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July 8th The Army crossed the Bayou Diview[?] and camped. it was now 28 miles to Clarendon when a Brigade of Federal troops with Guns Boats were supposed to be with supplies for our Army. The weather was inersly[?] hot. The dust in the roads six inches deep and no water to be had except from the Swamp on which was a green scum that would float a hat. Our men were entirely out of rations and on the 9th marched 28 miles and reached Clarendon at 11 oclock P.M. Imagine their disappointment when they found The Federal Transports Troops and Gun Boats had all left for the Mip River at 10 oclock AM that day. The heavy Artillery fired several shots down the River with the hope of calling them back, but in vain. Had Gen Curtis obtained supplies at this place, he would have gone to Little Rock which place he could have captured with his army. The rebels had prepared to evacuate the place on his approach. The Army were in a starving condition and on the 10th parties were sent out to drive in some Beef on which the Army subsisted unti lthey reached Helena[?]. On the 10th of July Gen Steele reorganized his Division and Col. Bussey assigned to the Command of the 3d Brigade. On the 11th the army marched towards Helena which place was reached on the 14th. The advance on Little Rock was for the present abandoned. The Army settled down and remained inactive during the entire summer. Vicksburg was at the time Gen Curtis reached Helena occupied by a very small rebel force with no fortifications of consequence. Curtis Army could have taken the place without a Battle and saved the Government almost One year of war and the lives of many thousand men. Curtis asked permission to do so and urgently recommended the measure to his superiors but was prohibited from moving. In consequence of the inactivity of the Army through the sickly season at Helena hundreds of our gallent soldiers died of disease. Col. Busseys Regiment was encamped near the town of Helena and received from the Commanding Generals the praise of having been the best disciplined Regiment in the Army. Col. Bussey was fortunate in the selection of the Officers of his Regiment, who were universally