with heavy guns. The scout, under Captain Gunter, First Cherok Regiment, reported the enemy crossing boxes, barrels, &c., over t Arkansas River, and troops mounted and drawn up on that side. Gu ter concluded from what he saw that enemy was evacuating. Gene Cooper says he is "not satisfied they are evacuating." I think n The best way to aid in forcing it is to prevent boats running fr Little Rock. In the meantime if the river should ever fall I have given necessa instructions to cut lines of communication north. This movement General Cooper was made to cover a new disposition of the lines p viously ordered. General C. reports the enemy badly alarmed by movements. Cloud is reported back from Clarksville. If this be the river is clear from Fort Smith to Little Rock. General Cooper sa General Watie reports that Major Pickler was killed at Fayetteville few days ago; no particulars. He says he hopes to give somethi more definite by to-morrow of movements about Fort Smith. Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. W. R. BOGGS, S. B. MAXEY, Chief of Staff, Trans-Mississippi Dept., Shreveport. UNOFFICIAL. GENERAL: If you have any mercy on a friend away from newspap and telegraphs send me some news whenever you get it. I am ve uneasy about Hood. The enemy having got south of Chattahooch Forrest is no longer necessary on Mobile and Ohio Railroad. His tr move is to Stevenson, Ala., from which point he can destroy the tunn twenty-three miles distant, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroa and the bridge at Bridgeport, besides numerous bridges on Crow Cre and another between Stevenson and Bridgeport. The tunnel can most effectually destroyed in twenty-four hours. I thoroughly exa ined it once with a view to its destruction when necessary. I have fear of Lee, and am satisfied he can and ought to re-enforce Hood. Yours, truly, General BOGGS. ADDENDA. MAXEY. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DISTRICT INDIAN TERRITORY, I. In announcing the brilliant victory won by the force composed detachments from Gano's and Walker's brigades and Wells' battali on the 27th instant, while under the command of Brig. Gen. R. M. Ga near Fort Smith, the major-general commanding returns his thanks every officer and man engaged. In brilliancy and dash and complet ness of success it has not been surpassed in this year of brilliant v tories. II. This order will be published to every regiment and battalion a at every post in this district. S. B. MAXEY, Major-General, Commanding. No. 15. Report of Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, C. S. Army. HDQRS. C. S. FORCES, DIST. OF INDIAN TERRITORY, CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of recent operations by the troops under my command in the vicinity of Fort Smith: My scouts having reported to me at James' Creek, near old Choctaw Council House, a body of Federal cavalry (supposed to be Arkansans) encamped near Caldwell's, and other detachments on Massard Prairie, five miles from Fort Smith, on the 26th of July General Gano was directed to have a detachment of 500 men from his brigade ready by 3 p. m. for a scout. Detachments from Second Indian Brigade, under Col. S. N. Folsom, and from Wells' battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wells, were also ordered to be in readiness. Lieut. Col. Jack McCurtain was directed to take post with his Choctaw battalion by sunrise next morning on the Devil's Backbone. Capt. J. Henry Minhart was instructed to report to the senior officer present with the detachments as a guide to conduct the expedition; the whole, except McCurtain's battalion, to rendezvous on Poteau, near Page's Ferry, by dark. The plan, as shown by Special Orders, No. 86 (marked A),* was for Col. S. N. Folsom, commanding detachment from Indian division, to attack the camp of Federals at Caldwell's, on the Jenny Lind road, capture or destroy it if possible, and if pursued by other troops on Massard Prairie or from Fort Smith to retreat by the Fort Towson road over the Devil's Backbone, where McCurtain lay in ambush; the detachment from Gano's brigade to remain concealed near Page's, on Cedar Prairie, until the Federals should pass in pursuit of Folsom, and then attack them in rear, while Folsom and McCurtain should turn upon them at the Backbone. On the arrival of the different detachments at the Poteau General Gano, finding the force from the Indian division much smaller than I had anticipated, and very properly, under the change of circumstances, in accordance with the latter clause of Special Orders, No. 86, determined to go in command of the attacking party, trusting to the assistance of Colonel McCurtain at the Backbone should he be followed by a superior force. The expedition resulted on the morning of the 27th in the complete rout of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry and dispersion of the Arkansas Federals. Enemy's loss supposed to have been about 50 in killed and wounded and 124 prisoners, the