The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-21
tempt at the present time. Gen. McC7ernand accord
ingy made his preparations 20 prevent such movement
ACTIVITY RIVER.

During the night Of Friday and the morning. of Satur
day all was hustle and confusion the river detach
men Of gunboats sent up 10 the Tort only ten miles
above, with Instructions recOnnOitre river draw
the eDeny's fire ascertain az fully as possible
character ana strength OF their works, the number Of
men composing their garrison generally 10 divert
the'r attention from the army movements Transports
100 were seamiDg about seeking the proper positions for
debarking their troops miles either way
rom the mouth Of the Red Fork the river presented
such scene Of activity and life never before
Arkansas.
POINTS OF DEBARKAnON.
little above the little village or landing o. Belle
vile. and on the opposite side Of the river, a
roau srs away from Inc oanh 10y ,n .ue
less bends aud leading directly To the eneys position at
Arkansas Post This road in ordinary times IS IN fine
condition; but il understood TO be much obsructed
now by trees fallen by the rebels TO impede
march But such distractions OF great moment in
the Of powerful army and thereforethe know ledge
Of their existence had influence in deerrpg the Gene
raj commanding from debarkng the main portion Of his
force this point overland. One DIVISION as
previously stated, several miles higher up the
stream and oebaked the south side of the RIVER
prevent escape in that direction of any portion
OF the rebel army should the assang force succeed in
disodging them from their fortified positions The trans
ports containing artillery were also moved up TO point
within i've miles Of the Post and there unloaded por
ton on either bank, the largest amount being put off
the north bank, whence 1t easily moved through
lanes and cultivated fields TO the road upon which
the infantry We're moving, but mile from the bank at
this point This latter place Of debarkaon but about
three miles from the fort and in plain view OF II.
ADVANCING.
AS rapidly as the troops and artillery were put on
shore they were moved forward to positions IN the
rear and TO ,he south of the enemy's position,
previously assigned them ny General McClerGand.
fach division commander was supplied with chart Of
the country with his particular position clearly marked
upon IT. and he ia turn directed and
strnct his brigade commanders that there should be
conflict - mistakes. Thus easily avoided much OF
the Gieuity that led b dsgraccul failure tycks
burg where less regard was paid TO order and discipline
THE rsRoA1s COVER DEBARKAroS.
The debarkation o. the troops and artillery at the
different points Yss covered by gunboa,s and during the
debrkalon at the upper landing several iron cads were
sent forward 10 within mile and hall OF the fort and
6pened vigorous TIRE upont TO restrain any pened'-
tated assault upon us.
THE TROOPS IN GOOD SPIRITS.
BY O'Clock saturday afternoon the entire force
had been pnt ashore and had moved TO secure their
positions The in the highest Spirits being led
ny captain in whom they had the fullest confidence,
aud az animated with firm presen,ment OF sure ana
speedy victory.
General scCiernand had laid his plans to make his
victory only but decisive. To this end be had
a.osed his forces 50 as completely to circumven
and prevent any eess from any direction what
1t has been previously mentioned that one division
debafkcd On the south side OF the Arkansas This was
designed W prevent escape by crossing the river.
Another division, instead Of following the main force into
Tho rendezvous at Beevlle continued directly
up the White river about twenty-five miles where they
dcbaraed the side Of that stream, whence by
pushing their through the tmbered bottom land for
Land and open prairie, continuing thus until they again
entered the woods skrtng the Red river, about three
miles back Of the Post The distance across by TINS route
but twelve miles: and although no well con.
structed roads existed, in fact roads the timber
open and free from upderbrnsh that but little d
Guilty with in getting through. This division
/ struck what = called the White river road-running
nearly north and southasout two miles and hall from
the Post Following this road about threequarters OF
me, 10 extensive marsh swamp lying north
town. they fled of by their right flank through
a piece OF woods nnt their right came upon the main
turnpike leading up the Arkansas river Little Rock, and
possession Of small bridge on this road, across
creek Gazing from the north into Arkansas about
mile and a.f the town. thus cutting OF all retreat
i from the Post ~ this direction.
