The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 41, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 224
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LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
gain Cavalry at Augusta and occupied the town. August 11, moved
the only flat-boat to be found-a miserable affair for crossing a force--
to Hatch's Ferry, four miles above Augusta. Wishing to gain time,
crossed the Eighth Missouri Cavalry by that means and swimming
the horses. Heavy rains, the slow progress of crossing by the fiat, and
the certainty that artillery and wagons could not be crossed with the
means at hand, induced me to guard against any attempted offensive
movement by the enemy. Shelby's and McCray's forces united could
bring 4,000 men against me, and I had to guard against their coming
down either bank of White River and attacking my force, while en-
gaged in crossing. Rumors to that effect reaching me the two regi-
ments on the east bank were recrossed to the main command during the
night. August 12, no steamers arriving from l)evall's Bluff, abandoned
"the idea of co-operation from that quarter and returned to Searcy. Au-
gust 13, sent all the sick (the rains were very heavy, and camps last
few days in canebrakes) and train to Devall's Bluff. Sent a small
reconnaissance toward Denmark. This party encountered the enemy
ten miles from Searcy; re-enforced it with Third U. S. Cavalry, under
Captain Howland, with orders to proceed to Fairview. This was done,
the rebels losing 1 man and falling back. One mail of Eighth Missouri
Cavalry was wounded. Moved with main force eleven miles up the
west bank of the Little Red, and encamped. Sent a detachment to
Hilcher's Ferry and communicated with Captain Howland at Fairview.
August 14, learned that there was no enemy, but a few stragglers, on
the west side of White River. The command had now been in the field
eight days; the only forage obtainable was unripe corn. The horses
had been very scantily fed for months previously, and their condition,
particularly that of the artillery anuinals, was not equal to a march
exceeding twenty miles per day. It became apparent that it was use-
less to attempt to cross White River at Jacksonport. Shelby could
successfully contest my crossing at that point or fall back faster than
he could be followed. August 15, returned to Bull Bayou en route for
I)evall's Bluff and Little Rock. Scattered the command by various
roads to clear the country of bushwhackers. August 16, reached Little
Rock.
The results of the expedition have already been detailed. No enemy
remained west of White River. The command was pushed into the
field without proper preparation; the animals were in wretched condi-
tion. Officers and men acquitted themselves creditably, but there were
irregularities, showing the necessity of much stricter discipline than
was practiced.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. R. WEST,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
Capt. C. H. I)YER,
Assistant Adjutant- General, District of Little Rock.
No. 3.
SReport of Maj. James F. Dwight, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, Volunteer
Aide-de- Camp.
Journal of cavalry expedition (regiments and detachments set forth
on previous page) setting out from Little Rock, Ark., northward,224
[CHAP. III.
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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 41. (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 41.
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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 41, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1893; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145053/m1/241/?q=McCray: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.