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OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS

1864-2

DEVALL'S BLUFF, June 8, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with General Orders, No. 14, headquarters District of Little Rock,

I have the honor to report that the Eighth Missouri Cavalry arrived here from Little Red River

last night, being relieved by battalion Ninth Iowa Cavalry. On the evening of the 6th instant a

detachment of 25 men of the Eighth Missouri Cavalry had a skirmish with a party of 40 of

Shelby's cavalry, at Bealer's Ferry, on Little Red River. Our loss, 1 man killed, wounded.

Enemy's loss, 1 killed, 1 lieutenant and 4 men taken prisoners. Enemy routed, pursuing them 4

miles. Shelby's forces reported between Batesville and Jacksonport. No troops have arrived or

left the post to-day. No news of importance.

W. F. GEIGER,

Colonel, Commanding Post.

Capt. C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,

Helena, Ark., June 27, 1864.

GENERAL: On the 22d instant the little garrison of 50 men, commanded by Capt. J. R. C.

Hunter, of the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, at the mouth of White River was attacked by the enemy,

300 strong, about daybreak, who had crossed the Arkansas River in small boats in the night, and,

after an action of thirty minutes, was handsomely repulsed, with a loss to us of 1 killed and 4

wounded. The enemy's loss was about 30 killed and wounded; 5 of the latter, 1 an officer, falling

into our hands. The little garrison was slightly intrenched in a hastily erected stockade. The gunboat

Lexington was the only one present. She opened fire on the enemy in the woods after the

repulse. Our force was too small to pursue, and as there was but one gun-boat, the orders of her

commander forbade her leaving the station and preventing the enemy retreating across the

Arkansas River. Captain Hunter and his little garrison deserve the highest credit. As soon as I

was informed of the above facts, Capt. S. L. Phelps, U.S. Navy, being at Helena at the time, and

with his assistance, I embarked 800 troops on my two ferry-boats and his gun-boat Hastings, and

proceeded to the mouth of White River, and ascended White River to the Cut-off, hoping the

enemy had not left the island; thence to the Arkansas River and up it 10 miles, where I

ascertained the attacking force was commanded by Colonel Lawther, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, C.

S. Army, and that they had crossed back on the 22d. My information led me to believe that

General Marmaduke's force was between me and the post of Arkansas, and that I was not strong

enough to successfully attack him if I could find him. Captain Phelps objected to going farther

up the river, as the banks of the river were such that the enemy, if in force equal to ours, could

readily get out of our way, or attack us exposed in our crowded small-boats. I returned to the

mouth of White River, and issued the inclosed order, which strikes at the root of the evil. This

order is simply enforcing principles to which I have before called your attention.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

N. B. BUFORD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Maj. Gen. F. STEELE,

Commanding Department of Arkansas

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,

Helena, Ark., June 29, 1864.

SIR: General Shelby, C. S. Army, is in force at Clarendon, 51 miles from here, on the east

side of White River.

On the 24th instant he captured the gun-boat No. 26 (Queen City), commanded by Captain

Hickey, and after removing her nine guns and all her ammunition and stores, destroyed her. He is

now fortifying Clarendon, and has successfully blockaded White River, and cut General Steele's

line of communication both by land and water. Col. A. S. Dobbin, commanding a cavalry

brigade, variously estimated at from 1,000 to 2,000 men, is west of Big Creek, a deep and narrow

stream, 18 miles from here, on the Clarendon road. He has 20 seamen, captured from the Queen

City, whom he offered to exchange with me. Shelby's force is estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000.

All the country is hostile. The conscription will take every able-bodied man in the district. I have

but 289 cavalry for the field. I have no light artillery. I have two guns without caissons, manned

by black troops. On the 22d instant the enemy, 300 strong, attacked my little garrison of 50 men,

commanded by Capt. J. R. C. Hunter, of the Twelfth Iowa Volunteers, in a stockade at the mouth

of White River. He killed and wounded 30 of their men, taking 5 of their wounded prisoners, and

gallantly repulsed the attack with a loss of 1 killed and 4 wounded. On this information, and that

Marmaduke's force was near by, on the south side of the Arkansas River, I took a force of 800

men, and, in co-operation with Capt. S. L. Phelps, U.S. Navy, with one gun-boat, proceeded to

the mouth of White River, and up the Arkansas 30 miles, where we learned that Marmaduke,

with sixteen pieces of artillery and a considerable force, estimated at 6,000, was within 10 miles

of us, on Red Fork Bayou. Not being in force sufficient to attack him, we returned. I have

applied to General C. C. Washburn, commanding at Memphis, for re-enforcements of 1,000

good infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and one battery of light artillery. My messenger has just

returned with his answer. He has no light artillery (which is for me indispensable), no cavalry,

but offers me one regiment of 100-days' men if I need them.

