THE BATTLE AT ARKANSAS POST: Details of the McClernand-Porter Expedition; AN INTERCEPTED REBEL ACCOUNT (1/29/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 1/29/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CAIRO, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1863.

One day in this place is not particularly unlike any other day, with the exception that, when we have a day especially mean as regards its mud, or its rain, or some other unpleasant characteristics, we can always safely calculate that the next day, in these or some other respects, will be a little meaner. There is no sameness about the discomforts of Cairo -- unlike many other places -- for, however bad things are to-day, you may always safely calculate on a change; to-morrow will not be like to-day, it will simply be worse. If, to-day, you wade through mud up your knees, to-morrow you will experience the pleasant variety of wading through mud up to your waist; if now it sprinkles, it will rain an hour later; in short, Cairo is simply an inclined plane, which gradually, but surely, leads from bad to worse, and so on.

I have not the slightest idea in the world why I have written these things, for certainly they have no bearing whatever upon the subject of my present letter. I was intending to commence this letter with a different train of thought -- viz., that the descent of matters in Cairo from bad to worse was interrupted, or rather mitigated, to-day, by the arrival of several boat-loads of prisoners from Arkansas Post. This being the legitimate intention of my present letter, I will confine myself to that, instead of philosophizing upon matters in Cairo. TROLLOPE has done Cairo slight justice, for which I thank him -- especially its hotels and barber-shops.

Reporters, snugly living within the palatial St. Charles Hotel, have long ere this given your enterprising cotemporaries full details of the besiegement and taking of Arkansas Post.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4126695/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Battle at Arkansas Post: Details of the McClernand-Porter Expedition – 2-3
Operations on the Mississippi: Grant’s Army Gone Below – 3
The New Attempt Upon Vicksburgh: Movements of Gen. Grant’s Army – 3-4
Terrific Explosion in Newark: A Steam Boiler Driven Through Three Buildings and Two Vacant Lots – 4
News from Washington: The Alleged Interference with Gen. Burnside’s Plans – 4-6
The Monitors at Sea: A Letter from Capt. Ericsson – 6
Editorial: Prospects of the War – Foreign Intervention – 6-7
Editorial: The Proposed Expulsion of Senator Saulsbury – 7-8
Editorial: Capt. Ericsson on the Monitors – 8
Editorial: Discipline Among Army Officers – 8
Retirement of Thurlow Weed – 8
A Good Appointment – 8-9
Morals of the Army – 9
Mexico – Spirit of the People – 9
The Rebellion – 9
General News – 9