The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-06-04
From Little Rock.


Ever since the return of Gen'l Steele and
his army from the ,Ouchita, the town has
been full of rumOrs of the contemplated
movements OF the enemy-One would think
that Little Rock and the entire line of the
Arkansas, was about to be wrenched from
our hands by the rebel invaders. The pos.
sibillty of any serious disaster to our army
along its defensive line has never been fear
ed by those who know the country and the
dispositions made to hold it. Our position
may be attacked, but Little Rock cannot
be taken by any force the enemy are able
to mass against It. Fort Smith is fortified
and amply garrisOned, and rs it depends
mainly for supplies on what is sent from
this point, there is no doubt but that the
Communication should be cut off for any
great length Of time. Pine Bluff is well
fortified, and as it has already been sue
cessfully defended against two assaults,
will, with its increased garrison, be left
undisturbed. The railroad from this place
to Duvaps Bluffs and the White river form
the line by which our communication with
the Mississippi is maintained. 1t is expec-
ted that the rebel cavalry will make an at
tempt to destroy this line. III
Since the defeat Of Smith and Price on
the Saline river, we have information that
the infantry have fallen back beyond the
line OF the Ouchita river, while the mount
ed force Of Logan, Cabell and Shelby are
lowering about for the purpose of disturb
ing the country in our rear. There ia no
doubt but that Shelby has crossed the Ar
kansas river about 100 miles above here.
He is carefully watched by our cavalry and
If any attempt is made toward our railroad
he will be summarily disposed Of. fear
that Shelby will try to work his way into
Missouri for plumber, a. it is said his men
are very poorly provided with clothing and
successful raid made BY them last sum-
mer, has given them q keen appetite for
such enterprises. If Shelby does move
north, and the cavalry re-enforcements ar
rive here, that are expected, it will be the
last hostile visit his armed force will ever
make TO their old homes.
There have been some changes and add,-
tons. made in this Department. General
Kimball, commanding division has heen
relieved, and Gen'l West has assumed com
mand Of division. The cavalry division
has been broken up and assigned by bril-
gades TO the remaining divisions. Gen'l
bussey having reported for duty, has been
assigned to a brigade of cavalry in the lat
division. A new district has been erected.
including Dardaville. Pine Bluff and Du.
vaIs Bluffs. as extreme points, and placed
In command Of Gepl. Carr. The old mi.
gade OF 0en'l Rica dfd in good order. hut
mi}s their comLfk nnaA SAs . citizen of
Low: 4 Am eFAfkd in saying that no ON
or 10 enis army. enjoys more enviable
feputauon then Rice. His ability and gal
lantry was fully tested at the blood finht
on the Saline, where his brigade, reinforced
by two regiments Of Thsyer's divieiOn.
whipped the enemy and Captured three
pieces Of artillery. A'>'
Any successful movement in Arkans.a
depends on IN adequate force OF Cavalry 81
mounted infantry. Our army may adj
vance, but 1t is impossible to s1bsist them
without the protection to trains that monn-
ted men only can give. Moreover. the ,,I rsh-
els have more than 1000 mounted men. and
while infantry will whip them in a fight.
tney are unable to pursue. In other
words, lighting in this country, il not 4
meeting OF men massed for deadly en-
counter. but it IL system Of "Bush-
whack." 1t il dash and run. The en-
envy ny from point to point and aim at the
weakest. am satisfied that Gen. Steele
mas done every thing in his power to keep
up his cavalry, but the fact il that in the
late expedition. that force was but little
better than an incubus.
!, You will see from the papers / send YOU
mat Public Supper was rendered to Gen.
steele by the State officers and leading
Union men Of this place. am satisfied
nat all classes of Union people are gener-
:lly satisfied with the present admInistra-
.Vu "a anaTS IN tnlS department j know
nat while every facility il given for the
lnder the Proclamation Of the Presidert'
yet rigid enforcement Of law il made
Imong them. -
The Legislature is still in session. It in
lot an able body, but think is honest and
'atriotlc. It means we'll enough, but la
.ors under the impression that the ewes Of
ne world are upon it, and that the war is
Nr~lUv "a