I have sent all the information I have to General Canby, but fear he has gone to New Orleans,

and perhaps to communicate with Admiral Farragut near Mobile. My dispatches cannot go

forward to General Steele. I therefore judge best to communicate all of the above facts to you.

Captain Phelps, U.S. Navy, passed up to-day to obtain an iron-clad to reopen White River, and I

have no doubt he will communicate most of the above facts to the Navy Department in advance

of this letter.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

N. B. BUFORD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS, Mouth of White River, June 22, 1864.

GENERAL: The enemy this morning, 300 strong, attacked us, but we are not theirs. Five of

their killed and wounded fell into our hands. One of my men was killed and 3 severely wounded.

The enemy consisted of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry and was commanded by Colonel Lawther.

They crossed the Arkansas River about midnight, leaving their horses on the opposite side, and

marched here in the night, arriving about 4 a.m. They were apparently panic-stricken when they

retreated, but I had no men to send in pursuit. It is my candid opinion that we killed and

wounded fully as many of the enemy as I have men. We do not know that they have left the

island, but are prepared for them should they make another attack. You will see the necessity of

sending re-enforcements immediately. Two hundred cavalry is the least number that will secure

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our safety. I do not know that they carried off any of the negroes, as was their evident design.

They killed 1. The wounded are being taken care of by the naval surgeon.

Hoping that you will take prompt action in sending re-enforcements, I remain, very

respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. R. C. HUNTER,

Captain, Commanding Post.

P. S.--Since writing the above a scout has come in reporting the enemy coming across the

Arkansas River in force. I shall do my very best and leave the island as a last resort. The gunboat

did good execution after the rebs left.

J. R. C. HUNTER,

Captain, Commanding Post.

JUNE 23--5 p.m.

A refugee that was captured yesterday has just returned. He reports that the enemy were 600

strong, and that their loss was 24, killed and wounded, including 1 lieutenant, who is now in our

hands. I had but 48 effective men in the engagement. The rebels thought we were 1,000 strong. It

is my informant's impression that they intend to attack again soon. We must have reenforcements

immediately or leave the island.

Yours, &c.,

J. R. C. HUNTER,

Captain, Commanding.

Brigadier-General BUFORD,

Commanding at Helena.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH CORPS,

Point Isabel, January 7, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. P. STONE,

Chief of Staff:

I am detained here by a very furious norther which has prevented any communication with

Brazos. I have been waiting now three days. The St. Mary's is at Brazos and I shall go on her to

Fort Esperanza. I wrote you a dispatch some days ago suggesting the removal of the troops

which are now on the Rio Grande, except a garrison of 500 men, to the Nueces River or in its

vicinity. It will be understood that this recommendation is made solely under the hypothesis that

the commanding general may intend to retain somewhere in this region all the force that is now

here.

Not knowing fully his intentions in this respect,, I did not feel at liberty to suggest the

ordering of all the disposable force here to join the column which will enter State of Texas by

way of Matagorda Bay. I wish to be understood as making the suggestion only under the

supposition that all the troops now on this line will be detained in Southwestern Texas, in which

event they would much more effectually guard the frontier and control its approaches from the

vicinity of the Nueces than by lying along the Rio Grande. In pursuance of this subject I would

further urge that when the force on the Rio Grande in the vicinity of Brownsville is reduced to a

garrison of 500 men this post be immediately abandoned. There is no water here and none to be

procured at a less distance than 20 miles, and all the water for the troops and animals is hauled

that distance. This is attended with great labor and expense, and considerable suffering among

the animals.

