The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-23
THE VICTORY OF ARKANSAS POST.
Official Reports Of the Naval Com
manders,
&c, &C., 10.
REPORT OF REAR ADMIRAL POTTER.

NJ UNITED STATES MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,
ARKANsAs Posi- Jan. IL, 1858. !
SIRI have the honor to inform you that on the 4h q
January General McClernand concluded move up the
iver upon the Post Of Arkansas and requested my
operation detailed three iron cads-the Louisville,
Baron de Kab and Cncnnati-with all the light draft
gunboats all of which had to be towed up the river.
TN the 9th assembled the Arkansas river as
high Arkansas Post, when the army landed
within about four miles Of the fort The enemy
had thrown up heavy earthworks and extern
sive rife pits all along the levee. While the army
making detour to surround the fort. up the
iron cads TO try the rnnge Of their guns and afterwards
sent up the Rattler, Lieutenant Commanding Watson
Smith, TO clear out the rife pits the behind
extensive breaswork in front OF troops The Black
Hawk also opened on them with her red guns and after
few shots the enemy left tho works, and troops
marched in At two O'Clock General McCernand told me
the troops wond be position 10 assault the
a very formidable work-and held all the vessels in
readiness TO attack when The troops position At
half past five in the afternoon General McCenana sent
message stating that everything ready the
Louisville Baron de Kaib and Cincinnati advanced to
within four hundred yards of the fort which then opened
ire from their heavy guns and eight rifed guns and with
muskety The superiority Of our nre manifested
The batteries slenced and ceased firing but no
assault took place. and II being do thing
all the vessels dropped down and tied up the bank
the night.
The Paron De Kab, Lieutenant Commanding Walker;
Louisville, Lieutenant Commanding Owen, and the Gin
cinnati, Lieutenant Commanding Bache led the attack
and when hoty engaged brought up the light dTaught
vessels the Lexington and Backhawk TO throw in shrap
mel and rfe shell The fire was very destructive killing
nearly all the artillery horses in and about the fort
When the battery was pretty well sienced orderc d
Lieutenant Commanding Smith TO pass the for, in 40
light draft iron clad Rather and ennade it, which he ia
in a very gallant and handsome manner suffer, n
good deal IN his hull in doing so. All his cabin arks
were knocked 70 pieces and heavy shell raked hin from
stem 70 stern in the hull. Strange 10 say two heavy
shells struck his iron platng-thrte quarters ,cn-on
the bow and never injured T. He got past the rt but
became entanged amongst the snags placed in the river
10 impede progress and had 10 return.
In the evening attack the vessels OF all the nmanders
well handled, particularly the iron-clads
II quarters All the time and NOS rpD was fred
from our side untn tue gnboais were vi thn four hun
dred yards q the Tort The cpneit Of he
the accuracy % Are Ind the Persons inside give the
Baron de kap Lieutenant commander alker the cred
OF dong The mosl execution.
was Informed again this morning bY General NcCler.
nand that the fe,ny waiting for tao navy attack
when they woGh assault the works, ordered up the
rcnclnds whh directions Tor the lexington to join in
when the itrmor became engaged ard for the frazier
vessels 10 havl up in tc smoke and do the they
could The Batter, ben,enant C4muander Smith and
the Guide, lieutenant Commander Woodwork, did good
execution vi III Their shrapne, ara when opportunity
occurred made ths,n push through BY the Tort agaia
also the Monarch, Colonel Charles Elet, and they
proceeded rapidly mp the river oG tie enemy
| retreat by the only way no had 70 get on
BY thv time all tho guns In the tort were completely
silenccd by the Louisville Lieutenant Commander T. r.
owen aaron lie kalb and Cincinnati, and ordered the
Black yIA~k M for the purvsc Of boarding u N front
De ing manageable she had to be kept ~ the
ron ADD took IN regiment from the opposite eide TO
\ try end take IL by assault.
A. rounded TO 10 do and the eunbuats commenced
firing rapiv knocking everything 10 pieces, the enemy
lses out white Tag, and ordered the arng 70
rhe army then entered and took possession Colonel
Huntington, the Commander OF the fort sent for me- and
surrendered 10 me IN person General thlfchl OF the
rebel my, surrendered " the Military Commander
Our army had almost surrounded the fort aud
doubt have carried IL with They ennaded with
riaed hed pcoss. which did much damage 70 the houses
and light work leaving their mark IN all directions.
moi know yet what were the operations the land
| side. much interested IN my affair, and In
the vessels circumstances required In all this
Recommending 70 carry out my orders, and mistake
al any KIND occurred No fort received
terng, and the highest compliment can pay those
gagged Is " repeat what she robcis id"You can,
expect men 70 stand ar against the nre OF those gun
beats -
large number Of persois captured In the fort
don't know how many, and ri shutdown tho army
| hnrrying in the cavalry and artillery.
| herewith enclose the report &C tho commando on.
Gers ana hist OF klcd and wounded and take another
occss ION mention 10 the department the OF those
officers who distinguished themselves particularly
though Il Is hard TO dscrimnats when si Ola their duty
/ so well
| servant, DAVID ltNlfR,
1 Acting Rear Admiral Commanding diss sloairun
Hon GIrwoS wnLss, Secreta u the Navy.
agrUr or LIEtTESASr COHniNDaG owEy
4 tSnED STATS " sslcIi1I S.tl4iRN)
| y-snFp STATES GuSHoAr BoCRylL.N, on AttA ,y4s
Posr, ARKANSAS ki,gR, iap. II. lS-g
Sal have the honor transmit the report II k,led
and yossded board this vessel the dimagcs sustained
from the cncinys guns, and the amount ammuuilion
expendcd during The engagements o; yesterday aad TO-
aay with the enemy's batteries at Asansas rot The
| sa,pases sustained b Tho hull sbJsn by lilo car