Newbern progress., 1863-01-31
Our E.prdi,ionary Correspondence.

MOUTH OF WHITE RIVER, Ark, Jan. IL.
The expedition for the capture of
Arkansas Post has proved a success.
Coming as it does directly on the heels
Of the reverse at Vicksburg, it is es-
pecially important. All hearts that
were so sad after our recent repulse,
while under the command of Sherman,
are now full Of joy at our achievement.
A strong position, the key to the pos
session of one Of the tributaries of the
Mississippi, a fortress mounting nine
heavy guns, with a garrison of nearly
seven thousand men, with all their
small arms, ammunition, and equip
ments for the field, have fallen into our
hands. Within week from the time
of assuming command Of the Army
of the Mississippi General McCler-
nand has made an important capture.
If it was Vicksburg, instead Of The
present locality, our eXultation would
be much increased.
Preliminary.
After the repulse of General Sher-
mans army and the assumption OF the
command by General McClernand, it
was decided to withdraw from the Va
zoo river. 1t was at first ordered for
the army to debark at Miliken's Bend
and ointo encampment there, prepar-
atory to the adoption Of new plans for
the campaign. Before the troops had
been placed on shore the order was
changed, and the expedition started up
the river as far as Montgomery Point,
opposite the mouth of White river 1t
was announced that we were to s'pro-
ceed on an important military enter
prise; ;" b-.t beyond this nothing was
known. 1t was generally suspected
that we were to attempt the capture of
Arkansas Post.
ut Our First RENDEZVOUS.
The military and naval fleet reached
Montgomery Point on the morning of
the 6th, and remained throughout that
day quietly at rest. On the morning
Of the 9th the boats commenced the
ascent OF White river, the gunboats
Louisville and Pittsburg taking the
lead, followed by the Marmora and
the transports. The latter were head
ed by the steamer Tigress, the fagboat
of General McClernand. 1t was ex-
Pected that we might be annoyed by
rebel batteries on the banks of the
White but none were discovered ::
not even solitary guerilla made his
presence manifest, though it is quite
probable that many of them were in
the brushwood noting our progress.
Nature Of the WAtc Ricer.
The White river is narrow though
deep stream, navigable for boats of
ordinary draught through most seasons
Of the year for nearly two hundred
miles of its course. Boats occasional
ly ascend as far as Batesville, and on
rare occasions have gone up to For
syth, Mo-, within fifty miles of Spring
field. Thirty miles from its mouth it !
becomes so narrow that or large trans
ports are unable to turn around, but
are obliged to back out Of the stream
with great care. Its waters are of
light gray color, and in comparison
with those of the Mississippi would be
considered clear. On the upper por-
ton the scenery is peculiarly wild and
attractive, and its pellucid current finds
its way over clear, gravelly bed.
From the clearness of the water the |
stream takes its name.
The CIT Off,
About ten miles from the mouth of
the White is a passage into the Arkan-
sas, known as ''the cutoff" This is
navigable for the boats that ply on the
Arkansas and White rivers, and, tho
much obstructed by snaes. its naviga-
ton is safer than that of the former
stream. Before the war boats from
the Arkansas river that were bound
up the Mississippi always passed
through the cutoff and entered the
great river through the channel of the
lower White When the White is
higher than the Arkansas a strong cur
rent sets from the former stream to the
latter. When the case is reversed the
now Is the other way. When the Mis-
sisslpPI IS higher than both, the wafer
runs up the lower White, and through
the cutoff, and finds its way into the
Mississippi again by way of the lower
Arkansas. it is predicted by river
men that the Mississippi will, ere
many years, sweep the island away, i
and carry with it the last remains OF
the town Of Napoleon. 70 all lovers
Of decency and good morals this con-
devoutly to be wished.
-Horiag Up tire UIHe.
Tie transports, preceded by the 5
assembled the White, and on ;
,eachlng the cutoff pushed steadily l
forward, and were soon blowing the {
red waters Of the Arkansas. This |
stream, for the last three hundred miles !
OF its course, is exceedingly tortuous /