Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Among the batteries most constantly engaged, was Taylor's, from Chicago. Twice charges were made by different commands, but so severe was the musketry directed upon them, that they fell back before getting to the works. The fire from the river fort for some time become feeble, suddenly ceased. The fleet was victorious at that point, and the principal dependence silenced, its bomb-proofs battered to pieces, and every heavy gun either dismounted or broken in two. Thirty artillerists lay dead within the walls, and the few stout buildings intended for protection from shell, were in ruins. Three vessels of the mosquito fleet had passed above, and were shelling the rebels in their rear. Our huge shot had pounded long at the great casemates before gaining admittance, and when they finally entered, the destruction of life was great. What had been intended for places of safety, proved death-haunts. Behind the torn walls, however, sharp-shooters still lingered. On land the cannonading and musketry grew more furious as our army pressed still closer. Night approached, the sun was hardly an hour high, and every nerve was strained to conquer before darkness set in. Rebel pieces were deserted, no gunner daring to approach them, so accurate had become our fire, Advancing steadily and surely, but commencing to pay dearly for it, preparations were made to charge in force. All prepared for the struggle they felt coming, when suddenly, while their fire was hottest, it stopped, and a white flag rose above the works; war ceased, as if by magie, and wildly cheering, the troops pressed forward and over the fortifications they battled so hard to gain. Far down along the river for miles, reaching to the transports, the crowds caught up the cry and echoed it back. Such a cheering had never been heard on the Arkansas before. Not that it could be called a great victory, but that it was an inspiring change from the blundering expedition of Vicksburgh. Within the walls were strewed dead and wounded, their number, however, not being large, only about a hundred and fifty. The mortality among horses was remarkable, eight or more of the mangled bodies lying around. Most of the dead men were much disfigured, evidently killed by shell — some ripped open, and their bowels upon the ground, others with heads cut open or limbs torn off. The rebel soldiers were gathered in crowds, evidently not much disheartened at being taken. They were composed of the following regiments: Twenty-fourth Texas, dismounted cavalry, Col. Wilkes; Twenty-fifth, same, Colonel Gillespie; Fifteenth, same, Colonel Sweet; Sixth Texas infantry, Colonel Garland, Colonel Taylor's regiment, and Colonel Darnel's.

Six of the nine guns in the Fort belonged to Captain Hart's Arkansas battery, three pieces being twenty-pound Parrotts.

The Commander-in-Chief of the confederate forces was Brigadier-General Churchill; Captain Ben. Johnson, Adjutant-General, Captain Wolf, Chief Quartermaster, Captain Little and Captain Brown, aids. Brigade commanders were Colonel Deshler, Colonel Garland, and Colonel Portlock. There was also a large number of captains and lieutenants. They will be sent to Cairo this morning.

Our loss in the engagement was about one hundred killed, and five hundred wounded, who go up on the steamer January.

To-day they are digging the graves and collecting the dead for burial. Fifty or more additional corpses have been found in the woods far back, evidently skulkers from the rebel army, killed by our shell. Prisoners are also constantly brought in, overtaken twelve or fifteen miles away. Of the entire force garrisoning the Fort, one thousand, mostly Texas cavalry, escaped, taking with then a great portion of the baggage-train. These effected an exit on the night our forces were surrounding the place, and before it could be fully accomplished.

The results of the victory are about four thousand live hundred prisoners, about the same number stand of arms, and twenty guns. The post was an important one, and Gen. Churchill affirms he had orders to hold it to the last. Little Rock and the whole State are now open to us whenever we wish to move. Duval's Bluff, on the White River, has probably fallen ere this, under the attack of Gen. Gorman, and thus two tributaries of supply are shut to the rebels.

These movements, although presenting no very brilliant victories, are yet the surest way at present of crippling the rebellion. When unable, for want of subsistence, to mass their armies in one or two strongholds, they will have to come out of Vicksburgh and Richmond, and offer battle. The policy of letting them choose their own places for defence, exhaust military ingenuity in fortifying positions by nature almost inaccessible, then hurl our men madly forward under a dozen disadvantages, should, if disastrous warnings can penetrate the mind of Gen. Halleck, be abandoned. I have good authority for stating that the attack upon Arkansas Post was made without authority of, or suggestion by, the authorities at Washington. Those worthies were apparently busily occupied seeing that the hospitals before Vicksburgh and Fredericksburgh were well filled. I mention but facts in saying that the feeling in this army against what they consider Halleck's blundering career, is universal and bitter.

The soldiers are now busy destroying the works here, and burning the barracks. Every ditch has been dragged by adventurous ones in search of hidden property, and several hundred pistols and swords brought forth. Under floors, in hollow trees, everywhere that opportunity offered, the rebels concealed what they could.

Their sharp-shooters boast gleefully of skill in killing officers.

One affirmed yesterday that he fired six times at Gen.Thayer, the fifth shot killing his horse. Our next movement will, it is hoped, be to again