destruction of their camp and transportation, the capture of large numbers of small-arms-rifles, revolving pistols, and clothing, &c., in profusion. The enemy came out from Fort Smith and pursued for a short distance. A few followed to the Backbone, but again retired without molesting our forces, who encamped two miles south of the Backbone at James' Fork for the night. The lack of the party in ambush near Page's nabled them to return in safety to Fort Smith. * Not found. This was a brilliant and dashing affair not unworthy of General Gan reputation as one of Morgan's best officers. Considering the proximi of the enemy in large force, the officers and men engaged merit t thanks and applause of the country which has been accorded to the All are reported to me as having behaved well. John B. Turner, acting aide-de-camp on my staff, accompanied t expedition and behaved with his usual gallantry. Col. S. N. Folso commanding Choctaw Brigade, and Lieut. Col. J. W. Wells, comman ing battalion Texas cavalry, to whom Major Mefford and a large nu ber of Federal prisoners surrendered, were conspicuous on this occas for their bravery. For further particulars of this affair see Gene Gano's report, marked B.* I desire in closing this part of my report to pay a passing tribute the memory of the Rev. Tiok-homma (or Red Pine, a Choctaw, kno among the whites as William Cass), who fell mortally wounded wh leading the advance. This brave warrior and Christian had on ev occasion displayed the highest order of courage. He served as chapl in my old regiment, and continued in the same position through ev trial, and was also distinguished as a warrior in every battle in wh his regiment was engaged until he received his death wound. On the 28th Brigadier-General Watie was directed to send picked men, under dashing officers, across the Arkansas River for purpose of breaking up and burning a camp of Federals engaged cutting hay and pasturing stock on Blackburn's Prairie. It was de mined, also, to make demonstration on Fort Smith, thereby creatin diversion in favor of Watie's scouts; ascertain at the same time, if sible, the strength of the enemy, and to cover the removal of South families from Sebastian County along the line. On the 29th Lieutenant-Colonel McCurtain was directed to hold battalion in readiness at Double Springs to march with General G and co-operate with his brigade on the day following. Brigadier-G eral Watie, with the effective men of his brigade present, was orde to move up to Scullyville Prairie, and the Choctaw Brigade, under S. N. Folsom, Wells' battalion, and a section of Howell's battery to same place. General Watie having reported the river too full to cre the detachments under Colonel Bell and Colonel Adair were ordered join General Watie at Scullyville. Major Burnet, with his battalio sharpshooters, the most of the artillery, and the train were orde *Not found. back toward Riddle's. The whole, except Major Burnet's command, encamped on Scullyville Prairie night of 30th, while General Gano and MeCurtain bivouacked at James' Fork, near Wall's Mill. At sunrise on the 31st the line of march was taken up by both columns, that under my immediate command preceded by Wells' battalion. The Creeks, under Major Barnett, were detached at Scullyville, accompanied by Captain Marston, acting assistant adjutant-general on my staff, and proceeded by the river road to Poteau Bottom, opposite (west) Fort Smith. The remainder of the command formed a junction at Wat. Folsom's, on Towson road, near Cedar Prairie. General Gano, in accordance with previous arrangements, was here detached with McCurtain's battalion of Choctaws, and both proceeded to Massard Prairie by the road leading from McCarty's place, seven miles south of Fort Smith. General Watie's command, Colonel Folsom's command, Wells' battalion, and Howell's section advanced under my personal direction on the main Fort Smith road. General Watie was sent forward with guides to drive in the enemy's pickets on the main road leading directly to one of the principal works in front of Fort Smith, at Negro Hill, and also on the Line road to the garrison, while the section of Howell's battery, commanded by Captain Howell, and a section of Lee's light howitzer battery, commanded by Capt. John T. Humphreys, supported by the Choctaw Brigade, First Creek Regiment, and Wells' battalion, were posted at the south end of the lane leading from Harman Mickles' to the old church and grave-yard on the hill overlooking the open field on the north toward Fort Smith. General Watie executed the order given him with his accustomed gallantry and promptness, sending Colonel Bell, with First Cherokee Regiment, on the main road and Colonel Adair on the road to the left known as the Line road, both detachments charging with the gallant impetuosity for which they and their men are noted. He not only routed the Federal pickets, but ran them up to the line of their intrenchments near Fort Smith, and returning the