The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-11


Il
HELENA, ARK, July 20, 1864.
Dear Parents-For the last four days we
have experienced some of the excitem en-
resulting from the actual presence Of an arm,
ed enemy. Providing bands of rebels have
from the first part of the month heen how
ering around our lines, but we have of late
only looked upon them as an annoyan ce,
interfering with foraging. but apprehend
ing no real danger. After our regiment
made their little raid, they seem to have
collected into one body and camped upon
Big Creek. Col. Brooks, learning that
small force was there, got permission of
Gen. Ruford to take portion of his regi.
ment with two pieces of artillery and move
upon them in connection with 500 of the
18th III. Cavalry. They moved on last
Monday with high hopes of capturing the
rebel camp. The Infantry went by land
and cavalry by river as they were to come
in upon the river, entirely cutting off their
retreat. That night Brooks came upon the
rebel camp and at once commenced the at
tack, bnt soon found that he had been m is
informed as to their numbers. as he was
at once surrounded by not less than 1900
rebels, while his force amounted to not
over BOG. They fought for Ave hours in
the center Of a cotton field with the rebels
upon all sides, no retreat or advance pos.
sible, nothing in prospect but death or sur.
render, which he fully realized was death
any way as he was commanding body Of
negro troops. He was promised quarter If
he would surrender; but the noble reply
was, I'VE neither ask or give quarter -
You can easily imagine that at this point
the determination on all sides was to kill
At the first volley the Captain of the Bate
~ vas killed instantly and many Of his men
soon followed him to the dust. C,l. Brooks,
seeing the great danger, raised in his sad.
die, calling out to his men, .'stand fist nv
brave ---." With half completed sen.
tence upon his lips, he fell from his horse
MORALLY wounded in the breast, living but
about Ave minutes. His Adjutant rushed
up to help him and had no sooner reached
his side chan he too was Instantly killed.
The Surgeon came to their assistance and
fell, making aplle of four dead officers in
less time than it has taken to write it.
Things looked gloomy for the little band at
this time. but just a. hopelessness seemed
to 30 settling upon them, the Cavalry
came up at a charge, the negroes started
towards theW, and the two forces laid 800
rebels in the arms of death as soon az such
job was ever accomplished before. The
rebels were astounded and gave way. Our
forces took advantage of their condition and
cut their way through aud took up their re.
treat for this place. They were followed. |
and had to fight all the way to within three
miles 81 town. Our loss is not over 100
but the loss Of officers is very heavy. All |
the troops in town were immediately mt
under arms, and two regiments sent out to
cover the retreat of the negroes. We all
looked for ~ attack that night, but did not
sec It. Next morning l was put upon pick.
et duty upon the old Little Rock road
Now II you will believe me, 1 did not sIeen
much that twenty-four hours, as il was bv
This road the rebels came in in large force : /
vefragp last fth of July. had charge Of
Jour stations, and had to make the rounds I
'very few hours, my line being fully three.
oprtbs Of ? mile in length. It was upon
his lipe that Miss Whites brother was shot
asst May. make it . point when on pick.
It duty to 60 slow and easy, (The bumn.of
:autl0n Ia being larnolx douola.alA q. L