Helena, AR after action report:
Report of Col. W. H. Brooks, Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry.
CAMP NEAR COTTON PLANT, July 10, 1863.
CAPT.: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by
my command in the engagement of the 4th instant at Helena:
At dusk on the 3d, in compliance with instructions from Brig.-Gen. Fagan,
I moved forward with my regiment and one section of [C. B.] Etter's light
artillery, Lieut. J. C. Arnett commanding, to the support of the cavalry,
then within 3 miles of the enemy.
At 1.30 o'clock on the morning of the 4th, I received orders from
Brig.-Gen. Fagan to advance on the Little Rock road with my
regiment, Capt.'s [W. B.] Denson's, Miller's, and --compliance of
cavalry, and the section of artillery; make a feint on the south of
Helena; attract the attention of the enemy in that direction; hold the
force in the rifle-pits south of the town, and operate otherwise as I
could. Before reaching Beach Grove I withdrew the cavalry advance,
and, deploying skirmishers, met the enemy's infantry and cavalry
pickets at daybreak. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which 3 of the enemy
were killed and 6 captured. Company of cavalry in position on the right
of the line of skirmishers received a fire which killed 4 horses. Moving
forward to the negro quarters, I found them abandoned, the occupants
having fled to the town at the first alarm. Eight negroes were taken and
sent to the rear. Shortly afterward I reached the hill at the Clements
house, and, placing my command in position, advanced skirmishers well
to the front and right, extending nearly to the river. The enemy soon
opened with a rifled battery from the left of the rifle-pits next to the
levee, but without doing any injury. Immediately the gunboat
commenced firing, one shell exploding in Capt. Denson's company,
wounding 3 men and killing 3 horses.
Capt. Blocher reported to me with his battery, but a position for it
could not be obtained. I moved Etter's section to the hill, and upon
gaining the summit was found practicable to use but one piece. This
opened briskly, drawing a terrific fire from the battery and gunboat, and
after expending 13 rounds, Lieut. Arnett was compelled to
withdraw. About 11 o'clock I ordered Lieut. E. T. Deloney upon
the hill with the gun. The range of the enemy's guns was so accurate
and the fire so furious that he retired after firing 8 rounds. The force in
front and on the right was fully three times as large as mine. An
advance to attack the enemy in the rifle-pits would have subjected my
small command to the heavy guns of Fort Curtis, a light battery in rear
of the works, an enfilading fire from the rifled battery, and an attack in
flank and rear from the levee. Under these circumstances I deemed it
best to hold that force of the enemy in check, and prevented him from
re-enforcing his most important points of defense, and by the use of a
6-pounder (not being able to bring more than one piece into position)
divert as much as possible the fire of the battery and gunboat from the
attacking columns. In this I was entirely successful.
At 12 m. I received orders from Brig.-Gen. Fagan to retire, and
subsequently instructions from Lieut.-Gen. Holmes to halt at a
designated position as the rear guard of the army.
By my direction, Capt. Denson's company applied the torch to the negro
quarters, which were consummated, together with 5,000 pounds of bacon,
1,500 bushels of corn, and a quantity of commissary stores and clothing.
During the entire morning the demonstrations of the enemy behind the
levee were of a threatening character. Capt. Denson, commanding
cavalry detachment, rendered efficient service in counteracting his
movements and protecting my right flank.----, of his company,
distinguished himself in the capture of 3 prisoners.
I brought off 9 prisoners, 8 negroes, 5 mules, 1 horse and equipments,
1 ambulance and team, and a small lot of clothing and canteens.
Companies B and K (skirmishers), commanded, respectively, by Capts.
F. R. Earle and Arkansas Wilson, deserve special mention for the
steadiness with which they advanced, drove the enemy before them, and
maintained their positions under a heavy artillery fire.
Lieut.-Col. [Thomas M.] Gunter and Maj. [J. R.] Pettigrew
were constantly at their posts in the discharge of their duties.
The only casualty in my regiment was Private A. C. Peck, Company B,
severely wounded in the chest.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. BROOKS,
Col., Cmdg.
Capt. WYATT C. THOMAS,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 430-32 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 22. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 32.]