The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-18
FROM HELENA.
HELENA, ARKANSAS,
.Inly lst. lS62

the Federals. The old flag still waves
over Fort Curtis Price, following his
old tactics, is on grand skedaddle, and
the old "First" still lives, ready to cele-
brate as many more Fourths as the year
bring around.
On the 4th of July, 1862, it was on
White river, at the mouth of Little Red
river, that we got after Col Maddox and
his regiments capturing number of pris-
oners and large lot of Bacon, Sugar,
Molasses, Salt and small arms. Gen.
Curtis's army was then at Augusta, where
they had celebration, and the boys were
assured by Colonels, Generals and
speakers generally, that ere another year
rolled round we would be at home and
celebrate the day with the loved ones
there. Well, the year has passed away,
and although we have been in Arkansas
almost long enough to be naturalized cit
izens of the State, we do not feel exactly
at home yet But started out to tell
you something about the fight at Helena
and the part the 1st Indiana took in the
affair.
For some time previous to the 4th, we
had been threatened with an attack and
were kept in constant readiness. Our
little garrison numbered only thirty-fve
hundred while that of the enemy was be
tween Is 900 and 5000, commanded by
Holmes and Price They were confident
of an easy victory, expecting to take the
town in fifteen minutes after the attack
commenced. Their most desperate as
sault was made on the center Of the
works, their picked brigades commanded
by General Pagan in person, making 6
desperate charge for that purpose Fol
time partial success seemed to crown
their efforts. They captured battery
and drove our men from their rife pits
and advanced almost into the edge o
the town. Their triumphant shouts ROSE
loud and clear, and could be heard above
the din and roar of musketry and can
non. But then Fort Curtis and the Gun
boat Tyler commenced throwing shell
and grape, raining it down like hail upol
them.
The 1st Indiana, which was quietl,
waiting to see where their assistance
would be most needed, were dismountet
and gallantly came forward on the doubl
quick to the rescue, shouting their yell
of defiance, as they advanced A storm
of bullets screeched over their heads bu
over shot their mark The boys neve
faltered but on they went, determined t
gain the crest of hill which command
ed the position of the enemy. AS 500
as this was done they quickly commend
; ed using up ammunition to the great as
i tonishment and disgust of Mr.. Secesh
who beat hasty retreat, leaving larg
number of dead behind. A battalion G
sharpshooters secreted themselves in
ravine, behind logs and stumps, and ar
noyed our men for some time. The
were splendidly armed with Enfield R
fes having the Crown stamp on ther
bearing date IS62-beautiful specimen
of British neutrality. Nearly all, how
ever, that took shelter in the ravine wer
either killed or captured. The slaughte
was frightful.
Our little battery, which was statione
at the upper end of town with comp;
nies NJ and L, Z. S. Artillery, was ais
holly engaged, firing over two hundre
rounds to the gun. They were oppose
by six pieces of the enemy s artillery, bu
finally succeeded in driving them bacl
Col Clayton, who commanded our briJ
ade, says that such artillery shooting h
never saw as what the boys did. Th
distance was a little over half mill
and the enemy was obliged to change h
position continually to get out of rang
When the enemy drove our infantr
out of the rife-pits and rushed over II
breast works as if about to take the plaC
by storm, large numbers of citizens, e
cry one of whom was eagerly watchir
the progress of the fight, commenced +
ioicing, shaking hands and passing co
gratulations on the happy event B
alas for their hopes, the tide soon tur
ed, leaving them disconsolate and mour
ing and even yet they refuse to be col
forted.
While the fight was progressing,
steamer hove in sight, bound down Il
river She was stopped and quick
filed with prisoners, and started bac
Gen. Prentiss being determined to sa
that many, if the place should be ca
D tured. Among the prisoners were c.
Bell and his regiment. Col. Bell took
d prominent part in the capture of Ge
Prentiss at Shiloh. The General sho
: hands with the Colonel; said be W
glad to see him; told him they h
: treated him (Prentiss) like dog VIII
he was prisoner, but that they shou
be treated like gentlemen. The prise
ers were a hard-looking set, filth a
dirt being the predominating featur'
Many of them were barefooted; and the
canteens were filled with whisky a
J, gunpowder, decoctiou used to stim
late their bravery and courage.
The scene on the battlefield W
frightful One group especially attra
c ed my attention. In a hollow whe
1T they supposed they were perfectly seen
4,rnl,,o mon bod caafad tbeD1selvee