The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-01-24
NO ArraneAmAns.- n

hae been admitted. 7,s, "a. s4,s.-l,
No Arrangemsns.
NEW YoRK, Jan. ia special to the Post
says the Ways and Means Committee have been
in session oil the morning, but have not agreed
to any arrangement with Mr.. Chase.
IQI I.----a-----------
THE CAPTURE OF Posr ARK KANSAS.
CAllo, Jan. 1.-THE Memphis Bulletin of
Wednesday has the following derived from par
ties who arrived at Memphis from Arkansas
Post on the dispatch boat Kellogg:
On Saturday, the main portion Of the army,
with the iron clad gunboats Louisville, Cincin-
natl, and Mound City, and three light draught
vessels, having entered the Arkansas river from
a branch of the White river, sppr cached fort
forty miles above the mouth OF the Arkansas,
known IS Arkansas Post. The place is situated
at favorable location for defence, on a bend of
the river, of irregular horseshoe shape. It has
for some months been boasted Of by the Con-
ly formidable.
At a point mile below the fort where per-
sons in the fort were unable to see what was
done, the troops we're disembarked. The gum
boats proceeded up the river, taking positions
above the fort % well as below, SO as to be able
to rake it with heavy pieces The land force
meantime arrived in the rear.
The division under Gen. Sherman found, on
proceeding back some distance,t hat boyou hin.
dered progress in the way be desired to advance,
and he returned and chose route more favor
| able for the intended operations. Another di-
| vision in the meantime took up its march some
what nearer the locality of the fort and escaped
the obstruction of the bayou. Other obstruc
tions existed, however. in the shape of rife pits
which it became necessary to flank by advancing
to the farthest extremity from the river. This
| was not done without consider able skrmisbng,
which consumed the remainder of Saturday.
| There was some loss in these proceedings, and
about 60 of the enemy, most of whom wandered
into the Federal lines by mistake, we're taken
peisoner. Il was nearly dark before the Federal
forces had 90 far advanced as to have the fort
in full <vieY, ready for storming the next morn
ing. s....,. .s....-rs.. ....
While these operations we're proceeding on
land, the gunboats had taken positions, and a
little before dark . smart artillery fire took place
which the early closing in of darkness cut short.
The first bell fred by the enemy struck Lieut.
Hundred Of the 18th Illinois, and shattered bis
leg. ~ su
! The next morning Sunday the land forces
found that the enemy, having lost their rifle pits
had thrown up new entrenchments. These they
| proceeded to attack; also, to secure a position
above the fort as well as below. The ground in
the rear of the fort was found, as they advanced,
divested Of timber, except in particular portion
where it was useful for cover, and PROSTATE
trees and brush were go disposed as to present
the greatest possible amount of obstruction
A the sections of the attacking land forces ad-
vanced, they narrowed the distance between
them more and more, approaching the position
and surrounding the fort
A reinforcement of 1000 men arrived to the
rebels from St. Charles, on the White River, %
miles distant BY land. 1t was with difficulty
that this force made a junction with the attacked
body They succeeded, however, by taking ad-
vantage of the shelter afforded by aravine.
Meanwhile, the casual firing of artillery from
the gunboats, and in reply, partially suspended
by the necessity of supporting the land opera
tions, grew more vigorous, and At o'clock
heavy firing commenced between the fort and
the sunboats, sustained for three and half
hours 90 necessarily that there were only occa-
sional and minute intervals at which the strained
ear tor second was relieved from the thunder
ing roar which told that blood Was throbbing
impetuously In maddened veins, and thet every
nerve was strained to seize the victory.
The casematlng Of the fort presented q for
midable appearance, which seemed, to some ex-
tent, 70 justify the bossting that has been made
OF its impenetrabilisy,- thickness of three
1
the whole looking % If it could resist the utmost
force Of cannon balls. To the deep disnay of
the defenders of the Post of Arkansas, the iron
hail from our monstrous guns shattered their
most formidable defencee, penetrating and de
molishine the stronghold they had reared with
90 much skill The battered rails of iron came
toppling down, and strong ribs Of timber few
with fatal effect among the ranks which they
should have saved. The dismounted guns fell
into the common ruin, proving the dreadful pow,
1 er Of the gunboats and their mighty armaments
when msnned by stout hearts and used with
stern determination.
The second shot fred BY the Federals at the
commencement of the fearful contest Of three
i hours and bali, penetrated casemate of the
4 fort, and killed seven men relying upon it fol
defense By another shot one Of the enemy's
cassons Was exploded, g causing the death Of six
men and nine horses. ,igF al anal ga6l la4
with their casematee demolished, their de-
fenses exposed raked by fire Of violence never
surpassed, and . storming party close in upon
their rear, but one course was open to the de-
tenders Of the Post of Arkansas. They bad
fought bravely but their enemy was unconquer
able, even BY their strongest resources, and was
necessarily yielded to a. victor after the loss Of
4 about 400 men, killed, wounded and missing,
and q somewhat heavier loss on the part of the
attacking party. The commander Of the Post,
Gen. Churchill. surrendered at half-past four
O'Clock in the afternoon. Gen. McClernsnd
took the whole command--about $500 men,
prisoners, l,200 or 400 of whom are on the
sick list. 10 as an so
The gunboats, which had inflicted so much
damage, themselves escaped without. serious
injury. ..,,...
Prisoners declared that if our arrival had been
postponed another day, they should nave gwen gwen
much sitter fght, - large reinforcements would
have joined them. In reply to qoes.sons .s as 80
the number OF men and the state OF the forum
cations Il Pine Bloff, Little Rock. and points on
tho White river, they advised tho inserrogato.s
Ito 70 count, and observe 70. snemeelves e tsel.
lovn stasements might oe doa9seo. Iney Wers
nsos.bly % bs here (Nsmphi) to-day. i &.
.