THE BATTLE AT HELENA, ARKANSAS.
July 4, 1863.
The town of Helena, in Arkansas, is situated upon the northern bank of the Mississippi river, and lies upon flat ground. Not more than a quarter of a mile from the river the city and its approaches are commanded by high ridges, between which are ravines opening toward the river. The city had been strongly fortified by batteries placed upon these hills and connected in line by rifle-pits.
An attack upon Helena had been anticipated for some days, and at four o’clock on the morning of the 4th of July, the attack was opened upon General Prentiss by a rebel force numbering fifteen thousand, under Generals Holmes and Price. The Union forces, who had been two nights under arms and waiting the attack, were in readiness in a few minutes, and infantry, cavalry, and artillery were immediately in the positions assigned them. Between the ridges and the river the low, flat ground was protected by cavalry and rifle-pits and flanking batteries of ten-pounder Parrotts, and six and twelve-pounder brass pieces. Making the city the base of operations, Battery A was placed upon the right, and Batteries B, C, and D, upon the left. The enemy attacked upon the left of the line, and were opposed by a strong force of cavalry, with a brigade of infantry and four pieces of artillery. Presently it was reported that a large force was assaulting Battery A; and close upon the heels of this intelligence came the news that sharpshooters were harassing batteries C and D; behind the sharpshooters came heavy columns of the enemy who were rapidly moving artillery into position. In front of Battery B could be seen a large force of cavalry, showing that the enemy had been disposed by the planning of a master mind. The enemy opened a spirited fire on both flanks of General Prentiss’ troops at once, but without producing any effect; evidently no great result was expected by the rebels in regard to this movement, and it was merely intended as a diversion while they were throwing their whole strength against the Union centre. This plan would, if successfully carried out, have given them possession of Fort Curtis, a point which was centrally located, and commanded all the ridges surrounding the city. But the rebels were not aware of the presence at the city’s landing of the gunboat Tyler, commanded by Lieutenant James M. Pritchett, and they were equally astonished and disconcerted when, at a critical moment, the Tyler made them aware of her presence. The enemy were unable to open batteries upon the centre from being disappointed in finding ravines in which to place them, and therefore relied upon their infantry for the work. The attack upon Battery D was personally superintended by Lieutenant General Holmes, and Major-General Price directed that made upon Battery C. Half an hour after the battle first opened a regiment moved out to attack Battery D; but as they advanced in line upon a bridge within range of the guns of Battery C, the latter opened upon them a furious fire of shell, which was imitated by the guns of Battery D, with such effect as to create a perfect panic in their ranks which rapidly increased to a rout, and the rebels retired in great disorder. They were immediately reinforced, however, and their sharpshooters pressed close upon the guns of Battery C, so that they were turned upon them, vomiting forth canister, and so effectually checking their advance that they retreated again, and took refuge under cover of the ravines and fallen timber.
About this time operations on both sides ceased for a brief while owing to a dense fog which had fallen, and continued to hang heavily in the air for about three-quarters of an hour. When it was light again the force in front of Battery D appeared to be much weakened, while a brigade of three regiments was seen crossing the ridges between that work and Battery C. Before any of the guns could be used against the approaching force the first line of pits in front of the battery was flanked, and the company forced back upon the battery, where they stood bravely. The guns of Battery D opened furiously upon the rebels, but notwithstanding the fierce fire they pressed forward upon the company of Battery C, swarming like locusts, and causing a sudden panic to fall upon the Union men. Two companies upon the left of the battery broke and fled in the wildest confusion; but two more with the guns, and two in the pits to the right of them held their ground bravely, pouring in a heavy fire of canister and minnie balls into the ranks of the enemy. But the guns could not be saved; seeing which the captain of the battery spiked one just as the enemy reached the piece, while the gunners, determined that the battery should be useless to its captors, secured all the friction-primers. At the foot of the hill the retreating Unionists made another stand, and being promptly supported by portions of two regiments they proved to the rebels that they were not yet beaten.
It was now that the services of the Tyler became of such value to the National forces; and as the enemy, flushed with success, gathered together his scattered companies and charged down the hill toward Fort Curtis, a broadside from the gunboat poured death and destruction down the slopes of the hillside and enfiladed the ravines, while the stern guns silenced the rebel battery below, and the bow guns at the same moment played upon the upper one. And yet the rebels bore the fire, nor once turned to flee, although it seemed worse than madness to go on.
But in the language of a correspondent of the day, “With the howl of demons, the last mad, defiant impotent howl of baffled but still determined traitors, exposed to history, to nations, and to themselves, whipped, naked, and hungry, on they came cursing, firing, riding like the ‘Light Brigade’ ‘into the gates of death, into the mouth of hell.’ No hurrying, no excitement, and yet no hesitation in the fort and batteries, but steadily the shell, case, grape, and canister flew, with the swiftness of lightning and the precision of fate straight in the faces of the infuriate mob. Heads, trunks, and limbs hurled asunder by bursting iron, flew into the air, nauseating and sickening all who witnessed the horrible sight. No body of men on earth could long endure such a tornado of iron as was hurled on them, while their shots all fell short or passed harmlessly over the gunners of the fort. Not a man was even wounded. Slow to receive conviction, but at last satisfied of the hopelessness of their assault, the mob turned about as if by common consent and broke into squads of twenty, ten, two, and at last, every man for himself.” The rebels, who fought like madmen, made still another stand, and tried an approach through a ravine; but one particular point which the line must pass was exposed to the fire of the Union troops; and very soon the guns succeeded in getting such excellent range of this point that not a man could pass it. One regiment which had passed into the ravine could not return, nor could the brigade pass in to its support. At the mouth of the ravine one of General Prentiss’ regiments was so placed as to rake the entire length of the rebel line, while another immediately took position on a ridge on the right flank of the rebel brigade, and both regiments poured in their fire at once; and cross fires from the Fort and batteries, aided by the gunboat, completely scattered the regiments left upon the ridges. In haste and confusion they abandoned the guns which they had captured, uninjured, and left the brave regiment which had passed into the ravine, with all their arms, officers, and colors, prisoners of war. About three hundred of the rebel killed and wounded, besides four hundred prisoners, were lost by the enemy in this charge.
A similar attack had been made on Battery D while this was going on against Battery C, and with much the same result to the enemy, who was driven back by a murderous fire from the battery’s guns and from the sharpshooters. A few who succeeded in getting through the Union lines took position in a ravine to the left of the battery, but they made only a short fight, when they threw down their guns and formally surrendered. The following anecdote is related of a Lieutenant-Colonel who commanded the rebels. While they were still fighting he sprang upon a log and waved his sword, lustily cheering on his men.
The captain of Battery D called out to him: “What in thunder do you keep swinging that sword for? Why don’t you surrender?”
“By what authority do you demand my surrender?” returned the rebel officer.
“By the authority of my 12-pound howitzer,” replied the captain.