The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-11-11

Saline arrived at Fort Gibson, j. T., on
Ju3v g. 1862. and reported that the day be
fore they had heard heavy artillery and
smslI-arms firing in the direction OF CABIN
Creek. on the west side Of Grand klver. vi
course. until some definite information was
receiyed of the result of the action, me
Union officers and troops at Fort Gleson 1eit
n good deal of anxiety for the safety oil SUP
nlv train that was on the way. But at that
time Grand River had been very high AT
Fort Gibson for three or four days, and Col.
William A. Phillips, of Kansas. was satisfied
that the force Gen Douglas II. Cooper had
sent ND on the east side of that stream, and
the force under Gen Csbell, from Arkansas,
would DC unable TO cross 10 the west side 10
form n junction with the troops that bad
been sent up on the west side under Col.
Stand Waite.
On the morning of the 5th, the arrival OF
the Union Commssary tgnin at Fort Gibson
not only ended the euspense and anxiety OF
TIE troops at tina; posi-. hut also the long fast
which had been imposed upon them by most
of the ration. having been exhausted for
week or so.
The arrival of reinf0rcements of infantry
and artillery also had good effect upon the
loyal Indian troops who had been exsrting
every effort 10 hold their position, under
very trying conditions. After the failure OF
Gen. Cooper's expeditions to capture the
Federal train at Cabin Creek, the Confed-
ate forces IN the Indian Territory were grad
uaily pushed south in the direction OF Red
River They were soon after that action
employed in protecting their own sup
plies.
Having received information that Gen.
Cooper was constantly sending out strong
10 ,lycn and IN
the rear OF CO.. Phillips's position at Fort
Gibson. and knowing that most of the avail
able troops of that post were guarding the
Federal supply line, Gen. Blunt collected
such cavalry and light artillery az could be
spared from southern Kansas, consisting of
a battalion of the 9th Kan. Cav. and two
howitzefs. and section of Capt E. A. Smith g
I'd Kan. battery, and leaving Fort Scott
July 6. by rapid marching arrived at Fort
Gibson on the 18th.
The defeat Of Lees army at Gettysburg
On the 81, and the Surrender at Nicksburg TO
Sen. Grant on the 4th, with upwards of
thirty thousand prisoners, all pointed to the
conclusion that Federal operations IN the
Department of the Missouri would shortly
assume an accre.sivsness that had not been
displayed in The earlier part of the season.
Gen. Grant would soon be able to return
10 the Department of The Missouri the troops
that had been drawn from it to reinforce
him in the siege of Nicksburg And Gen.
Schofield determined that as soon So these
troops should come under his command 10
push forward his forces and occupy the
country north of the Arkansas from Fort
Gibson to its mouth, and go dispose his
troops as to control the navigation Of that
river for transporting supplies TO his army.
Il IL. Il. n Tasya
about 5000 strong. under Gems. Holmes and
Price, attacked tie Union forces at Helena,
Ark, about 4 ,0C0sirong, under Gen. Prentiss,
and were defeated. af.er desperate fighting,
with the loss Of upward of i 900 men killed,
wounded and captured. This battle had an
important bearing upon the military opera
Mons on the Border, for the reason that the
Confederate troops engaged in it were almost
The only ones the Confederate authorities
aad TO depend upon to defend the line of
The Arkansas from Little Rock to Fort
Smith.
Directly after this battle Lieut.. Gen.
Holmes. commanding the Confederate forces
N the District of Arkansas, began certifying
Little Rock and concentrating his troops In
the vicinity for the defense of that place.
And on the Union side Maj.-Gen. Steele
arrived at Helena on the 3lst with instruc-
hons from Gen. Grant to fit out an expedi-
lion from that point against Little Rock.
The troops assigned TO him for the expedi-
lion were at once organized ard furnished
with the necessary supplies, and on the 18th
Of August crossed the White River at
Clarendon. Gen. Price had recently been
assigned temporarily to the command OF
The Confederate forces in the District OF Ar
kansas, and he saw that he was being pressed
IL s11~ T..sn IL
could not spare from the defense of Little
Rock any troops to reinforce Gen. Csbell in
he western part of the State.
Hence Confederate en-. Steele wss obliged
10 rely on tine troops he had in the Indian
Territory to meet those of Gen. Blunt who
we're ordered en- his arrival ct Fort Gibson
10 make preparations for crossing tie Ar
Kansas at once for the purpose of attacking
zen. Cooper IN his position on Elk Creek, %
miles south OF that post, on the road leading
Ihrough the Ind IN Territory TO Texas.
After his failure Ia form a junction with
Col. Waiie in al alisck on the Union train
IL Cabin Creek. tirl,. Cabeli has marched
pack into Arkansas, and then in q few days
had been ordered 10 Join Gen. Cooper south
If the Arkansas River III a combined move
neat against the Union forces at Fort
Gibson.
On his arriyh at that post Gen. Blunt re-
ieived information of this proposed move
nent Of The Confederate leaders. and deter
mined 10 cross the Arkansas and attack Gen.
cooper before Gen. Cabell could arrive
ls tie Arkansas was not fordable at any
point below the mouth of the Verdigris. he
tad hatboats constructed for taking over
ome OF his troops and ammunition.
In day or so the river commenced fall
NJ, and on the 18th Of July he ascertained
hat the Arkansas was fordable short dis
ance above the mouth of the Verdigris.
shortly after midnight, on the morning OF
he 10th, he took the battalion of the 9th
gans. Cav, TWO howltzsrs. and a section OF
be "a Kan. battery, crossed the Verdigris
md Arkansas about IL miles above Fort
Gibson without serious opposition, and
marching down the south side of the Arkan-
Ias was DESTROYS of cutting off and capturing
:he Confederate pickets near the mouth OF
srsnd River.
The Confederate picket however, heard OF
MS advance in time to escape TO Honey
Springs, and report the Union advance
The other troops for ths expedition
crossed the Arkansas just below the mouth
81 Grand River, in the ssening and night o
the 10Th, some Of the troops not getting owe
mill about II o'clock.
The commanding General organized hi
Eoops for the attack into two brigades. Tn
First Brigade consisting of the Ist Kan.