smoke, no one in the fleet saw a sign of the ram
on the night we passed, otherwise an attempt
would have been made to sink her by running
into her.
Lieut. Heisler, of the marine corps, died on his
way to Memphis. He was attached to this ship
and was going home on account of ill-health. I
have no more room and must now close, and re
main your affectionate son, ALBERT.
REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT BROWN.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DISTRICT, VICKSBPRGH, July 25, 1S62.
SIR : I am directed by the Brigadier-General
Commanding to hand you the accompanying com
munications from Capt. Brown, of the C. S. gun
boat Arkansas.
The first letter refers to the fight in Yazoo
River, before the ram entered the Mississippi,
where she encountered the whole Yankee fleet.
Whilst every thing connected with the recent
trip of the Arkansas from Yazoo City to this
place is interesting to all of us, it is also due to
Capt. Brown and his brave crew that this, not the
least brilliant of her noble exploits, should be
made public. Very respectfully, your obedient
servant, J. F. GIRAULT,
A. A. General.
STEAMER ARKANSAS, VICKSBCRGIT, July 15, 1862.
GENERAL : The Ben ton, or whatever iron-clad
that we disabled, was left with colors down, evi
dently aground to prevent sinking, about one
mile and a half above the mouth of the Yazoo,
(in Old River,) on the right-hand bank, or bank
across from Vicksburgh.
I wish it to be remembered that we whipped
this vessel, made it run out of the fight and haul
down colors, with two less guns than they had ;
and at the same time fought two rams, which
were firing at us with great guns and small arms
this, too, with our miscellaneous crew, who
had never, for the most part, been on board a
ship, or at big guns. I am, General, very re
spectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) J. N. BROWN,
Lieutenant Commanding,
To Brig.-Gen. M. L. SMITH,
Commanding Defences at Yicksburgh.
A true copy : J. F. GIRAULT,
A. A. General.
C. S. GCTXBOAT ARKANSAS, VICKSBURGH, July 23, 1S62.
SIR : I beg leave herewith to send a list of
names of the killed and wounded of the detach
ment who so nobly volunteered from the forces
of your command, on June last, to aid in mak
ing up a crew for this vessel, to wit :
Killed John Kane, private, Pinkney s bat
talion Louisiana volunteers ; Charles Madden,
private, Clinch s battalion Louisiana artillery ;
Henry Shields, company E, Antonio Florez, com
pany G, and Daniel O Sullivan, company A, of
the Twenty-eighth Louisiana volunteers. Total
killed five.
Wounded Wm. Alexander, private, Clinch s
battalion Louisiana artillery ; Thomas Lynch,
sergeant, Clinch s battalion Louisiana artillery ;
Bernard Martinez, private, Twenty-eighth Louisi
ana volunteers. Total wounded four. Total
killed and wounded nine.
I regret the loss of these men to the vessel and
to their country. They fought well.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) J. N. BROWN,
Commander C.S.N.
To Brig.-Gen. M. L. SMITIT,
Commanding at Vicksburgh.
A true copy : J. F. GIRAULT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL VAN DORN S DESPATCH.
VICKSBURGH, July 15.
The sloop-of-war Arkansas, under cover of our
batteries, ran gloriously through twelve or thir
teen of the enemy s rams, gunboats, and sloops-
of-war. Our loss was ten men killed and fifteen
wounded. Captain Brown, her commander and
hero, was slightly wounded in the head. The
smoke-stack of the Arkansas was riddled. Other
wise she is not materially damaged, and can soon
be repaired.
Two of the enemy s boats struck their colors,
and the boats ran ashore to keep from sinking.
Many were killed and wounded. This is a glori
ous achievement for the navy, her heroic com
manders, officers, and men.
One mortar-boat, disabled and aground, is now
burning up. All the enemy s transports and all
the vessels of war of the lower fleet, except a
sloop-of-war, have gotten up steam, and aro off to
escape from the Arkansas.
(Signed) EARL VAN DORN,
Major-Goneral Commanding.
DOCUMENTS.
557
GENERAL COOPER S ORDER.
WAR DEPARTMENT, )
ADJITANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL S OFFICE, v
RICHMOND, July 22, 1862. j
The successful defence of Yicksburgh agains
the mortar fleet of the enemy by Major-Gen. Va
Dorn and the officers and men under his com
mand entitles them to the gratitude of the coun
try, the thanks of the government, and the ad
miration of the army. By their gallantry an
good conduct they have not only saved the citi
intrusted to them, but they have shown tha*
bombardments of cities, if bravely resisted
achieve nothing for the enemy, and only serve t<
unveil his malice and the hypocrisy of his pre
tended wish to restore the Union. The work
now sees that his mission is one of destruction
not restoration.
