Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-01-30
Ohio 6tates:inra,r
Operations at Arkansas Post-Report of
Gen. HoveY. .5. rg

Operations at Arkansas Post-seport of
.1 '" Gen. HoveY. g5. rf
HEADauARrEs, 9p BRia., lsT DivlsIoa,
18TH Amy CoRPs,
STEAMER CONTINENTAL, Jan. l3, 1857
CArTAiN: Pursuant to orders from Gen. Steele,
the Cd brigade debarked on the morning of the
10Th inst. at Notrib's Plantation, about one mile
below Arkansas Post" and marched In o
NorthWesterly direction, with the view Of pass-t
Ing 10 the rear of the fort and gaining theriver
above. The brigade consists of the lItb, 18th
and Sd Missouri infantry, the 25lh and 3lst Iowa
infantry, the 10Th Ohio infantry, and the let
Missouri horse artillery. Having proceeded
one half mile to near tho woods, the enemy's
plckets were discovered In force, and Captain
Landgrasber was ordered forward and dispersed
them with few shells from his howiizers.
Bearing to the right and following the old wood
road, the brigade soon reached an apparently
impossible bayou, but 0 crossing was at last
effected and the route pursued for several miles.
Small squads Of the enemy's cavalry lowered
In our advance, and several were captured.
About two o'clock the column was ordered to
return to the landing, where 1t arrived just be-
fore dark, and blyouacked for the night ~.
Hardly had the camp fires been lighted, when
orders were received 70 move Immediately by
another route aad by ainight march 10 our orig
incl destination. Over marshy ground, sthick-
ly covered with wood, without guide and with
the only direction, "to take northwe,terly
course," we get out. Fortunately, the North
Star wss in full view, and BY lie aid we were
enabled to reach the point indicated, after .
fsliguing march Of more than eight hours. II
wes after O'Clock in the morning when we
reached the deserted camps of the enemy. At
daybreak Gen. Steele and staff came up, and
ordered the brigade to form parallel with the
bayou on which its right then rested, move
toward the river, and complete the Investment
of the enemy's works.
Having moved scarcely more than half
mile, We met the enemy in force, their works
being In full view. The brigade halted, and
skirmishers from the l7th Missouri were sent
orward to feel the enemy. They soon became
hotly engaged, and the 81 Missouri nfantry
were ordered forward to their support. Here
brave man, Captain Green, of the Sd Mssou-
ri, together with two color bearers, were in
stantly killed by tho bursting Of shell, and
large number wounded. The enemy having
now been unmasked and their position partially
at least ascertained, a halt was ordered and
nothing further was done until the final dlspo-
sitiens for reducing the fort were made, had
forgotten TO state that the 18th Missouri was
| left behind at the landing as guard for the
transports, and that Captain Landgrasber's q
battery, finding it impossible to follow the brig.
ade inits night march through the woods and
swsmps, was also left behind. .ai
This brigade occupied the extreme right, and
was disposed for the assault as follows: l7th
Missouri under Colonel Haesendeubel, were
depluyed as skirnisheFs on the advance, and
L al 90 tnb kba rfchkh hnnb AZ
| the bayou to guard against, or at least 70 give
/ notice of q flank attack. Colonel Shepard, Of
the 81 Missouri, followed him, supported by
the 3lst 10 va, under Colonel Smyth. Next to
the left, aud in continuation of the line 6fbst-
tie, was the 10th Ohio, under Colonel Woods
supported by the 25th Iowa, under Colonel
Stone AT given signal Colonel Hassendeubel
advanced wish bis skirmishers through the
| woods along the bayou, and became hotly en-
gagged. He was attacked on the flank much
more violently than was anticipated, and was
compelled to divert his whole regiment from
its original courae to repel this assault, leaving
| Colonel Shepard In the advance on the original
line. The 76th Ohio, under Colonel Woods
moved of on the double quick 10 gallant
lstyle, closely followed by the 25th Iowa. This
column moving over open ground, and IN
advance of all others drew the concentrated
fire of the enemy's artillery anG rifle pits, bul
on they moved, nor stopped until within easy
rifle range of the enemy's works. Col. Woods'l
shsrpshooters Immediately silenced t'oo OF the
enemy's Parrot guns, and not another shot wal
fred from them during the action, nd b,
| ! wish to call especial attention to the goot
lconduct Of this regiment. Though leading th'
advance, exposed to q concentrated and CALLING
fire, and holding, as believe, during the entire
action, position considerably in aduanee o
} any other regiment, not q man fell out Of thu
ranks; there was no confusion, every man dit
Ibis duty. t
By silenciug the Parrot guns in front the ad
vance of the brigade nexs on the left, Colone
Smyth's, was rendered comparatively safe. Tn,
,compiication on my extreme right, where TIL
/ rebels had stationed their cavalry to FIRE from
across the bayou on our rear, and two regiment
of infantry to FIRE on our flank, early attractet
my attention. Here / ordered charge on tn
enerny's works by the Sd Missouri, under Col
Shepard, supported by the 3lst Iowa, command
ed by Col. Smyth, They moved forward Wig
orously, and for time confidently expecte,
they would enter the works, but the gallinI
cross fire of the infantry and artillery, bearing
directly on their front and fanks, and comiDi
from O quarter unexpected, and therefore no
guarded by Col. Hassendeubel's sharpshooterf
y checked the charge, and at length compelle,
Coils. Shepard and Smytb. .toresume their origin
al line Of battle. rlr..-.s-.-. -ar 3
Col. Hassendeubel, with his regiment Q
sharpshooters, continued to do excellent seivlo
until his ammunition was exhausted. The
were then ordered to the rear to re.supply them
selves. Finding the enemy had maesed astron
force to protect THE, the weakest part OF hi
|, works, I tbt6ught forward two ~ pound howi'
4. i..l. 49,