The two DIV that had debarked on the north side
l.f tHp rivypN hall Inc
with their right resting upon the left Of the
divsnn from the White river and their left coming
down nearly - tine river below the town thus compic
Ing the circuit OF the enemys position.
/
geucral plan OF attack had been previously agreed
upon between General McCiernand and Admiral Porter,
ia accordance with which the ronciad gunboais moved
Il a. and opened the ball The boats principally engaged
the Lousville Pittsburg Cincinnati and Dekab.
These kept up most vigorous engagement with the enc
my for an hour and half the fort responding with great
earncstness to every shot sent The cannoDadng
time and and terrible, fairly causing tho
| earth TO trcnnle with the vast volume OF sound.
/ ENGAGEMENT.
1t lrst the enemy had difficulty IN getting thor guns
uTon boats, owing TO their elevation and the
close position which boats had TAKEN and for time
their hct all fell fur astern OF causing locd pesls Of
dersion from the Jack Tars who watched them At the
same ti,re our guns highly elevated and
shell passed the bu falling far into the rear Of the
rsbe lines and as ee resel. aemonstrated dong more
damage 70 our own loro-- than 70 thos5 C. tie enemy
Bat by degrees more perfect ranges obtained on
both sides, and the rebel missiles fell around our
vessels IN uncomfortable frequency Inc reOels ucose1
but -four guns bearing upon though these we're OF
! heavy caibre and were handled with great ssil. We
thus bad the advantage Of them in weight Of metal bav
ing the how gums n boats only used twelve
guns working against them, while by swinging about
could occasionally broadside with great effect
the hrst rounds got better range, and
shell fell with great accuracy into the rebel works.
podag aud spreading xcons terneon and confusion all
arod Thus We eoon ,sabled che Of their best pieces
large rihed gun, knocking completely on s mountings
by well directed shot from The Louisville ApolsI y.
their guns also ceased work bus whether Of
Tia ri Ura.f
a ss Is..s :. sss,as.' 70 we piece docs '''
Inc vessels although much cni up. we're ready for &C
nv If the armor Of these was again most fully
demonstrated In this action, tho missiles that struck
tisa the casemates gancng Cd a. from scd iron.
One or two OF the boats received shot through their
ports but the casualties resulting thefarom small
number. On the Louisville We lost twelve, the DO
Kaib seventeen and tho ftstter two. There
I loss either the Lexington or Cincinnati.
i WITHDRAWAL rHK CvSsoArr.
!. and hsn a. vct received No ssr,aus Js,nsse when
signals displayed from the flagship withdraw from
the action The cause Of this early withdrawal, whom
every prospect favored early success 10 scncing the
rebel battery did not at FIRST appear, and much disssts
faction and grurnbng manifested BY the q
throughout tho squadron that u had been previously
agreed the and army commanders that Al
forces would make assault. But for unexplained
the army did not come 70 time, ana although the
gunboats were Withdrawn at the appointed time, the
army made assault This probably owing " the
existence or heavy distractions IN their line OF march
which prevented them getting INTO position At the proper
| time.
4 A Co~syIrAuoS.
| Early ID the following evening General McClcrnand
When he Plan q battle FOR Sunday wss agreed upon
u agreed upon, awse plan 20 give the be
eaEuefca Carr little rest possible during the IN
icrvenlng night and accordingly the gunboats d.
fcetNd - FIRE shot every half hour This dcsultory
trins not degEed 20 do any great damage
ard probably did not bot u unquestonably had the
effect y depriv nv rebels Of their usual nights
RET AMI thus united them measure Tor duty on the
] ipNOn las Gay
a
sunday morning, al daylight our grlnboats 10
fCfpne the cAnronndc upon the fort hut the morning
daNLed With dense fog spreading the river which
encl the gunboats moving nearly
uire clrcs, al which hour tho attack was resumed
fnI ATTACK RrSunVo
Tor hour the was equal 10 that Of the
| previous aAy. The enemy had, daring the night re.
placed LIE gun We had dsmouned the previous even.
ID, aud bad supplied gnnnory for the other gun
sienoed sshat their whole battery was in play IA The
oy fitted morning shone bright and p~sr,if and
nnLn Lnr runst henutifn