put in motion and moved as steadily as possible, considering the difficulties presented by broken ground and dense undergrowth. Hughey's battery was set to work to attract attention from this movement. The division was delayed half an hour longer from engagement than I anticipated, owing to the nature of the ground. Desultory firing had been going on for some time, followed by very heavy firing, and learning that the enemy was pressing hard upon Gano's brigade, right of Maxey's division, I threw Greene's brigade of Missourians, of Marmaduke's command, to its relief. This brigade went gallantly and with a will to its work. It arrived on the right of Gano's brigade just as the engagement on that part of the line became heavy and general, a part of the enemy's line having fallen back. Hot work was going on all along the line from the right of Greene's to the left of the Choctaw brigade, the extreme left of the line. One continued shout was heard, and an unfaltering advance of all that part of the line. Cabell's division was immediately ordered forward, going in splendidly, charging in double-quick over the open field into the fight. The fight was now general all along the line, our men pressing forward and the enemy giving back everywhere. Not a false step had been made; not a position attacked but was taken. The road was gained and the coveted train in our possession. Step by step the enemy had withdrawn his artillery, but his forces, being routed, abandoned it, and his battery of four pieces fell into our possession. Our troops, exultant with victory, pressed forward for more than 2 miles, when they were recalled by me to complete the task we came to perform. The brigades were reformed, details rapidly made, and the train put in motion on the road to Woodlawn, where the last of it arrived in safety, together with the battery, about midnight.

The battle of Poison Spring was fought about 10 miles from Camden. Our force was between Camden and the enemy. Of the force in front I had no fears. The force in rear at Camden was known to be greatly superior to us in numbers, and could at any time after they were notified by the artillery have moved on our

rear.

To secure the train I moved Cabell up the road toward Camden, left Marmaduke in rear, moved, Maxey's division in front of the train, and requested Fagan, who was on the middle Camden road, to hold that position, and re-enforced him with Gano's brigade, of Maxey's division. This made the road over which the captured property passed as safe as it could be with the force in hand. About thirty wagons, without teams and some broken, were burned on the field; about 170, with teams and everything complete, were saved; the artillery also. The enemy's force was about 2,500. At no time did we have that many engaged. His loss in killed and wounded will reach 650. The proportion of killed was variously estimated at from 300 to 500. I know they were thick.

In making a report where my knowledge of the troops with whom I have been associated but a very short time (except my own division) is necessarily imperfect, I fear to do injustice unintentionally, the more so that in this report I have not the benefit of General Marmaduke's report of his division. I can only say, so far as my observation extended every officer and man did his whole duty. The plan of battle was in every particular carried out. Hughey's battery by its timely and splendid work drew attention from Maxey's division, and in turn that and Greene's brigade, with the unerring fire

of Krumbhaar's battery, drew attention from Cabell's command until it had partially succeeded in crossing the open field. Finally, the whole line moved forward like a sheet of living fire, carrying death and destruction before it. To the indomitable energy of Captain Krumbhaar in carrying his battery over ground almost impassable, and the subsequent working of his battery, much of the success of Maxey's division is due. I beg leave to call special attention to the Choctaw brigade.. These people came of their own volition. No law or treaty compelled them to do so. They were placed on the extreme left of the attacking division. Nobly, gallantly, gloriously they did their duty. They fought the very army (Thayer's, from Fort Smith) that had destroyed their once happy homes, insulted their women, and driven them with their children destitute upon the world, and many an avenging blow was struck; many yet will be. The troops from Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas vied with each other in honorable emulation. To Major Wood, commanding Missouri battalion, and to his battalion I am much indebted for valuable assistance in saving the train, and to others who lent a cheerful, helping hand whose names I do not know. The various members of my own staff were of great service. Col. E. E. Portlock, Capt. C. W. Ballance, Lieut. James Patteson, and A. C. Eliason, acting aide-de-camp of my staff, were left with my division to aid its movements in the execution of the plan of battle, and rendered valuable and important service to the Choctaw brigade, with which they acted in executing the difficult task of moving a line into action over rough ground and through dense undergrowth, and bringing it out at the right time and in the right place by partial change of front. Capt. Tom P. Ochiltree, my assistant adjutantgeneral, and Capt. W. H. Lewis, chief ordnance officer, were of great service with me, gallantly carrying orders all over the field. My aide-de-camp, Lieut. R. C. Andrews, had been sent by me to the rear to communicate with General Fagan and lost part of the fight. Lieut. S. R. Mebane had also been detached on important duty. Being short of staff officers a portion of the time, Lieut. W. Harris, of my escort, assisted. He and Lieutenant Barfield and the escort were of great service, carrying orders wherever needed. For the action of officers and men of particular commands I call attention to reports filed.

