The Portland daily press., 1863-02-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
A Portland Boy at Arkansas Post.

fOrunn0 BOY AT Arkansas Post.
The following letter exhibits more satisfac-
torily than any account we have hitherto seen,
the part taken by the light artillery in the
capture Of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, on
the lith Of last January. We have compared
the penciled sketch Of the battle, to which the
writer refers, with the official plan drawn
from the survey Of Mr.. Fendali, Of the U. S.
Coast Survey, under the orders OF Admiral
Porter. The positions are as clearly marked
in the rude drawing as In the more carefully
finished lithograph. The same clearness APP
pears In the narrative; and above all there is
no rant and fustian in 1t. 1t was not intended
for publication, Is win appear; it is BY per-
mission that we lay 1t before our readers:
ARKANSAS PosT, Ark, Jan.I3, 1853.
Dearest Mother: - By the merciful provi-
dence Of God am again spared and in health
70 write You, after another fierce conflict with
our enemies.
wrote you a long account Of our siege Of
3 Vicksburg, and Of our retreat, from on board
Of the steamer. did not then know whittier
we were bound. Instead of landing where
we were, rs expected, we continued on our
way up the Mississippi river, 40 miles above
Napoleon, and entered the White river, then
shot across a cut off into the Arkansas river,
and arrived within mile of this fort on Sat-
urday this Is Tuesday,. Ii l had q good
place to write, and pen and ink, would give
you a more minute detail OF our operations.
About noon on Saturday, we commenced to
disembark. In the meantime the gunboats
moved up to the bend OF the river, behind
which we were concealed from the fort, and
opened ire, which was Immediately replied to-
When we were all ready, we moved round
nh, ha fisunb Al fU
drawn hasty sketch; see that There was
an open space right in front Of their guns,
shout an eighth of a mile long, which we had
/ to run across doubie-quick, one gun At time
You should have seen US go! could hardly
hold Bell, he flew so. When my gun got half
way across, they fired shell nom q rife gun
ut us, but It burst short We got over safe,
and had you heard us laugh you would have
thought 1t was only fan. Well, it was excit-
ing, and kind Of liked 1t, as we say down
east.
They shelled the woods all around us for
some time, but none of our boys were hurt.
We moved short distance, aud remained all
night without firing. just before night fairly
, set in, the gunboats moved up round the bend
and opened on the fort, and the rebels an
swered from two heavy guns In the corner
After dark the cannonading was terrific, and
one OF the grandest sights have ever wit
messed. The sky was red with light from the
constant discharge, and the air seemed filed
with Kissing demons. Soon all was quiet,
and we veutured TO spread few Of our blank
cts by the guns and rest. The night was very
cold, one Of the codest we have had. Some
Of the boys walked round nearly all night to
keep warm, for we do not have fires when so
near the enemy.
The next morning we were up early and
without breakfast or supper, Except a piece
Of hard bread) we moved round to the enemy's
front on the open plain, and prepared for ac-
ton. 1t was Sunday, and as fine a morning
- have seen for the last year. We remained
quiet nearly two hours. During that time the
infantry maneuvered, until they were all round
the enemy's works. We had three other bat
3 teries stationed, ready TO open when the order
came. While this was going on, we amused
ourselves by dodging shell and shot, which the
rebels sent us, not liking our near approach,
SO they afterwards told me.
When all was ready, the signal was given,
and We opened on them from all sides-sone
"a light guns and the gunboats. This attack
continued about an hour, when we were all
ordered to cease firing. Then came a charge
of infantry from our right, center and left
With yells they rushed on the rifle pits; the
enemy opened all around with musketry; and
our boys poured In yolley on volley, until they
no longer dared show their heads above their
works. Thusthe firing continued until noon =
then battery again opened from our left
nearer the rebels, and we remained idle until
their ammunition gave out, and we were or
dered TO take their places. We did so, and
opened on them heavily. The sharpshooters
picketed away at us, but we kept up too heavy
firing for them to do much; we only had one
horse hit, and not n man hurt In about an
hour we saw white flag on their works, and
ceased firing. Then went up one long, loud
cheer, that would have done you good to have
heard We limbered nm and marched In The