Memphis Daily Appeal, CS
Skirmishing in Arkansas
From the Little Rock Democrat)
Letter from White County

JUNE 4;—R.H. Johnson, Esq: Night before last Col. Taylor and Capt. Johnson with their respective commands left camp seven miles west of Searcy in search of the enemy, whom we were told was eighteen miles above, by Little Red, two hundred in number and in strong position. About midnight the rates to crossing of Red River and while Col. Taylor and myself, who were in front, had got about halfway across, we were fired into by their pickets. We returned their fire and fell back. Next morning we went to another ford, where we crossed without molestation. Half a mile beyond the ford their pickets open fire on us again. We drove them in for half a mile or more, until rugged nature of the country and the uncertainty of the whereabouts of the Federals made us suspect an ambush and the great danger of our little force being trapped and cut to pieces we countermarched and struck a line so as to get in the rear of their encampment. Once or twice on the march, we were fired upon until we came in sight of the main body drawn in line and about two hundred yards distant. They opened fire upon us, and we then took the desperate chances of a charge upon them. Our men went at them at full drive with a Texas yell. They hesitated a moment and then fled in utter confusion. I have seen several stampedes, but nothing to equal the scrambling through the brush, over the rocks, and up the steep hillsides. They scattered so quickly that we overtook but four of them; one of these we killed and wounded three, whom we took prisoners. The roughness of the country alone prevented us from bagging the whole party. We took considerable property, and returned to camp without injury to a man or horse: this, too, after riding for a day and a night among them and dispersing them, when they ventured to make a stand.

Col. Taylor is one of the most gallant officers I have ever acted with. His judgment is fine and his coolness in action is unsurpassed. His bearing and discretion are the theme of every mans praise.

Our men are as brave as men ever were, and these under the command of Col. Taylor as well as the Rangers under Johnson will follow to the jaws of death. For more than a week our little band kept the enemy on the other side of Little Red river, for thirty miles up and down it, and have crossed it to whip them on their own side. We have also had considerable picket fighting and no doubt we wounded in killed and number of the enemy.

JUNE 5; 3 P.M.—Scouts just in tell us that immediately after the little fight, or stampede, we have attempted to describe, the enemy struck camp and took up their line of march, in double quick time, for Batesville. I am satisfied they will not soon, if ever, returned to this portion of country. They are badly scared, so much so that they came out the other day with a full regiment and two pieces of artillery, with the avowed object of whipping Johnson’s company, and now with the heavy odds in their favour are in full retreat. We will purge the country of these scamps yet.
In haste, truly yours,
A.

NOTE BY THE EDITOR—Since the above letter was received, information has come to hand of another brush with the Federals on Saturday last. Some four or five were killed and taken prisoner. Taylor and Johnson are doing good work and holding the Federals at bay until such time as they can be driven together and whipped in a lump.