Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - VI. Events of 1863—The Siege of Vicksburg—Anecdotes about Gens. Logan, Stevenson and Grant—Little Rock Captured—Recruiting at Fort Snelling—The engagement at Fitzhugh’s Woods—Pine Bluff—Winter Quarters at Duvall’s Bluff—Death of Lincoln—Close of the War—The Third Regiment Disbanded
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ss Story of an Emigrant.
102
regiment was transferred to the Seventh army corps, under
the command of Gen. Fred. Steele, and took part in the
campaign against Little Rock. In the beginning of September,
when we were only ten miles from Little Rock, our regiment
enjoyed the distinction of marching at the head of the
infantry column. We came upon the Confederate batteries on the
west bank of the Arkansas river, where a brisk cannonade
was opened. This combat afforded the most beautiful sight
imaginable, if carnage and slaughter may be called beautiful.
We stood on the east side of the river, the Confederates
on the west. The water being very low, a steamer had been
grounded about an eighth of a mile above us, and near the
steamer the water was so shallow that the cavalry could
ford the river; but just in front of the Third regiment the
water was so deep that we had to throw a pontoon bridge
for the infantry.
Our regiment was stationed in a cornfield near the river
bank to cover the march across the bridge, and the soldiers
were ordered to lie down on the ground. But we found it
very difficult to make them obey, for, in their eagerness to
cross the river, they felt more like rushing ahead and
shouting for joy. Many shots from the Confederate batteries
passed over our heads, so low that the soldiers, in a sporting
mood, jumped up and grabbed with their hands in the air,
as if trying to catch them. In less than an hour the bridge
across the deep channel was ready. A cavalry brigade had
meanwhile moved up to the ford above, and now the signal
for crossing was given. The Confederates set fire to the
o o
steamer, which they were unable to save.
It was about noon on one of those glorious autumn days
peculiar to this country, which greatly enhanced the
impression of the sublime spectacle then to be seen on the Arkansas
river. The burning steamer reddening the atmosphere with
brilliant flames of fire, a long line of cavalry fording the
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