Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-29
Brig. Gen. J. 5. RoANE


 Having been able in my first report, to give you, from the battle field, but hurried sketch of our skrmish of the 18th inst, I deem it. but just to my command, to send you more complete return. In obedience to orders, started from the river bank, opposite Little Rock, on l7th inst, at , l2 p. m., and travelled until 21a a. m and stopped to rest awhile near Austin. l then proceeded to within or miles of the enemy's camp. There was joined by Capt. Chrisman, as guide, and early next morning started with one hundred men simply to ascertain the strength and disposition of the enemy. l had advanced but half way to the enemy's camp when my advance scouts fell back and informed me that foraging party of the enc my had gone out, supported by two companies of infantry and two of cavalry. l immediately halt ed, and sent back Lieut. Ayres to bring up in all haste the main body, 300 left behind. I waited for reinforcements about half m hour, when pro- ceeded to the road, about mile from the federal camp, conceang my men in the brush l. with Capt Chrisman, advanced to within 1 mile of the federal camp, when some of my men came up informing me that the enemy's teams were return ing. ] Immediately returned to my men. l was there joined by Capt. Hicks, with 60 men, includ- jng15 of Capt. Notwithstanding my entire force 50 men. looked anxiously for endorsements. the enemy would soon reach their camps. had no choice left but to fight, notwithstanding the odds, or lose the opportunity of intesceptng them Nv force I divided into three divisons-giying command of the first to Lieut.. Grady; of the 2I to Capt Stokes, and of the 3d to Capt Hicks, and moved forward at the charge, meeting the enemy in Whitney's lane, where they had taken shelter in the corners of the fence
 I ordered flank movement on the left, throw ing down the fence, and as soon as I drove them back rom the fed ordered and headed 2 charge ID the lane, supporting Lieut. Grady and Capt. Stokes The conflict at this time at it's highest raging all up the lane and both sides in the fields Lieut.. Mcdonald fell in the opening of the fight at the mouth of the lane, foremost in the fight In about ten minutes the lane was cleared, 30 deadly was the fire of our shot guns and six shooters While about 25 were making their escape across the field to the right. Capt Chrsman headed these, killing and driving them back to and across the road into the bushes, where they were followed and cut tc pieces. Many of the enemy fought bravey, refusing to surrender and fell while busy reloadng Those who were forced to retreat took advantage of fences and brush as cover, and but for theil overshooting must have inflicted great nury tC our forces l attempted and ordered rally, as my men were Ectue.e,l for . mile along lne road in pursuit of the enemy, but was able to collect on ly guGiciency to hold in check the enemy's cayal ry who were advancing down upon us. AS soon as they had charged to within range of our guns, wt fired, killing about six, when they retreated immediately fell back, as their endorsements were coming in from their camp; but afterwards de tlchment of D men were sent back to recover the bodies of the dead N. B. Mcdonald, 2d Lieut., company killed; Gum Lowry, company E miss ing; Jas. Leverett, company II slightly wounded } or of the Arkansas troops killed and missing ten horses killed, ten badly wounded
 The enemys loss is now ascertained to be 230 killed, wounded and missing We took 10 of theil horses and mules, and destroyed ambulances.
 Too much praise cannot be given to the entire body of men engaged. Every man was hero. IL is impossible for us partcularize when all fought with the gallantry and bravery of long tried veter ans E. w ROGERS, Maj. Comd'g Det
 Col. Parsons Reg. Texas Dragoons.