men sat down to the plentiful dinner just prepared for the Federals at their camp. The enemy having rallied soon began to show themselves on the road, and some sharp skirmishing ensued. The First Creek Regiment was ordered forward to support Colonel Bell, which they obeyed with an alacrity and enthusiasm highly creditable to both officers and men. I would state here that the Second Creek and Seminole Regiments exhibited the same spirit, also expressing a willingness to storm the town from the west side if it was my desire. Wells' battalion was ordered to the Line road, where it rendered important service, though not under tre, in guarding that road after General Watie and Colonel Adair had crossed over on the main road to a position near the forks of the road at Mill Creek, near the Gum Springs. Soon after General Watie reported the enemy advancing in force, having driven in the Cherokee pickets, but was feeling his way very cautiously. Leaving the reserve (Howell's section and First and Second Choctaw) at Mickles', under Colonel Folsom, Captain Humphreys was ordered forward to General Watie's position and General Gano to cross over from Massard Prairie and join me on the main road to Fort Smith. Having arrived at the camp lately occupied by the enemy I found Brigadier-General Watie with his command in position on the hill south the spring. General Gano soon arrived, and Captain Humphreys, th his light battery, was advanced and opened on the enemy, then 3 RR-VOL XLI, PT I some 600 or 800 yards in front. A portion of Gano's brigade was thrown out as flankers, ordered to move forward, supported by the Cher okees, who had been previously dismounted. The enemy were driver back and took a position upon a high ridge under cover of the guns at Negro Hill. Captain Humphreys, with his light battery, followed then and kept up a galling fire, which I could plainly see told with consid erable effect among the cavalry on the road. The enemy soon brought up a four-gun battery (Rabb's; I suppose) and commenced a furious cannonade upon our light howitzers, the shot and shell passing harmlessly over our heads for some time. Captai Humphreys, being so unequally matched, was ordered to withdraw, and in the act of doing so a shell exploded directly amid the battery horses killing 3, wounding 1, cutting off the leg of one of the men. Anothe shot swept off the head from the shoulders of one of Gano's men. M escort, under Lieutenant Johnson, succeeded, under a very heavy fire in cutting the dead horses loose from the gun and leading it off wit one horse, assisted by the men pushing the carriage along, withou further loss. It was now nearly dark. The enemy's infantry quite near. The under growth being thick, their numbers and strength could not be ascer tained. Numerous roads by which we could be flanked and the infantr operate to advantage upon my cavalry gave them great advantag Orders were therefore given to withdraw to Mickles', where the reserv was still posted in anticipation of the possibility of the enemy followin in force. General Gano with his brigade constituted the rear guar and were directed to burn the commissary stores and camp of th enemy on retiring, which was done about dark. The amount of store destroyed, after our troops had helped themselves to what they coul bring off, is estimated in our currency at $130,000. A portion of the Cherokee troops (dismounted) had advanced in th brush some distance on the left and could not be readily found. Maj Howland was directed to find and bring them out. It seems the retired in good order and safely on the approach of night without orde having reached them. All retired in good order and without the lea haste quietly to the reserve, and then the whole moved off to Ceda Prairie, about two miles south, and encamped for the night. The enemy, so far from following, appeared not even to have know as ascertained from deserters, that we had retired, but retreated to the intrenchments and remained there under arms all night. Deserte also report that the fire from the light battery was very effective. Colonel Judson, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, was wounded in one leg the explosion of a shell; also several others, and two ambulance-loa of their dead were carried from the field, supposed to contain 8 or bodies. Our loss, 1 killed (James Dement, Hardeman's regiment Texas ca alry), 5 wounded, one mortally (Wammack, a Cherokee, of the battery I would return thanks in this connection to Assistant Surgeon Fis of the battery, and his party for the promptness with which th brought up the ambulance for the wounded within short range of t enemy's battery. While General Gano occupied an elevated position near Massa Prairie Lieutenant-Colonel McCurtain and his Choctaw battalion scour the prairie for the purpose of attracting attention, and, if possible, dra out the enemy. In this we failed, but McCurtain captured 3 regul Federal soldiers and 8 Arkansans. He also brought off some hors |