Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-20
THEvIcTORY IN ARKANSAS.
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.

Especial Dispatch to Cincinnati Commerciall
CAIRo, January II.
The Memphis Bulletin, Of Wednesday,
has the following direct from parties ar
rived at Memphis, from Arkansas Post, on
the dispatch boat Kellogg:
"On Saturday, the main position Of the
enemy was attacked with the three iron
clad gunboats, Louisville, Cincinnati and
Mound City, and three light draughts, the
latter having entered the Arkansas river
from branch Of the White River, which
approaches the fort forty miles above the
mouth. Arkansas Post is place situa-
ted at favorable location for defense, on
bend Of the river, Of irregular, horse
shoe shape. 1t has, for some months, been
much bossted Of by the Conf federates as q
spot 50 fortified as to be extremely formi-
dable. At point one mile below the fort,
where persons in the fort were unable to
see what was done, troops were disem-
barked. Gunboats proceeded up the river,
taking positions above the fort as well as
below, so as to be able to rake it with their
heavy pieces. The land forces meantime
arrived. The rear division under Sher-
man found, in proceeding back to some
distance, that bayou hindered progress
in the way desired, and he returned and
chose route more favorable for intended
operations. Another division, meantime,
took up q line Of march some nearer the
locality Of the fort, and escaped the OBJ
struction of the bayou. Other obstructions
existed, however, in the shape Of rihe-pits,
which it became necessary to flank by sd-
vancing to the furthest extremity from the
river. This was not done without consid-
cradle skirmishing, which consumed the
remainder Of Saturday. There was some
loss in these proceedings, and about sixty
Of the enemy, most Of whom were wounded,
got into the Federal lines by mistake, and
were taken prisoners. It was nearly dark
before the Federal forces had so far ad-
vanced as to have the fort in full view,
ready for storming next merning.
While their operations were proceeding
on land, the gunboats had taken positions,
and little before dark smart artillery
fight took place, which the early closing
in of darkness cut short The first shell
fired by the enemy struck Lieutenant of
the 18th Illinois, ahattering his leg. The
next morning the land forces found that
the enemy, having lost their rife-pits, had
thrown up new intrenchments. These
they proceeded to attack, and also to Sc
cure position above the fort ss well as
below. The ground near the fort was
found Invested Of timber, except in a par
ticular portion, which was useful for cover,
and PROSTATE trees and brush were so dis
posed as to present the greatest possible
amount Of obstruction.
As the two sections Of attacking land
forces advanced, they decreased the dis
tsnoe between thsm more and more, ap-
preaching the position of surrounding the
fort. A reinforcement Of two thousand
men arrived to the rebels from Fort
Charles, on the White River, twenty-five
miles distant by land, and it was with
difficulty this force made a junction with
the main body Of the rebels. They sue
ceeded, however, by taking advantage Of
the shelter offered by a ravine. Mean
time the casual firing Of the artillery from
gunboats and in reply which had been
partially suspended by the necessity Of
supporting the land operations, grew more
vigorous and at one o'clock heavy firing
commenced between the fort and gunboats,
and was sustained three hours and a half
so incsssantly that there were only oc-
casional intervals at which the strained
ear fer q second was relieved from the
laundering roar. The essemating of the
fort presented q formidable appearance,
which seemed to some extent to Justify the
boasting that had been made Of its impen-
etrability. There was thickness of three
feet Of solid timber covered with railroad
iron, the whole looking as if it could re-
sist the utmost force of cannon shot.
"TO the deep dismsy Of the defenders Of
the Post Of Arkansas, the balls from the
monstrous guns Of the boats shattered
their most formidable defenses, and pene-
trated and demolished strongholds they had
reared with so much skill. The battered
rails Of iron came tumbling down, and the
strong ribs Of timber were blown with ia
tai effect among the ranks they were to
have saved. Dismounted guns fell into
common ruin, proving the dreadful power
Of gunboats with their mighty armaments.
The second shot fired by the Federals at the
commencement OF the contest Of three
hours penetrated acasemate of the fort and
killed seven men. By another shot one Of
the enemy's caissons was exploded, csus-
ing the death Of six men and nine horses.
With their casemstes demolished, their de-
fenses exposed to q raking FIRE never sus-
passed for violence, and stOrming parties
closing in upon their rear, but one course
was open to the enemy.
"After loss Of about 200 men killed,
wounded and missing, and somewhat
heavier on the part Of the attacking party,
the commander Of the post, General
Churchill, surrendered at a o'clock, P. N.
General McClernand took the whole force,
about 4,sOO prisoners, 1,200 or / 400 Of
whom are on the sick list. The gunboats
which had inflicted so much damage, es-
capped without serious injury"