Lieutenant Brown and the officers and crew of
the confederate steamer Arkansas, by their he
roic attack upon the Federal fleet before Ticks
burgh, equalled the highest recorded examples of
courage and skill. They prove that the navy,
when it regains its proper element, will be one of
the chief bulwarks of national defence, and thai
it is entitled to a high place in the confidence and
affection of the country.
By command of the Secretary of War,
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
GRENADA "APPEAL" ACCOUNT.
VICKSBURGH, July IT.
At six o clock on the fifteenth inst, while the
Arkansas was in Old Iliver, into which the Yazoo
empties, about one and a half miles from the
Mississippi, she made out three of the enemy s
vessels bearing down upon her one an iron-clad
gunboat, the others rams. In a few minutes
they were within range, and commenced the ac
tion. The ram was more deliberate and cau
tious, approaching till within a few hundred
yards, when she opened with her bow battery.
At this the enemy turned and fled, the Arkansas
pursuing directly after the gunboat, raking her
by frequent discharges from her forward guns.
The port-bow gun was disabled. But in twenty
minutes from the time the running began, the
enemy deserted their guns, having been whipped
by the starboard-bow gun alone ! The fight be
gan at close range, which was gradually decreased
to about forty yards, and when at this latter dis
tance the port-bow gun was again brought into
action, and commenced to assist its mate to de
molish the Yankee s river pride. The effects of
these terrible engines were soon apparent. The
crippled duck commenced his favorite dodge of
hunting for shallow water, and for this purpose
sheered into the left bank of the river, exposing
himself to the port broadside of the Arkansas,
which was poured into him at a depression, and
went crashing through his sides and bottom. He
did not return the fire. As he fell behind, our
steam battery commenced the raking process
again, which caused the rascal to haul down his
colors, set a white flag, and desert his vessel.
Now, the moral of this is, that our batteries
and people have been afraid of a set of cowards,
who stood less hammering when brought in front
of an equal foe than history has heretofore re
corded. The fellow ran away without scratch
ing us.
The two "swift and stiff" rams of Commodore
Ellet were making splendid time down-stream
and we, in the hope of disabling or destroying
them with our guns, pushed on after, but they
gained steadily and gave us breathing time be
fore the final struggle, which was soon to come.
As we rounded a point the immense fleet came
in view. The river seemed to be blocked up by
armed vessels of all descriptions. There was
the majestic Hartford and Brooklyn and half-a-
dozen other boats, together with the cumbersome
and unwieldy up-river boats, besides rams, mor
tar-boats and transports by the score. All were
under way taking position. It seemed to me
that their plan was to form a complete line across
the river in the shape of the letter Y, the point
up-stream ; the Hartford occupying the van and
centre, the Brooklyn immediately astern, the
right and left wings being composed of rams and
gunboats of both classes. We made one dash
to break the left wing, near Farragut s flag-shin.
As we approached the enemy looked on in mute
wonder and astonishment. Not a gun was fired
at long-range. All were waiting for the moment
vhen the dreadful missiles would be most effec-
ive. The large sloop had her eleven -inch guns
harged with solid shot and bided their time with
teadiness, never diverging an inch from their
>osition ; the little ones, however, edged off to
he right and left, bows up-stream. Gunboat
"o. Six fired the first gun, loaded with grape, but
vith too much depression. It fell short. At the
ame instant the port-bow gun of the Arkansas
ent a solid shot crushing through one of the
ron-clads, which alone sent her to the flank.
\s we neared the Hartford, a ram (the Lanca.s-
er) took up her position just ahead of us, but
he port gun blew her up, and the crew jumped
verboard on all sides, the Arkansas running
hrough the sinking, drowning people. Now wo
vere in the midst of the melee ; broadsides came
s fast as blows from a blacksmith s hammer ;
rash came the shot and grape through the ports.
!ut we were through. As soon as we came in
ont of Yicksburgh the enemy below showed
_ns of a stampede. They forthwith burned a
lortar-boat, their transports got up steam, and
ad not our crew been exhausted we could have
estroyed the whole bevy.
But the thing was not over for the day. At
undown Farragut s fleet commenced passing
own, eight going down and exchanging shots
ith us as they passed. But as we were not at
ur favorite range, we have no idea what damage
e inflicted.
