Colonel Huckabee:

As you well know we were ordered into northwestern Arkansas to throw out the yankee invaders with the assistance of our Missouri brethren. We encountered some federal patrols and pickets at the base of a large hill early on the 10th of November the 2nd and 3rd ARK engaged these patrols and were holding in fine style when I sent the 7th,Pelican Rifles, and the TransMiss Rifles to work their way up the hill and get around their flank. Soon I had the 16th ARK and the 15th N.W.ARK join in the fight it seemed to keep escalading until you sent the 1st MO. To relieve us. This fight only caused minor damage to our battalion and really only got the men in a fighten mood. After returning to camp our trains were up with much needed supplies we were issued beans, rice, and goober peas. We sent two companies out to relieve the 1st MO on picket duty for the rest of the morning. Around noon we recalled all pickets and formed up to march out. We encountered federals in a narrow valley between Elkhorn Tavern and Little sugar Creek. We were second in line of march as the 1st MO crossed the creek and engaged them we came out and moved to the left at this moment the fire was intense and the federals tried a flanking movement which in itself failed and we forced them back to the small mountain where they had built extensive breast works. The Missourians tried twice to dislodge them but failed. You sent our battalion in and we managed to drive them from their works but not with out many casualties and a very tough struggle up that hill. We put out our pickets the 15th N.W. ARK and the AOTM there they waited several hours before the federals returned but they did return and drove our pickets before them they were on the rest of the battalion almost before we could fire a shot at them. We managed to get a volley off and it must have startled them because they shifted to our right exposing their flank, which we raked with devastating fire. However we were compelled to retire towards Little Sugar Creek and the Huntsville road just before we reached the creek we split out battalion into two wings one remaining on the left of the 1st MO. and the other at the double quick to the right of the 1st MO. it seems the federals tried to cut off our retreat. It was here though that we really got a twist on them they had failed to anchor their flank and the 15th N.W. ARK was sent into the creek and flanked them from their position. As the last of our men were withdrawn we made one more attempt to drive the federals from the field however this was in vain and they held the valley. Sunday dawned with promise of driving them away the men were so ready for a brawl they challenged the 1st MO to a game of Town Ball the challenge excepted the game began. The stakes for the game were as follows if we win Mary Todd would be free from that rabid skunk the 1st MO calls a mascot(Abe) and if they won we must consent to let Abe court Miss Marry Todd this was unthinkable but we werenâ·t scared we knew we could win. However, after many strange happenings Miss Marry Todd was missing and three of our men unconscious. The Missourians say they were ahead in the game but I must say I do not remember the score as we were all so shaken by the loss of Miss Marry. Soon however, the federals changed the game and started driving towards us they were nipping on the heels of our Missouri friends we were called to action after a stirring performance of Dandy Jim by three men of our battalion(Frank,Tom, and Preston). We formed quickly and went to cover our friends here we formed in a slight valley and as the federals came out of the creek we unleashed a devastating fire upon them stopping them in their tracks. The Missourians formed behind us and began trading volleys with them as well we thought we had stopped them when all of sudden they got up artillery and started moving on our flank. Again they got them selves in a bad spot and we raked them in the flank and turned them at least twice. But we were ordered to retire further down the valley and so we began to with draw. This is where things got frustrating, they stopped their pursuit and we were forced to go after them we sent one wing in at them and held the other in reserve. The right wing charged gallantly but was shot down in droves the left wing angered at the slaughter begged to go after them but you sent the Missouri battalion in but they were unable to push them off the field as well. Our left wing never really got any satisfaction this day but I am sure they will be ready for the next time we meet them. Our Battalion preformed magnificently on this campaign I must commend the captains and company commanders as well as the men of the 1st ARK they were as polished as I have ever seen them.
Respectfully,
Rob Sanders
Lt. Col. 1st ARK INF

Colonel Huckabee:

Having just returned from our engagments northwest of
Bentonville, AR I will attempt to convey the intensity of the
fighting that A Co. NW 15th Ark and the 1st Ark Bn were
engaged in. With poor weather the norm A Co. joined the
remainng six companies of the battalion in a narrow valley
that runs on either side of the Little Sugar Creek. The
valley had a steep, wooded ridge on its north and south
flanks with the creek running east to west down the center.
On either side of the creek was farmland used mainly for the
grazing of animals. Few were in evidence as the Yanks had
already confiscated them. The Little Sugar Creek is a
formidable obsticle even without water but there was at
least one usable crossing. The sky remainded overcast
throughout the two days of battle with a misting rain that
agravated us off and on during these same days. The
leaves had turned colors and many were on the ground
but the troops were in good spirits as we setup camp and
awaited orders.

