Pratt's battery and my escort, constitute the whole force in this section of the country under my orders. The service rendered by Cabell's brigade, commanded by Colonel Monroe, which was a few days under my orders, are reported in Colonel Greene's report. On nearing the Mississippi River I found the country filled with inde pendent squads, deserters, skulkers fleeing from conscription, and speculators (detestable animals in any country); the people much demoralized, and largely engaged in contraband trade. By vigorous measures I have nearly rid the country of the lawless bands which infested it; have suppressed all improper trading with the enemy, and have established good order and feeling among the people. My troops have behaved well, and the best of good feeling exists between the citizens and soldiers. The navigation of the Mississippi River has been seriously obstructed, and both by land and water the enemy have received no little damage. My loss trifling. In the battle of Lake Chicot the officers and men behaved admirably, and deserve the highest praise. I desire specially to mention the gallant conduct of the following officers of my staff: Maj. C. C. Rainwater, chief of ordnance and artillery, who was seriously wounded; Capt. William M. Price, aide-de-camp; Capt. John C. Moore, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Mhoon, togopraphical engineer, who had their horses shot under them. These officers I specially assigned to work my artillery at various points, and rendered most valuable service. Captain Pratt and his excellent company deserve particular mention. My escort, under Lieut. John H. Lewis, did admirable fighting. For the details of the operations on the Mississippi River see Colonel Greene's reports. Colonel G[reene] deserves much praise for the energy and skill with which he has handled his brigade. My engineer company, under Captain Hogane, has been particularly useful and efficient. Very respectfully, Captain THOMAS, J. S. MARMADUKE, Major-General, Commanding. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Northern Sub-District of Arkansas. No. 2. Reports of Col. Colton Greene, Third Missouri Cavalry (Confederate), commanding brigade. HEADQUARTERS MARMADUKE'S BRIGADE, At Adair's, 10 miles above Gaines' Landing, May 26, 1864. MAJOR: I made my bivouac at sunset yesterday on the bank of the river and placed my guns in position. No boats made their appearance until 10 p. m., when three gun-boats passed up. At 10 o'clock I learned that a yawl could be got on Island No. 78, which determined me to shape my plans for boarding. Everything was arranged, but it was impossible to get the boat out before 9 o'clock this morning. A transport lay near the other bank, which was my object. It has since changed position, but I have strong hopes that I will find its whereabouts. Having this end in view I desisted from attacking passing boats to-day. Two large transports, convoyed by the largest iron-clad on the river, and another gun-boat went down to-day. Both of the transports were heavily loaded and had 40 or 50 troops on board. I am satisfied the enemy is ignorant of my whereabouts. I made a feint at Gaines' Landing and near Columbia, which caused the enemy to assemble two fleets at those places, and then I moved up Clay Bayou and struck the river above, crossing Boggy Bayou. Four gun-boats (one the iron-clad Carondelet) shelled the landing for five hours. They were similarly engaged near Columbia. I have intelligence of the damage done to the enemy on the 24th. The first gun-boat I attacked was so disabled as to require the help of a tow-boat. She got to Napoleon yesterday, pierced in six places and badly damaged by shell in her cabins. My second attack on the transports riddled them and caused them to be burned. In the fourth attack the marine-boat Diana was seriously hurt, and some damage done to the mosquito gun-boat. In the third attack the large new transport (name forgotten) was so much injured that she filled and careened over and was hauled to the east bank. In the fifth and last fight the gun-boat Romeo, No. 3, was as roughly handled as the first. She was struck fifteen times. Quite an alarm extended to the upper river, and the enemy has assembled a formidable fleet, among which are the monitors Carondelet and Benton. It will be impracticable to cross Cypress without a bridge, nor is it eligible. The lines of retreat about Gaines' Landing are not as good as below that point, the Mason being full and without bridges or boats. There is but one practicable speedy outlet. It is my opinion that the point of rendezvous should be at or near Lake Village, where I am informed corn can be obtained; at least there is more on the Mason than here, where there is hardly any. From that position I could operate down to Lakeport Landing and up to Gaines' Landing safely and rapidly. I