Washington telegraph., 1864-05-11

| a month has elapsed Slbce we addressed
our readers. We parted from them in
gloom and uncertainty, sorrowiug for the
misfortunes which We anticipated to fall
upon the unprotected families of this sec
tion- our own amongst the number--and
having nothing to sustain us but our
faith in ultimate results, and our conf
dence in Gen. Smith
We come agaiu, full of congratulations,
aud with our hear, fill I'd with gratitude
to that Providence which, to teach US our
dependence, has brought us so near the
edge of the precipce, and has saved US,
so mercifully when about to fall.
Within that short space have been
| crowded a succession of events which have
covered the department with new glory
have established the reputation of Gen
Smith as one of the greatest of the pre-
sent war, and saved the department for
the present season, if not Gas we believe }
forever.
Many Of our readers are familiar with
them They must excuse w for giving
space ID brief sum nary for the benefit of
those who live III remote sections, and who
depend entirely upon US for information.
Besides, the papers of the present day
will form the materials of history tor the
future, and it is important to keep up the
chain of events.
In the latter part of March intelligence
was received that General Steele had left
Little Rock in large force, advancing south
wards simultaneously it was known that
Gen. Banks, with large force also. was
advancing up Red river upon Shreveport,
accompanied by feet of gunboats and
transports. The object, evidently, was to
press back both our armies to some n, int
near Shreveport, TO take that city, and
make it the base of operations against
Texas In which case, Arkansas and
Louisiana would have both been under the
heel of the invader The whole country
was filed with anxiety aud doubt. We
had not done much 6ghting lately, cer-
taiply, and the people knew not what to
expect.
Fortunately, General Smith was not
asleep. Quiet aud undemons,rative, be-
hind those spectacles were revolving
schemes as rapidly aud quietly as sleep
ing top, aud dispositions were being made
as noiselessly as the cloud gathers elec.
trcity TO strike at last inexorably as fate
Gen. Steele met with slight opposition
beyond Spoonvile. His army continued
to advance triumphantly and confidently.
The soldiers had been assured by traitors
in Little Rock-the Jennings aud such
ike-that our army was demoralized, and
that, without any considerable opposition,
their progress would be a triumphal march
throug Oh country in which they would be
received by Union men with open arms
They went forth as TO frolic CAN'T and
Jennings both attended them Part of the
way, but turned back before the scene of
danger was reached.
| AS soon as their movements could be
estimated, our cavalry division under len
Maru aduke appeared in their front, and,
in successive skirmishes, disputed their
passage and retarded their movements
from Spoonville TO the Little MISC ouri RI
yer. ] hese actions were brilliantly fought;
and here the enemy first began to expe-
rience the mistake that their progress was
to be pleasant aud easy.
On the % Of April Gen. Cabeu struck
the head Of thei: column few miles be-
yond the Missouri an1, after wel-foueht
field, repulsed them handsomely Their
loss was considerable. They were driven
back in disorder, leaving several of their
dead upon the field The same iay Lou.
tier attacked the flank and Shelby the
rear of the enemy. and inflicted consider.
able damage. The enemy then turned
their course from the direction of Wash
ingtun towards Elkiu's ferry, on the Little
Missouri, 10 the direction of LewiSviIle
At Spoonville Gen. Steele had been rein
forced by Gen. rhayer, from Fort Smith.
with about 5000 or 4 900 nen, swelling
his army t about 5000, and some thirty
pieces of artillery.
lesser skirmishe.. in which our brave sol.
diers behaved with distinguished gallan-
try, suffice it for the present to say, that
our cavalry was unable wholly to resist
the approach of So heavy body ard at
ter having been much worried and ha-
rassed, the enemy few days afterwards
succeeded in crossing Elkln's Ferry and
taking position in tho edge of Prairie d.
Anne, within this county. Meanwhile, our
forces at Camden now fully ascertained
the plaLs of Gen. Steele, evacuated tnat
place, cane up to the prairie, and took
position in front Of Gen. Steele. Here
they remained several days, during which
there was much skirmishing, but no gen.
eral engagement.
Here, for the present, we leave them
TO turn our attention to the grander events
transpiring In Louisiana.
Gen. Banks haughtily and steadily adj
vanced up the river, accompanied by his
fleet, and expecting no stubborn resist
ance The thunder cloud burst upon him
wholly unexpected.
On the Sth OF April the enemy were
met about two and half miles below
Mansfield by Gen. Taylor, and the first
great battle of the campaign occurred.
We can only give results in thi. hasfy
review of events, the details of which
| would form a folio The enemy received
q terrible repulse. and were driven back
with great loss. Geu. Taylor reported on
OF