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O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVIII/1 [S# 101]
JANUARY 1-27, 1865.--Operations in Arkansas, ...
No. 1.--Report of Col. Abraham H. Ryan, Third Arkansas Cavalry (Union).
HEADQUARTERS POST LEWISBURG,
Lewisburg, Ark., January 27, 1865.
About the 1st day of January scouts reported a force of the enemy at Dardanelle and Beatty's Mill, near Petit Jean Creek. Scouting parties were sent to Galla Rock and Norristown to prevent the enemy from crossing to north side of river. On the 10th instant the enemy were reported as moving on Perryville, evidently for the purpose of crossing the Fourche la Fare at that place, en route south, or to move onto the river bank at some point between Lewisburg and Little Rock, for the purpose of capturing transports with supplies on the way to Fort Smith. To prevent either movement being successful, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, Eleventh U.S. Colored, with 150 men of his regiment, and detachment of Third Arkansas Cavalry, Captain Gibbons commanding, to Perryville. The cavalry arrived at that place on the morning of the 11th, and ascertained that the enemy were encamped within a few miles of that place, and that they could not reach Perryville on account of high water, Fourche la Fare bottom being overflowed. Lieutenant-Colonel Steele's command returned to Lewisburg on the evening of the 11th. On the night of the 12th instant I ordered Lieutenant Wylie, Third Arkansas Cavalry, to proceed with fifty dismounted men of the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and fifty infantry of the Eleventh U.S. Colored, on steamer Alamo, to land on west side of Petit Jean Creek; if the landing be effected safely, to send steamer, with flat-boats, to north side of river, to cross detachment of Third Arkansas Cavalry. The landing was effected safely, and cavalry crossed on morning of 13th. Same evening Major Jenks, First Iowa Cavalry, commanding detachment of dismounted men of Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, namely, 276 men, reported for duty. They arrived on steamers Ad. Hines and Lotus. I ordered the major to proceed with steamers and his command up river till arriving at the Alamo, where he would learn from Lieutenant Wylie if it was safe for the steamers to proceed; if so, to disembark his command at Norristown, the steamers to push on to Fort Smith. At 10 p.m. the steamers Annie Jacobs and Chippewa arrived, with one section of the Second Kansas Battery,(*) Lieutenant Phillips commanding. I sent them forward immediately, with orders to report to Major Jenks, near Galla Rock. I had calculated that Lieutenant-Colonel Steele's movement toward Perryville would keep the enemy in that vicinity for a short time, and that before they would learn of his withdrawal and of the subsequent move up the river sufficient time would be gained to enable the boats to pass Dardanelle in safety. At the same time I felt assured the enemy would move onto the river at or above Dardanelle as soon as they learned of the boats passing Lewisburg, and unless checked at or near Dardanelle would overtake the boats before they could reach Spadra. The arrival of the section of artillery decided me in ordering Major Jenks to occupy Dardanelle with his command. He did so, landing his forces at 10 o'clock the morning of the 14th instant, the last of the fleet passing there at 12 m. At 2 o'clock same date the enemy, 1,500 strong, and one piece of artillery, under the command of Colonels Brooks, Stirman, and Newton, attacked the place. Major Jenks placed his men in the stockade, and after four hours' hard fighting the enemy withdrew, completely whipped. Our loss during the engagement was 1 killed, 15 wounded, and 2 missing. Enemy's loss, 1 commissioned officer killed, and about 80 men killed and wounded. Major Jenks speaks in the highest terms of the officers and men under his command, all doing gallant service. The artillery, under the direction of Lieutenant Phillips and Lieutenant Campbell, Third U.S. Cavalry (acting adjutant), being skillfully handled, firing 164 rounds. Expecting the attack to be renewed next morning, Major Jenks called for re-enforcements and supply of ammunition. I immediately ordered Major Mason, with sixty men, Third Arkansas Cavalry, with supply of ammunition, to report