The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-10-13
Chief Clerk Smithsonian Institute
HKAnoUARrERs 27rH REa., Iowa Tor's.,,
Little Rock. Ark. Sept. IL, 1863.

FRIEND RrcH Ny journal says ,ha,
Sept. loth. 1868, We were ordered 10
march at a. m on the road TO Lutte
Rock. Gen. Davidson's cavalry and
some artillery were in the advance Our
brigade was the advance Infantry force.
and close 10 the cavalry and artillery.
The division commanded by Brig. Gen
Rice, followed our brigade. A part Of
Col CIayton's brigade remained a, Bay.
ou Metre to guard The wagon train ~Eich
was moved across The Bayou near Ash
l+y's Mills and left in strong position
there. We moved along at quick Time
until we reached the Arkansas River.
Here we were haitad in beautiful shade
on high bank of The river To await the
crossing OF portion Of our force TO tho
west side Of the river. The artillery and
some infantry crossed on pontoon
bridge which had been laid dar,ng the
night. The caSalry found ford lew
rods above the bridge and soon were in
force on the west side. Our brigade
king good time. The river is now bu,
little larger than the Wapsie, at Inde-
dependence. The channel is qsrrs
on.. in places half mile in width. but
there exists AT this season of the year,
only a small thread Of water, the rest
having disappeared in the continuous
and everlasting banks Of sand. The wa
ter is clear. and though warm, is quite
good TO drink. Shortly after our forces
crossed the river cannonsding commrn.
ced. Soon the enemy was discovered.
and then the sharp crash Of carbines and
the roar OF artillery increased. ~ times
being constant. then dying away into oc.
ca,innal explosion Of shells. and promis.
euous firing Of small arms. The battle
was, learn, pretty even handed. until
We advanced on our side OF the river
and planted our battery on the bank. and
opened upon the enemy. when. finding
himself pushed by cavalry force in
the rear. and fred at from the ea.t BY
An artillery force, they soon broke amid
tie cheers Of our men and made rapid
retreat in the direction OF Liule Rock.
We pushed up the river on both sides
ahou, "a tasl as we could conveniently
march, meeting no l. IS on our S de until
we had reached near this city. Two Of
The gunners of the 81 Illinois Battery,
("f our brigade) were seriously wound.
ed. aud shortly after died. Opinions
differ rs to how they were wounded.
probably by shot from the .nemy's
guns from across the river When with.
in two miles of this city we reached The
rebel works-two small forts-so COP
slructed that with iIs natural advantages
the enemy nigh, hsve given US n pretty
warm reception. but when we arrived
not Reb was 10 be found The works
which they had been so actively engaged
in building only few hours before were
vacated in hot haste when the Yankees
made their appearance. Everything
was left as an army of men leave COM
mon property. Here their meat and
-four. there their guns and pixies. OF
these last there were hundreds
wooded poles. neatly turned. with sharp
iron dsgg.rs in the end OF them. used 10
beat back force when attempting TO
scale their walls. Our 70 CO marched
rapidly up both sides Of the river. and
just As the sun was going behind the
! hills. amid tha cheers Of our men. and
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