The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-29
From the Upper Red aiver Army.
HEADQUARTERS, 29th Texas CAVALRY, I
Camp 1st brigade Indian Territory,
PRAIRIE SoR1SGs, c. n: {
June 2lst 1858.

June 2lst 1883
| Brig.-Gen. D. II. Cooper, conimanding:-In
conformity to your order of Saturday night the
18th inst, I started on Sunday morning the
l4th inst, with eight companies of my regiment
and eight companies of the 1st Chickasaw Choc
taw regiments, ordered by you to report to me
and movad to Hildebrands ford a the Arkansas
There, after examining the crossing and sending
for the fat above, l commenced at about -
O'Clock to cross the force numbering 1st Choctaw
and Chickasaws 427, the 29th 7 c. S25, making
I762 To these were added few guides under
Capt, Jno. Yann, and few under Lieut.. Brewer
1st Cherokee regiment. The strength of my
own companies was much reduced by distem-
nered horses At Hildebrands Lieut.. Col Parks
at my request joined.me to reuJer the service
had expected to receive from Capt Brewer, who
was directed to report to me, bit was too unWell
for service. That evening about 120 men got
across, and Capt. Brown with company H., was
pushed northward to the edge of Greenlief
prairie, and Capt. Vann with twelve men was
directed to scout in accordance with his judg1
ment. By Monday night nearly the entire force
was across the Arkansas, and crossing myself, [
took the line of march, and eanped half mile
beyond the Chalybeate springs about five and
| onehaIf miles northwest of Hildebrands in some
timber near the edge of small prairie adjacent
to Greenlief prairie. At dawn of day moved to
hill sides in the west Of Greenlief prairie, and
hearing that few federals had been seen on the
main road from Hildebrands, from which we had
diverged to the left the evening previous, Lieut.
Heiston with some thirty men vent on recon-
noissance, and reported the enemy not exceed
ing a company. Upon this information | or
dered Mai. Carroll with two squadrons-Capt
Hooks companies D. & K. Capt. divers compa-
MES f. & f., to proceed to the locality, and cap
ture the enemy. | then posted company B.
commanded by Lieut.. A. Il. Bone, under guild
ance of Lieut.. Brewer to the left of the road to
Gibson. and near old man Brewers place, and
sent two other guides with company A. Capt. T,
w. Daugherty, to the telegraph road keeping
most of the company in thcket on the left. The
main BODY of my force was then moved to the
! right along the edge of Greenhef prairie to the
southwest corner Of the prairie distance of
half mile, and formed On an elevation just
within the line of timber, commanding view OF
the prairie, and convenient for movement or
resistance, to approaches from Gibson or Tale
Quah Here the men were ordered to Craze
their horses, keeping them within immediate
reach the grass being good and they insufficienty
grazed the night previous. The Choctaws were
i faced to the rear for that purpose The horses
had been released perhaps ten minutes, and
/ Lieut. Col. Parks had gone out to post piQuet;
was myself sitting at the root of tree, and
pacing to the front preparing to answer dis
patch Just received from you; when the firing
became audible, was frequently repeated, soon
approached rapidly, and heavy, just then re-
ceiyed note from Maj. Carroll, stating that the
enemy was in strong position, and more numer-
Gus than had been supposed, probably 1000
cavalry, and suggesting an advance. | sent an
order to Capt Harmon who was formed on the
left to advance instanter, put my writing imple
ments in my pocket, and my saddle equipments
on horse, to lead the main body. just then the
greater portion of the detachments under Mai
Carroll fell back to US, under orders from hin
and the enemy pressing on in superior numbers
came in signt of the ChoctaW with their reversed
: line forcing them. The Choctaws seeing them il
the rear, and through the timber which | haC
notl without waiting an order commenced firing
and running III large numbers with great alacrity
forced them back to their original position arc
f then commenced charging on their six pounC
howitzer in conjunction with Capt. Harmon'S Smer
under Mai. Carroll, which seemed to have failec
through misapprehension; and before l could ge
to the front, and see the enemys main position
most of nv force had fallen back, and was com
Single assistant; Lieut.-Col Parks, Maj. Carroll
the adiutant, Capt. j. D. Young (of Martins
regiment) upon whom relied as an aid and ever
the sergeant major being all absent. Capt
Harmon and company were all missing, Capt
Brown, whose company had been cut up into
small piquet forces, and who had been assisting
in leading the Choctaws and surgeon Reed, were
also missing. A rear piquet of fifteen mer
(Capt. Harmony came in at this time and / sem
it with Lieuts Derrickson and Pearce to examine
the battle field, and search for the officers; anc
Capt. Harmons company, could get no wore
from the 'front.' and after waiting an hour and q
half Lieut.. Heiston saw force at distance in
the prairie going before US toward Gibson, which
| believe to be the enemy retreatlng Lieuten
ant Brewer of the guides just then coming down
from the piquet station on the road to Gibson,
ordered an immediate movement with view tC
cut them off Lieut.. Brewer LED US by de6le
which shortened the route; and struck into the
main road not far from the Bayou mountain. We
were too late. The enemy had preceded us,and
the track of his returning cannon was apparent
/ crossed the road, and taking up the mountain
to within half mile of Lookout point proceeded
with the advance guard, under guide, to thai
point and for an hour watched the movement o1
the enemy. saw their retreating column just
below US, going in, jaded, and some of it GU foot
successive detachments coming out, the frstlwith
wagons, and the last being the fourth or fifth, the
largest constituting in all, force rather larger
over the mountaI2t,t 4lft1v- proceeded across te
mile creek. As he neared the Fort Smith road
was notified that the federals wee within three
hundred yards. The Choctaws we're advancing
and at my order rode forward aid formed very
promptly and upon my suggesting to keep ST
: ience, made not single outcry | rode back as
rapidly as possible and brought P my own regi-
ment, on the right, and about tn time they were
q formed, learned that the force olthe enemy was
T E only about thirty (So) men. | len ordered an
!. immediate pursuit by Capt oFer's squadron,