J. F. Ritter. Marching via Pine Bluff, Ark., the command was augmented to about 1,000 men by forces from that place, and proceeded to the vicinity of Monticello, whence, learning that the enemy had abanloned that place, it proceeded to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, the limit of the reconnaissance, where a large force of the enemy had crossed over, going south, two days before. The command returned by the way of Pine Bluff to Little Rock, where it arrived on October 11, having traveled about 200 miles. No casualties resulting from engagements with the enemy occurred during the expedition. October 19.-Maj. G. S. Avery, Third Missouri Cavalry, in charge of about 360 men from this brigade and about 100 men from the Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Division, made a reconnaissance to Princeton, Ark. On the return, and when within twenty miles of Little Rock, the command was attacked by 500 of the enemy in ambush. After a sharp engagement the enemy were routed, leaving 27 dead on the field and carrying off a number wounded. Our casualties were as follows: Second Brigade, killed, 1 wounded mortally, and 9 slightly and severely, including 1 commissioned officer; Fourth Brigade, 1 killed, 1 wounded. The scout returned on the fifth day. October 26.-Captain Tilford, Third U. S. Cavalry, with about 375 men of this brigade, was ordered on a scout; traveled about sixty miles and returned on the second day. During the month this brigade has furnished a number of escorts for trains and military telegraph, and numerous other details for special service, &c. No. 4. Report of Maj. Frederick Behlendorff, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. PINE BLUFF, ARK., October 9, 1864. COLONEL: In obedience to orders received from you to keep a journal during the scouting expedition which left Pine Bluff on the morning of the 7th day of October, under command of Col. J. F. Ritter, I hereby have the honor to submit to you the following report: The troops selected for the purpose consisted of detachments from the First and Second Brigades of the Cavalry Division and were parts of the following regiments: Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, First Indiana Cavalry, Fifth Kansas Cavalry, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, First and Third Missouri Cavalry, Third Regular Cavalry, Third and Fourth Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers, U. S. Army. The command moved out of Pine Bluff on the morning of the 7th of October, toward sunrise, on the so-called lower Monticello road, Colonel Ritter's brigade in advance. This road is emphatically a bottom road for twelve miles, and winds through heavy timber throughout, except where corn-fields and here and there an old cotton-field relieve the monotony of the woods. For the first three miles from the town of Pine Bluff a shallow bayou skirts the road on the left. For the next nine miles the bayou runs on the right side of the road affording water at all seasons. Six miles from town Mr. Clay has some corn in the field on the left side of the road, a good deal of it gathered. Seven and three-quarters miles from town Mr. Currie has a big corn-field. He gathered most of his corn already; estimates it at from 800 to 1,000 bushels. Half of it belongs to the negroes who work on the place. Ten miles from town Mr. McCahey has some corn in field on the left; could not estimate it; not much. Ten and a half miles from town Mrs. Atkins has some corn. Twelv miles from town Widow Busby's place is on the left of the road: pretends to have planted but ten acres of corn. The bayou crosses here the road to the left. Broken bridge across bayou there; ford summer and fall easy. There is a good camping-ground at and nea: Mrs. Busby's place. Two miles and a half down the bayou and about one mile to the left of the lower Monticello road J. B. Rodgers has a farm and some corn; not much; could give no estimate. Beyond the bayou and bridge the ground rises and the road leaves the botto grounds. Here begins a tract of rolling country, with open oak woods on both sides of the road. Soil sandy. Settlements few and far between Fourteen miles from town low, swampy place, difficult of crossing during rainy weather. Right below a creek crosses the road with sufficien water during dry season. Fifteen miles from town good grazing ground is found for more than a mile on both sides of the road. Seventeen miles from town a swampy creek bottom breaks the road with thies underbrush on both sides of the road; very favorable spot for an ambush. Open oak woods with good grazing ground are found beyond this. Nineteen miles from town, old field and orchard, with tolerable good spring on the right-hand side of road and good grazing ground. One-half of a mile beyond a swampy depression of the ground occurs: creek crosses the road, with heavy brush and timbers on both sides. Open oak woods and good grazing beyond. Twenty-one miles from town poor wood farm on left of road. A big old field on the right: good place to camp. Opposite the field road leads off to the left and south. Twenty-two miles from town farm of Mrs. Wilson, with some corn in field on the right. Adjoining this is Mr. Lesel's farm, fifteen acres of corn, situate on northern edge of Drew County, boundary line of Jefferson County above farm. Twenty-three miles and a half from town large corn-field on left, farm-house of Mr. Reynolds on right. Road leading off to the left on south side of corn-field. Open woods beyond. Twenty-five miles and a half from town small wood farm: twenty acres of corn on left. One mile below, road leading off to the right on top of hill; old