The extra number of light craft which is necessary and the labor and expense of lightering all

freight from Brazos Island here would be saved. When a garrison is left at the defenses of

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Brownsville and another here, the one here might be cut off from water by a small cavalry force

and the trains running between the posts would be liable to attack at any time by a small secret

party of guerrillas. By building a small shed for a warehouse at Brazos Island, on the piles which

are now there, and keeping an ordinary ferry flat at Boca Chica, the limited amount of stores

necessary for a garrison of 500 men would be cheaply and easily supplied; but the depot should

be furnished with one small steamboat capable of running, in smooth weather, into the mouth of

the river, which could at one trip carry a three months' supply for the troops at Brownsville, and

could at other times be used, when necessary, to carry dispatches or information to Aransas,

Matagorda, or Galveston. The ferry at Boca Chica and a few wagons would suffice to

communicate and supply, in event of long spells of stormy weather or of accident to the boat.

This arrangement would save a garrison at this point, and all that would be necessary at

Brazos Island would be one company of white troops for artillerists and four or five companies

of the Sixteenth Corps d'Afrique. This would be even stronger than is absolutely necessary, as

Brazos Island, with one company at Boca Chica, would be almost secure against the possibility

of an attack from rebels. There is water at Brazos which will answer tolerably well the purposes

of the troops, and good water at the Rio Grande, only 9 miles distant. By the arrangements

suggested above there would be available to leave this line for the interior, or the coast above,

about 2,000 white infantry, two field batteries of four guns each, five or six companies of the

Sixteenth Corps d'Afrique, and the First and Second Regiments of Texas Cavalry, Vidal's

company, and Brauback's company. The latter might be left here if thought best, but it is my

opinion that a sufficient number of the infantry garrison could be mounted to serve all purposes

of scouting. A discreet general officer should be left in command at Brownsville.

I would further suggest the removal of the Twentieth Iowa Infantry from Mustang Island to

Pass Cavallo, and their place to be supplied by one company of white troops as artillerists, and

the five or six companies of the Corps d'Afrique which would move from here. The single

company of Colonel Baker's regiment (Twenty-sixth Corps d'Afrique) which is now at

Brownsville had better be removed from there, as there are no more recruits to be had. The First

Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique, has about completed its work at Brownsville. Its work

here will be about completed in about two weeks. I recommend that two companies be left at

Brazos Island to complete the works, establish the ferry, and build the warehouse and dock, and

the remainder of the regiment be made immediately available elsewhere. With a garrison of 500

men, the defenses at Brownsville are capable of resisting the attack of 5,000 good troops. I ask

that the work be named by you "Fort Montgomery," in memory of the lamented captain of the

First Texas Cavalry, who lost his life at the hands of rebel assassins near that place.

Our recent visit to King's Ranch and the information we have from Monterey, Roma, Eagle

Pass, &c., give us assurance that the only force of rebels between the Nueces and the Rio Grande

is about 100 men, viz, 50 at Eagle Pass and 50 or 60 with Benavides. I have but little doubt that

the notorious rebel chief, John Morgan, has arrived within a day or two at Matamoras from

Havana. I sent the Ninety-first Illinois Infantry about a week ago to visit Salt Lake. It will return

now in a couple of days. There was no special object more important than giving them proper

occupation. I have sent 428 bales of cotton to New Orleans, and what has not been sold and is

now left in General Herron's hands amounts to about 109 bales and 25 sacks at this place, and

about 63 bales which I obtained beyond King's Ranch and ordered in, and which reached

Brownsville yesterday or the day before.

I have supplied Major Carpenter at different times, from sales of cotton, with about $40,000

in coin and $1,000 Treasury notes; Captain Emerson, chief commissary, $2,000 coin; Captain

Routt, assistant quartermaster to General Herron, $9,000 coin and $2,000 Treasury notes. No

attempt has been made for a settlement of whatever understanding there may be regarding the

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Mustang, Hale, and Matamoras. If a claim is allowed to be made I have no doubt it will be

exorbitant. I recommend that the boats be immediately appraised by competent steam-boat men

and officers at their value when handed over, and that that amount, together with whatever

reasonable outlay the owners have since made, be paid, with interest at 6 per cent. since we

received them.

Serna has abdicated and Ruiz is Governor at Matamoras, Cortina having agreed to march

against the French at Tampico; the latter, however, has, as usual, violated his agreement and

stopped with his force in some large building on the edge of town, and is now keeping the place

in a ferment by a threatening attitude. It is not without hesitation that I thus fully advance my

views as above, but I do it merely from my stand-point and in frankness, expecting that they will

receive only such attention as the major-general commanding may deem them worth. I have

received no dispatches for nearly three weeks, no mail having come to me by the Saint Mary's. I

hope to hear from you at Esperanza.

