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opportunity should call for action.
It put an end to the random Federal forays which had been commenced after the fall of Little Rock, and caused the Federal commander to keep his army concentrated and disciplined for the moment when it should be ordered to move, in accordance with a studied plan of strategy, in concert with other forces constituting the army of the Southwest. General Marmaduke was wise not to waste the lives of his command in a coup de main, which if successful would have realized no substantial result or permanent advantage.
The next day the First Iowa cavalry, sent to Pine Bluff, followed on the trail of Marmaduke to Tulip, and turning off at Princeton, marched on the evacuated Confederate post of Arkadelphia, capturing eight or ten sick soldiers, ‘a large mail,’ some Confederate money, two lieutenants, some salt, and three 6-mule trains.
Marmaduke had gone to camp near Washington.
General Price had marched his infantry division to position near Camden, on the lower Ouachita.
The Federal general, Rice, with 2,000 infantry and two 6-gun batteries, moved out from Little Rock, October 18th, but returned soon.
Gen. Kirby Smith sent to General Holmes the following forecast, November 1st, which proved correct: ‘I hardly think the enemy will move this season with the intention of opening the campaign.
They may be acting in connection with General Banks and intend to prevent reinforcements going to General Taylor.
They will not attempt an advance beyond the Ouachita or the Little Missouri if they find you in their front and any opposition is made to them.’
Harrell's battalion was on outpost duty toward Mt. Ida, and his scouts pursued the Federal scouts from time to time until the winter weather grew so severe that neither side attempted military operations.
On December 15th, Col. Lewis Merrill, with 1,000 men, surprised a camp of newly-formed State troops in an unarmed camp of exchanged men, near Princeton, and caused them to fall
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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