We soon overtook Stuart and closed in, General Sherman on the right, Morgan's force on the left, reaching to the river, where the gunboats were, while Sherman reached from the road which connected the post with the back country, toward where the earthworks reached the river above the fort, and threatened their communications with Little Rock.

The night was cold and cloudy, with some snow.

There were a good many abandoned huts to our rear, but our forces in position lay on the frozen ground, sheltered as best they could, among the bushes and timber.

We were so close that they could have reached us any time during the night with light artillery.

The gun-boats threw heavy shells into the fort and behind the earthworks all night, keeping the enemy awake and anxious.