The enemy, on learning the loss of their train, evacuated Camden on the night of April 26, and at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 27th their rear guard crossed the Ouachita. The town was occupied by our advance about 9 a. m. of the same day. We found they had abandoned a large number of wagons, and thrown quantities of harness into the river, which were afterward saved. Walker's division of infantry having arrived, General Smith had on April 26 assumed command of the Army of Arkansas in person, and I was assigned to the immediate command of the Arkansas and Missouri divisions of infantry, commanded, respectively, by Brigadier-Generals Churchill and Parsons, and the operations of the army [were] afterward conducted by the general commanding. On the morning of April 28, a raft bridge having been laid during the night previous, the two divisions of infantry under my command crossed the Ouachita and moved rapidly in pursuit of the retreating enemy, whose route was plainly marked at every step by cast-off garments, and other property and plunder abandoned in their flight. We marched 16 miles and encamped on the ground occupied by the enemy the night before. At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 29th, my column was again in motion, and passing through Princeton bivouacked at night 11 miles beyond that town, making a distance of 28 miles marched that day. After a few hours' rest, at midnight the troops were again in line of march. The night very dark, with heavy rain, increased the toil of these weary and gallant soldiers. At daylight on April 30, we had come upon the enemy's rear, near Jenkins' Ferry, 22 miles from Princeton. Marmaduke's cavalry had already engaged them, when at 8 a. m. my command was moved forward into action. Churchill's division Arkansas infantry being in the advance was pushed rapidly to the support of Marmaduke's command, then skirmishing sharply with the enemy, Parsons' division Missouri infantry being held in reserve. The nature of the ground, swampy, with dense woods and undergrowth, rendered the movements of the troops very difficult, and the falling rain increased the discomfort of men already nearly exhausted by long marches and loss of rest. The line was formed, and under all obstacles moved with spirit and alacrity to the attack. The enemy re-enforced rapidly, and an incessant roar of musketry attested the stubbornness of the conflict. For two hours, under a most destructive fire, with varying success, this division maintained the unequal contest greatly outnumbered by the enemy. Parsons' division being brought to their support, the whole line advanced with great steadiness, pouring volley after volley with fatal precision into the ranks of the foe. A section of Lesueur's battery had been brought to the support of the infantry and placed, at the suggestion of General Marmaduke, in the open field (Cooper's) and near the edge of the creek. The boggy ground was almost impassable, and it was with great effort that the guns were put in position. After firing a few rounds, being disabled by the loss of several horses, they were withdrawn. A section of Ruffner's battery, which had been also ordered up, was delayed by this movement and the nature of the road, and mistaking the line of the enemy for our own troops, was pushed far in advance, and the horses and most of the cannoneers being killed, the two guns were lost. The ammunition of the infantry giving out, my whole line was retired to the foot of the hill in our rear. Walker's division now going into action my command was ordered up to its support, the entire force of the enemy being engaged. The contest now raged with great violence, when the enemy yielded the ground, leaving his dead and wounded; many wagons, his India-rubber pontoons (cut, and for the time rendered useless), and much spoil fell into our hands. The reports of Generals Churchill and Parsons, with those of brigade and other commanders, are inclosed herewith and referred to as giving full information in detail of the operations of their respective commands during the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, which ended the campaign. In closing this report I beg leave to acknowledge the prompt and effective support rendered me by Brigadier-General Maxey and his troops. Leaving the District of the Indian Territory, which he commanded, he joined me at a time when the necessity for re-enforcements seemed greatest, and until relieved from duty here after the evacuation of Camden by the Federal forces continued to perform most efficient service. I regret that the country was deprived, temporarily, of the services of Brigadier-General Gano (of Maxey's division) by a severe and painful wound received in a skirmish near Munn's Mill, at a period when that bold and experienced