GENERAL: The Stars and Stripes now wave in triumph over Van Buren. On learning that Hindman had been re-enforced and contemplated making another attempt to force his way to Missouri, I determined to make the attack upon him.
     Leaving my transportation north of the mountains, I marched with 8,000 of my best troops and thirty pieces of artillery, from Prairie Grove at 8 o'clock yesterday morning upon this place; distance, 50 miles. At 10 o'clock this morning my advance came upon two regiments of rebel cavalry at Dripping Springs, 8 miles north of the river. Dashing upon them with 3,000 cavalry and four mountain howitzers, a brisk running fight took place, which was kept up into the town, resulting in the capture of all their transportation---40 wagons, with six-mule teams, camp and garrison equipage, 100 prisoners, a large amount of ammunition; four steamers and the ferry-boat were also captured. The latter, in attempting to cross the river with rebel troops, was shelled from the howitzer. When in the middle of the river the boats were disabled and a number of the men killed. The remainder jumped overboard and swam to the shore. Three large steamers, heavily laden with Government supplies, had got up steam and attempted to escape down the river, but were pursued by the cavalry 5 miles and brought to by the fire of their carbines, and returned back to the levee. The enemy then brought their artillery to the opposite bank of the river and commenced shelling the town, for the purpose of driving out my cavalry, but resulting in no other damage than the destruction of some buildings; my artillery, coming up soon, silenced their batteries. Quite a number of the enemy have been killed during the day's operations. The only casualties on our side are 5 or 6 men slightly wounded. My long-range guns are now shelling the rebel camp across the river, 5 miles below this place. If the enemy does not retire during the night., I shall endeavor to cross my troops over the river in the morning and offer them battle.

   Page 167
Report of Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, U. S. Army.

     The Army of the Frontier, under Generals Blunt and Herron, moved over Boston Mountains on Saturday. Advanced without halting to Van Buren; drove the enemy across the Arkansas; killed and wounded a few; took three steamboats, camp equipments, and 100 prisoners. The march of 45 miles, with all arms of service, over the mountains and through the deep mud of the valley was a most arduous and gallant affair.

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Reports of General F. J. HERRON, U. S. Army.

     We have bearded the tricky rebel, General Hindman, in his den. Yesterday morning we left north side of mountains, General Blunt taking Cove Creek road and I taking Telegraph road. It was a terrible trip. We formed junction at daylight this morning, and pushed the cavalry into Van Buren without halting. Two regiments of cavalry were encamped at Dripping Springs and showed fight, but after killing a few and wounding some, they left, crossing the river on two boats at the wharf. We captured two boats and the ferry-boat, the transportation of two regiments, and 100 prisoners, including several officers. It is a good joke on Hindman. He is across the river, 5 miles from here, with his whole force. We claim the country to the Arkansas River.

   Page 168
Reports of Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt, U. S. Army.

     The enemy retreated during the night of the 28th in the direction of Arkadelphia. About 600 sick and wounded Confederates were abandoned at Fort Smith, with instructions to take care of themselves. I sent a small force to Fort Smith to destroy two steamers there, but the rebels had saved us the trouble by burning them before they retreated. The four steamers captured at Van Buren, also the ferry-boat, were burned by my order. Last night as much of the sugar and other supplies as I had transportation to remove were landed. The remainder, including about 13,000 bushels of corn, shipped from Little Rock for the rebel army, shared the fate of the boats. As it is impossible to sustain an army here, for the want of forage and supplies, until they can be brought up the river, or the animals subsist upon grass, I shall there fore commence moving my troops back today north of the mountains. Dispatch just received from Colonel [W. A.] Phillips, whom I had sent with 1,200 men to the Indian Territory, dated Fort Gibson, the 27th, informs me that he has driven and pursued the forces of Cooper and Stand Watie across the Arkansas River, and destroyed the rebel fortifications, barracks, and commissary buildings at Fort Davis. Colonel Mcintosh and the rebel Creeks are desirous of laying down their arms and unite their destinies again with the Federal Government. The same feeling also manifested by the Choctaws. Respectfully,

 Go on to the Fort Lawrence, Beaver Station, January 6, 1863

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