Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-04

the IuH Averen reconnoitred IN person
and at 4 o'clock sent the baron for
ward again with Captain Birds squad
ron of PennSylvanians.
The charge was aimed at the stock.
ade, but the fire from it was too heavy.
Won Koenig fell shot from the saddle.
close to the stockade. A battalion OF
West NirginianS next rode In and the
Confederates temporarily abandoned
the citadel, but fresh regiment DASH
ed forward and sent the Federals dy-
ing, leaving the commander mortally
wounded
Averell's boldness had been prompted
in part by the expectation of re-en-
forcements. which had been ordered to
march and oveTtake him in the noun
tains. They did not come forward.
but during the night Jones was re-en-
forced and AvereI decided to retreat.
This was as difficult as the advance.
The backward march was by the way
of Huntersville, toward which Jack
son was marching to cut the raiders
of. However. by barricadiug the roads
behind and stealthily avoiding ambush
in front, Averell brought his column
out after march of GOO miles. His
total loss was 2lS against 1oG of the
Confederates. He had taken 266 prison
ers.
In his retreat as we'll as in the ad-
vance Averell deceived his foes. They
looked TO find him everywhere except
where he actually was. The road was
often blocked by barricades. but there
was no attack beyond the usual BUSH
whacking.
Federal Advance Toward Little
Rock.
During the last days of August fifty
years ago General Frederick Steele's
Federal column was executing its diff
cult march from White river to the
Arkansas to attack the Confederates in
Little Rock. Leaving its base at
| Duvall's bluff on the 22d. the column
| reached Brownsville on the Goth. Here
occurred 4 sharp skirmish between the
| advance guard led by the First Iowa
cavalry and Confederate troopers be-
longing to General w. ]. 8. Marina
dukes command.
The Federal vanguard consisted OF
General ]. w. Davidson's division OF
cavalry. Upon this body depended the
success of Steele's enterprise, for Mar
maduke's troopers were scattered
across the route to guard the passes
OF streams and woodland gaps. The
Confederates were driven from the
town. but next day the First Iowa.
still in the lead, encountered them
holding a bridge over Bayou Metoue.
With the exception of a causeway
the bridge and the banks above and
below could only be approached by
crossing a deep quagmire. The stream
itself was deep and miry. The Iowans
made n gallant charge at the bridge,
with drawn Sabers, dashing right up
to the entrance in face of a heavy fire
from rifiemen and artillery. The regi-
ment lost thirty-seyen killed and
wounded in a few minutes.
Fearing that second attempt would
be more successful. the Confederates
destroyed :he bridge, having prepared
for the event beforehand. Davidson
then rode on q wide reconnaissance to
the north of Brownsville. The bayou
in that direction would not admit OF
the crossing of an army in the presence
Of an enemy and Steele was forced Il
adopt a more southerly route.
Skirmishes took place daily between
Davidson's troopers and Confederate
cavalry Of Marmaduke's command
The latter avoided battle and sought
merely to delay the Federal march to
ward Little Rock. To cover that point
General Sterling Price was hastily
throwing up earthworks on the nortf
bank of Arkansas river. Every day
that Steele's column could be held OF
added to the strength of the defenses
which he must break through in orde'
to reach the prize.
Other Events of the Week.
On the Goth Confederate artillery ant
| sharpshOoters were dislodged from {
! ridge which barred Federal progress