Taken from Fort Smith, Civil War: A Union Post
A group of one sergeant, twenty-four privates and Lt. Horace Cook of Co K, 12th Kansas Infantry were escorting the river steamer J. R. Williams when it was attacked on the Arkansas River by Colonel Stand Watie's Cherokee cavalry. The purpose of the trip was to supply posts close to Belle Point and the intended destination was Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.
The ambush occurred on June 15, 1864 about seventy miles north of Ft. Smith approaching Pleasant Bluff. Unfortunately for the Union, no cavalry had been assigned to protect the boat from threats onshore. For the Confederates, three guns of Lt Henry Forrester of Lee's Texas Battery were situated behind the cover of bushes about 100 yards apart. As the target neared the center gun, Col. Watie gave the order to fire to the sharpshooters and likewise, the cannon fire began. One cannon ball hit the chimney, one went through the pilothouse, and another broke steam pipes, causing the pilot to ground the craft. It was abandoned by the Union survivors as they fled for shore. Col. Watie's men boarded and after unloading the cargo of flour, bacon, and Indian goods, scuttled the ship by setting it ablaze. After the harrowing experience described above, Union supplies were sent overland.
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