would respectfully suggest that a party be sent at once to the vicinity named to ascertain what forage can be obtained. Pratt's battery has only three rounds of solid shot left to the gun. It is therefore impracticable for me to engage gun-boats. Shell without fuse can be used against transports. I have seen the New Orleans Times of the 21st, containing accounts from Southern sources. They are more rumor than reliable intelligence. I do not attach importance to them. They are to the effect that Lee had defeated Grant with immense slaughter and driven him across the Rapidan; that ten gun-boats were captured on the James River. The date is Mobile, May 15. There is no doubt that Butler was badily whipped near Fort Darling and lost all of his siege guns and many field pieces. Beauregard and Lee have been re-enforced. This I learn from papers of the 20th and 23d. The Chicago Tribune estimates Lee's loss at 35,000 and Grant's 40,000. Lee occupies a strong position in front of Spotsylvania Court-House and is intrenched. Some heavy skirmishing has taken place, Lee assuming the offensive. The latest Northern date from the field is of the 19th. Lieutenant Jenkins, of Wood's battalion, crossed the river last night. He says it was reported at Grenada that Johnston had defeated Sherman and captured 10,000 prisoners at Resaca. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. H. EWING, COLTON GREENE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Assistant Adjutant-General. P. S.-The main fleet passed down the river toward Lakeport Landing yesterday at 11 o'clock. My scouts extend from Napoleon to Sunnyside. There are 1,000 Federals on the island near Napoleon. No boats are running in the Arkansas. Maximilian and the Empress sailed for Vera Cruz on April 19. C. G. HEADQUARTERS MARMADUKE'S BRIGADE, In Camp, May 30, 1864-12.10 p. m. MAJOR: Your No. 257 is at hand. I have just gotten in from the river. I do not think it advisable to detach the two regiments named until the fleet with the troops shall have passed. My scouting and picketing are very heavy. In Burbridge's, Jeffers', and Kitchen's regiments to-day, at what seemed to be a critical moment, there were not present 275 men. This support is too light. It would, in my opinion, be indiscreet to engage the transports referred to above without a heavy support. The resistance we will make to them will perhaps force them to land troops-a thing practicable to them and quite dangerous to us. A glance at the map will satisfy you. I think I am informed of the purposes for which these regiments are to be used, and if it were not too forward would speak upon the subject. If I am right in my conjecture, the proper time for the expedition would be when the convoy goes up with the transports. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. H. EWING, Assistant Adjutant-General. COLTON GREENE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. HEADQUARTERS MARMADUKE'S BRIGADE, Smith's Plantation, 44 Miles above Sunnyside, May 30, 1864. MAJOR: In my last I reported that we attacked a transport yesterday afternoon. She was more disabled than I had supposed, and was towed off by a gun-boat. This morning at daylight I attacked a transport (Clara Eames), cut her escape-pipe, penetrated her boilers, putting in 17 shots in all. She surrendered and came to shore. Her cargo was cotton. All the light articles were removed from her everything of value. I then made arrangements to signal a coming boat with a view of capturing her. This craft proved to be a gun[-boat], which I engaged, and burned the transport. I send you 13 or 15 prisoners; an officer will report the exact number, &c. I am still engaging a gun-boat. Four others have just appeared in sight. I shall amuse them and then move rapidly to Columbia, 34 miles above. By this movement I will concentrate the enemy's fleet at this point, which is 18 miles by water to Columbia. I learn from the captain of the boat-a person whom I have long known and who is reliable-that Smith's division is at Vicksburg, where a large fleet of transports was assembled. It was not known when the troops would come up. I regret again to inform you that the artillery ammunition is nearly exhausted. There are only 12 rifle shell, 6 solid smooth-bore, and 30 shell for howitzers. Of course it is impossible for me to do anything unless I am supplied at once. Great credit is due to Captain Pratt for the skillful management of his battery. Very respectfully, &c., Maj. H. EWING, Assistant Adjutant-General. COLTON GREENE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. There were 3 killed and 1 wounded on the boat. AT SMITH'S PLANTATION, Four and a half miles above Sunnyside, May 30, 1864. MAJOR: I have made a reconnaissance below Lakeport Landing. The river is wide; no good position for artillery and no protection for horses. Sunnyside is