True Democrat., 1863-01-14
The Post of Arkansas.

This is me of the oldest settled places ln the State and was, formerly, the territorial seat of .,ou,n,or+ It is on the Arkansas river. It is d;st.nt 1lo miles from Little Rock. During the n.st summer and fall some defences were thrown m there. consisting of an embankment, surround ed bv ditch, and mounted with such guns as could -bo nrocured. Thee were one nine-inch dahIgreen and two eightinch columbiads, with & battery of small pieces 80 placed as to resist land attack.- On Friday, Gen. T. J. Churchill, in command at the Post, sent word that the enemy advancing in force, aud asked for endorsements. His force was estimated at about 5000 men, and that of the enemy at from 10000 to 10000 being the army repul.cd at Vicksburg, and looking for force smsll enough for them to gain victory over- They were accompanied by gunboats and trans ports. On Saturday it reported that battle was in progress and that two gunbosts had passed the fort Others said that the report originated from the enemy sheliing the banks of the river as they ascended, and that the boats had not passed It was known that the enemy had landed troops below the fort and had come up by circutous route so to invest it; that they were in line of battle on Saturday night, and would commence the fight on Sunday morning. Sunday was a day Of anxiety for our citizens. The nearest reinforce ment. to Churchill were fifty miles distant, and It was hoped that he would be able to hold out against the immense force of aSsailants until Sunday night, when achievements could reach him. The telegra ph line to South Bend, fifteen miles above the fort, was controlled by the military authorities, and private dispatches came over the lne. ,On Monday morning it announced that the opera tor at South Bend had left that point, and the knowing ones argued that the fort had been taken. On Monday evening, it was rumored that the fort had fallen but whether Churchill had capituated, or was killed, or whether the garrison had been overpowered, we were left to conjecture.
 On Monday night, despatches were receivei confirming the truth of the rumor. No particulars are given. From the many rumors we gather the following as ?: o5ably true. On Sunday morning, the enemy having invested the Post, commenced shelling. The latter comprised space of two or three acres, the greater part of which was unprotected, ard the natural consequence was that every shell did mischief. The infantry poured in terrible fire also, but the army held oat gal lantly until about o'clock p. m, when the thou sand. of the enemy rushed upon the Post and car red it bv storm. The loss of life must have been fearful, but we have TO list of casualties. It is said that two three companies only succeeded in cutting their way through and escaping; the rest are either killed or prisoners. We await particu
 lars with anxiety, and if any come before we go to press, will make room for them. ~
 r-,;+; tI,a For 1oap, hat trn entire companies, and parts of two more compa nies of Texans, effected their escape from the Fort after it was entered by the enemy. They represent the fighting to have been terrific, and the works to have been taken only after the third as.ault-the two first assaults having been sue cessfuly repused. They report our loss in killed, up to the time our works were taken, to have been small, while that Of the enemy was very great.- It is believed that Gen. Churchill himself, though prisoner, unhurt. The fate of his staff off cers is unknown.
 There is great uneasiness yet manifested to learn particulars. All that is known positively is that the Fort has fallen, and that the brave little band defending it, covered themselves with glory. They have elicved place in history and have won the applause of the country
 Though the Post of Arkansas has fallen, there is vet no cause to be aieloartened. We have simply been overpowered in the last expiring effort of our enemy, whose forces and means of subjugat- ing us are crumbling and falling to pieces. We must not and will not give up the Arkansas river valley. One more gallant stand, such made at the Post, and a few more weeks of time, and the enemy will be discomftcd. Such is our hope and our firm belief Let every man do his dAy. A