AOA XXIX Corps Reports

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 1^st 1864 – 6:00 a.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL: I wish to report that Brig. Gen. Hawley is preparing to leave St. Mary’s for Arkansas post with his 1^st Brigade and Division Artillery. He believes it will take his men three to four days to reach Arkansas Post. His 2^d Brigade is on the opposite bank and preparing to cross to Pine Bluff presently. The division has only two brigades.

 

Second Division has taken a defensive position at Race Track.  Brig. Gen. Lacey sent word that he will be sending his third brigade under Brig. Gen. Pease to Pine Bluff to act as a reserve.

 

Third Division is maintaining a defensive position at Darysaw to defend against enemy advance on Pine Bluff. Col. Ocker volunteered his (3^rd) Brigade of United States Colored Troops to advance to Hurricane Creek.

 

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 2^nd 1864 – 7:00 a.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL: Second Brigade, Second Division has arrived in Pine Bluff from Race Track.  Third Brigade, Third Division arrived at Hurricane Creek yesterday afternoon and has taken up a defensive position.

.

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 3^rd 1864 – 3:00 p.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL:  First Division arrived at Arkansas Post at 9:00 a.m. this morning without encountering the enemy. They are taking up position on the east bank to defend the crossing from Red Fork.

.

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 4^th  1864 – 6:00 a.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL:  Maj. Gen. Hawley, First Division, reports that an enemy cavalry brigade arrived at Red Fork yesterday afternoon, with apparent intentions of crossing to Arkansas Post.  First Division is sufficiently positioned to repulse a crossing. Maj. Gen. Hawley has ordered his batteries to hold their fire unless the enemy attempts to force a crossing. The enemy is encamped in the vicinity of Ryan’

.

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May6t^h  1864 – 6:00 a.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL:  Maj. Gen. Hawley, First Division, remains at Arkansas Post and reports that the enemy’s position has not changed and his single brigade has not been re-enforced. Maj. Gen Hawley would like to note that the river is difficult to cross at Arkansas Post. In the absence of a pontoon bridge, the river can only be crossed in skiffs and small boats, one brigade at a time. As long as the enemy is on the opposite bank, this would be a difficult and costly undertaking. Likewise, the enemy would be unwise to attempt a crossing as long as or forces are present on the bank.

.

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

 

 

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 6th  1864 – 6:00 p.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL:  First Division at Arkansas Port reports that it began shelling the enemy on the opposite bank of the river at 11:00 a.m.  The enemy cavalry brigade at Red Fork has fallen back from the river bank into some woods south of Red Fork Tavern.

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Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.

 

 

 

HDQTRS, XXIX Corps;

Pine Bluff – May 7th  1864 – 6:00 p.m.

 

Brig. Gen. G. R. McCann,

Chief of Staff, Army of the Arkansas,

 

GENERAL:  First Division at Arkansas Port reports that it did not shell the enemy today. The main body of the enemy brigade is concealed in woods south of Red Fork Tavern. They still have pickets in the vicinity of the tavern and landing and are observing our position.  The enemy’s position still does not appear to have been re-enforced with additional troops.

.

Respectfully,

 

Maj. Gen. FRANCIS J. KELLERMAN,

CMDR, XXIX Corps,

Army of the Arkansas.