The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-21
Capture of Arkansas Post.
TIE capture Of Arkansas Post is con.
firmed, and it gives us pleasure to present
the following particulars

THE capture of Arkansas Post is con.
firmed, and it gives us pleasure to present
the following particulars:
On Saturday last the main portion of what
was Sherman's Vicksburg expedition, con-
voyed by the Louisville, Mound City, Gin
cinnat and three of the Mosquito feet, en-.
tered the Arkansas River through the cut
off, about fifteen miles below Arkansas
Post, which is forty miles above the mouth
of the Arkansas, placed in sort of horse.
shoe bend Of the river, well calculated for
defense. A landing was made on S.tur
day, mile below the fort, under cover Of
the gunboats, but out OF sight Of these at
the fort.
The gunboats then proceeded up the
river, took positions, and at about p. IN.
commenced firing heavy guns upon the
defenses The land forces arrived on Sat
nrday afternoon, and the bayOn was found
interfering. A division sent out for the
purpose, discovered a way to get over it !;
but met rifle pits. These latter were flank.
ed with some diff .ulties, consuming the
remainder of Saturday. Sixty rebel pris.
euers were taken. In this our loss was
small The fort was then in full view for
the next morning. While this was going
on on the land, the gunboats were having
small engagement on the river fort, the
rebels replying with their heavy metal
The first shell fired by the enemy struck
a lieutenant of the 1l3lh Illinois and shat.
tered his leg.
On Saturday we found the enemy,
from the loss Of the riff. pits, haa spen,
the night intrenching. Our forces advanc
ed upon them, at s o'clock, over abattlS,
rifle pits, &c. AS they advanced in divis.
ions, they also relieved each other. 1t was
inforccd the fort from St. Charles. They
were held in check by these and old forces
The gunboats and river batteries were in
the meantime fighting an cal nest duel, and
for three and half hours this duel contin
ued. On each side, every nerve was
strained for victory. The forts casemate-
were made Of three feet OF solid t,..b,r
covered with railway iron. supposed t.
have been impenetrable; but the iron bal
from our heavy guns on the gunboats wa.
too much for them. The battered rail.
tnmblel down splinters from the timber.
flew with fatal OBJECT among the Confeder
ates. The second shot entered a cascina,e
and killed seven rebels /; by another, q
caisson exploded, killed six more and min
horses.
With this going on in front, there wa
an advance Of two sections of Federal troOp
in the rear. There was but one course lief
for the defenders o. Arkansas to pursue
They must succumb, and they did so.
The loss on our side. killed, wounded
and missing, was about from 800 to 500.
The rebels lost 200 killed, wounded an,
missing, and 5000 taken prisoners.
Among the latter is Gen. Churchill, com
manding the post.
The surrender was made at D. m. OF
Sunday. Twelve hundred Of the rebels ar
reported to be on the sick list.
During Sunday the gunboats while firin,
upon the rebel works in front, inflicted
some injury upon our men advancing fro,.
the flank. The extent Of the damage is no
learned.
| The prisoners are on their way up tn
river and may be soon expected. Tn
rebels had excellent Notifications, and som
very heavy guns. They also fought will
determination.