Before closing, I must pay my respects to the
sturdy " rams that were to pounce upon us.
he rascals gave us a very wide berth ; and I
ould advise Abraham I. to dispense with Col.
llet, Medical Cadet Ellet, Lieut. Ellet, etc., etc.,
558
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
(see Phoenix s Survey of Mission Dolores Rail
road.) No doubt they whizzed away at Mr.
Montgomery s light boats, but when they heard
the ring of the true metal from our vessel, they
"skedaddled."
Doc. 153.
THE FIGHT NEAR MEMPHIS, MO.
MISSOURI "DEMOCRAT 1 ACCOUNT.
Ox the eighteenth of July, Major John Y.
Cloppcr, in command of a detachment of Merrill s
Horse, about three hundred strong, and a detach
ment of Major Rogers s battalion, Eleventh Mis
souri State militia, about one hundred strong,
attacked and, after a very severe fight, entirely
routed Porter and Dunn s combined bands of
guerrillas, six hundred strong. At last accounts
Major Clopper was still in swift march upon the
forces of Porter, which had tied south, crossed
the railroad and posted themselves for another
fight in the vicinity of Florida, where they were
doubtless attacked this morning by our forces,
which crossed the road in pursuit of Porter yes
terday.
The fight took place near Memphis, Mo., and
was brought on by a small advanced guard being
fired upon by the enemy, who were concealed in
heavy brush and timber across the road, where
they had halted and chosen the ground for their
fight. They were immediately attacked by Major
Clopper, and after a desperate conflict were com
pletely driven from the field, leaving a large
number of their dead and wounded on the
ground.
The severity of the fight is well illustrated by
the fact that five successive charges across the
open ground, on the concealed enemy, were re
pulsed, and the sixth was successful, resulting in
a hand-to-hand struggle, in which one man of
Merrill s Horse was killed by a blow with a stock
of a musket across the back of the neck, break
ing his neck.
At the time the messenger left the ground all
of our killed, wounded, and missing had been
found, amounting to eighty-three, and twenty-
three dead guerrillas had been discovered upon
the field, yet the search among the thick brush
for the dead and wounded of the enemy had just
commenced.
In Major Clopper s hasty note, written on the
field, and when just starting in pursuit, he says:
" I cannot find terms adequate to express my
admiration of the heroic manner in which my
command stood the galling and destructive fire
poured upon them by the concealed assassins.
The enemy are badly whipped, and in a free fight,
and I follow at once.
" The enemy were well concealed in thick
brush and timber, and I must do them the jus
tice to say that they fought desperately. They
will not meet me on other ground."
Doc. 154.
EXPEDITION TO BEAVER DAM, VA.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL POPE.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF VIKGINIA, }
WASHINGTON, July 21, 1802. }
To lion. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War :
THE cavalry expedition I directed Gen. King
to send out, on the nineteenth, has returned.
They left Fredericksburgh at seven P.M. on the
nineteenth, and after a forced march during the
night, made a descent at daylight in the morning
upon the Virginia Central Railroad at Beaver
Dam Creek, twenty-five miles west of Hanover
Junction, and thirty-five miles from Richmond.
They destroyed the railroad and telegraph-line
for several miles, burned the depot, which con
tained forty thousand rounds of musket ammuni
tion, one hundred barrels of flour, and much
other valuable property, and brought in a captain
in charge as a prisoner. The whole country was
thrown into a great state of alarm. One private
was wounded on our side. The cavalry marched
eighty miles in thirty hours. The affair was
most successful, and reflects high credit upon
the commanding officer and his troops. As soon
as full particulars are received, I will transmit to
you the name of the commanding officer of the
troops engaged.
I am, sir, very rcspectfulty, your obedient ser
vant, JOHN POPE,
Major-General Connntinding.
RICHMOND "DISPATCH" ACCOUNT.
RICHMOND, July 23.
We have received a full and correct account of
the raid made by the Harris cavalry upon the
depot at Beaver Dam, Hanover County, on Sun
day morning last. From the best information it
appears that they left Fredericksburgh on Satur
day evening about four o clock, and came some
fourteen miles of the way that night. Early Sun
day morning they came on to Beaver Dam, where
they arrived about eight o clock. Here they
found nothing to oppose them, and they at once
set to work to destroy, by burning the depot-of
fice, water-tank, and cord-wood. In the depot
there were about one hundred and seventy bar
rels of flour belonging to the army, a few bushels
of oats, a case of shoes, a small lot of ammunition
and a few arms, some tents, and perhaps a few
other things of little value, nearly all of which
were consumed.
