The Hickman courier., 1874-05-16
ARKANSAS.

There has been little more activity
in both camps. At Sparta, in johnson county,
Gen. Lee Thompson and Col. Brzzolari, of the
Brooks forces, took forcible possession OF the
steamer Robert Semple. The owner, Gen. A.
G. Meyer, got a writ of replevin, and the
sheriff served it on the parties, capturiug
Brizzolari and portion of his men Thomp-
son escaped. Baxter has received one COM
pany of recruits from Hampstead county, and
expects more The Brooks party have
tended their Notifications around the Benia-
min block. As the time for the Legislature
draws near, men are coming in from all sec
tions of the state. mostly as reinforcements
for Baxter, though Brooks has received a few
men BROOKS has organized a cavalry com
pany to do scouting duty. He has pick
cts on Capitol hill, nearly a mile from the
state-house- Beyond this there is no change
in the position of the various forces Guards
are doubled around the Baxter camp.
OF the situation at Washington
special to the Courier-Journal says: "The
difficulties in Arkansas are beginning to at
tract very serious attention in government
circles. The president has notified the par
tisans of Brooks that they must present their
case before Friday next as he can wait no
longer than that day. 1t is reported in politi-
cal and government circles that the president
will feel himself compelled to recognize Baxter
as the lawful COVE nor Of Arkansas, and to
Brooks has so far been ablo to maintain his
rebellion to the constituted authorities"
On the night of the 9Th q party of
twenty-five Baxterites, under the command OF
Lieut.. Welch, took passage on the steamer
Halle. Their object was to intercept and
capture the stand of arms belonging to the
Industrial University, which were shipped by
1at-boat from Fort Smith on Wednesday
morning, in charge of six men. The Brooks
ties heard of this expedition and started Col
Jno. Brooker with his regiment OF 200 colored
men on special train over the Fort Smith
railroad, to intercept the boat at Palermo
twenty miles above Little Rock Brokers'
party arrived there before the Halle got into
position and as the boat came along fred on
her Most OF Lieut.. Welch's men were on the
hurricane roof at the time and got down below
as soon possible. As they did so Frank
Timms was killed and several others wounded
viz: Capt. SAM. Houston. through the BODY
Ed. Houston. sprained ankle j. NJ Years,
through the breast Bascom Leigh, in the left
leg. Lieut.. Wechs men returned the fire
killing one and wounding another of Brooks
men, both colored. One of the shots from
Brooks men passed through steam pipe of
the Halle. disabling her. and she fioa led down
the river to the opposite bank, and the squad
there left the boat. Tho Brooks men took
possession of the steamer, put a squad on her
to bring her to town, and the remainder of
them took the train and came back to Little
Rock. Soon after their arrival the Halle
came down and was landed at the state-house
where the wounded were taken of Capt
Sam Houston died soon after the arrival of
the Halle John Meyers, pilot, is mortaly
wounded.
Dispatches from Little Rock of the
11th, say General Churchill and Col. King
White eros sed the river that morning with a
considerable force of Baxter troops, and
started for Barring Cross. Immediately after
ward, Col John Clayton, Of the Brooks army.
crossed the railroad bridge with 300 men, At
the latest accounts skrmishing began along
the lines and lively fire was kept up. Bar
ing Cross seemed to be the objective point
and the possession OF that station evidently
the purpose OF each party The Brooks
forces hold the railroad bridge and will net
allow the Bakeries to cross it. but trains are
not molested- A small detachment of Fedora
troops coesed the river with flag of truce