to Major Jenks as soon as practicable; also Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, with 100 men, of the Eleventh U.S. Colored Infantry, in wagons, to follow as rapidly as possible; and, placing everything at Lewisburg in proper position, proceeded to Dardanelle, arriving there the same day. The enemy did not renew the attack, but proceeded up the south side of the river after the boats; but they were too late, the boats being beyond their reach. On the morning of the 15th instant Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, with Fortieth Iowa Infantry and one section of Fifth Ohio Battery, arrived on steamer from Little Rock and reported for duty, and were immediately set to work throwing up intrenchments. On the 15th scouts reported the enemy as re-enforced and approaching in four directions to attack on the morning of the 16th instant. Every preparation was made for their reception. On their arriving within twelve miles of our lines they retraced their steps, crossing the Petit Jean near Danville, moving in a southerly direction. On the 19th dispatches received from Colonel Judson, commanding U.S. forces at Clarksville, reporting the attack by the enemy on steamers near Ivey's Ford, and capture and destruction of the steamer Chippewa, and remainder of fleet in perilous position, on the morning of the 20th instant, at 4 o'clock, sent Captain Hamilton, with sixty men of the Third Arkansas Cavalry, to go through to the boats, render what assistance he could, and, if possible, bring any or all of them down. To cover this move I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, with Fortieth Iowa Infantry and one piece of artillery, to Chickalah; at same time sent force of fifty infantry to follow Captain Hamilton twelve miles and return. The movement was entirely successful, Colonel Cooper breaking up their rendezvous near Chickalah and destroying 1,200 bushels of wheat stored there for the use of the enemy. Captain Hamilton returned on the evening of the 21st instant, having met near the boats Colonel Williams' brigade of colored troops on way from Fort Smith to Little Rock. On the night of the 24th Newton's regiment returned to Boggs' Mills (twelve miles from Dardanelle) to grind flour and leave before sunrise. At midnight sent Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, with Eleventh U.S. Colored Infantry and detachment Third Arkansas Cavalry, who succeeded in surprising the command, capturing the flour, his papers, 18 horses, and 20 stand of arms. I remained at Dardanelle to cover the passage of Colonel Williams' brigade and train, and evacuated the place on the morning of the 27th instant.
Major Jenks, commanding forces during the engagement of the 14th instant, is entitled to every praise for gallant conduct and the admirable manner in which he handled his troops on that occasion, and for prompt and faithful discharge of duty on all occasions. Captain Giesler, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Captain Hamilton and Lieutenant Wylie, Third Arkansas Cavalry, and Lieutenant Campbell, Third U.S. Cavalry, are entitled to special mention as brave and efficient officers.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. RYAN,
Colonel Third Arkansas Cavalry, Commanding.
Maj. JOHN LEVERING,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of Arkansas and Seventh Army Corps.
ADDENDA.
Medals of Honor awarded for distinguished services under Resolution of Congress, No. 43, approved July 12, 1862, and section 6 of Act of Congress approved March 3, 1863.
Name. Rank and organization. Date. Awarded for--
1865.
Ellis, William First sergeant Company K, Third Wisconsin Cavalry. Jan. 14 Gallantry in action at Dardanelle, Ark.
Lohnas, Francis W. Private. Company H, First Nebraska Veteran Cavalry. May 12 Gallantry in defending Government property against Indians at Gilman's Ranch, Nebr. Ter.
OR V48 P1, pp. 11-13
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Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 2 (Campaigns etc.)
BATTLE LOSSES ARRANGED BY STATES
ARKANSAS.
Date Location K W C A
1865.
Jan. 8 --Ivey's Ford .... 8 .... 8
Jan. 9 -- Pine Bluff .... 1 .... 1
Jan. 14 -- Dardanelle 1 15 2 18
Jan. 20-21 -- Marion .... 1 .... 1
Jan. 22 -- Benton Road .... 3 3 6
Feb. 22 -- Douglass' Plantation .... .... .... 40
Mch. 11 -- Clear Lake .... 5 11 16