not good. I am now at Smith's plantation, where there is plenty of corn. It is 3 miles below Columbia. Í can attack the enemy here and at the last-named place successively. I engaged a transport an hour ago, doing some damage. Three marine-boats gave signs of battle and then backed out. They have gone to Columbia. I am watching them. I am informed by a person late from Vicksburg that a fleet of transports bearing troops had left that place for Cairo this morning. I look for it to-night. These troops go to be discharged, some to re-enlist. There is no doubt six transports with troops went up yesterday. They were of the same character as those expected. I send late papers. Very respectfully, [Maj. H. EWING, COLTON GREENE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Assistant Adjutant-General.] P. S.-Colonel Lawther is instructed concerning pickets, &c. I am well guarded. There is a line of couriers posted at Lake Village, Camp Worthington, near Sunnyside. I shall put one at Columbia if I go up to-night, or above. Very respectfully, COLTON GREENE. HEADQUARTERS MARMADUKE'S BRIGADE, MAJOR I beg respectfully to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade on the Mississippi River between the 23d ultimo and 2d instant: On the 23d ultimo I marched from Leatherman's, on Bayou Mason, with Greene's regiment, commanded by Captain Crabtree, and Pratt's battery, at sunset, and bivouacked at Campbell's, near Gaines' Landing. At daylight of the 24th, I put the battery in position immediately on the bank of the river and formed its support under cover of the levee 50 yards in rear. At sunrise I attacked a gun-boat, and after an engagement of thirtyfive minutes drove it off badly disabled. It was towed up to Napoleon seriously damaged. I then moved down the river rapidly and took position at Daniel Sessions' plantation and immediately attacked two transports coming up the river. They were disabled in a short time, turned back, got around a bend, were on fire, and were burned, as I am informed, a few hours afterward. Lawther's regiment coming down I detached one section and moved on with four pieces to Columbia. Lawther engaged a transport and gun-boat, which, passing down, came upon my battery. The transport was armed with one 18-pounder Parrott. I opened on her, ridaled her upper works, and penetrated her hull. She filled, careened over, and made for the other bank out of range disabled. I now marched with the full battery and Lawther's and Greene's regiments to Leland's, 14 miles below. This position was an exposed one. We went into battery and awaited the enemy's approach. He came down in line of battle, crescent shaped, with two marine-boats, one gun-boat, and a transport. I engaged the fleet, which held its position, maneuvering for near two hours, when it passed on. The gun-boat was disabled, the marine-boat Diana roughly handled, with many killed and wounded, and the transport penetrated in many places. Once more I limbered up and moved in a gallop back to Columbia; went into battery there, and at once engaged the gun-boat Romeo. She was quickly disposed of; struck seventeen times; greatly damaged; got out of the way, and has not since made its appearance before my batteries. Before leaving camp on Bayou Mason I sent Captain Jacobs, Company F, Fourth Regiment, with a detachment of 40 men, down the river to make a reconnaissance, and with orders to board a transport if opportunity offered. On the morning of the day of the operations herein reported he seized a yawl near Ford's Landing and successfully boarded and captured the steamer Lebanon, upon which he found large quantities of goods, stores, &c. He burned the boat. After the second engagement at Columbia I bivouacked at Sanders', on the river, and marched at 2 o'clock that night back to Gaines' Landing. There I found three gun-boats, which I avoided engaging for want of ammunition, but whose fire I drew by sharpshooters while I moved my column by a circuitous road and struck the river 10 miles above. This occupied the day of the 25th, upon which no transports appeared. On the 26th, I attacked a large transport in sight of a gun-boat. Struck her several times, but am not informed of the damage done her. On the same day I received an order from you to return to camp, which I reached at night. On the 27th, I marched with the brigade to Parker's, on Bayou_Mason. On the 28th, encamped on Old River Lake, near Ditch Bayou. On the 29th, I moved with Burbridge's, Jeffers', and Kitchen's regiments to Smith's plantation, 4 miles above Sunnyside, on the Mississippi, and immediately attacked a passing transport, which was struck many times, but got safely off. At daybreak on the 30th, I attacked the transport Clara Eames; cut her escape-pipe and penetrated her boiler. She made signs of distress; came ashore and surrendered. She was loaded with cotton. |