W. M. Steeler to Orders, March 12, 1863

Sir: For the past two days I have been in shape, expecting attack. Cabell came up a few days ago from Roseville to Clarksville with two Texas regiments, and some others, probably Marmaduke’s, as most of his men started for the Arkansas River. Brooks is at Ozark, with Carroll. Manlow [Monroe ? has crossed from Fort Smith, and has an outpost 10 miles from Van Buren, a few milesfrom mine. I have a reconnaissance at Huntsville; spies and scouts watching the force toward Clarksville ; an advance at Cane Hill and at Dutch Mills. The force at Fayetteville I ordered to fall back before our approach to Elm Springs, 8 miles from Major Foreman, with my howitzers, and a good force of mounted rifles is within supporting distance of Tayetteville and my main force. If attacked, I design fighting about Elin Springs, so as to have my transportation well in the rear. I begin to fear they will not leave the river. It is, I think, impossible to surprise us, and I think we can destroy them if they venture up. General Steele threatens to hold Fort Smith if attacked. Efforts are being made to keep the Indians south of the Arkansas, with the rebels. Clothing and food have been sent by the boats. Six bushwhackers were killed yesterday ; some are killed or taken every day. The Arkansas River is in good stage. There are no heavy siege guns on the Arkansas River since the river was taken; 12-pounder field piece the heaviest; 700 or 8U0 men at Pine Bluff, but no works or heavy guns; a few thousand men at Little Rock, in bad condition (200 to the regiment), with three batteries, or parts of field batteries, 6’s and 12’s; between 7,000 and 8,000 rebels in hospita] at Little Rock; 28 boats now on the Arkansas River, mostly at Little Rock. It is reported that, if attacked by a heavy force, they will abandon the river, burn the boats, and concentrate at Arkadelphia. General Steele claims to command the (rebel) Indian Department.

W. M. A. PHILLIPS, Colonel, Commanding.

[DEPARTMENT OF THE Missouri] March 12, 1863. WILLIAM A. PHILLIPS,

You should not fight a battle; yours an outpost duty. So fall back or dash forward, striking the enemy only where he does not expect you, and never waiting an attack.

154 M. O., ARK, KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Car. XXXIV.

Hpqrs. DEPARTMENT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY, Fort Smith, Ark., March 13, 1863.

Sir: Within the past few days a party of Indians and white men combined have visited the northern banks of the Arkansas, and have perpetrated acts only characteristic of savages ; among other atrocities an old man some fifty years of age, who has taken no part whatever in the war, was taken from his house and brutally murdered. A youth, some sixteen or seventeen years of age, who was at his home sick with the small-pox, was also causelessly and inhumanly murdered. Murders of other harmless and inoffensive non-combatants by the same party are also reported to me. I am informed that this party was composed of a mixed body of Indians and white men, under the ostensible leadership of a man by the name of Benge, and that they claim to be soldiers of the United States. I would respectfully ask whether or not they are recognized as such, and whether the acts herein referred to are approved and justified by the officer in command of the district in which they operate? In theinterview had between Lieutenant Stark, U. S. Army, bearer of a flag of truce, and my assistant adjutant-general, Captain [J. F.] Crosby, reference was had to the removal of families without either line occupied by the armies respectively. It was understood that there had not been, and would not be, any objection made by the United States commander to such removal. Such a course accords fully with my views and actions in regard to this matter, and if there be no mistake in regard to your views, I would be pleased to enter into an officially mutual engagement to that effect.

I am informed that John Cottrell and William Tendon, soldiers of the Confederate States Army, while at their home sick, in the vicinity of Van Buren, were captured and taken off as prisoners of war. I would ask if these and other similar cases are to be so regarded? Will they be paroled, or are you disposed to arrange for an exchange?

I am in receipt of a copy of communication from Colonel Phillips, U. S. Army, to Col. M. La R. Harrison, U. 8S. Army, commanding post at Fayetteville, Ark., dated March 10, referring to a prior order in regard to the removal of the hospital at Cane Hill, Ark. The inmates of this hospital will be removed as rapidly as their condition will justify. The implied charge of a knowledge on my part of violations of flag of trace going to and from this hospital is both gratuitous and void of foundation. I must beg leave to protest against the application to myself of the same rule which appears to control the officer in command of United States forces. An agent is surely presumed to be better informed than his principal, yet Captain Anderson seems to have been fully aware of the convention referred to.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,