The Mena weekly star., 1907-10-10
~HE 44th anniversary of the evacuation of Little Rock by

Der l0), brought out several articles relating to that historical event, and developed some arguments as to the truth of some of the statements that are made in history.
 General R. c. Shaver of Mena is in rank probably highest officer now living who took part in that move ment, and as it was his command, the 3Sth Arkansas, which covered the retrea. of the Confederate forces, his version of the evacuation should be of much interest, as well as of historical value. A represen- tative of The Star called upon the general at his home, which is at the residence of his son, Judge J. D. Shaver in this city, and the old veteran told of the event as follows:
 '.I saw and read an article in the Arkansas Gazette of recent date regarding the evacuation of Little Rock and noted inaccuracies and mis- takes made by the author; also the reply thereto by Judge s. c. Harley on later date. l find that Judge Harley in a large measure has cor rected the erroneous statements, though he was not on the ground himself, having served east of the river in the 9th Arkansas, and is not, therefore, in a position to speak of the things that occurred at and be- fore the evacuation. As l was pres ent before, at and after this move ment, and was in position before and during the evacuation to see and observe some of the most i'm portant features thereof, l will give you description of what l knew and saw.
 In order to properly understand the situation and to account for the stratgic movement of General Steele. who commanded the Federal forces, it will be necessary to ex- plain the topography of the country east of Little Rock up and to the Bayou Meto, and on both sides of the Arkansas river from Little Rock down for the space of twelve or fifteen miles.
 Anyone familiar with Little Rock will know that when the Ar kansas river reaches Little Rock it makes a detour in a northeasterly direction and keeps that course for about ten or twelve miles. and then makes another turn and proceeds again in a southeasterly course south of Little Rock. Fouche Bayou runs parallel with the river and turns and empties into the river at or near the Vaughan plantation.
 ''The Notifications or trenches for the defense of Little Rock were on the opposite side of the river from the city, with the right resting on the river. There were no defenses on the city side of the river.
 General Steele concentrated his forces at Du Vall's Bluff and fol- lowed the line of the Memphis X Little Rock railroad and reached Brownsville without meeting any serious opposition. After moving from Brownsville there was more or less fighting between General David son, who commanded Steele's cav airy, and the Confederate cavalry under Generals Walker and Marma- duke, but Davidson gradually drove the Confederate forces back, the strongest stand being made when Bayou Meto was reached, but the Confederates were eventually driven back and Steele was enabled to cross the bayou with his entire force.
 After Steele had crossed the bayou two routes were open to him
 one to follow the main highway, the other to digress to the left, reach the river at or below the bend, throw his pontoons over and across to the city side. He chose the latter route. and planted his batteries and shelled out and drove back the cavalry force, threw pon- toon bridge over and crossed DOT tlon of his command. establishing his position with nothing between him and the city except the Fouche and the one regiment of infantry. the 3Sth Arkansas General Shaver's command). and two regiments of cavalry under Dobbins and Newton. This 3Sth Arkansas had been pre- viously detached from Tappan's bri- gade, which was in trenches on the opposite side of the river, by orders of General Holmes. and ordered to