The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-07-25
From the Sth IDdtauo.

A. NJ Sanford, Chaplain of the 9th Ind.
writes from Helena. Ark, July IA. 1862.
to the Indiana Journal. the following par
ticulars Of fight had on the 7th, between
the advance of Gen. Quits army and the
rebels near Cache river Arkansas:
.On the 7th we marched some two or
three hundred miles. when our advance
guard, composed of the list Indiana Cavalry
and detachments of the SD Illinois and / 18th
Wisconsin. became engaged with rebel
force of 1000. into whom they pitched most
gallantly and never lost an inch of ground.
but. after an obstinate fight, drove them off,
killing from $50 10 2OO-we buried l03 on
the ground.
Ga the commencement Of the action Col
Hovey sent back for endorsements. when
Gen. Benton, at the head of the "Old
Eighth" set forward at "double quick"
but being too far In the rear could not get
up in time to participate in the principal
fight. They pushed on, however, after the
| retreating foe for several miles, to where it
WIS supposed they were making a stand,
and formed line of battle. deploying Skin.
mishers and offering battle. which not being
accepted, Gen. Benton ordered their cover
shelied by the LIST Indiana cavalry's how.
itzers-. the result of which, is said by cap
tured rebels. to have been the killing OF 40
to so OF their number. From rebel sources
regarded as reliable, we learn that they los,
in killed alone, from goo to 300 in the en-
tire affair.
Particular credit is due Col Hovey. 33l
Illinois, tho is in command of the 2nd
Brigade of the lst Division, for the cour.
age, GOODNESS and skill with which he con.
Quoted the fight, until the arrival of Gen.
Benton, who of course, then assumed COM
msnd; and who in formed me that Col How
ey on being directed to deploy skirmishers
to feel the enemy's position and develop
their fire, placed himselfat their head, and
remained 10 front until it became evident
the rebels had no further intention Of fight
ing.
Gen. Benton is justly entitled to all praise
for making every exertion, on this and all
other occasions. to ge: himself and his com
mand into action. and it is only becaure it
was impossible. without disobedience Of or
ders. that be has not exposed himself to all
danger in accomplishing this object. Stin.
with all his impetuous daring, know Of no
other commander who takes more pains, or
displays more GOODNESS in arranging every
thing for the safety and comfort of his men
in the battle Geld, on march in camp
must not forget to most honorably men
ton the LIST Indiana Cavalry, Colonel Baker
They are always ready to go anywhere.
and "go in their muscle on every
practicable occasion. 1t is said by those
who ought to know. that they have perform
ed more active and efficient service. than the
dozen other cavalry regiments in the
Southwest know that they are the ter
ror IF reheIdom frorn piIot Knob IN Iark
port-not for stealing. but for fighting.
Prom Mound Hill, or Cache Crossing. the
place of the above named fight, we arrived
At Clarendon. on White River. on the 9th
only to find that We had moved 50 slow that
the boats from which We had expected sup
plies of provisions and clothing had gone
down the nver 20 far that our signal guns
could not reach them.