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jiowitzors; men louowea tne artillery, the infantry being in the rear. About ten j miles from the river, we ran upon the pickets of the enemy—a post fifty strong. These | were partly taken in and partly rode, like .Tehus, away—but the cavalry were at their heels, and on a fast gallop, for five miles, and followed them into their camp, which we cap-i lured at a dash, left under guard, and oil again after the fij'ng fugitives. But that was as funny as it waa a furious ride. Our columns well closed, the panting horses strained to their utmost speed, and the enemy at a helter-skelter, break-neck gait, sometimes in sight, then hidden by a point of woods or a hill— tliat was the race to Van Ruren, through the city and down the river some ten or twelve miles. The road was strewn with thin clothing, cooking utensils, arms, rations and all that impeded their flight. Their train, every hoof and wheel, many horses, all their baggage and many prisoners were captured.. Not a casualty marred the perfect success of the movement thus far. The city was then formally occupied, the flag raised in the centre of the Hi v, and shortly afterwards the steam boats,which h id been brought to, were tied up at the levee. They had made all steam down the river on our arrival, but were rounded about by a few light pieces of artillery, judiciously trained on their retreating hulls.The camp of the rebels presented a forlorn look. The'tents were still standing. The meat for their dinner lay upon logs, where they were slicing it up for the stew-kettlea. Pistol* hung in tents, and other arms, shot-guns, rifles, sabres, Jjugc bowics, c., strewed the ground. Hundreds tf saddles were scattered about. The corn meal just mixed for baking, sat beside tho fires. Everything betokened the most hurried and frightened retreat.That part of the army which had arrived in the city was assigned quarters. Some were resting, some were strolling about, some lounging on the levee, some watering their horses, when, say at 3 o'clook, p. m., if rebel battery I was trundled up to the opposite shore, and commenced shelling the city. The first shell struck near the levee, tho next burst near their own hospital, in the centre of the city, killing a little daughter of one of Hindman’s' lieu ten*| ants : another followed it, and killed one of ! the Kansas Second. Houses were riddled, and ! she frightened citizens fled to the woods, or j iheir own cellars for safety. Tho troops ! mounted in hot haste, and ty tired to the rear of a lull near the city, when our artillery came up. took a'position to the right of the city, on a hill back from the river, and opened lively.This attracted'the rebel fire.away from theX VliVJ • # IAmong the boat* burned were tho Van Bu-! ren, the Douglas and the Nicholas Nat robe.— | The names of the others i did not learn.We heard that on his return across the mountains General Blunt, is going lo make a , visit to Kansas and possibly to St. Louis, to I consult with- General Curtis as to further «j»e-! rations. It is understood that General Soho-! field was to be with us in command some ten ; days ago, but he has not yet arrived. Like i the determined pertinacity with which West- j ern Arkansas has been held, and tho splendid I victories of Fort Wayne, Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, this crowning glory—the occupation of ; tho banks of the Arkansas—is General Rhmt‘» j own device and execution, ably an 1 bravely j seconded as he has been by General Herron i for the last three weeks. 1The telegraph at Van Rnmn is in o{*eration j down tlio river. Wo found there Richmond dates to the 18th. three days later than any- i thing we had received by way of St. i/mis before our inarch.There is about four and a half feet of water ; in the channel of the Arkansas and it is regarded at a fine boat in Mane. Boat*, were i constantly running up the river. miMlv in the j Confederate Government service. 'The army stores* at Van Biuvn. in certain articles, was imrncn:\ A fair estimate wnuM 1 be 250,1)00 bushes of corn. :i*m hogshead* of sugar, art immense amount of m d.-i* lt;»*•; ware- ' houses full of flour, and probably about 100 ! bushels uf salt. They had also steel, iron. 1 horseshoes and nails, j» small quantities.— !Among the captured articles wen* lt;juitc a t quantity of army shoes, common enough with ! us, but probably sufficiently lt;oarr*‘ in that nr- j mv, and estimated bv tho So mi tern gentrv at i■* - i ' _say $15 it pair. Our total captures may be es- j tiinated at.one and a halfmilii.m dollars in} value. Such as we could ti*c and carry, we | took: such as was likely be of imtnedi-i ate use to the Confederate army, was left—the j balance was destroyed. jOur future movements of cmn-se depend on j circumstances. Bur, mark me. this visit, if S the first, is not the last, nor the shortest, that) Van Buren will receive from tho Federal arm v.CAMP FOLLOWEIt; !The ?tcw United States Senator from !• Prnnwlvnnia. JThe Pennsylvania legislature, on the 12th I inat., elected Hon. Cbas. R. I’ueknlew railed ! States Senator from that Suite for ix years, j from the 4th of March next. The vote stood j for Gen. Cameron sixty-5vc, for lluckalew j sixty-seven, every member being present in •convention, and votin—mi avirinnrw «f iln» i
Newspaper Details
Quincy Daily Herald
Quincy, Illinois, US
Wed, Jan 21, 1863
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 05 Oct 2022
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