The following is transcribed from the New York Times, dated January 24, 1863

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CAIRO, Thursday, Jan. 19, 1863.

 

          The steamer New Era, of the Mosquito Fleet, one of the three small gunboats which took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, on the 11th inst., came up the river at midnight, bringing the Staff Officers connected with the garrison. They are eleven in number, Captains and Lieutenants, including Col. DUNNINGTON, who had charge of the five hundred troops constituting the force in the immediate command The steamer New Era, of the Mosquito Fleet, one of the three small gunboats which took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, on the 11th inst., came up the river at midnight, bringing the Staff Officers connected with the garrison. They are eleven in number, Captains and Lieutenants, including Col. DUNNINGTON, who had charge of the five hundred troops constituting the force in the immediate command of the fort. The latter was formerly connected with the navy. He was slightly wounded by a shell. The particulars obtained by this arrival do not differ materially from those previously received, but confirm the fact that the victory was most complete in all its particulars, leaving no question about a drawn battle or other matters in dispute. This was regarded as the key to Arkansas, and its capture, with the large number of troops subtracted from their fighting materials, and the loss of a month's supply of ammunition (a part of which was stolen from the Blue Wing), leaves the door to that State wide open for the advance of our forces. Indeed, the tone of conversation indulged in by all the rebel officers, excepting Col. DUNNINGTON, is most desponding as regards the prospects of the rebel cause in that State. They all bear testimony to the terrible efficiency of our gunboat fleet. The small crafts New Era. Rattler and Clyde passed the fort, which is situated in a bend of the Arkansas commanding the river, and proceeded on until they came to a point opposite which a bayou from the White River approaches at right angles to the Arkansas, leaving only a very narrow space from which alone the rebel army could escape. Across this neck of land they kept up a constant fire of shell and grape, which rendered it impossible for them to pass without certain destruction. Meantime the heavy gunboats, including the New Uncle Sam, Rear-Admiral PORTER's Flagship; the Louisville, Cincinnati and St. Louis, kept up the attack in front. The Union forces, which had landed on the White River side, about five miles from the fort, followed the course of that stream, and sweeping round to the left got in the rear of the fort, where they engaged the rifle pits of the enemy. The fort was surrounded by a wide deep ditch, which it was impossible to cross without bridging. This was done under a heavy fire of musketry and cannon which commanded the approach. Three times our troops made an attempt to carry this point and cross the ditch, but were driven back with heavy loss. It is also stated that the shells and other missiles from our gunboats, fell among and destroyed many of the brave men while engaged in this fearful enterprise. The bridge was finally crossed by a determined dash of our boys, when, in the midst of a tremendous cheer from the troops and from the Admiral's flag-ship, the rebel flag which floated from the staff in the centre of the fort, was instantly hauled down, and a white flag run up in its place. The garrison thus surrendered, was that of one of the most strongly built and fortified of any in the Southwest. A large number of rebels ran toward the little gunboats, throwing up their hands, in token of surrender, exhibiting white flags, &c., About fifty got on board of one boat, and if they had been permitted, she could have been filled. The boat backed out of the way, and awaited the orders for receiving the captured troops. Not over one hundred, some say not over fifty, escaped, out of the whole force of over five thousand engaged. Col. DUNNINGTON asserts that there were only about 3,200 engaged, but the Commissary's accounts, which were captured, shows that 8,000 rations were issued on the day of the fight. The prisoners, with the wounded, are now on their way up the river, some having already gone to St. Louis on boats which passed upon Saturday. The main force of the rebel army is now said to be at Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Col. DUNNINGTON says they can raise there 30,000 men, but it is believed he exaggerates their strength for effect. Taken as a whole, the result of this battle is one of the most gratifying victories we have had in the Southwest. The prisoners I referred to yesterday, have been sent up to Fort Benton.

