Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-13
FROM ARKANsAs.

CAIRO, May 6.-The steamer Hcllman has ar
rived with one day latter advices from Memphis,
reporting the advance of Gen. Sturgis.
A cavalry force under Col. Karge, Both N J.
Cavalry, lUO strong, with two pieces of artillery,
encountered brigade of Forests men 1000
strong, near Bolivar, on the south side of Hatch
river on Monday last. A severe fight took place
lasting two hours, resulting in the enemy being
driven from their entertainments and retreating
across the river through Bolivar, destroying the
bridge behind him. 1t is reported that Forrest
was present in the fight. 1t is believed he is
making rapid retreat Gen. Sturgis is in hot
pursuit Our loss is 20 killed and 10 wounded.
On the 18th ult, a train returning to Pine
Bluff was captured by the enemy consisting of
24o wagons, together with the escort under the
command of Col. Drake, comprising the 26th
Iowa, 77th Ohio and 43d Indiana, With four
pieces of artillery.
Gen. Steele left Camden for Little Rock OH
the 26th. Being out of supplies on the 3Oth he
crossed Sabine river. Before crossing he was
attacked by rebels under Tagan During the
evening portion of the rebel cavalry crossed the
river above them and proceeded within eight
miles of Little Rock, causing much alarm to
Steele. During the whole march he retreated,
but he was able 10 keep them from doing him
any injury. He found it necessary to destroy
train and demolsh every bridge behind him as
he passed. His main fosce was within 40 miles
OF Little Rock, and his cavalry had reached that
place. Officers recently from Little Rock re-
port that place and Pine Bluff safe. The latter
place has been strengthened by 800 men under
Gen. Andrews. In the attack while crossing
Sabine river Major Atkinson and Lieut.. Henry
OF the 5Oth Indiana were killed. Steeles loss
is heavy as was reported.
ST. LOUIS, May 9.-The Democrat this morn
ing publishes the following about the expedition
0f ION TOM rdc
has ended by his return under rather exciting
circumstances to Little Rock. A gentleman
coDversant with the facts arrived here COM
municates statement of the following purport
Steele left Little Rock with some $4,000 in
fantry, and 5000 cavalry under Gen. Carr
Arkadelphia was occupied without difficulty,
and force moved forward to Camden, subsst-
ance train of l6O wagons was cut off and captur-
ed by the enemy, together with an escort of 4S0
men, who suddenly found themselves in the
hands of superior force and made little resist
ance at Camden.
Steele soon found the rebels about 200 strong
cavalry, in his rear.
Forty wagons dispatched from Camden to-
wards Pine Bluff, for stores with an escort of =
500 men, were captured bv the enemy
The steamer Alamo, with 20 tons of ammuni-
tion for Steeles army, was sunk 10 miles below
Little Rock, by coming in collision with anoth-
er steamer. The pilot who had charge of the
boat was put under arrest on suspicion Oftreach-
cry, but subsequently, released.
Steele found no stores to subsist his troops and
had to reduce their allowance to quarter rations
as his movement was to be cooperative with
the main one of Banks, which had failed. There
remained no course but to return to Little Rock
Steele, to act for the safety of the Arkansas Cap
ltal with its Union population and millions of
dollars worth of Federal stores, and for the res
cue of his army, at once broke through Prices
lines and set out to get to Little Rock in time to
save it and its population from Marmaduke who
was making every exertion to reach the bag
proposed game, at Sabine Fork became necessa-
ry to give Price battle which was handsomely
done, the rebels were all mounted in fine condi-
ton and the fight was protracted and bloody,
lasting three or four hours, and resulting in the
complete repulse of the enemy. leaving Steele to
resume an exciting race with Marmaduke. The
latter approached Little Rock and commenced
throwing shells into the city. Shortly after
wards Cars cavalry came up joining the troops
at the Post and compelling Marmaduke to re-
linquish his undertaking. He made little re-
sistance as the main body of Steele's army was
rapidly arriving.
Legislature was in session and probably not
one of its members if caught would have been
spared by the madened rebs. During the entire
march from Camden the troops were constantly
skirmishing with the enemy who hung about
their rear and flank, strenuously endeavoring to
impede their progress. There were no abulan-
ces for the wounded and they had to be left in
the houses presidents on the road. They cap
tured an escort of 1000 men. Ourinformant
represents Steele's cavalry as deplorably def
cient in horses. Our men being compelled to
use unbroken mules in many instances, or to try
to use them for cavalry purposes. Prices men
linger in the vicinity and were stripping the of
ten desolated country anew.