field below. Calvin Jones, twenty-seven miles from town; corn-field on top of hill on right-hand side of road; twentyone miles and a half to Monticello from this place. Approaching Branchville, a poor deserted place, a good road traverses the Monticello road diagonally; one family only residing there; also one good grist-mill at Branchville worked by horse power. Right below Branchville, road to Cornersville leads to the right; distance to Cornersville five miles. Three miles beyond Branchville and about thirty-one miles below Pine Bluff the county road crosses the Monticello road at right angles; Cornersville four miles to the right; heavy timbers, with plenty of brush all over. Thirty-two miles below Pine Bluff Mr. Oldham's farm; road to Warren branches off from the Monticello road to the right and south. Very little corn left at this place. Wells shallow and easily dried up. Water for stock to right and left of the farm-house in hollows and ravines in the woods, scarce at that. Sixteen miles dis tance to Monticello. The command went into camp at Mr. Oldham's place, where we learned that the rebel troops had all left Monticello, bound for Camden and finally the Red River country. Col· Saturday, October 8, 1864, reveille at 3 a. m.; general at 4 a. m.; boots and saddles 4.30 a. m.; to horse 5.30 a. m.; forward 6 a. m., onel Erskine's brigade leading. The command moved forward toward ount Elba on the county road, passed Cornersville at 8 a. m. Lane's igade of rebel cavalry reported to have passed over this road on uesday, October 4. Road cut by wagons and traveled much. Onealf mile west of Cornersville ten acres of corn in field on the right of e road. Three miles west of Cornersville a bayou crosses the road. ridge across bayou partly destroyed; may be repaired, if necessary, less than two hours. Very bad bottom beyond the bayou, road most impassable; thick brush and heavy timber on both sides; freent signs of recent encampments; road reported as the base line of bel chain. Guard of pickets from Mount Elba to Branchville. Onealf mile west of bayou the ground rises again. One mile below bayou, ad comes in from the right just before you come to Robert Harper's rm. No corn there but fine situation for a camp on left of road in d field (high ground). At Robert Harper's place the Warren and ine Bluff road crosses the Cornersville and Mount Elba road. Disnce from Robert Harper's to Warren, fifteen miles. One mile west Robert Harper's place a small creek crosses the road. About one mile eyond comes Jim Harper's place, nine miles to Mount Elba. Forty eres of corn at Jim Harper's. At this place a rebel outpost of eight ten men is discovered by some of Lieutenant Grove's men. The dvance gives chase, but the road gets worse again; perfect swampy ottom; quick pursuit impossible. One-half mile west of Jim Harper's ohn M. Hamilton's farm, with fifteen acres of corn and good water ear, affords a fine camping-ground. Extensive pasture on the left of he road right behind Hamilton's farm-house. Road coming in from he right just below Hamilton's. Widow McKinley, seven miles to Iount Elba. Three hundred of Harrison's brigade of rebel cavalry eported to have passed this place on Thursday, October 6. One hunred bushels of corn on Davis' farm, one-fourth of a mile below McKiney's. One mile below, Davis' Creek, with plenty of good water, crosses he road, with deeply cut-in banks; bad crossing; swampy bottom on oth sides of creek; heavy timber and thick underbrush on both sides f road. Widow Wudlow's, four miles to Mount Elba. Right below, Iain's farm, with good water and some corn; also cattle. Small creek passes the road one-half mile below Main's farm. At Mr. Main's farm road leads off to the right and north, intersecting the Warren and Pine Bluff road. One mile and one-fourth below Main's a county road rosses the Mount Elba road at right angles, leading south to the ford of the Saline River, two miles below Mount Elba, and leading northvard into the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road. Mr. Vint's farm, two niles to Mount Elba. The road to Pine Bluff leads off to the right and orth opposite the gate of Mr. Vint's house. Mr. Vint reports that since Monday, October 3, 2,000 mounted troops, all in all, passed by to Mount Elba. The last of them, on Thursday, October 6, were 300 of Harrison's men (rebel cavalry). Rebel vedettes encountered by the advance just below Mr. Vint's; chase to the Saline by the advance. One-fourth of a mile below Mr. Vint's large old field on the right of road splendid camping-ground and good grazing. One-half mile below Vint's farm road from Pine Bluff intersects the Cornersville and Mount Elba road. Short skirmish between our advance, under command of Captain Bechand, of the Thirteenth Illinois, and some fifty or sixty rebels, supposed to be the rear guard of the rebel cavalry. Captain Bechand drove them across the Saline River in gallant style. Mount Elba consists of one old farm-house and a few dilapidated negro huts. The command returns to Pine Bluff at 2.15 p. m., on the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road. Heavy timber and impassable thickets lining both sides of road and shutting out the sun almost. Regular bush whacker's country. Ground rising; soil poor and sandy. Five miles north of Mount Elba country church painted white on left of road; fou miles across to Chowning's Ferry, on Saline River; favorite haunt of bushwhackers. The command goes into camp toward sunset at deserted farm on right of road, six miles from Mount Elba. Sunday, October 9, 1864, reveille at 3 a. m.; general 4.30 a. m.: boos and saddles 5 a. m.; forward 6 a. m. We