Chapter 22, Pheasant Bluff Summary

Lying in wait, the rebels know that when the cannons fire, every horse is to climb the bluff or jump into the river as the men attempt to board the armed steamer. After four guns blast the boat, the bugle signals the charge. Hundreds of rebel cavalry ride their horses through the Arkansas River toward the boat. The pilot runs the boat aground on a sand bar, and all the Union soldiers scatter into the woods on the north bank of the stream. The Waitie men plunder the cargo, mostly the union-issue clothing and boots. They take the Federal greenback money, which Yancy Pearl says will not be worth anything once the rebels win the war. All the soldiers rip up or burn the greenbacks. When Fields watches Jeff, Jeff also throws his bank notes overboard. A few rebels...