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THE VICTORY AT ARKANSAS POST.; Operations of the Gunboat Fleet Gallantry of the Land Forces Disposition of the Prisoners. From Our Own Correspondent

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ARKANSAS, WESTERN

 

          The steamer New Era, of the Mosquito Fleet, one of the three small gunboats which took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, on the 11th inst., came up the river at midnight, bringing the Staff Officers connected with the garrison. They are eleven in number, Captains and Lieutenants, including Col. DUNNINGTON, who had charge of the five hundred troops constituting the force in the immediate

 

CAIRO, Thursday, Jan. 19, 1863.

 

          The steamer New Era, of the Mosquito Fleet, one of the three small gunboats which took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, on the 11th inst., came up the river at midnight, bringing the Staff Officers connected with the garrison. They are eleven in number, Captains and Lieutenants, including Col. DUNNINGTON, who had charge of the five hundred troops constituting the force in the immediate command The steamer New Era, of the Mosquito Fleet, one of the three small gunboats which took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, on the 11th inst., came up the river at midnight, bringing the Staff Officers connected with the garrison. They are eleven in number, Captains and Lieutenants, including Col. DUNNINGTON, who had charge of the five hundred troops constituting the force in the immediate command of the fort. The latter was formerly connected with the navy. He was slightly wounded by a shell. The particulars obtained by this arrival do not differ materially from those previously received, but confirm the fact that the victory was most complete in all its particulars, leaving no question about a drawn battle or other matters in dispute. This was regarded as the key to Arkansas, and its capture, with the large number of troops subtracted from their fighting materials, and the loss of a month's supply of ammunition (a part of which was stolen from the Blue Wing), leaves the door to that State wide open for the advance of our forces. Indeed, the tone of conversation indulged in by all the rebel officers, excepting Col. DUNNINGTON, is most desponding as regards the prospects of the rebel cause in that State.</p> <p>They all bear testimony to the terrible efficiency of our gunboat fleet. The small crafts New Era. Rattler and Clyde passed the fort, which is situated in a bend of the Arkansas commanding the river, and proceeded on until they came to a point opposite which a bayou from the White River approaches at right angles to the Arkansas, leaving only a very narrow space from which alone the rebel army could escape. Across this neck of land they kept up a constant fire of shell and grape, which rendered it impossible for them to pass without certain destruction. Meantime the heavy gunboats, including the New Uncle Sam, Rear-Admiral PORTER's Flagship; the Louisville, Cincinnati and St. Louis, kept up the attack in front. The Union forces, which had landed on the White River side, about five miles from the fort, followed the course of that stream, and sweeping round to the left got in the rear of the fort, where they engaged the rifle pits of the enemy. The fort was surrounded by a wide deep ditch, which it was impossible to cross without bridging. This was done under a heavy fire of musketry and cannon which commanded the approach. Three times our troops made an attempt to carry this point and cross the ditch, but were driven back with heavy loss. It is also stated that the shells and other missiles from our gunboats, fell among and destroyed many of the brave men while engaged in this fearful enterprise. The bridge was finally crossed by a determined dash of our boys, when, in the midst of a tremendous cheer from the troops and from the Admiral's flag-ship, the rebel flag which floated from the staff in the centre of the fort, was instantly hauled down, and a white flag run up in its place. The garrison thus surrendered, was that of one of the most strongly built and fortified of any in the Southwest. A large number of rebels ran toward the little gunboats, throwing up their hands, in token of surrender, exhibiting white flags, &amp;c., About fifty got on board of one boat, and if they had been permitted, she could have been filled. The boat backed out of the way, and awaited the orders for receiving the captured troops. Not over one hundred, some say not over fifty, escaped, out of the whole force of over five thousand engaged.

          Col. DUNNINGTON asserts that there were only about 3,200 engaged, but the Commissary's accounts, which were captured, shows that 8,000 rations were issued on the day of the fight.

          The prisoners, with the wounded, are now on their way up the river, some having already gone to St. Louis on boats which passed upon Saturday.</p> <p>The main force of the rebel army is now said to be at Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Col. DUNNINGTON says they can raise there 30,000 men, but it is believed he exaggerates their strength for effect.

          Taken as a whole, the result of this battle is one of the most gratifying victories we have had in the Southwest. The prisoners I referred to yesterday, have been sent up to Fort Benton.