The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 22, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 472
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MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [Ca. XXXIV.
No. 3.
Reports of Maj. Gen Frederick Steele, U. S. Army, commanding expedi.
tion.
DEVALL'S BLUFF, ARK., August 23, 1863.
GENERAL : Having reconnoitered the different routes, I have decided
to commence my line of operations at this point, and have moved the
depot and hospital here to-day. The site chosen is a plateau (oak open-
ing), high bluff on the river, and sloping on both sides, on one side a
deep ravine. The two gunboats which are to remain here can defend
the flanks, and an intrenchment can be thrown up in rear which will
make the place tolerably secure against any force that will be likely to
annoy us while we are pushing the enemy to the front. The buildings
here do not amount to much, but there is considerable lumber, and, by
sending to Clarendon for more, we can erect tolerable shelter for the
sick and the supplies. The sick list is frightful, including many offi-
cers. One brigade is commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, two colonels
having given up in the last three days. If you do not send re-enforce-
ments I shall very likely meet with a disaster. This is the poorest
command that I have ever seen, except the cavalry. More than 1,000
here present are reported unfit for duty, and about one-half of the com-
mand proper are absent. Davidson is at Deadman'sLake, about 15 miles
this side of Brownsville; he was to reconnoiter the latter place in front to.
day. Deserters report that one brigade of Kirby Smith's troops, under
Frost, were at Bayou Meto. Everything indicates that .the rebels will
make a determined resistance at this point. We need four gunboats on
this river-one at Saint Charles, two at this point, and one as a convoy.
Of those I have now, one is unfit for service and the other three out of
repair. White River is at present a better one for the purpose of navi-
gation than the Mississippi; it is falling now, but will rise again next
month, and can be depended upon all the time for over 4 feet of water
to this point. No matter what steamboatmen say, this is a fact. I refer
you to Commander Bache, U. S. Navy, in regard to the facts in the case.
No pilot is required. All that is necessary is to keep a boat from run-
ning into the banks. With such a base as this, it will be a very easy
matter to carry on operations against Little Rock, if proper means be
supplied. We hear nothing of General Blunt. Prisoners say General
Cooper has fallen back to Little Rock. A Frenchman, from New Or-
leans, who was at Des Arc, confirms the accounts which I have received
from other sources in regard to the strength and intentions of the enemy.
He says Marmaduke was peremptorily dismissed the service for allow-
ing our gunboats to capture the two steamers up Little Red.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
FRED'K STEELE,
Major- General.
Maj. Gen. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT,
Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps, Memphis, Tenn.
P. S.--I have received notice from Helena that there is a supply
train from this command waiting there for an escort. Part of this train
was sent from Cape Girardeau, and belongs to Davidson's division. I
cannot send an escort. The rebels have destroyed the bridge we built
over Big Creek. This train would probably be sufficient transportation
for another brigade. I think this command has enough already to keep
it supplied from this place.472
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 22. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 22.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 22, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1888; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154600/m1/475/?q=Clarendon: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.