Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-04
BATTLE OF NEW GAsCONY.
How the War is Carried ON i'm AR.
kansas.

How the War ~ Carried on in Ar
kansas.
The steamer Belle OF Texas arrived at
the landing last night from Pine Bluff
and brought additional particulars as to
the fight between the Baxter and Brooks
forces at New Gascony. While the boat
was lying at Jones landing Captain
Woodburn received information that a
party of Brooks militiamen had en-
camped at Douglass the night before
(the 27th), and had that morning 1.-THE
2sth), moved up the river on a recruit
ing expedition. At Auburn Captain
Woodburn learned that the Brooksites
had crossed over to the north side Of the
river and had robbed the store and smoke
house OF John Asbell at Jones & Turn
er's landing, and had stated their deter
mination to seize the Belle Of Texas,
press her into service and proceed to
Little Rock without landing at Pine
Bluff. Captain Woodburn, not desiring
to have his boat seized, determined to 20
through to Pine Bluff without making
any other landings. On arriving at Pine
Bluff the boat was seized and pressed
into the Baxter marine service ~ Brig
adler General Fl. King White, who i'm
mediately put on board two COM
panies Of cavalry, numbering about
one hundred white men, commanded by
Captains ]. G. Cross and ]. W. Thomas,
and one company of colord infantry,
numbering about fly muskets. Briga-
dere General White took command, and
the Belle of Texas started down the river.
At Nichols landing, General White dis
covered a party of militia running off
the stock of C. A. Nichols. He ordered
the boat to land, and the cavalry started
in pursuit'of the raiders; leaving the in
fantry on board the boat, which pro-
ceeded to New Gascony. Here, the
troops got together and started for
Ashley's gin, four miles from New Gas
cony, where they found the enemy
drawn up in line of battle, numbering
one hundred and fifty, and commanded
by Captain Van De Sand, County At
torney of Arkansas county, and by
Captain Murphy, of the same county /;
the command was armed with shot guns
and muskets. After some preliminaries
the fighting commenced and lasted for
thirty minutes, the fire being hot and the
rafting of musketry being continuous.
The Brooksites we're behind worm fence
and had no little advantage, but were at
last dislodged by charge which was
made by the Bakeries.
The casualties on the Baxter side
we're as follows; Major Corcoran,
wounded twice in the face and once in
the arm; Lieutenant Pendleton, shot
through the right breast and in the
hand; John Williams, severe wound in
the leg; Sergeant Lee, wounded in the
leg and thigh; John Reeves, shot in the
face with bird shot from fowling piece
Club Samples, thumb shot off; William
Carroll, slightly wounded in the head
Sim and VIM. Levy, both slightly
wounded; L. Rosenberg, slightly
wounded; about a dozen horses were
killed and wounded.
On the Brooks side four negroes were
killed and twenty-three wounded
Captains Van DeSand and Murphy were
wounded and captured. Sixty prisoners
were taken. Sixty stand of arms wert
captured General White left Captain
Walter Greenfield with one company OIL
calvary at New Gascony, and returned
with his command and prisoners to
Pine Bluff. The dead were left on the
battle field and were buried by the citi-
zens next day. At Pine Bluff the Belle Of
Texas was released, and Captain Wood
burn left for Memphis, arriving last
night as above stated.