Year: 1863

SEPTEMBER 12rn.-WelI, Editors, we
have at last reached the desired haven Of
Arkansas. We are at Little Rock; not ex-
actly in it, but on the opposite side Of the
river in full view of the famous Capitol.
At sunset on the tenth, we lad the pleasure
Of witnessing and cheering the old Stars and
Stripes as they went up over the Capitol
building, and you may imagine the shout
waswith will On the morning Of the tenth
our army was divided in two parts and
moved to the attack, one division crossing
the Arkansas River on two pontoon bridges
with but little opposition, about two miles
from our camp and the other moving up on
this or the North side, Keeping close
on the bank of the river. Our brigade, with
others, remained on this side; all moved to-
gether until about two o'clock, when brisk
firing commenced on the other side and
our artillery on this side took position on
the bank poured in shot and shell on the
advancing rebs. This alarmed them, and
they commenced a retreat, followed up by
our forces on both sides of the river, the
artillery on this side, infantry, cavalry on
the other side. About three o'clock the
rebs. seeing our artillery pretty well ad-
vanced, made dashing charge and cap
tured two small field pieces, but the Iowa
first cavalry met the charge, turned it and
re took the lost guns. Thus things went
on until we were driving them in and thro'
Little Rock, they scarcely halting to breathe
at all.


! Price and Marmuduke we're the comman-
ding spirits on tie rebs. side, Steele and
Davidson Union. At about sundown the
Stars and Stripes went up on tho Capitol.
The casualties on this side was but two
men dangerously wounded by the careless
ness or drunkenness Of some Of our own
men. On the other side I cannot learn
anything definite. can get nothing but
rumor. Some say that our killed will not
exceed fifteen or twenty, and the rebS. per
haps one hundred it is all guess work with
US here yet. Lieut.. Barnes of the 1st Iowa
Cavalry says that his company was in the
hottest of the fight and came out without a
wound. We are all rejoiccd to hear that
we won with so little loss. Gen. Steele de-
serves great credit for his sklfu manage
mcnt Of the affair and all concerned de
serve credit for the part they acted in car
ryins on: these plans. We, the 9th,
could calmly look over the water and watch
the progress ofthe fight and inwardly de-
sire hand in, and every moment expect
an attack on this side, but we too did our
part, all that was required of us.


was in the city yesterday and convers-
cd with several citizens, and find that they
all are anxious for this war to close, they
are satisfied that their army is used up in
this state and never can again be gathered
together; their leaders have told them that
as Little Rock goee so goes the state They
have no more hope of success; their army
is fearfully d,moralized. Our men are
bringing in their straglers every hour by
two's and tens and yesterday the cavalry
were taking prisoners at every step from
the rear of the retreating army. They go
toward Arkadclphia, on the Washta river.
The report was, yeste, day evening, that our
cavalry were on their heels, cutting off and
capturing their baggage and supplies; in a
few days will be able to gather something
reliable.


Our sick men are improving and I think
few days rest will restore the most of
| them ; but one death has occurred in our
regiment that know of since we left
Moscow, Tenn, and there are only two or
three very sick. On the 10th there was
one or two gouty gentlemen, but they hop
around brisk as ever yesterday and to day
they aciU lire Mrough!


Tie weather is very dry and warm
through the middle Of the day-cool in
evenings.


Weget no mails but will soon undoubtedly


Our furloughed men have not yet got up
with us.


THos G, DRIPs.