A pistol fight -- Battlefield Dispatches No. 362

By the summer of 1863, the Civil War had turned into a long devastating war and the "elan" or fighting spirit of many Union and Confederate soldiers was on the decline and desertion was increasing. In northern Arkansas and Missouri Confederate recruiting officers sent throughout the area to offer "Pardons" to any and all deserters who were willing to return to Confederate service. It is not known how well they succeeded, but very often they found themselves in a fire fight as part of a guerrilla fighting force. Such was the case of the Confederate Recruiting officer described in the following after action report who was killed and recruited no more. The report is located on Pages 246 -- 248, in Series I, Vol. 22 Reports, of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

"Headquarters Third Wisconsin Cavalry,

Camp at Clapper's Sawmill on Crooked Creek,

Carroll County, Arkansas,

March 31, 1863.

Colonel: Pursuant to orders, I started this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from camp near Carrollton, taking a southeasterly road, toward Crooked Creek. On the road I learned that the camp of the enemy was at the steam-mill, where I am now in bivouac [camp]. On the road several men, running from the houses at the approach of the advance guard, were chased and fired at, but only one was taken with arms. Reaching a point about three-fourths of a mile from the creek, I received information that on the opposite bank of the creek a picket [guard] of the enemy was stationed. Sending Captain Horn, with the advance guard by a left-hand road (crossing the creek more below), in to the rear of the same, I moved on and as expected, the picket retreated and was taken by the party in ambush without a shot being fired. One of the so-captured men jumped from his horse and could not be found in the thicket. I therefore concluded to march right up to the enemy's camp, in order to prevent their being warned.

At 10 p. m., I reached the house of Mr. Clapper, where the [enemy] officers of the command were assembled in a Council of War, as I afterwards learned. A PISTOL FIGHT TOOK PLACE, which probably alarmed the camp, which was only a quarter of a mile farther in the timber and in plain sight. A large field in front of it giving an opportunity for bringing the howitzers [small cannon very effective at close range] into action, I ordered the same to the front, drawing the cavalry in line on the right and left and rear of the same and threw [fired] a few shells into the enemy's encampments.

The complete stampede thereby caused being immediately followed by a spirited cavalry charge and the darkness of the night in the timber can only explain the fact that all but one (wounded) made good their escape. A great many arms, some wagons, mules and cattle, cooking utensils, etc., were left on the ground. The pursuit was continued for about 2 miles, when I returned to camp.

The enemy force routed is reported to have numbered 400 strong, under command of Colonel Woodson, of the Confederate army. Tomorrow I intend to follow them up to Bluff Spring, about 12 miles farther southeast. I found sufficient forage for my command at this place, but am unable to report any particulars about forage in the country.

I have the honor, Colonel, to be, your most obedient servant,

RICHARD H. WHITE,

Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Third Wisconsin Cavalry."

"Headquarters First Division,

Carrollton, Ark., April 1, 1863.

[To]: Major General J. M. Schofield,

As per my last telegraph, I sent yesterday, at 3 p.m., Lieutenant Colonel White, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, with detachment of his regiment, with minute instructions to route and mode of attack against the enemy on Crooked Creek. He just reports to me that he surprised their camp, 400 strong, under a Colonel Woodson. About 10 o'clock last night; captured their picket, fired into their camp, taking them by complete surprise; some of the enemy wounded, but loss not known, owing to the darkness. Captured arms, wagons, mules camp and garrison equipage, etc., and our loss none. Enemy fled and Colonel White yet in pursuit in a southeasterly direction. Captured muster rolls and correspondence. They are part of the Confederate Army and under a Colonel W. H. Brooks, commanding Second Division, headquarters at Clarksville, Ark. A letter from him states that he had sent a force, under a Colonel J. F. Hill, from Clarksville into this country, who was no doubt with the force at Crooked Creek. The correspondence discloses great exertions to obtain recruits, promising that all deserters will be pardoned if they return [to the Confederate Army]. Forage is as yet abundant and if a force was sent to take care of Marmaduke, I could feel my way still farther south. The troops at Fayetteville should be sent into this country.

Your obedient servant,

WM. WEER,

Colonel, 10th Ks. Vol. Infantry, Commanding Division.

The title of this column is "A pistol fight" because that is how Colonel White described it. However, it could also be called "A revolver fight" because they probably used six shot revolvers and not single shot pistols. Not that the handgun used made much difference in the outcome of the engagement, but the firing of several "pistols" or "revolvers" did eliminate the element of surprise of the attack. The deciding factor in this engagement was the firing of the small howitzers which caused the stampede and of course the war went on!