They also tore up the railway in several places,
and cut down about a half-dozen telegraph-poles.
The operator, Mr. Smith, was arrested for refus
ing to give them information, but succeeded in
making his escape. They also obstructed the
railroad-track, expecting to throw the train off,
but luckily failed in their attempt. The up-train
was signalled, and induced to turn to Richmond,
by a servant named Dick, the property of Dr.
Terrill of Hanover. Their stay at Beaver Dam
was limited to some thirty minutes, at the end of
which time the whistle of the up-train sounded,
and some one having told them that there would
DOCUMENTS.
559
probably be some four or five hundred soldiers
aboard, they hurriedly decamped.
At Beaver Dam, and on the route to and from,
they captured some six or eight prisoners of war,
sick soldiers and stragglers. Whilst returning
they were pursued by three members of the
Hanover cavalry, who were at home on a fur
lough. These succeeded in mortally wounding
one of the Yankees, who has since died. Their
love of horse-flesh was fully exhibited by their
taking off some six or eight animals, " without
the consent of their owners first had and ob
tained." They had along with them any quan
tity of counterfeit confederate money, besides bo
gus city of Kichmond and other notes. In one
instance they gave a man forty-five dollars
counterfeit bills for a basket of chickens. In an
other case they gave their bond, thirty-five dol
lars in counterfeit confederate money, and an old
watch, for a horse. At every private house they
demanded food, milk, and the latest papers from
Richmond.
The Colonel (Davies) said he regretted the war;
that it was now only a fight for boundaries ; that
they could not afford to lose the South-west.
They numbered between five and six hundred,
and were well equipped, but indifferently mount
ed, save here and there a good horse, which
looked very much as if stolen. They were con
voyed on this trip by several buck negroes who
were mounted, uniformed, and armed. The prin
cipal of these seemed to bo a negro well known
as " Dabney," the miller of J. C. Jerrold, at
Thornsburgh, in Spottsylyania. Their general
behavior was good. They interfered with no pri
vate property, save horses, and, as far as we can
hear, carried off no negroes. At one place, on
their return, they stopped and gave a gentleman
a bottle of whisky, made in 1834, which the lucky
recipient acknowledged to have been excellent.
Doc. 155.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN S ORDER.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON*, July 22.
EXECUTIVE ORDER.
FIRST. Ordered that military commanders with
in the States of Virginia, North-Carolina, Geor
gia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tex
as and Arkansas, in an orderly manner seize and
use any property, real or personal, which may
be necessary or convenient for their several com
mands, for supplies, or for other military pur
poses ; and that while property may be destroyed
for proper military objects, none shall be de
stroyed in wantonness or malice.
Second. That military and naval commanders
shall employ as laborers, within and from said
States, so many persons of African descent as
can be advantageously used for military or naval
purposes, giving them reasonable wages for their
labor.
Third. That, as to both property, and persons
of African descent, accounts shall be kept suffi
ciently accurate and in detail to show quantities
and amounts, and from whom both property and
such persons shall have come, as a basis upon
which compensation can be made in proper cases ;
and the several departments of this Government
shall attend to and perform their appropriate
parts toward the execution of these orders.
By order of the President.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Doc. 156.
FIGHT AT THE NORTH ANNA, VA.
GENERAL POPE S DESPATCH.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIKGIXIA, July 24.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
A CAVALRY expedition, sent out by Gen. King
on the twenty-second, from Fredericksburgh, re
turned last evening.
Early yesterday morning they met and defeat
ed a body of confederate cavalry about one hun
dred strong, stationed near Carmel Church, on
the "telegraph line" from Fredericksburgh to
Richmond, burnt their camp and six cars loaded
with corn, and broke up the telegraph from Gor-
donsville. An hour later, a large body of Stuart s
cavalry came up to attack them. These too were
defeated, driven across the North Anna River,
and pursued till within sight of Hanover Junc
tion. Several prisoners, a large number of horses,
and many arms were brought in.
A march of seventy miles, and the encounter
and defeat of two bodies of confederate cavalry
were accomplished in twenty-nine hours, and
without the loss of a man.
I have not received as yet the names of the
commanding officers and troops who have thus
distinguished themselves, but will transmit them
to you as soon as particulars are received. The
damage done to the Virginia Central Railroad bj
the expedition of the nineteenth is not yet re
paired. JOHN POPE,
Major-General Commanding.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL KILPATRICK 3 REPORT.
