Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-22
DEs ARC BRIDGE, White Co.,. Ark, May l9, 1862.S

CAPT. PoRTLocK, Asst Adjt Genl, Little ROck-
 SIR: On yesterday, the 18th, 1 left tue camps at this place as guide to party of one hundred Tex ans Ca detachment of Col. Parsons Texas Ora eoons) to ascertain the locality of the enemy's for aging parties, and to cut them off if possible. We found them about two miles east of their camp on the road leading from Searcy to West Point, abou | three hundred strong. On our route in search o1 them were joined by about fifty men under Capt. Hicks. We got between the enemy and theil camps and charged them, finding them we'll pro tected behind fences and seereted in the bushes.- The most of them were posted behind the locks oi fence in d lane running north from the road The charge was galanty led by Maj Rogers, who or dered a flank movement on the left of the lane, while he gaantly lead charge down the lane him self. About the same time, perceiying that the enemy were flying to the right through the field, Immediately had the fence thrown down and charg- ed them by flank movement on theright When We had completely routed them and cut them to pieces, large reinforcement of the enemy's cavalry com | ing up, compelled us to withdraw to point about | mile back in the woods, whence we sent for rein 1 forcements, who soon appeared in number about 1 300, detachment of Texas Dragons, when We again formed and took position again on the road between the enemy and their camps, where we would certainly have intercepted and captured the | whole command, had not the most of our forces been called off by some accident or false inorma- ton that msled them and took them off in search of the enemy in a wrong direction. l, however, remained there with Lieut.. Ayers and squad ol men, capturing eight horses and three ambulances. and also a federal surgeon, who was on his way to the battle field to take care of the wounded We also killed at this point two of the enemy who had arrested Capt. Decius McCreery at his residence and were taking him to their camps at the Searcy | landing. One of these was killed by Lieut. Ayers, the other by James Word, of West Point Find ing DO further opportunity for service at this point, left with my squad and captured property, (eXcept the ambuances which were broken) and proceeded 1 in the direction of the camp, bat ting party on the way to the battle field, went with them to recover the dead. We got there just as the enemy had left, who had carried off three wagon loads ot their dead, and leaving nine more in the lane.- l Their loss was from fifty to sevcnty-five killed. l Ours only three, so far as we have been able 10 ascertain, whose bodies were recovered and will be lecently inferred. Lieut.. Mcdonald fell at the mouth of the lane, fighting as bravely as any man that ever lived. Dr. Tapscott, of West Point. and one of Capt Rockers men, also fell fighting with great gallantry.
 It is proper to state that Capt. Stokes and Lieut.. Grady led their command into the thckest of the fight with a steady and daring courage, of which they may justly feel proud, and that all, both off cers and privates, fought with daring and intre- pidty which was never surpassed. After recover ing our dead, l returned to the camps.
 The enemy, about 600 strong, with two pieces of artillery, went up to Searcy, expecting us to re hat way, but returned again to their camps in short time. They have one and half regiments of infantry and battalion of cavalry at the Searcy landing-three regiments of infantry and two bat teries of artillery twelve miles north of the river Thia is from information that Irey on. They are without provisions--have had no four for three weeks, and robbihg the countr! of all meat and grain that they can reach--also of all good horses and mules, and many negroes:
 Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
 F. NJ. CHRISMAN.