New-York daily tribune., 1863-09-16

do the inconyenienccs consequent upon being under
81 light marching orders" Horses were picketed,
forage distributed supper cooked and eaten, and the
noise gradually diminished from perfect uproar Of
Jokes laughter curses shouts ncghing of horses &C.
to the snore Of some sleeping neighbor.
Early on the morning Of the 9th scouting parties
were advanced in different directions for the purpose
of finding the enemy. The main army was put III rea
dness but did not move forward we were not long IN
SUSPENSE The crack OF dozen rifles far to the iront
gave evidence that the enemy was nc hand OccaslOh
firing in which the boom OF cannon was 10 be heard
at intervals lasted for an hour The main body was
then put in motion, and arrived IN front of the heDei
position about noon. 800
Here il was discovered that the enemy, some 1000
strong occupied range Of hills which from our posi-
ton seemed to be interseced by the road at an actc
angle OF less than twenty degreestheir position being
such as to render impossible any further advance with
ont first dlsOdging them. Gen. Davidson Immediately
work discover all the points Of the position and
for that purpose brought up several pieces OF artillery
Our fire was AT once replied TO- and spirited cannon
aiding was kept mp until dark.
During the night positions chosen for the artjl
lery earthworks were thrown up and line OF rIne pts
constructed II will be seen that from the fact that Our
forces operating against an enemy whose strength
could only be guessed 1t, 1t was necessary to make
preparations for defense az well as ofcnse The FIRST
gun WAS fired from side after daylight on the
2sth and Immediately every gun either side opened.
But once twice did bodies ~ the opposing forces
come near enough 10 each other 70 small arms. Ar
ery tie only used with much effect. II soon
became evident that the Rebels must give way Oar
shells telling with rigtnl effect upon them and
their ad, arced line # rife pits had to be evacuated
A. early rs II o'clock there was q percepibe iallnR
OFF in the enemy fire. At best We had suffered no con
sdcru bic damage and with his slackcned fire II was
hardly probable be conld do much more. Py O'Clock
the Rebels were in fu retreat with onr forces pursuing
ns rapidly NJ prudent Two miles from me range o
his on our fout IL the point at which the Bayou is
crossed by the road to Little Rock For this point tle
rctreating forces made Gen. Davidson meanwhile nc
cclcraing their speed by throwing shells throngh we
woods after them nom every available position. Reach
inc the bridge the Rebels hurried across rs fast rs pos
sllc and succeeded in getting nearly If not ola their
artillery over.
When our advance arrived NJ the bridge II was found
70 BE- In baze the opposite end and beyond all nope
II rescue from the fmes This Of course, puts stop
90 III further pgTslt ior day or two.
Among the results II Cen Dayidsons brilliant cam
paign may be cckoued The possession by the Unioniss
~ half the state including iis rivers Of the lt.
Rock Railroad, which i almost entirely unnnrcd-the
Rebels being pressed clos ely that they dared not take
time TO destroy bridges take mp the irackGnd easy
access 10 Prices 90 otv men AZ Little Rock. Nch.