Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-10

it was stripped of subsistence for
man or beast, wisely and promptly
turned back ward ria Camden, and 50
rapid his march that he then dashed
into Camden, giving US but little
chance to get mt his heels. He had
had a rough march thus far, exhaust
i've to men and animals, but here nc
rested to recruit, and came near rest
ing too long. For in his few days
there my command pretty near used
up brigade which he had sent out
foraging, capturing some go wagons
and the xix mule teams. This was
on the road southwest from Camden,
and a day or so thereafter Pagan,
CaiJeli arid Shelby knocked to pieces
n like force and captured about
the same number of wagons
and teams on the northeast from
Camden. Steele must have had hors
de combat in these affairs near 1000
men, and lost some 800 wagons with
their teams. While this was going
on, the Missouri, Arkansas and Texas
infantry, which had been after Banks,
was hurrying back to engage Steele.
A delay Of two more days and his
escape would have been impossible.
Now comes the correction Of the par
agraph which have clipped.
Two days prior to 5teeles' moving
out Of Camden, Pagan, who out
ranked me, was ordered to take his
brigade, Cnbel's and Shelby's, cross
the Ouachita some thirty miles be-
low Camden and place himself on
SteeIes' line Of communication with
the Arkansas river, and oppose his
retreat, while our infantry pressed
him out Of Camden. | remained
with the infantry, keeping one brig
ade (Greene'sl Of cavalry to do picket
and scouting duty on the South side
of Camden. Steele moved out Of
Camden during the night, and right
upon his rearthe Confederatei infantry
moved into Camden. The pursuit
was delayed by our having no pom
toon train; bridge had to be con-
structed on the Ouachita, for the in
fantry to pass. ! was ordered to cross
the Ouachita some five or ten miles
below Camden, with Greene's caval-
ry, to press forward and get on the
enemy's flank If possible and cause
delay. As you know, the Ouachita
is a river Of considerable proportions,
swimming from bank to bank, yet
with a small skiff rs my only help
eight hundred Of Greene's sbrigade
swan that stream and by dawn of
day next morning dashed into
Steele's column as it was pressing on
to Jenkins Ferry, and all that day
fought him as only handful of men
could fight such q force. Greene's
brigade was not ordered nor even ex-
pected to reach the head of SteeIe's
column, much less to cross and oppose
his crossing at Jenkins Ferry.
That night the Confederate infantry
reached the battle ground of Jenkins
Ferry; and the next morning, opened
the stormy fight, which, for the force
engaged, was sanguinary and hard
contested on both sides. On the Con-
federate side no cavalry was in the
fight save the brigade mentioned,
which fought In the lines (dismount-
ed) as infantry.
If Fagan's command had fallen on
the head of Stcele's column as he left
Camden and made a heavy resist
ance; or If he had placed his force
on the north side Of the Saline at
Jenkins Ferry and disputed that
crossing, 1t is likely, / think, that
Steele's army would have been forced
to M unequal contest and been cap
tured by the Confederates.
/ have no criticisms to make about
Fagan's movements, as do not
know his orders sufficiently well to
Justify criticism; nor do ! know the
circumstances and conditions of his
force and situation. l simply give
you tile facts in the case. At the
time we opened the battle of Jenkins
Ferry, Pagan was some fifteen miles
west Of us and brought his force in
about, or soon after, Steele had cross
ed and the battle was over.
This same paper says, that Gen.
erals Scully and Waud lit should be
Waul) were killed aud Randall
wounded. The truth is, Randall and
Scully were killed and Waul wound
ed. Our loss i'm this battle, for the
number engaged, was very heavy.
/ want to say one word here about
Steel. moor fellow! he has gone to his