The National tribune., 1901-12-05

miles below the fort to a proper position
on the river above the fort.
Gen. McClernand in person went for
ward and make a reconnaissance of the
route and superintended the movement of
the troops to their assigned position. The
story is best told in his own language:
THE INVESTMENT.
passing cold night, without fires and
tents, our chilled but faithful men were
greeted by bright and genial sun on the
morning of the 11th.
by 1920 a. m. the two corps were in
position and were ready 10 commence the
attack. Gen. Steeles Division formed the
extreme right of the line of battle, reach
ing near the bayou. Gen. Stuarts and
A. J. Smiths Divisions were formed on
its left. One brigade of Gen. Osterhause's
Division, Col Sheldon commanding,
formed the extreme left of the line, rest
ing upon the river, in full view of ihe
fort. Another brigade of the same diyi-
sion, Col. De Courcy commanding, was
held in reserve near the transports, while
the remaining brigade of the same diyi-
sion, Col. Lindsey commanding, was dis
posed on the opposite side of the river, as
already explained. Co. A, 1st III. L. A,
Capt. Wood commanding, was posted to
the left of Gen. Stuart's Division, Capt.
Barrett commanding, was posted in the
center of the same division; the 4th Ohio
batleTy, tapL. I1OUIldn commanding, III
the interval between Gems. Stuarts and
Steele's Divisions, and the 1st Iowa Bat
terry, Capt, Griffiths commanding, between
T'hayer's and Hoyey's Brigades, of Gen.
Steeie's Division. The lst Mo. III. a,
Cant. Landgfaeber commanding, was in
reserve with Gen. Blair's Brigade, and
the Sth Ohio Battery was posted in the
rear Of the center of the general line.
Three pieces of the 18th Ohio Battery,
Cant ysIo1,uf commanding xCerp advanced
to an intrenched position in front of Col.
I.andram's Brigade of Gen. Smiths Divi-
sion, and we're supported by the 95th
Ohio. A section of 20-pounder Parrots,
Lieut.. Webster commanding, was posted
by Gen. Osterhause near the river bank,
within 500 yards of the front. concealed
by fallen trees from the view of the ell
envy, while two sections OF the Illinois
Mercantile Battery were masked and held
by the same officer in reserve. The Ith
Mich. Battery, Capt. Lanphere command
ing, remained with Col. DE Courcy. Two
20-pounder Parrots of the LIST WIS. Bat
terry, Capt. Foster commanding, and
section Of the Illinois Mercantile Battery,
under Lieut.. Wilson. were with Col.
Lindsey. The cavalry were disposed in
the rear, under orders TO force stragglers
| TO return to their ranks.
"Such was the disposition OF the forces
under my command ON the eve OF the bat
tie of the Arkansas.
Having placed in battery, at the re-
quest of Admiral Porter, two 20-pounder
Parrots las already explained for the
purpose Of dismeunting the gun il the
! lower casemate, which had seriously an
uoyed the gunboats on the previous even
| ing, and all my forces being ready for
action, | sent word TO the Admiral ac-
cordingly, and notified him that as soon
as he had opened FIRE / would advance
! ~ aal NJ the anHn1y'S works. and
at j. q. M repeated the same communi-
AT 80 O'Clock Hovey's and Thayer's
Brigades and Giles A. Smiths and Il. *.
Smiths Brigades, of Gen. sherman $
Corps, had crossed in double-quick time
a harrow space of cleared ground IN their
| front and gained position IN belt OF
woods extending irregularly by some 5oO
yards quite to the enemy's rifie-pits:
Checked here for time by sudden and
severe fire of musketry and artillery from
cover of the enemy's works, they boldly
lresumed and continued their advance,
supported by Blair's Brigade as n reserve
nntii until they had approached within short
musket-range of the enemy's lines and
found shelter in some rayines lined by
underhrush ard fallen timber.
''In executing this movement Gen.
Hovey was wounded by Il fragment of a
shell, but continued upon the field in the
gallant discharge OF DUTY, Geh- lhayel
lost his horse, which was shot under him
and Coils. G. A. Smith and II. *. Smith
led their commands in a manner challeng-
ing the commendation of their superior
officers; Woods and Barretts batteries
also performed valuable service. Hoff,
mans Battery was advanced within zoo
yards of the enemy's intrenchments and
poured in q rapid and effective fire from
three successive positions. 1t was now
l3 D. m.
'"The artillery of Gen. Morgan's Corps