officer would have added fresh laurels to those already gained on many hard-fought fields. To the general officers of my own immediate command-Brig. Gens. J. F. Fagan, J. S. Marmaduke, W. L. Cabell, T. P. Dockery, J. O. Shelby, and Colonel Greene-I desire to return my acknowledgments for their prompt, efficient, and gallant services. To these and to the cavalry under them the country owes a debt of gratitude for their indomitable perseverance in harassing and annoying the enemy, impeding his movements, crippling and demoralizing his forces until final victory crowned their efforts, and the army of Steele, foiled in its purpose, turned from its line of march to Red River, was driven for temporary refuge to Camden. The infantry divisions under Brigadier-Generals Churchill and Parsons, having returned by forced marches with their laurels fresh from the fields of Louisiana, fully sustained their old reputation. To the gallant leaders of these forces and their brigade commanders-Brig. Gens. J. C. Tappan, A. T. Hawthorn, J. B. Clark, jr., and Cols. L. C. Gause and S. P. Burns-the South is indebted for results which attest fully the patient endurance and fortitude of their troops. My staff merit my highest commendation. Lieut. Col. J. F. Belton, assistant adjutant-general, was with me throughout the campaign, conspicuous for the intelligent discharge of his duties and his gallantry on the field. Maj. Thomas L. Snead, on this, as on other important occasions, rendered me very valuaable service by his cool, ripe judgment and experience and the efficient, prompt, and fearless manner in which he bore himself on the field. I regret that his services are lost to the army in the field, but only to be given to his country on another and perhaps as important an arena. Maj. G. A. Gallagher, Capt. J. W. Lewis, and S. H. Buck, assistant adjutant-generals; Lieut. Col. Clay Taylor, chief of ordnance and artillery; Capt. T. J. Mackey, chief engineer; Maj. Isaac Brinker, chief quartermaster; Maj. N. S. Hill, chief commissary of subsistence; Capt. A. Sigourney, chief paymaster; Surg. Thomas D. Wooten, medical director, and Surg. C. M. Taylor, medical inspector, are all deserving of high praise and entitled to my thanks. To my personal staff, consisting of Lieuts. R. T. Morrison and Celsus Price, assisted by Col. Washington L. Crawford, Capt. D. C. Cage, and Lieut. B. F. Scull, as volunteers, I am particularly indebted for the prompt and accurate manner my orders were transmitted to the various commands. Of these, Lieutenants Scull and Price, with my orderly (Private D. Kavenaugh), particularly distinguished themselves at Jenkins' Ferry by responding with alacrity to a call for volunteers to reconnoiter the enemy's position, riding coolly up to their ranks and receiving a heavy volley, which disclosed the Federal lines, but unfortunately took effect upon Lieutenant Scull, fracturing his leg, which was afterward amputated. Nor while enumerating the chivalric services of the living can the deeds of the heroic dead be forgotten. Their bright example will light others onward in the path to glory. The names of Grinsted, Cocke, Pettus, and Harris, who fell while gallantly leading their regiments, will be perpetuated with the memory of other heroes in the hearts of a grateful people. Respectfully submitted. Brig. Gen. W. R. BOGGS, STERLING PRICE, Major-General, Commanding. Chief of Staff, Trans-Mississippi Department. No. 49. Organization of the Confederate forces in Arkansas, General E. Kirby Smith commanding, April 20, 1864. 2d Arkansas (Slemons'), Capt. O. B. Tebbs. Crawford's Arkansas Regiment. Wright's Arkansas Regiment, Col. John C. Wright. Arkansas Battalion, Maj. James T. Poe. Arkansas Battalion, Maj. E. L. McMurtrey. *Assumed command of the Arkansas and Missouri divisions April 26, Brigade commanders: Brig. Gens. Thomas N. Waul, William R. Scurry, and Col. Horace Randal.* ARKANSAS DIVISION. Brig. Gen. THOMAS J. CHURCHILL. Tappan's Brigade. Brig. Gen. JAMES C. TAPPAN. 19th Arkansas (Dawson's), Lieut. Col. William R. Hardy. 24th Arkansas, 26th Arkansas, Lieut. Col. Iverson L. Brooks. * Composition of brigades not of record. 50 R R--VOL XXXIV, PT I MISSOURI DIVISION. Brig. Gen. MOSBY M. PARSONS. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. JOHN B. CLARK, Jr. 8th Missouri, Col. Charles S. Mitchell. ner. Second Brigade. Col. SIMON P. BURNS. 10th Missouri, Col. William M. Moore. 11th Missouri, Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Murray. 12th Missouri, Col. Willis M. Ponder. 16th Missouri, Lieut. Col. P. W. H. Cumming. 9th Missouri Battalion Sharpshooters, Maj. L. A. Pindall. Missouri Battery, Capt. A. A. Lesueur. No. 50. Returns of Casualties (incomplete). Return of Casualties in the Confederate forces in the engagement at Poison Spring, Ark., April 18, 1864. |