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No. 4.

Report of Col. James Stuart, Tenth Illinois Cavalry.

HUNTERSVILLE, July [9], 1864.
(Received 8.15 a. m. 10th)

CAPTAIN: The scout of one lieutenant and twenty men sent out by me returned last night. They ran into a small party of rebels; killed and wounded 4; took 1 prisoner.

JAS. STUART,

Colonel, Commanding Post.

Capt. C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 5.

Reports of Capt. David H. Wilson, Tenth Illinois Cavalry.

BROWNSVILLE, ARK., July 14, 1864—5 p. m. GENERAL: My camp at Bayou Des Arc was attacked at 4.30 this a. m. by a large force-I should think 800. I went into the fight with 214 men and 7 officers, and came out with 75 men and 5 officers. atacking party I believe to be Shelby.

Respectfully,

Brig. Gen. E. A. CARR,

Commanding District.

The

D. H. WILSON, Captain, Tenth Illinois Cavalry.

BROWNSVILLE, July 14, 1864–9.50 p. m. GENERAL: Yours by telegraph is just at hand. The attack was made on my command at 4.30 this a. m. The attack was made on three sides at the same time. The enemy was dismounted in the front and rear, and mounted on left flank. They must have got into position and made the attack at once, as my dispatch bearer to Brownsville left camp at 4 o'clock and saw nothing of the enemy. I intended to move to Austin this morning and was all ready to start when the attack was made. On the fire of the first gun I ordered my bugler to blow to horse. The Squadrous H, K, and D were pressed so hard by the enemy that they only made out to mount and fall back, and lost largely in men and horses before that could be done. By this time both squadrons were mounted and in line. I ordered them to dismount, to fight on foot, intending to fall back to the bayou, which was about fifty yards in the rear of the two last-named squadrons. As they were dismounting they received volleys from three squadrons of the enemy that had advanced to the north side of the bayou, dismounted and crossed the bayou, and lay under the south bank. I then ordered the two squadrons to mount, and seeing the enemy nearly 'round my right to the bayou and about three squadrons of mounted cavalry coming up on my left, I ordered the two mounted squadrons to break by fours, the left, and charge out between the left of mounted cavalry and the right of the dismounted.

They did so, fighting their way out. The enemy did not show but very little disposition to pursue. My loss in killed, wounded, and missing is 129 men and 2 officers; also my team and ambulance.

I am, respectfully,

D. H. WILSON,

Captain, Commanding Detachment Tenth Illinois Cavalry. General CARR.

No. 6.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Napoleon B. Buford, U. S. Army, commanding District of Eastern Arkansas.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,

Helena, Ark., July 26, 1864.

SIR: In order to ascertain the force and design of the enemy, yester day at 4 p. m. I sent out a reconnoitering party of 280 of the Fifty sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, eighty of the Sixtieth, and one section o Lembke's colored battery, all under the command of Col. W. S. Brooks of the Fifty-sixth, with orders to cross Big Creek at Wallace's Ferry and co-operate with Major Carmichael, of the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry who left at the same time with 150 men of his regiment, dropping down in a steamer below Old Town, and marching to Simms' Ferry, o Big Creek, to pass through Trenton, and co-operate with Colonel Brooks All moved as was designed. The infantry and artillery crossed Big Creel at 5 this a. m. and learned that Colonel Dobbin was near there in fore with three regiments estimated at 1,500 men. Brooks recrossed, Dobbin crossing lower down before him and attacking him in front and on hi right flank with vigor. The assault was bravely resisted for three and a half hours against this great odds, when Major Carmichael, who heard the cannonading, recrossed Big Creek to this side and made a force march, arriving at the critical moment, when Dobbin had marshaled his reserve and was about to make a final charge on our exhausted forces. Colonel Brooks, Captain Lembke, Adjutant Pratt, and Surgeo Stoddard had been killed, and Lieutenant Crane severely wounded Carmichael charged right through Dobbin and at once changed th fortune of the day, our forces immediately assuming the offensive an marched homeward, the enemy giving way before them, but following up within nine miles of this place. The whole force returned in hig spirits, having successfully combated more than three times their num ber, and leaving only about 50 killed and wounded, with a very sligh loss of baggage, and one caisson and one limber that were blown up owing to their horses having been killed. The colored troops fough like veterans, none flinched. Major Carmichael by his decision an energetic efforts saved the day. All the troops deserve praise. Majo Carmichael captured 4 prisoners, from whom I learn that but for thi reconnaissance Dobbin would have attacked the plantations below thi place at daybreak to-morrow, and that Shelby is in force on the Spring Creek road, and it was expected that Dobbin would draw me out wit a large part of my command, when Shelby would attack the batterie from the hills. I will soon make you more detailed reports of the exac losses. All the officers estimate the enemy's loss at about 150 kille and wounded. The artillery was nobly served by its brave commander who has given his life to his country. In the loss of Colonel Brook

