Page 26
Warning message
You must authorize Drupal to use your Google Analytics account before you can view reports.Primary tabs
About the 25th of December Gen Steele joined Gen Shermans Army at Chickasaw Bayou with a Division of 12000 men and took part in that engagement. The Army at Helena under Gen Gorman had been largely reinforced and put in readiness for active Service. Gen Gorman left Helena on the 10th of Jan 1863 with about 10000 men to advance on and permanently occupy Little Rock. Col. Busseys Regiment were ordered to accompany this expedition, but at the hour of starting were ordered to remain at Helena. Col. Bussey having been assigned to command the District of Helena. Col. Bussey assumed command on the 10th and at once set to work to regulate and put in order his not unimportant commant. The troops were organized into two Brigades. The Sick numbering thousands who had been left by the Regiments of Gens Steeles + Gormans Armies were cared for and houses appropriated for hospitals. The contrabands numbering thousands who had been neglected were Col.lected and a surgeon appointed and supplied with medicine. The traffic in contraband horses and mules was effectually broken up and larger numbers seized for the Government. The Commissary Department and Saloons were ordered to cease the traffic in bad whiskey and a general improvement was manifest in every department of the Army. Col. Bussey exhibited superior qualifications for his position and so successfully managed the affairs of his District as to attract the attention of the Govt and on the 25th of Jan his name was sent to the Senate at the head of a long list of nominations for Brigadier Generals. There being a larger number nominated than could be confirmed, Col. Busseys appointment was not acted upon, he having no person in Washington specially interested in his case. During the occupation of Helena by the Army from 1st Sept. until Col. Bussey took command at least 8000 horses and mules either belonging to the Govt or confiscated in the name of the Govt were shipped north by speculation and sold to the Govt at St. Louis to be reshipped to supply the demands of the Army. Col. Bussey was the first commander cut short by the return of Gen Gorman who had failed to carry out his programme for the capture of Little Rock and returned to Helena about the 25th of Jan. The weather during the time this expedition was absent was very Col.d, with heavy