Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-10-17
Letter from Col. Carroll.

Letter from Col. Carroll.
 CHARLESTON, ARK, Sept. 18th, 1861.
 The Acty. Asst. Adjt GenV Brig. GenV Nc. 1 Culloch's commend:
 l S1R:-In the official report of the battle of Oak Hills, as published, the following paragraph appears:
 | "A terrible fire of musketry was now kept ! up along the whole side and top of the hill upon which the enemy were posted. Masses of in fantry fell back and again rushed torward.- l The summit of the hill was covered with the 1 dead and wounded-both sides were fighting with desperation for the day. Carrofs and l Greer's regiments, lead gallantly by Capt. Brad fute charged the battery, but the whole strength of the enemy were immediately in the rear, and deadly ire was opened upon them. At this critical moment, when the fortunate of the day seemed to be at the turning point, two regiments of Gen. Pearce's brigade, sof Arkansas troops were ordered to marcn from their position Jas reserve) to support the centre. The order was obeyed with aacrity, and Gen. Pearce gallant ly rushed with his brigade to the rescue"
 With perfect respect to the General com. manding, and to my brother officers and soldiers who participated in the action of August 10th, I submit that the above quoted paragraph does injustice to the regiment of cavalry which had the honor to command. The facts, as to the conduct of that regiment, were these: At daylight, on the 10th, expecting so move upon Springfield immediately. I ordered "boots and saddles" to be sounded. Shortly before o'clock, we were apprised of the enemys approach, by a horseman passing rapidly by our encamp- ment, going in the direction of Gen'l McCul lochs head quarters. "To horse,' was at once sounded, by my direction, and the regiment formed in the field adjoining our encampment, and moved towards head quarters. Alta short distance, Mai. John Kiug, Aid to Gen'l McCdl loch, met me and gave the order, that l should cross the creek to the southward, on the Spring field road, and take position in the timber there till further orlers--witn which order l com pii- ed About this time, the enemy opsned fire both of artillery and small arms--to the west, which was to my right. and within rage of my command -shot and ball pouring over and fall ing thickly around us. Their firing was by Gen'l Lyons command, including Tottens bat. tery. Simultaneously, there was firing upon our left and east, from Seigles command.
 At this juncture, Capt Bradfute came up announced himself, as aid to Gen' McCu!loch, and directed that should go to the support of the Missouri infantry, then engaged with Lyon upon my right. This order was promptly ex- ecuted-my regiment taking post just in rear of the Mssourians, and sustaining them in their position-rallying them, and driving them back when their ranks were broken by the deadly fire of the enemy. Here, one man and two or three horses were wounded. The enemy continuing their fire, though slackened, at length fell back-down the hill and to the west, whence they hanked to the south, intending, as l sup posed, to effect a juncture with Seigles folc ces. .aCapt Bradtute now approached and direct ed that should flank with the Texas regiment, (Col. Greers,) In executing the order, when the hilltop was reached, found that. in crossing the valley, my command would be runiously ex- posed to the fire of Totten's battery and the enemys infantry. armed with minnie muskets, from which the Texans were saved by their greater distance from the enemys lines. In this emergency, l determined that it was best and safest to charge the enemy. And that determination was carried into effect without advlce or suggestion from any one, and without any other command than my own. Hence, Capt Bradfute did not lead my regiment to the charge. In consequence of this assault, the enemy were driven Tn retreat, leaving the ground strewn with their wounded and dead. Five of my own men were killed and 22 wounded and many horses killed and disabled. Officers and men, of my command, displayed the utmost gal
 antry in this movement, riding upon the enemy with shout-discharging their pieces again and agaln with telling effect. One instance of individual herosm, l will be pardoned in re- lating. Private Stephenson, (of Capt, Lew's' company his horse being badly wounded, con tinued to discharge and reload his piece. A cannon ball, at length struck one leg of his horse, and both--the animal and rider-tell together. A Dutch soldier approached the dis mounted youth, al run, sabre bayonet in hand, when young Mark Bean, of the same company deliberately took fight at the Hessian, shot him dead, and then bravely and dextrously caught SteI henson by the hand assisted him to mount behind hinself, and bore him safely lnto ranks. This gallant achievement took place under q errifc fire. of grape, canister, shell, and mus ketry. Other incidents, not less worthy of men ton, but are necessarily omitted.
 After the charge, we continued in the direc- ton taken by the Texas regiment and soon re- joined them. A messenger from Col. Greer notified me that Gen'l McCulloch ordered that his regiment and mine should take position on ridge, to the left of the Springfield road, coming south, where we remained about 40 minutes In this position, (by reason of the timber) we could not see the movements Of our own or the enemy's forces. The firing had en- tirely ceased. Upon consultation with Col. Greer, had moved my regiment towards head quarters and when at the creek, say 200 yards off, sent my orderly for orders. He returned, stating that no one was there. Meantime, l saw Missourian with Gen. Lyons saddlebags and papers, found near the ground where my command had engaged the enemy. Sergeant White (of Capt. Perkins company of my regi' ment, who was formerly in the federal service, and knew Gen. Lyon personally, took up his hat, lying beside hls corpse, in the same locali. ty.
 Being at the creek without orders, l was in- formed bv an aid to Gen. Price, of Missouri, that the enemy was in full retreat, pursued by an insuffi cient force. instantly moved my l command rapidly in pursuit; but, after forward