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severely wounded. We captured one hundred and twenty one horses and a large umber of arms and other property. The boat was got around the Bridge, the water being high and reached Helena in safety. Col. Clayton of Col. Busseys Brigade with a detachment of Infantry to guard the Boat were in charge of the expedition. Lieut. Niblicks men were highly complimented by the commanding General for their Gallentry. Maj Gen Prentice was at this time in command of the army at Helena, he having superceded Gen Gorman sometime in March. On the 6th of April Major Gen Washburn was relieved of the command of the 2nd Cav Division, Army of the Tenn and Col. Cyrus Bussey assigned to the command the rebels were concentrating on White River in force for the purpose of attacking Helena. Col. Bussey at once went to work to put the troops under his command in readiness for defence. Maj Scott of the 3d Iowa Cavalry was charged with removing obstructions in range of the Forts and clearing out and falling the timber. 200 men with axes were detailed daily to report to Maj Scott who contributed more than any other man to the preparation, which enabled our forces to repulse the overwhelming force of the enemy who attacked the place on the 4th of July. The Rebels in large force were frequently reported in the vicinity of Helena and on the 12th of April Col. Busseys command encountered and defeated a rebel force in Philps couty, wounded a number and took some prisoners. Sixty able bodied Negroes who had been Col.lected [sic] by the rebels to send south and about 50 Horses and mules. Information was brought in everyday of the enemies being reinforced and about to march on Helena. Dobyms[?] with one thousand men were in camp on Big Creek and made frequent attacks on out Pickets at Helena. Several expeditions went in pursuit of him, but he managed to evade our forces by hiding in the swamps. One the 21st of April Maj Noble in command of the 3d Iowa Cavalry met a part of Dobyns command near the St. Francis River and gallantly charged him, routing the enemy who left our near dead on the Field and retreated in confusion. On the 27th of April, Maj Noble with his Regiment again encountered the enemy near Big