Quotes from the Official Record of the Union and Confederate Armies:
APRIL 26, 1863.-- Engagement at Duck River Island, or Little Rock Landing, Tenn.
No. 1.-- Brig. Gen. Alfred. W. Ellet, U. S. Army, commanding Mississippi Marine Brigade, with itinerary of the command for April, 1863.
No. 2.-- Lieut. William F. Warren, Acting Signal Officer.
Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, U. S. Army, commanding Mississippi Marine Brigade, with itinerary of the command for April, 1863.
Cairo, Ill., April 30, 1883.
Hon. E. M. STANTON:
I have the honor to report that, in compliance with instructions received from Admiral Porter, I proceeded with my command up Tennessee River to Eastport, Miss., without interruption from the enemy. Returning in consequence of low water, I made several raids into the country, and destroyed a number of important mills and considerable amount of subsistence and supplies belonging to the enemy. At the mouth of Duck River my boats were attacked by 700 cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, commanded by Major [R. M.] White, of Sixth Texas Rangers. The fight was spirited for a few moments only. The enemy were driven back and pursued some 12 miles in the interior, with the loss of Major White, mortally wounded and left near the field, and 1 lieutenant and 8 men killed. They carried off a large number of wounded in wagons and on horses. We buried their dead. Our loss was 2 men killed and 1 wounded. The west bank of the Tennessee River was lined with refugees, who have been driven from their homes for love to the old Union. I exhausted my supplies in providing for their necessities. The Tennessee River is too low for my boats to operate in with safety. My orders from Admiral Porter do not provide for this emergency. I shall hope to receive instructions from the Department.
ALFRED W. ELLET,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Mississippi Marine Brigade
On the evening of the 3rd, the fleet left Milliken's bend, by order of Admiral Porter, to cruise in the neighborhood of Greenville, Miss.
On the 4th, landed for a scout to Lake city, but received orders to proceed immediately to the Tennessee River.
On the 15th, arrived at Fort Henry, having been detained at Cairo and Paducah for repairs, and for the arrival of Colonel Streight's command.
On the 17th, left Fort Henry with Colonel Streight's command, under convoy.
On the 19th, reached Eastport without any casualty. Sent out the cavalry from Cerro Gordo Landing, under command of Major Hubbard, to destroy a mill and a large amount of lumber, used for ship-building, which was burned.
On the 21st, was forced to leave Eastport, in consequence of the water falling rapidly. Landed at Savannah, and sent scouting parties out to burn mills used by the enemy. Destroyed the mills, with large amount of commissary supplies. Captured 3 of the enemy's pickets, and returned without loss.
On the morning of the 26th, was attacked below the mouth of Duck River by the enemy, 700 strong, commanded by Major [R. M.] White, of the Sixth Texas Rangers, with three pieces of artillery. Landed and pursued the enemy 12 miles, killing 10 men, including Major White, and wounding many more. The enemy escaped, in consequence of the utter impracticability of effecting a landing at the point of attack. Our loss was 2 men killed and several wounded, only 1 seriously.
On the 28th, arrived at Fort Henry, the water having fallen so that we found great difficulty in navigating. Ram Monarch, with the brigade, in the Tennessee River; ram Switzerland blockading the mouth of the Red River.
Report of Lieut. William F. Warren, Acting Signal Officer.
HDQRS, SIGNAL DETACHMENT, MISS. MARINE BRIGADE,
Flag-ship Autocrat, April 26, 1863.
Capt. O. H. HOWARD,
Chief Signal Officer, Western Department.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that the signal detachment of the Mississippi Marine Brigade has had an opportunity to test its efficiency and make itself useful, to some extent, in the following manner:
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
At a few minutes past 8 o'clock this morning, while passing a point on the Tennessee River, a few miles below Duck River, where the direction of the current compelled us to run within 50 yards of the land, our fleet was opened upon by a field battery of four guns and a regiment of cavalry. The Autocrat, being in advance, was the first to receive the fire. The Diana came nest, followed by the Adams, each receiving a raking fire at close range, but with very slight casualties. The Autocrat replied instantly with musketry, the Diana and Adams with musketry and field artillery. Our fire becoming too hot for the rebels, they immediately limbered up and fell back in great haste, out of musket range. The general discovering this, ordered me to signal the other boats to land their forces at once. The order was instantly understood, both by J. Q. Adams, on the Diana, and Lieutenant Wilson, on the Adams. This order was immediately followed by instructions about the position in which they should land. As a result of this signaling, the troops were ready to march out almost at the instant the landing was made. We have officers on each of the five large boats who are able to read signals quite readily, and I have the honor to say that I am reliably informed that they were all upon the hurricane deck during the engagement, with glasses and equipments, on close lookout for signals. The Diana and Adams were both hotly engaging the enemy at the time their signals were given, and the Adams was receiving the fire of his battery.
Officers and men deserve commendation for their coolness and close attention to duty.
W. F. WARREN,
Lieut. and Acting Signal Officer, Mississippi Marine Brigade.