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About this time an expedition was ordered by Gen Grany under Maj Gen Steele to advance on Little Rock Ark. Gen Steeles forces concentrated at Helena and moved to Clarendon, where they were joined by Brig Gen Davidson with the Cavalry Division Dept of the Mo in which was the Six Companies of the 3d Iowa Cavalry under Lt Col. Caldwell. Col. Bussey had vainly endeavored to have Lieut. Col. Caldwell's command ordered to join him at Helena or Vicksburgh, but now an opertunity[sic] to unite the Regiment presented itself and Gen Grant was requested to bring about that result. It not being expedient to take any troops from Gen Steele who was calling for reinforcements, Little Rock not yet having been taken Maj Noble, who was on board transport with his command enroute to Vicksburg, was ordered by Gen Grant who was on board to debark at Helena Aug 27th and report to Maj Gen Steele. Maj Noble proceeded to Little Rock and was assigned to the Cavalry Division, where the 3d Iowa Cavalry was again united, having been seperated nearly two years. Major Noble was appointed Chief of Cavalry on the Staff of Brig Genl Davidson and filled that position with ability. Col. Busseys Regiment having been ordered to Little Rock by Gen Grant, He was relieved by Gen Sherman and ordered to report to Gen Steele. He arrived at Little Rock about the 1st of Nov 1863 and was immediately assigned to Command the Cavalry Division, relieving Col. Lewis Merrill, Gen Davidson having returned to take command of the Cavalry Division, Col. Bussey was assigned to command the 1st Brigade stationed at Benton Ark 25 miles south west of Little Rock when he assumed command on the 28th of Nov. Benton was one of the most important outposts in the Dept of Ark and in constant danger of attack by the enemy. The troops were kept on duty scouting and foraging and had frequent skirmishes with the enemy. About the 20th of December Col. Bussey was ordered to evacuate the Post and move his command to Little Rock, it being impossible longer to obtain forage at Benton. See Report of Lieut. Col. H. C. Caldwell 3d Iowa Cav. in Adjutant Generals Report for 1864 for particulars of an expedition to Arkadelphia, +c.