Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-05-10
@gg Uelegrap9.

|
ST. Louis, May 9.-The Democrat this
morning publishes the following: The expe-
ditiuu OF Gen. Steele towards Shreveport
has ended with his .reIurb under rather ex-
citing circumstances to Little Rock.
a gentleman cOn7ersant with the facts
arrived here aud communicates the follow
ing:
Steele left Little Rock with some IL. 900
infantry and 3 600 cavalry under Gen Carr.
IArkadelphia was occupied without dIhcui-
W aud the force moved forward to Camden.
Between ArkadeIphia aud Camden the sub
sislence train of one hundred and eighty
wagons Was cut Oft and captured by the
enemy together with an escort OF 4SO men,
who suddenly found themselves III hands
OF superior force and made little resist
ance at Camden. Steele soon found the
rebels about 5000 strong of cavalry IN MS
rear.
Two hundred and forty wagons were
dispatched from Camden towards Pine
Bluff Tor stores with an escort OF 600 men
and were also capture by the enemy.
The steamer Alamo with 20 tons OF Am :
muniIiou tor Steele's army was sunk forty
miles below Little Rock by coming in col
lision with anUIber steamer. The pilot
who had charge OF the boat was put under
arrest on suspicion of treachery but subse~
Quently released.
Steele found no stores to subsist his
TROOPS and had to reduce their allowance
to quarter ratIons as his movement was to
| be co operative with the main one OF Gen.
Banks which had failed. There remained
no course but to return to Little Rock.
Price undertook TO retain Steele ut Cam
den, while Maruaduke with a strong force
set off for Little Rock. Steele, to act tor
the safety OF the Arkansas Capital with its
| Union population aud millions of dollars
worth Ut Federal stores, broke through
Prices lines aud set out to get to Little
Rock 10 time TO save it from Marmaduke,
VINO was making every exertlOn 10 reach
and "bag" tue proposed game ut SABINE
Fork, wnen it became necessary to give
! Price battle, which Was handsomely dOne.
The rebels were well mounted ana in fine
condition, ind the fight was proIracted and
bloody, lasting three or four hours, winch
resulted in complete repuise, the enemy
leaving Steele TO resume the exciting race
with MArmaduke. The latter approached
Little ROCK throwing shells into ine city on
the .atternucn of the lst.
Shortly afterwards CARTS cavalry came
up, and forming his troops ut the post,
compelled MarmAuuke to relluquIsh his
Undertaking. He made little resistance,
as the man body of Steele's army was
rapidly arriving.
Tbe Legislature was in session, and
probably not QUE OF its members, IT
caught, would have been spared by the
exas pernted toe. .-,s
During the entire march from Camden
the troops were constantly skirmishiug
with the enemy, who hung upon their GEAR
and aauks. surenuously endeavoring 10
impede their progress.
There were no ambulaDces for the
wounded, and they had u be lett in the
houses of residents on the road.
The captured escort of 1900 men was
| com posed OF the 36th Iowa, 43I Indiana,
aud 77th Ohio. Ony five succeeded In
escaping.
Our informant represents Steele's cav
airy as belOg depIorahIy deficient in
horses. Our men are compelled to use
| unOroken mules.