the army and the country will mourn a brave and gallant officer. The other officers who were killed died at the post of duty, leaving behind them spotless reputations. I again earnestly call General Steele's attention to the smallness of my cavalry and artillery force. But for this reconnaissance I should have had my hands full to-morrow. may it bring forth ?

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

What

N. B. BUFORD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,
Helena, Ark., July 26, 1864.

DEAR SIR: Soon after my dispatch of this date left, I learned by my returning forces that my troops, instead of disaster, made a glorious fight. The colored infantry, 360, and one section of colored artillery, all under the command of Col. W. S. Brooks, Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, crossed Big Creek at 5 a. m., and learning the enemy were in force recrossed, and were attacked by Colonel Dobbin with three mounted regiments on the front and right. The assault was bravely resisted for three hours and a half, when Major Carmichael, commanding 150 men of the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, who had crossed Big Creek at a point seven miles below the infantry; hearing the artillery, made a forced march, recrossed the creek, and came in to the relief of the infantry, just as they were being overpowered. Dobbin had a full regiment of his reserves brought forward to make a final charge on our exhausted forces, Colonel Brooks, Captain Lembke, of the artillery, Adjutant Pratt, and Lieutenant Crane having fallen, the first three killed and the latter severely wounded, and having lost about eighty killed and wounded, when Major Carmichael charged through his lines and turned the fortune of the day. Our forces returned here in good order, bringing off the killed officers and all the wounded, with very light loss of baggage. Surgeon Stoddard, of the Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, was killed in the act of examining the mortal wound of his brave colonel. The officers report the enemy suffered the loss of at least 150 killed and wounded. All the command have returned in fine spirits, only mourning the gallant dead. Major Carmichael captured four prisoners, from whom I learn that it was the design of Dobbin to have overrun the leased plantations to-morrow at dawn and draw me out, and that Shelby's force are marching on me by the Spring Creek mad. If this is true, except for this reconnaissance I would have had my hands full to-morrow morning. All the country are in arms. you send me re-enforcements I shall march out and try to clear the country of the enemy. The colored troops, 280 of the Fifty-sixth, eighty of the Sixtieth, and Lembke's battery, have won great credit.

I am, your friend and obedient servant,

Maj. Gen. C. C. WASHBURN,

N. B. BUFORD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Commanding District of West Tennessee.

2 R R-VOL XLI, PT I

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ADDENDA.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DIST. OF EASTERN ARKANSAS, No. 47. Helena, Ark., July 31, 1864. This command is in mourning for four of its most meritorious an gallant officers. On the morning of the 26th instant Col. W. Brooks, in command of detachments of the Fifty-sixth and the Sixtiet U. S. Colored Infantry, and one section of Lembke's battery, numbe ing, all told, 368 men and officers, were attacked by overwhelmin forces, at least three to one, at Big Creek. Surrounded and presse on three sides, the whole command unflinchingly held their ground f three hours, doing so much damage to the enemy that he was succes fully kept at bay. Col. W. S. Brooks early in the engagemen mounted, marshaling and encouraging his men, at the post of du and honor, fell mortally wounded. His honorable career is thus ear closed. He entered the service as a private in the First Iowa Infantr He was promoted to a lieutenant of the Nineteenth Iowa. He disti guished himself at the battle of Wilson's Creek, and again at the ba tle of Prairie Grove, where he was wounded. He was appointed lie tenant-colonel of his regiment, now the Fifty-sixth U. S. Colore Infantry, and promoted to be its colonel, in which office he display all the qualities of an excellent officer, the regiment exhibiting dai improvement in knowledge and discipline under his command. H was enterprising and sought active duty and distinction. And ho shall we mourn the gallant Capt. James F. Lembke? He was a yout ful foreigner, but he became a true American citizen. He enlisted a private at the breaking out of the rebellion in Taylor's (Chicago) ba tery. He fought at Belmont, Donelson, Shiloh, Chickasaw Bayo Arkansas Post, and Vicksburg. He was so brave and intelligent th he was made captain of Battery E, Second U. S. Colored Artille (light), and came here with orders to enlist and organize his batter We have witnessed his success and faithfulness. Early in the acti of the 26th instant, at the post of duty, he fell mortally wounde The Swedes in America have given us no better soldier. They ar we shall cherish his fame. Adjt. Theodore W. Pratt, of the Sixtie U. S. Colored Infantry, eagerly volunteered to go with his small o tachment as aide-de-camp to Colonel Brooks. He was a useful a faithful officer. He sought active service and distinction, and prov his gallantry and devotion. He fell mortally wounded, on the 26 instant, at the post of duty. Surg. J. C. Stoddard has been know to us as the skillful and faithful surgeon of the Fifty-sixth U. S. C ored Infantry from its organization. His attention to his duties w unsurpassed by any of the officers of his department. He was kill while in the act of examining the wounds of his brave commander.