pass bridge over Big Creci at 6.30 a. m.; bad and dangerous bottom; dense brush and tangled woods line both side of the road. A perfect paradise for an ambu cade; bridge may be held by a few men against a crowd; no way t cross except by bridge and a narrow bridle-path with ford across creek. One-fourth of a mile northeast of Big Creek bridge, a big old fiel extends on both sides of the road, affording room to camp for a smal army; also, fine positions for artillery. First white frost of the season on morning of October 9. Right be yond old field a road turns off to the right; 300 yards farther north another road crosses the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road from south west to northeast. Big field of Brewer's farm, nineteen miles to Pin Bluff, forming a square cut-out of dense woods; affords fine and ample camping-ground and a fine position, with some water in the hollow in dentation in middle of field. A good field of corn, two miles above Brewer's; place of encounter with the advance of Lane's rebel brigad of cavalry and scouting expedition under Colonel Erskine on Sunday, October 11, 1864. This is the only place where corn might yet be found on the Pine Bluff and Mount Elba road. Tracks of rebel forage wagons all around and on cross-road. Frequent fresh marks of rebel camps and feed places. The Warren road joins the Mount Elba and Pine Bluff road twelve miles from town, intersecting from the right as you march north. Rumor on the road of a rebel courier bringing the news of Price's defeat in Missouri; Fagan killed by Marmaduke in a duel. The rebe force recently concentrated at Monticello is stated to have been assem bled there for the sole purpose of preventing troops in General Steele's department from following Price from Missouri. General report says that they all went back to Red River. Forage around Monticello and on the other side of the Saline River as far as the Washita. The troops under command of Colonel Ritter returned to Pine Bluff by 2 p, m October 9, 1864. Magnificent weather favored this expedition. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. A. ERSKINE, Commanding First Cavalry Brigade. No. 5. Report of Capt. Adolph Bechand, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. HDQRS. COMPANY B, THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY, Pine Bluff, Ark., October 27, 1864. I have the honor to report that I left this post on the evening of the 24th in command of twenty-six men and proceeded toward Mount Elba. Camped that night fifteen miles from here, between the Warren and Der Monticello road. Left camp at daylight; marched within one e and a half of Mount Elba. From there I marched by way of the rnersville road within three miles and a half of Vance's Ferry. mped that night two miles north of Cornersville. Left camp at dayht; marched toward the upper Monticello road, which I struck about enty miles south of here. Marched within eleven miles of this post, ere I met the enemy, from twenty-five to thirty strong, marching vard Monticello. They broke upon getting sight of my command vard a creek bottom between the Warren and upper Monticello road, out one-half mile distant from the latter road. I charged them at ce and found them in line of battle in the creek bottom facing the ad they had come, but which I avoided, my guide, William Milton, owing another crossing. This movement brought me upon their rear d also confused them, so much so that after our first fire they broke thout firing a gun, abandoning mules and saddles, shotguns, muskets, d a great many blankets. On account of the many vines and thick derbrush in the creek bottom I was unable to make any prisoners. I is also unable to learn to what command they belonged. The followg information I obtained: Part of Parsons' brigade at Warren picketg up and down the Saline; lines are closed; citizens are not allowed pass. All these pickets are stationed on the south side of the Saline ith patrols and vedettes on the north side. As to their strength at ese different ferries I learned as follows: At Mount Elba, 150; at ance's Bluff, 50; and at Redden's Ferry, 150 men. I have also learned at a force, between 300 and 400 men, had crossed at Mount Elba on e 22d of this month to join Logan's command on the north side of the aline River and had marched up the Saline. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain Company B, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. Lieut. S. MONTE CAMBERN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 6. Report of Capt. Gurnsey W. Davis, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. PINE BLUFF, ARK., October 26, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the morning of October 25 took command of a detail of fifty men of the Thirteenth Illinois Cavry Volunteers as escort to telegraph repairer on the line of the Little Rock road. We proceeded quietly on our way, discovering no sign of n enemy until within one mile and a half of what is termed the Halfway House. Here our flankers on the left of the road discovered two mounted and armed men, whom they fired at and put to flight. After arefully examining the woods thereabouts, we proceeded half a mile arther on the road to a point where a road from the Arkansas River Here we found the wire down, and that a force of cavalry, supposed to be the enemy, had passed in the direction of the river; also that a smaller force, supposed to be a part of the same, had gone n the direction of Little Rock. We made a halt, and I drew my men up in line, which I had hardly accomplished, when our advance guard and flankers commenced firing on the enemy, whom they found in am rosses. |