To Generalising:
GENERAL : I have the honor to report th.it
in obedience to your orders, I left Frederick-
burgh at four o clock P.M., the twenty -second
nstant, with detachments of the Harris Light
cavalry, (one hundred and sixty,) Third Indi
ana cavalry, (one hundred and thirty,) and
j Fourteenth Brooklyn New-York State militia,
I (one hundred,) in all three hundred and nine
ty men crossed the Mattapony River at i-i_ r ht
P.M., and bivouacked four miles the other side,
leaving the Brooklyn Fourteenth to guard the
ford and roads leading from Bowling Green and
New-Market.
At two o clock A.M. of the twenty third I com
menced a rapid inarch for the rebel c.iinp, sup
posed to be at Carmel Churoh. At daybreak I
saw the church but no camp, the rebels having
crossed the North Anna River a few days befort.
550
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
A woman having informed me that a scouting
party came along at seven A. jr. daily to the church,
I placed in ambush Capt. Allan M. Seymour with
his company. He had just placed his men in
position, when his alluring detail was suddenly
attacked by nine or ten men, supported by some
fifty others. Capt. Seymour immediately charged,
forcing the advance back upon their supports. I
went to his assistance with a small force, leaving
Major Chapman and Davies to guard the cross
roads at the church. The enemy was whipped
and driven into the river. Lieutenant Kimball
crossed and soon returned, reporting that the
camp was in sight and the enemy in column of
platoons in the road, with skirmishers covering
several hundred yards in front.
I ordered up the reserve, and with Major Da-
vies and Captain Walters reconnoitred the ene
my. He occupied a good position on the brow
of a hill sloping gently toward the river level in
rear and a line position for a cavalry fight. I de
termined at once to attack him, leaving Captains
Seymour, Mclrvin and Grinton to guard the ford.
I directed Major Davies to deploy the carbineers
of the Harris Light cavalry as skirmishers on the
right and left of the road in columns of platoons
to charge. Major Davies advanced rapidly with
his skirmishers, gaining ground to the right for
the purpose of flanking the enemy and forcing
his skirmishers back and beyond his column in
the road. Major Chapman seeing that this col
umn was about to retire, charged most gallantly,
routing and pursuing him to within sight of Han
over Junction, nearly five miles.
His camp was destroyed, tents and stores
burned, also seven car loads of grain. Suddenly
and almost unexpectedly a large force of cavalry
(afterwards found to be Stuart s) came down on
the right. I ordered up the reserve, and the ene
my, though greatly outnumbering our tired and
worn-out soldiers, was promptly met by Majors
Davies and Chapman, and forced back in great
confusion far beyond the range of Capt. Walters s
carbineers. Having accomplished all that could
be done with safety, I at once recrossed the river
and took up a strong position near the church.
The enemy did not have the boldness to follow.
At twelve M. we started for Fredericksburgh, and
reached camp at eleven P.M. of the same day.
During the long march, and the two skirmishes
in the morning, the whole command, officers and
men, conducted themselves most nobly. I would
particularly mention Major Davies, who deserves
great credit for the gallant and able manner in
which he handled his skirmishers. He and his
officers, Capt. Walters and Lieut. Plum, of com
pany L, and Lieut. Kimball, of company F, were
constantly in the advance, and exposed to the
sharpest fire of the enemy. Major Chapman and
his whole command, who promptly obeyed each
order and charged most gallantly braver and
more eager men never met an enemy ; Adjutant
Benjamin Gregory, who fearlessly and correctly
carried orders on the field, and his untiring exer
tions daring the entire exy>editions ; Sergeants !
MoCutchen, company F, Gribben and Harris,
company L, and Regimental Color-Sergeant Al
fred Randolph, won praise from all by deeds of
daring done by each.
I have the honor to be your obed t servant,
JUDSON KlLPATRICK,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding
A NATIONAL ACCOUNT.
FREDERICKSBURGH, July 24, 1862.
Immediately upon the heels of the brilliant
dash upon Beaver Dam, and before the exuber
ance and congratulations have ceased, another
affair, equally daring in its conception and sur
passingly successful, has instilled enthusiasm into
the ranks and opened the eyes of rebeldorn to the
new order of things. As our cavalry returned
from Beaver Dam on Sunday evening, it will be
remembered that the rebels followed them up to
within a short distance of Fredericksburgh. Find
ing that they could not overtake us, they pro
ceeded down towards the Bowling Green road,
where they surprised a party of the Third Indiana