While this action has filled us with mourning for the four galla officers who yielded up their lives, we mourn also for nineteen killed our brave troops, and sympathize with Lieut. A. B. Crane, of Compar D, of the Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, who was severely wounde But we rejoice in the glory acquired on this well disputed field by o colored troops. Will they fight? Ask the enemy.

This little band was rescued by Major Carmichael, who was sent o on a parallel line to co-operate, and who instantly flew to the relief of t detachment, as soon as he heard the sounds of battle, seven miles distan and with his small force of 140 men of the Fifteenth Illinois Caval broke the enemy's line and enabled our forces to assume the offensi and return safely to Helena, though having to cut their way throug

the enemy, who repeatedly obstructed their path with superior numbers. We have paid the last honors to the dead. Their memories will never perish.

By order of Brig. Gen. N. B. Buford:

T. C. MEATYARD, Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 7.

Report of Lieut. Col. Moses Reed, Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops..

HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-SIXTH U. S. COLORED INFANTRY,

Helena, Ark., July 27, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to communicate to you the following report of an engagement at Wallace's Ferry, on Big Creek, twenty-two miles south of west of Helena, Ark., on the 26th day of July, 1864, between a Federal force consisting of 315 infantry, two pieces of artillery, and 130 cavalry, all under the command of Col. W. S. Brooks, Fiftysixth U. S. Colored Infantry, and a Confederate force under the command of General Dobbin, numbering at least 1,500 cavalry and mounted infantry:

We arrived within three-quarters of a mile of Big Creek at 3 a. m. of the 26th instant. Made a reconnaissance across the creek at daylight, but failing to find an enemy there, and gathering from citizens and negroes the information that the enemy had left the day before in the direction of Cotton Plant, we recrossed the creek, threw out pickets, and in an hour were unexpectedly attacked by an enemy largely our superior in numbers, who advanced upon us from three sides at the same time. We formed our lines and held our position for about four hours under a severe and continuous fire from the enemy, their lines being in some places not more than fifty yards from our own. The fight was severe until about 10 o'clock, when a detachment of the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, under Major Carmichael, came to our assistance, cutting their way directly through the enemy's lines to reach us. On their arrival the enemy gave way on our right, and, after consultation with Major Carmichael, who represented that Shelby's command was in our rear with from 4,000 to 6,000 men, that could be concentrated in an hour or two, and brought to bear upon us, I determined to retreat, which was effected by officers and men of the command in a gallant and successful manner. The enemy continually pressed us on all sides, we marching in line of battle, keeping up a constant running fight to within eleven miles of Helena, where we found them in force on our front while they were also pressing us heavily from the rear. We immediately engaged them in front, driving them handsomely for two miles, when they withdrew and did not again molest us. The enemy here lost 7 killed.

I regret to state that a few minutes after the fight opened, Capt. J. F. Lembke, Second U. S. Colored Artillery (light), was killed, and Col. W. S. Brooks, Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, and Adjutant Pratt, of the Sixtieth U. S. Colored Infantry, both fell mortally wounded and expired on the field. Soon after, Surg. J. C. Stoddard, Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, while examining the wound of Colonel Brooks, was instantly killed, and First Lieut. A. B. Crane, Fifty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, commanding Company D, fell severely wounded. These

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