This is a partial, but long, letter. It was written on two separate days. From the context of the letter I would guess the first portion was written to his younger sister, Jenny, after January 2nd and before January 9, 1863. The Cincinnati is most likely nearing, or at, the Post of Arkansas, Fort Hindman. The second portion is clearly dated as January 12, 1863 and describes the action the Cincinnati saw in the Battle of Arkansas Post.

 

New Year’s night the boat was full of rumors about what we were going to do the next day. It was said we were going up the river to clear it of batteries at all hazards. The next morning we were “roused out” at 5 bells (1/2 past two) and were told to lash our hammocks and pile them in front of the boilers. When we went on the spar deck we found the two hauser boxes empty and their contents piled upon the grating over the boilers. The pilot house and Johnson's Plantationbow were greased all over and everything was put in battle array. But instead of going up the river we went down, and when daylight came we found ourselves 5 miles from Johnson’s Plantation. This was some new move, I suppose, but the meaning of it is more than I can tell.

On the afternoon of the 2d it was reported that a rebel ram was coming down the river. We immediately got up anchor and all hands were called to quarters. Our guns were loaded with shell which we drew out and loaded with solid shot. We depressed our guns and were fully prepared for close combat. As we went up the river, we met transport after transport coming down the river at full speed loaded with troops but no ram made its appearance. When we reached the place where the Louisville USS Louisville and DeKalb were lying at anchor, a tug came down bringing order to the different boats. In short, the whole fleet were making their way down the river and by night we found ourselves anchored at the mouth of the Yazoo. Another new move, I suppose, but it is what I should call a “masterly retreat”. Today we are moving up the Mississippi with a transport lashed to our side helping us along. Another new move. Where we are going I don’t know but perhaps I can tell you by and by.

I received a letter from Jamie Stewart the other day in which I received all the news in regard to him getting a place in the Ordinance Department. He is getting two dollars per day with a chance of twelve hundred next year if he stays. I am very glad to hear it as are all the rest of the boys, and so will all his friends in Buffalo. The best news I’ve heard in a long while is about the surprise party at Kendalls. I would have liked to have been there. No lady deserves a reward more than Mrs. K. for the interest she has taken in the church in learning the members how to sing. I am glad to hear your face is better. I got a letter from Herb Chapin a day or so before I received yours and another from Charley Benedict sometime ago but haven’t answered them yet. By the way, that puts me in mind that I am out of paper, so send it along immediately, if you haven’t done so already. Send stamps also. I am glad to hear George has given over chewing and smoking, but sorry to hear he’s given over “everything else”. I would be sorry to hear he’d stopped eating for the poor fellow would starve soon. Why don’t he write? I can’t write to everyone. It takes all my spare time to answer the letters I receive. Father and Mother haven’t answered my last letter yet. You want me to give the rebels “fits” and to shoot a couple for you. Don’t be so bloodthirsty, Jenny.

How did Christmas and New Year’s pass off? Everything went as usual here. Nothing took place to disturb the usual monotonous routine of this business. We had “duff” and “salt horse” for dinner. Don’t forget to write often, send lots of papers. Don’t forget about paper and stamps.

Your affectionate Brother,

Daniel

 

Arkansas River
January 12 [18]63

P.S. Our destination seems to have been the White River. We reached the mouth early on Thursday morning and started up the river on Friday. We sailed up the cutoff, which runs into the Arkansas. All, or nearly all, the transports are with us. The gunboats are the Louisville, Baron DeKalb and Cincinnati together with the flag ship and a number of the mosquitoe fleet. On Saturday afternoon, about half past five, we made an attack upon a battery situated upon a high bluff. We were very close to it and bullets as well as shell fell about us like hail. We fought till it was so dark we couldn’t tell where the battery was; only by the flash of the guns. Our boat was struck several times. Once in the “Chocks” on the forecastle tearing up a portion of the timber and deck planks and bursting in the port. Another struck the hammock netting going through a ventilator, then through the smoke stack, then through the cook’s galley, knocking down a “slush” barrel and spilling grease over the deck , then through the hawser box and through the other hammock netting out to the bank. Another shot struck a locker near the wheel house. No one was hurt aboard our boat. One man was killed and several wounded on the Louisville. We fell back about 7 o.c. out of range. Yesterday afternoon we again attacked the battery. We opened upon them about half past one. The fight raged fiercely till about half past four. The guerillas kept up a continual fight and their mosquitoes kept pouring in shells from the rear. We cleaned their guns after which our soldiers came up and took possession of it. The Louisville was on fire at one time, but it was speedily put out. Our boat was again struck a number of times. Two shots struck the bow casement making a couple of dents in the iron. Another struck the pilothouse near the top, making a dent and splintering the roof a little. Another struck one of the stanchions going through the wheelhouse through the wardroom into the capt’s cabin and lodging in the casemate. Not one man aboard was hurt, though shot shell and bullets were flying all around us. Two men were killed and sixteen wounded on the DeKalb by a shell striking in the port, knocking the muzzle off one of the guns. I expect to go ashore today to take a look at the battery.

[KATY'S NOTE: In the next letter DFK mentions that he had to end this letter abruptly in order to get it into the departing mail boat. Thus it would seem there is no missing subsequent page.]

Footnotes

From: United States. Naval War Records Office & United States. Office of Naval Records and Library. Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. / Series I - Volume 24: Naval Forces on Western Waters (January 1, 1863 - May 17, 1863) Washington, GPO, 1911.

Page 98-99: On January 4, 1863 Admiral Porter ordered Lieutenant-Commander Bache to the Arkansas River.

"SIR: You will proceed to the mouth of the Arkansas River; if I am not there before you, anchor and take in coal if there is any. Transports are appropriated to tow up the ironclads. Take the first that offers. A red flag means, “I want towage.” Save all the coal you can while being towed."

Page 100-101: Within the Official Navy documents there is a refugee's description of the Post of Arkansas:

The force at Post of Arkansas consists of eleven regiments, number
ing each about 600 effectives, two companies of cavalry, and two batteries; one equipped, the other used in the land defense of the fort.
Some of these small pieces are rifled. There are nine or seven guns mounted on the river side (one 64-pounder), the rest of lower calibers. The road from White River is a good one, running on high land, though on both sides marshy. The fort is intrenched and ditched on all sides, barracks inside, covered with dirt and sod. Barricade above the fort consisting of rows of piles driven in tri- angles and secured with hog chains. The road from White River is good, bears along a prairie 300 yards wide. Road to the post, 20 miles.

 

Page 104: Admiral Porter's Order of Battle

The Louisville, Baron De Kalb, and the Cincinnati will take the
lead in attacking Post of Arkansas, and will move up at 9:30 a. m.
(if weather will permit), in sight of, but not in range of, the fort.
The light-draft vessels will follow to make a show. The Black Hawk
will move up to use her two rifle guns at long range. When the range is obtained by each vessel they will stick up a mark on the bank, opposite which they will remain while firing. The elevating screw must be fitted with a lanyard to the handle, and secured
so that the elevation will not alter while firing.

The division of General Sherman will be in a line with our fire,
a mile the other side of the Post. It is desirable to drop our shells in
or near the fort, that we may not trouble him as he advances. The
front casemates and forward part of the pilot houses of the ironclads must be covered with tallow or slush; it will make the shot glance.

When the range is obtained, fire as rapidly as can be done with a
proper regard for accuracy. Commence with 10-second shell. I will
direct when to move up or fall back. If the heavy ammunition should give out, move the rifle guns forward.

The De Kalb will try her range first; 1,330 yards is the bursting
point of a 5-second fuze, 10-second, at about 2,700 yards.