In closing this rough and hastily drawn report, written with all the inconveniences of picket duty around, I take great pleasure in acknowledging myself very greatly the debtor of Brigadier-General Marmaduke. I found him on the ground with an intelligent understanding of the enemy's strength and position. In the formation of the line of battle, in its plan and conduct, I consulted with him freely and with great advantage. At my request he passed from the right down to the left of the entire line, cheering and encouraging by his presence and bright example. General Cabell managed his brigade with great skill, carrying it most successfully through a very exposed position into the fight. The brigade commanders of Maxey's division-Col. Charles De Morse, Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry, and Col. Tandy Walker, First Choctaw and Chickasaw Regiment-for their skill, gallantry, and daring in conducting their commands into the fight successfully through such difficulties, and those who assisted, deserve great credit. The Texas brigade did its whole duty gloriously, fighting as Texans know how to fight. Of the Choctaw brigade I have already spoken.

The substantial fruits of the victory are a 4-gun battery of artillery and about 170 wagons and teams saved, about 30 wagons destroyed, between 600 and 700 killed and wounded, over 100 prisoners, and the force that fought us demoralized; but above all, the splendid effect on our' men.

In making this report I omitted to say in the proper place that the troops were fought dismounted, only a sufficiency being left mounted to cover the flank and act as a guard on the Camden road in rear. I respectfully refer to the accompanying reports filed. It should be borne in mind that all these nominal divisions were small; were dismounted for action, and one-fourth consumed in holding horses. I believe that not more than 1,800 were engaged at any time. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. MAXEY, Brigadier-General.

Lieut. Col. J. F. BELTON.

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Ark., in Camp.

Since writing the above I received to-day (April 24) the report of Brigadier-General Marmaduke, accompanied by the report of Col. Colton Greene, commanding brigade. Said reports are herewith respectfully forwarded.

Casualties reported.

S. B. M.

To this should be added the losses from other commands not reported, but which will not swell the list exceeding 30.

ADDENDA.

S. B. MAXEY,
Brigadier-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,

HDQRS. DIST. OF INDIAN TERRITORY,

Fort Towson, C. N., May 9, 1864.

The brigadier-general commanding takes this earliest occasion upon his return to the district to announce his unqualified approval of the conduct of the division he had the honor to command in the recent campaign in Arkansas. A campaign more stupendous in proportions than any ever heretofore inaugurated by the enemy in the Trans-Mississippi Department opened last month. The design was no less than to hold, occupy, and possess the whole of the Red River Valley, with its untold resources. An immense column moved through Louisiana, another through Arkansas. Everywhere the

enemy was met, and everywhere our arms were victorious. The campaign has been shivered like a crushed vase. The troops from this district were ordered to return, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying letter from the general commanding, Your action has been glorious. You have made yourselves a name in history. While the enemy's columns are seeking safety in flight let us not lie supinely and spend our time in idle rejoicings. We have now work in our own territory to do. Let us buckle on our armor and be ready at all times and at any moment to move in full force, day or night, ready and willing and fully able to drive every foe from the country it is our special duty to defend and protect. Hardships we have already endured. We can do so again. If we cannot go as well prepared as we would like, let us go uncomplainingly with what we have. I call upon all to come up to the work. Such assistance as commissaries and quartermasters need citizens should cheerfully give. I publish for the information of all concerned the following order and letter of General E. Kirby Smith, commanding this department. Let us not lose his good opinion. Let all Indian troops emulate the glorious example of the Choctaw brigade.

