Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-27
MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,
FoRr HINDMAx, ARKANSAS RIVER.
.Iauuary l6 1863

FORT HINDMAy, ARKANSAS RIVER,
January l6, 1868. )
EplToRs STATE SENTINEL: In writing TO you
the other day omitted Ia tell YOU the name of
the fort our naval land forces had taken and to
tell YOU how molly all the troops sustained them
selves, and particularly the "Hoosiers." aud
pecially how superior TO all Others Jack be-
haved and proof of the latter, when the very
brave and gallant Col. burlington. late of the
United States Navy but now OF the rebel army,
and who commanded Fort Hindman said in sur
rendering. Il give myself and command up TO the
navy, for they have done it ALL" He fought his
guns in splendid manner and throughout the
whole engagement none conducted themselves
more calamity than did Dunngton rebel as he
was Gen Churchill commanded the rebel forces
outside Fort Hindman he. along with Col
Dunngton, sent up the river on the 18th
inst. and the other prisoners On the 18th. On
the 18th the army began to rage Fort Hindman,
and To day il presents very desolate appearance
iodeed. The casemates were blown up Their
ordnance was thrown into the Arkansas river.
/ Their horses aud dead were buried in their own
intfeuchments "R,qui escat in pace Ourdead
were very deccntly inferred. some of them on the
bark OF The river just below the tort
! IL i very cold here. The snow Is six inches
deco. IL Is colder here Low than 1t has ever been
before within the memory of man
We viii 90. think. m few days. 10 attack
Nicksburg. and when We do GO cur motto will be.
= Tssfig,a auiia retrosam'' This time 1t will
be ~ armed reconnaissance. but an awful ami
terribly contested battle Perhaps ii will DE the
T greatest OF the war The salvation OF tue Ie5els
depends upon Vicksburg and Charleston
+ | must conclude by saving that in no II stance
during The war has there been complete vic
tory IS thai Of the llih inst. Fort Hindman.)
With 50 little doubt as ~ where the credit be-
longs. Our iron elads aud -un0OatS knocked the
! Tort 10 pieces. dismoGnIng every gun, (eleven IN
all. IN the Tort besides those outside. (sx in ali,
, while our light draught vessels and the ram Mon
arch cut of the retreat OF the eremy, throwing
them back upon IN. army. who captured them by
thousands Too much credit canno, be given %
the officers and men Of the navy This say.
even AZ the risk of hurting the feelings OF Others;
but am sure the brave soldiers who were pres
enr will not desire 10 take away from Jack" the
credit of doing What taey themselves would have
: finally accomplished.
We all have 10 regret the dead who have fallen
in the defense Of our glorious aag; but they died
a. heroes should die We should ali be ready 10
/ CO the same when our country needs the sacrifice
The rebels have long since learned that there
ls no such thing as defeat expected by the navy
( and on the ! tn inst | am sure the Tee, demon
strated conclusively that mud forts aud railroad
iron classmates could not withstand the we'll
directed hre of American sailors. And thong h
placed by Admiral Porter nearly muzzle TO mGzze
/ with the foe. il Was but 10 save life and insure
complete and Overwhelming victory. Three
cheers Tor tue army and nssvl WN. q. +