Col. Huckabee was commanding the brigade in the absence
of Gen. Beck and LTC. Sanders commanded the battalion.
I was brevetted to major and commanded the left wing. The
NW 15th was joined by the 22nd Ark. and the 16th Ark.
making the left wing a strong force in its own right, much
less as part of the 1st Ark Bn. Our first encounter with the
Yanks came early on the morning of 10 Nov when elements
of the battalion came under fire by enemy advance forces.
The left wing was soon dispatched as the fight escalated
and even the 1st Mo was brought forward. After a short
demonstration the Yanks retreated up the northern ridge and
we were able to return to camp haveing sustained no
casualties. The 15th Ark and 16th Ark worked well together
and responded to my commands quickly and affectively.
After lunch the brigade fomed and moved out with the 1st
Mo first in line of march and the 1st Ark second. The NW
15th Ark was last in line in for the 1st Ark. We met the
enemy on the north side of Little Sugar Creek and found
that this force of Yanks were very aggressive. However
our speed of movement and superior numbers soon forced
them to withdraw up the north ridge where they had prepared
breastworks. After several attempts to storm these works
we established a line of skirmishers and traded shots for a
short time. Both sides tried to force the issue but to no avail
and we withdrew leaving pickets to keep an eye on the
Yanks. We did evacuate our wounded and we withdrew to
plan our next move. Once again the three companies of the
Left Wing performed in a superior manor and all three
company commanders handled their troops well. Late in
the afternoon our enemy pushed in our pickets and we were
soon move to engage them. As they pushed down from the
ridge we formed with the Little Sugar Creek well to our rear
leaving us planty of maneuver room. From east to west we
established our line of battle with the 1st Mo on the right and
the 1st Ark on the left. The NW 15th ancored the left of the
entire line. After trading several volleys the Yanks tried to
gain our right flank. This forced the 1st Mo to wheel around
and the 1st Ark to move to the right of the 1st Mo. I had
been given a warning order to send the NW 15th into the
Little Sugar Creek if need be. The line was quickly
reestablished and I did send the NW 15th to hold the
crossing in the creek. The Left Wing captured a company
of Yanks at the creek and helped forced them to a halt.
As is the norm for the NW 15th and this case the Left Wing
we maneuvered at the double quick to the hotest spots on
the battlefield and then laid down devastating fires were they
were needed most. We then encamped for the night and
tended our wounded.

Sunday dawned and passed quitely into the afternoon and
we found ourselves once more facing an agressive enemy
who were determinded to put up a fight. Supported by our
rtillary and cavalry we established a line of battle and
took the enemy under fire and soon a large battle was
underway. The Yanks pushed and we pushed and both
sides keep up a steady fire for what seemed forever. As
we were now covering the withdraw of our army we were
soon forced to turn and attack the enemy and this we did
at great cost. The 1st Mo was sent in and the the right
wing of the 1st Ark was sent in but the enemy would not
give gound. I awaited the Left Wings turn to go in while
we maintained our line on the right of our artillary but the
order never came. We were forced to watch while the rest
of the brigade bled itself dry trying to halt the advance of the
enemy. We were soon ordered to withdraw leaving many a
good man to the mercies of the enemy. I cannot begin to
describe my pride in the way my small command followed
orders and handled themselves during the two days we
fought. Brevet LT. Jim Morris who commanded A Co. NW
15th Ark is to be commended for his actions. The 22nd Ark
and 16th Ark are also to be commended. As on the 10th
they responded to my commands without question and
moved at the double quick for most of the two days of
fighting. It was an honor to command such fine troops.


Brevet Major David N. Alexander

Commanding, Left Wing

1st Arkansas Battalion