S. B. MAXEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure No. 1.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF ARKANSAS,
Camden, April 28, 1864.

Brig. Gen. S. B. MAXEY,

Commanding District of Indian Territory:

GENERAL: I am directed by the general commanding to say that he relieves you and your command from duty with this army, because of the imperative necessity which calls you and them to the defense of the Indian Territory. He desires you to express to the Choctaw brigade his admiration of their courage and devotion to our cause in coming voluntarily out of their own country to the assistance of Major-General Price. These qualities this brigade has exhibited in a high degree. Its steady gallantry under the severe cannonade at Prairie D'Ane and dashing charge in the battle of Poison Spring entitles the brigade to the gratitude of the Government. Its achievements in this campaign will adorn the brightest pages in the national history of the Choctaws. He can now more confidently than ever rely upon your ability and the brave troops under your command to repel any threatened invasion of your district.

I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
GEO. WILLIAMSON,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

II. Brig. Gen. S. B. Maxey, with Walker's Choctaw and Gano's brigades, is relieved from duty in the Army of Arkansas and will return without delay to the Indian Territory. The commanding general expresses his high approbation of the gallantry of Brig. Gen.

S. B. Maxey and his command, and takes pleasure in acknowledging their valuable services in the battle of Poison Spring and in the operations of Prairie D'Ane and around Camden. By command of Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith:

GEO. WILLIAMSON,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General,

No. 76.

Report of Col. Charles De Morse, Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry, commanding Gano's brigade, of engagement at Poison Spring.

HDQRS. TEXAS BRIGADE, MAXEY'S DIVISION,
Picket Camp, April 21, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have to report that at 7 a. m. on Monday, the 18th instant, I moved the brigade, in obedience to order and in conjunction with the Choctaw brigade, to a position near the Poison Spring, contiguous to Lee's farm, on the upper road from Washington to Camden, and was there ordered to form on the left of Cabell's command, just then beginning to form, dismount the men, and leaving horseholders and horses in the rear, to move forward on an elevation in front overlooking an old field. Detaching Captain Damron, of the Thirty-first, with 25 men, to scout a road leading from our left to our rear, I moved forward and halted, and soon had 1 man wounded by a minie-ball from the enemy, who were firing upon us. Keeping the men in line kneeling, I went around the left of the field immediately before us to seek a position for Krumbhaar's battery of light howitzers, attached to the brigade, but found none. I then received an order from General Maxey to move to the left of the field, leaving space enough between my command and the fence for Cabell's men to file between me and it. I moved as directed, and at the southwest corner of the fence around the field, upon the north of which the main road ran, I reformed the line in order and proceeded to move around parallel to the road upon which the enemy were formed and attack them in flank, in accordance with General Maxey's plan of operation. My extreme left was Krumbhaar's battery, upon which the Choctaw brigade was formed, to move concurrently with mine. Upon the left of the Choctaws were two companies of the Thirtyfirst Texas, of my brigade, mounted. In making this forward movement I found great difficulty in preserving alignment and connection. The ground was very irregular and brushy, and at one time Captain Krumbhaar sent me word that he could not move the battery any farther. He had no axes with him, but causing men to bend to the ground and hold saplings of considerable size he finally got forward. The irregularity of the ground was such that at one time, after crossing a ridge and turning round to my men, I found them. marching involuntarily by the left flank. Reforming them and throwing forward skirmishers, I received notice before advancing far that a body of the enemy's cavalry was moving across the field near by. Moved rapidly onward and ordered Major Carroll, commanding the Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry, to engage the enemy as soon as practicable. Getting up to the fence, which was attained by passing up a steep ascent, his skirmishers emptied their guns at the small body of cavalry in the field, setting some of the horses rider