The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20


We are permitted to copy the following
extracts from private letter, written by
Brigadier General GERMAN to a friend re-
siding in Minnesota. 1t gives an account
of his late expedition and, it will be no.
ticed, that while he is, in many quarters
denounced for cotton speculatiOns, his let
ter shows that he is embarrassed by them,
and feels himself to be the subject of their
malice
HEADQUARTERS DIST. OF EAST ARKANsAs,l
Helena, Jan. 20, 1868.
| DEAR SIR: You may have noticed that
made dash up into the heart of Arkansas, by
way of the White River.
The expedition was attended with the most
complete success. At Saint Charles l captured
some prisoners, some small arms, large sup
ply of forage, destroyed their Notifications, and
burnt up the rebel barracks. 1 then captured
Clarendon with a few prisoners and more sup
plies. then proceeded rapidly up to Duvalrs
Bluff; threw my infantry force to the re Of
the town, to prevent the escape of the enemy,
and moved up to the railroad depot, where we
captured one company of infantry, ninety new
Enfield rifles, two splendid S-inch columbiad
siege guns, three railroad cars, fifty head Of
cattle, and some other supplies. burnt the
depot, and destroyed two railroad bridges, one
| 200 feet and one 80 feet long, between that
point and Little Rock; and went within twen-
ty-six miles Of the latter place, where streams
interviewed, which were impossible. In the
| meantime dispatched some infantry on trans
ports, and two gunboats to Des Arc, which is
| two hundred and seventeen miles from the
mouth of White River, and within thirty-five
| miles of Little Rock; which force soon cap
tured Des Arc, with one hundred prisoners,
| two hundred stand of arms, considerable artil-
| lery ammunition, large rebel mail, destroyed
| the Little Rock telegraph, and took large
| amount of rebel corn and other supplies.
This expedition compelled the evacuation of
| the whole of East Arkansas, and has left no re-
| bel force this side of the Arkansas River. My
| expedition was made in conjunction with that
| of Generals McClernand and Sherman, on the
Arkansas River While at Des Arc, dispatches
| from General Grant reached me, ordering both
| expeditions back to the Mississippi, to COM
mence operations against Vicksburg.
General Grant is now below, and Generals
McClernand and Sherman are at Milliken's
Bend. The enemy's forces at Vicksburg are
probably about 100, 900; or can be at any given
time, with strong Notifications extending six or
seven miles around the city. All concur that
they are very formidable.
Banks has not yet succeeded in taking Port
Hudson, nor have we heard anything reliable
from him. The high water is an unsurmount-
able obstacle to the investment of the city, or
to successful operations with large force; but
it must and will be taken. Every officer seems
to have his heart bent upon takingit, cost what
it may but operations must be delayed until
the extreme high water abates.
The opening OF trade and commerce upon
this river, during active military operations, is
/ a great drawback. Cotton is King and Gu
pidity and Avarice the Kings advisers. The
cotton sharks must have their way, or they de-
nounce every one that checks them. No Gen.
eral escapes the shafts of their malice and SLAM
| der.
I am, very truly, your friend
w. A. GORMAN.