True Democrat., 1862-12-17

I blues in advance; Lt-Col. Campbell with three companies, attacking them in front and Col. Bur bridge.with the remaining force, attacking in the reare l. was now dark, and when the hour of ' l o'clock had arrived, the fight was fully opened- In a short time the contest was decided--the enc mH being severely pressed, both in front and rear, soin gaye-way. Of the l20 escorsing the train, A were taken pfisoners--the others escaping under cover of the night.
 We captured one hundred and fifteen mules and horses seventy five sets of harness, and thirty five wagons, partly loaded with military stores.
 The enemy lostl2 killed and I6 wounded. We Host one killed and four or five wounded.
 It was said there were 2, 800 federdis at Hart vile and 300 at Houston, the fight taking place where the road between tie two places crosses Beaver Creek, l2 miles from the former town.- The close appro xmaton of a very superior force, the fact that it was night that we had to travel l in the night without road, and the escape ot 2 1 portion of the enemy to give information, caused the immediate paroling of the prisoners and the burning of the train. About fifty mules were Xiii led ih the fight and several escaped on our return. l On the 21th ult., the command returned to this camp, rot with aV their aris.cs freighted," but with the captured property, being in good health and fine spirits and ready, when rested for another forcee march on the |" blacks.'
 Col. Greenswas absent on q trip to Little Rock, and hence was not with us. In this fight our. en- tire command certainly acted nebly, and there fore deserve praise. The energy and success attending Col. Bulbridge's movements, as well as the coni- deuce of his men, impress the conviction that he is the for the times, and especially for as cav airy commander. The expedition was Certainly 8 complete success, for which the commander IS en- titled to much honor, as we'll as the men 10 the highest praise. ours, etc., $. ------sz>-..-s<zs,-s..4s4- 4s4----
 From the Ft. smith Bulletin, Dec.6, 1862.
 Report of the Battle near Cane Hill. HEAD QUARTERS ARR, CAVALRY BRfGADE,
 CAN'T NEAR DnfPr1NG SPRINGS
 November 29th, 1862. CApTAIE:-
 In compliance with General Order No, Of even date, 1 have the honor to make the fol lowing report of the conduct of the forces in der my command, in the engagement of the 28th inst: but ia justice to my command, beg leave to state, that having inspected the brigade on she 18th inst. had only 200- effective mea. and s3i1 n0n-etective men The latter being sick, and men whose horses we're in. bad condition. Of the noa-effectiye force, 50 men were OF duty as p;clets; picketing the two roads from our encampment to the line road, west of Us, and 100 men were detailed sas escort for the.traiGS of the division. which were ordered to the rear on the 27th, leaving me only 389 men to represent my brigade, while the muster rolls. call for l700. With but few sick, the brigade is thus diminished by the conditiohof the horses, which are worn down-haging been constantly ou the move for six weeks, and for the want of forage and shoeiug. Of the mountain howitzer battery attached to my brigade, there was only one section serviceable. The battery was com handed Ky Lisut. Hewey.
 After being notified of the approach of the enemy, at o clock ?. m., on the 27th, the men were kept under arms, and the horses saddled. until the opening of the enemy's artillery north of us, in the direction of Col. Shelbys encamp> ment, on the morning of the 18th inst, at about 9 o'clock, wien orders were received 10 move InY command rapidly to the front. After nov ing about one mile, l received orders to place the battery On an eminence to the right, .com- manding tha road leading north, with the two .regiments in lire of battle, parallel to the road, supporting the battery; my own. reg giInent on the right under Lieut.. Col. Johnson, and Col Monroe regiment on the left of the road
 The eminence occupied by my battery, was commanded by the heights north and northwest of us, from which points, the artillery of the enemy were frinq, and although they had the range of ny battery, they were at too great a distance to be affected by our light metal.
 I was then ordered to move the cavalry to the rear, b be followed by the battery. After nov ing one mile, l was directed to move rapidly to the rear and select some good position. In a few minutes however, further orders were re- ceived, to continue moving to the rear until otherwise ordered.
 Having moved Aalf mile from the summit of the mountain, on the Cane Hill, and Cove creek road, 1 received orders to halt and occu- py a position. l. counter marched the com mand beyond the summit of the mountain, and took position commanding the Cane Hill road with tie regiment under Liedt.>Col. Johnston supporting the battesy, and Col. Monroe regi> meat 209 yards to the right of Col. Johnston's regiment. The fire of the enemys artillery at th;stime was continuous and ineessant on the rear of Col. ShelbY's command. l was ordered to throw out Col. Monroe's regiment as skr- mishers, but before the order could be obeyed 1 was ordered 10 noVe ny command to the rear and sooa thereafter ordered to take command of all the forces ia advance, which separated me to squle extent from my own Brigade.
 Soon after passing the pinnacle of tbe nom tain, Col. Monroe, who was marching in the rear of my regiment received the enemy at short range, and retired as previously directed.
 Such was the nature of the ground, from the top ofthemountain to Cove creek, distance one and a half miles, that but few advantageous posssons could be. found. Just before reach hing Cove creek, Capt. Stanleyis company of my regiment, was ordered to an eminsnee com> mahfsing the road, on which, she enemy were to travel, with orders to fire upon them with de Liberation, and to retire immediately thereafter. Af5er reaching Cove creek, Capts Gordon and Carroll, of my brigade with their respective ColoneIs, were directed to occupy an eminence on the right of the road. The Captain fired upon the enemy, and retired IS directed. From this point down Cove creek, I selected suitable positions, and placed detachment8 of my regif nlepf and Hol Shplhv'g hriGaie.
 At point two miles below the junction of the Cane Hili and Cove creek roads, l ordered Lieut.-Col. Johnston, with five companies of nay regiment, land about 200 men of Col. Ihompson's s regiment, and Col. Shelby's brigade, to an em; hence immediately over the road, with instrac> tions to let the enemy $ advance pass there be- fore firing. Immediatel in rear of this posi- ton, C,l Monroe formed with s5 men in the valley below. At this time the enemy was pashing the rear with great energy, and made it necessary for the companies left ambushed to receive them, to retire vefy rapidly after firing,
 The Captains ofmy own command who have reported to me, state trat they ebeyed orders, receiving the enemy at close distance: the. men behaving almost without exception with great bravery. When the rear retired past the pQss- tions occupied by Liert.>Cai. Johnston, they were followed very closely by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry--a much larger number halting just before reaching the position. At this time, the confusion below the position above referred to, of our retiring men was dis