I have the honor to remain, with high respect,

N. J. T. DANA,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

On board Steamer Saint Mary's, January 9, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. P. STONE,

Chief of Staff, Department of the Gulf:

GENERAL: The First Division of this corps, except the Forty-second and One hundred and

twentieth Ohio and Seventh and Twenty-second Kentucky Regiments Infantry which are on duty

at Plaquemine, on the Mississippi River, is at Matagorda Island, Tex. The Second Division,

except the Twentieth Iowa Infantry, which is at Aransas Pass, and Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry,

which is at Matagorda Bay, is at Brownsville, Tex., as also the First Regiment of Engineers,

Corps d'Afrique. The Sixteenth Regiment, Corps d'Afrique, is at Point Isabel, Tex. The Third

Division of this corps is at New Iberia, La.; the Fourth Division is at Matagorda Bay. The

Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine Regiments Infantry attached to this corps are also at Matagorda

Bay.

In consequence of the scattered condition of the corps, Lieut. Ben. L. Smith, postmaster of

the corps, was ordered to remain at New Orleans, to sort and direct mail matter to the several

divisions, &c. To avoid the delay that would be occasioned by sending to corps headquarters, I

would respectfully ask an approval of the order, if necessary, allowing Lieutenant Smith to

remain in the city on this duty.

I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant.

N. J. T. DANA,

Major-General, Commanding.

JANUARY 13, 1864.

Major-General GRANT, Chattanooga:

GENERAL: Complaints have been received from the Thirty-second Iowa and other

regiments that they have been divided and that parts of the same regiment are now serving in

different departments. It is presumed that this resulted from the exigencies of the service during

the past year and was probably at the time unavoidable. It should, however, be remedied as

promptly as possible by uniting in the same military department the regiments so divided. For

example, six companies of the Thirty-second Iowa are reported at Columbus, Union City, and

Island No. 10, and four companies at Little Rock, Ark. The entire regiment should either be sent

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to Arkansas or the four companies there sent to the Department of the Tennessee. As members of

Congress from the districts and States in which the regiments are raised are urgent in their protest

against such division, it is hoped that you will give the matter your early attention.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SPECIAL ORDERS No. 8.

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Pass Cavallo, Tex., January 13, 1864.

I. Brig. Gen. T. E.G. Ransom, U.S. Volunteers, will for the present assume command of the

posts at Decrow's Point and Matagorda Island. He will make all useful regulations, reporting his

orders to these headquarters as soon as issued for approval.

II. Colonel Cobb, commanding Second Engineers, Corps d'Afrique, will assume immediate

command of the post on Matagorda Island, and will make daily reports to Brigadier-General

Ransom.

III. The Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers will proceed to Indianola and report to Brigadier-

General Benton, commanding the First Division.

IV. The Provisional Brigade, composed of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine Volunteers,

and Twentieth and Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers, is temporarily attached to the Fourth Division,

and will report immediately to Brigadier-General Ransom, commanding.

By order of N. J. T. Dana, major-general of volunteers:

WALTER B. SCATES,

Lieut. Col. and A. A. G., Thirteenth Army Corps.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA,

Omaha City, January 13, 1864.

Capt. JOHN WILCOX,

Company B, Seventh Iowa Cav., Dakota, Nebr. Ter.:

CAPTAIN: The general commanding the district directs me to say that if you have not turned

over to the U.S. Indian agent for the Ponca Indians the ponies and other property taken from the

Indians near Niobrara, as directed in a communication from these headquarters, dated December

12, 1863, you will take the necessary steps to do so immediately. The general is informed that

other property than the ponies, guns, &c., reported, was taken from the Indians, such as buffalo

robes, beaver skins, and other private property. He directs that you collect and return all such

property to Maj. J. B. Hoffman, U.S. agent for the Poncas.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE S. HAMPTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 14, 1864.

COMMANDING GENERAL DEPT. OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo.:

Has the Thirty-seventh Regiment Iowa Volunteers been removed from Alton yet?

JAS. A. HARDIE,