Arkansas Post, Arkansas - January 10 & 11, 1863

Arkansas Post, Arkansas - January 10 & 11, 1863

THE AFFAIR AT ARKANSAS POST.

Battle House
Houston
February 24, 1863

Sir: - Having recently arrived in your city, and hearing that little is yet known in regard to the fight at the "Post of Arkansas" by citizens here, as well as elsewhere in the Confederacy. I would make the subjoined statement of facts relative thereto, for the information of all who may feel interested in this matter.

The "Post of Arkansas" is situated on the north side of the Arkansas river, sixty miles from its mouth. The place was fortified with an earth work called "Fort Hindman," which fort mounted three large size guns, two case mated and one embarbette, together with some five or six field pieces, two of which were rifled Parrot guns. One mile below the fort was a trench extending from the river to a swamp. One mile or three quarters of a mile further down the river was yet another trench, intended for the defense of the place from a land attack unaided by gunboats. The troops garrisoning the place consisted of three brigades, mostly Texans, and commanded respectively by Cols. Garland, Deshler and Dunnington, the whole forming a division under the command of Gen. T. J. Churchill, and numbering on the day of the fight not more than thirty-three hundred effective men.

On the 9th day of January a scout from below brought intelligence to Gen. Churchill about a Yankee gunboat having made its appearance in the Arkansas river, at the White river cut-off, some thirty miles below the Post; towards noon on the same day another scout brought news of other gunboats, followed by transports, making their way up the river. Upon the receipt of this intelligence Gen. ordered everything in readiness for an attack and as night closed in all the troops were distributed along the first named line of entrenchment, where they remained all night in a pelting storm of rain.

The enemy in the meantime, had landed a force about two miles below us and we anticipated an attack by daylight the following morning, but in this we were disappointed; they made no demonstration until about 9 or 10 o'clock in the day, when they commenced shelling us from their advance gunboats. That were cautiously, and slowly making their way up the river.

Our troops held the position first taken by them until about 4 o'clock P. M., when the General, fearing a flank movement on our left, ordered the men to fall back to a line of entrenchments near the yet unfinished fort, which line was speedily completed and all the troops properly distributed before night set in. Just as darkness was drawing near, four gunboats approached the fort and commenced their bombardment, our guns from the fort answering gallantly, and after two hours terrific shelling the gunboats retired, one of them the Eastport, badly disabled, and our loss consisting of three killed and some three or four wounded.

On the morning of the 10th ult., at 10 o'clock, or thereabouts, the enemy renewed the attack with gunboats and landed forces combined; they had also erected a battery on the opposite side of the river, by means of which they kept up a terrible cross fire that swept the whole area of ground occupied by us. The firing now continued until about 4 o'clock P. M., [Ed: on the 11th] when it seemed to cease, and shortly after the cessation there was a yell came from the lines, which attracted the attention of the General Commanding, whose headquarters had been established some four hundred yards from the trenches. On riding forward to ascertain the state of affairs, the General was much surprised to find the Federal flag floating in every direction along their lines. Upon inquiry, it was ascertained, that some traitor in the 24th Texas regiment [Ed: 24th Texas Dismounted Cavalry] had raised the white flag and passed the word down the line that Gen Churchill had ordered a surrender, whereupon all the troops, except Col. Deshler's brigade [Ed: the brigade of the 10th Texas Infantry], immediately surrendered. He refused to surrender his brigade until ordered by Gen. Churchill.

When the General rode into the fort and surrendered, he was met by Gen. Sherman, who wished to know where his (Gen. Churchill's) men were. When Gen. C. told him they were all in sight, he seemed surprised, and could scarcely credit the fact that so small a body of troops had succeeded in battling for so long a time, and killing so many of his men.

The Federals acknowledge the loss of 1,600 killed and wounded, and I think 2,000 would not be a large figure, whilst we lost only about 100 in killed and wounded.

Gen. Churchill told Gen. Sherman that he had not ordered a surrender, but on the contrary that he had ordered the men to fight until all were dead in the trenches rather than surrender. He had telegraphed for reenforcements, and hoped they would reach him that evening. But I believe none were ever sent, save about 200 from St. Charles, on White river, who arrived just in time to be taken prisoners.

The number of prisoners taken at this Post was, probably about 3,500 - certainly not more than that number.

Your Respectfully,
C. M. Smith
Chief Surgeon of Division

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