Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-21

NLARhsFuILE, IEXAS, n OV. IL, 1905.
Editor Ielegraph-Having jast returned from the
Arkansas river, have concluded to drop you few
lines which may be interesting both to yourself and
readers of your inesma bic paper as | am aware that
you have but little information of what Is going On in
the northwest.
Gen. Shelby has just out of Missouri, having
been up there a raid He says in going up he met
with no resistance. Though he had but twelve hun-
dred men, detachments from Marmadukes cavalry,) be
captured every town that lay upon his from the
Arkansas line to Bonneville, the Missouri river,
which place he entered without resistance the Feds
who were holding post there, hearing OF his ap-
proacb, He'd across the river.
He Their proceeded from there up the river to Arrow
Rock, and thence to Marshall, county seat of Saline
county, where be fought most desperate battle being
entirely surrounded by times bis own NUMBERS
Shelby divided his men into two divisions taking
mand of one himself, and Hunter the other, and cut
their way out The fight lasted seven hours The en-
envy is said to have lost in killed many Shelby had
men. Our loss is small. From Marshall Shelby star
ted for Arkansas, and by the most desperate fighting
only did they socceed in getting south of the ARKANSAS
river. His look hearty. All came out complete
y rugged in Federal uniform, and med to the teeth,
end superby mounted.
There said be from eight to ten thousand guer.
ras along the line of Arkansas apd Missouri who in
tend to come South to winter. The most conspicuous
among them Is the young dare devil guerrilla chieain,
Will Campbell of Texas. He has but small compa-
ny of men, forty but they true and brave,
all Missourians the heroes of Grand Cult Port Hudson
ming, unerrinR strategy, he cannot be exceed by
Nora, McCarty, Qlanrell or John Morgan. Since be
has been in Missouri he has been of great
noyance to the Federas, lighting them upon every
caslon, frequently drawing them into ambuseade, and
saughteriDg them by wholesale Upon several occa-
sons be has attacked large encampments by night,
causing great panic among them, and killing great
many.
The Federals along the Arkansas river are holding
several posts and treating Southern ctizeLs most
inhumanely. At Fort Smith they have about 5000
men, onethird of whom negroes. They have about
one Thousand at Van Buren,. They also hold post at
Ozark and Dardanee. The troops holding the latter
place are those who have deserted army, and
commanded by the notorious Bill HevingtoD, better
known as Wild Bill. When was on the Arkansas
river, Steee's Division at ScuIlyville, Choctaw
Nation, fifteen miles from Fort Smith, and 1t was
thought they intended to attack it, but suce have got
back to Carksvile have heard that Steele hal got
back to bis command from Shreveport with pieces OF
artillery and instead of attacking Fort Smith, had ia
len back to Doakvlle G. n. Qlantrell and his men
have already out from Missouri, and at Bon
ham. Quantrell has turned over to the Confederacy
all but eighty of his men. Those he turned over are
very down him for it, and they will 60
back to Missouri 10 the spring and guerrilla fight the
Federal5. Clarksvile has been made military post
Martial law reigns over the city. One company Of
militia is TO be kept quartered here.
II l.