He got past the fort, but became
entaugled amongst the Sings placed In the riyer
Ito impede our Progrcss) and had 10 return.
In the evening attack, the vessels Of all the
commanders were well handled, particularly
the iron-clads. Il was close quarters all the
time, and not a gun was fired from our side
until the gunboSts were within 400 yards Of
the fort. The condition Of this fort attosts the
accuracy Of nre, and tho persons inside give
tho Baron de Kalb, Lieut.. Commander Walker,
the credit of doing the most execution.
Twas Informed again this morning, by Gen,
McClernand, that tho army was waiting fol
the navy TO attack, when they would assault
the works. l ordered up the iron .clads, with
directions for the Lexington 10 join In when
the former became holly engaged, and for the
Trailer vessels TO haul up In the smoke and dc
the best they could. The Ratier, Lieut.. Com.
fnander Smith, and the Glide, Lieut.. Com
mander Woodworth, did good execution with
their shrapnel, and when an opportunity oc'
Cured, made them push through by the for
\ again, (also tho ram Monarch, Col. Charlea
Eilet, and they proceeded rapidly up tho river
to cut on the enemy'S retreat by the only way
no had 70 get OF. By this time all the guns IL
tho fort were completely allencod by the Louis.
tville, Lieut.. Commander Z. X. Owen; Baror
De Kalb, Lieut.. Commander J. q. WBlker, and
Cincinnati, Lieut.. COMFY @. NJ. Bache; and
ordered tho Black Hawk up for tho purpose o.
boarding ID In front. Being nnmanageable
she had 10 be kept up the narrow stream, ant
l took In regiment from tho opposite side e
try and take II by assault. As rounded TO-
! I do go, and the gunboats commenced firing
rapidly, knocking everything TO pieces, tht
enemy held out white nag, and ordLrSd thI
firing 10 cease. The army then entered and
took possession. Col. Huntington, the com
mander Of the fort, sent for me- and surren
dered TO me In person. Gen. Churchill, Of thu
rebel army, surrendered 10 the military com
mRnder. Our army had almost surrounded
the fort, and would no doubt have carried 4
with ease. They enfladsd II with rife field
pieces, which did much damage to the houses
and light WORK, lolving their mark In all dlrcc
tons. rr .,4.., Al &C.,.
do not know yet what were the operation
on the land sido. was too much interested
In my own affair, and In placing the vessels, al
circumstances required. A.T..'
In all this affair there was the greatest yea
on the part Of the officers commanding 10 carr,
out my orders, and not a mistake of any klnt
occurred. No fort ever received q worse batter
ing, and the highest compliment can pa,
those engaged Is 10 repeat what tho rebels said
"You can't expect men TO stand up agains
the fire OF those gunboats."
A large number of persons were captured Il
the fort-I don't know how many; and at sun
down the army were huTylng In the cayalr,
and artillery. ,j.... go,
Herewith enclose The report of tho command
ing officers, and a list Of killed and wounded
aud take another occasion to mention to tn
Department the names Of those officers VIII
have distinguished themselves particularly
though II Is hard TO discriminate, when all don
their duty 50 well. r,..
have the hOnOT'to be-,
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
rer DAVID r. PORTER,
| ~. Aoftno Raar AdnnIraI