HEADQUARTERS, SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
FIRST ARMY CORPS, TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ARMY, CAMP MAZZARD,
December 16, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by that portion of the Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps, Trans-Mississippi Army, to wit Colonel [Hiram Lane] Grinsted and [Charles] W. Adams' Regiments of Arkansas Infantry, and five companies of Shaver's Regiment of Arkansas Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel [William] C. Adams, engaged in the battle of Prairie Grove fought on December 7.
In consequence of being unarmed, [James Riddle] Shaler's Regiment and five companies of Shaver's Regiment were not in the fight.
About 11 o'clock a.m. my command was ordere into position en echelon by battalions, with my right resting at a church some half a mile in the rear of the battleground and near the Fayetteville Road, and facing in the direction of Cane Hill. After remaining in this position some time I was ordered to move with my command at a double-quick in the direction of heavy firing on the Fayetteville Road and to the support of our troops engaged with the enemy in that quarter. Upon reaching the crest of the hill I met with Brigadier General [Francis Asbury] Shoup; [I] reported to him my command and desired to know what a position he would have made of the same.
In the meantime I had directed C. W. Adams to move as rapidly as possible in the direction of the heaviest firing and support such command in that quarter as might be in greatest need.
Colonel Adams proceeded with his command to the support of Brigadier General [James Fleming] Fagan's Brigade and was with that command during the engagement.
The battalion of Shaver's Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Adams commanding, was ordered to the support of [Joseph Orville] Shelby's command, which was being severely pressed by the enemy, and remained on that portion of the battleground during the engagement.
[Westley} Roberts' Battery was placed in position on the Fayetteville Road on the crest of the hill overlooking the enemy position.
Colonel Grinsted was ordered to form his regiment on the left of the Fayetteville Road and in support of Roberts' Battery. Colonel Grinsted had been in position but a few moments when he was ordered by Colonel [Robert Crittenden] Newton, Assistant Adjutant General, to move his command to the support of Colonel [Dandridge] McRae's Brigade, which he did and operated the remainder of the day with that brigade. Colonel Grinsted at one time during the evening, being severely pressed by the enemy and unsupported, notified me of the fact, whereupon finding Colonel [Archibald J.] McNeill's and [Charles H.] Matlock's Regiments of Colonel McRae's Brigade in line of battle and not engaged, I moved them forward to the support of Colonel Grinsted.
The enemy formed four times in front of Captain Roberts' Battery - twice with cavalry, and twice with infantry, and were repulsed each time with shell and shot. For particulars of the parts taken by the several commands in the engagement you are respectfully referred to the accompanying reports of the battery and regimental commanders. The strength of this brigade in the brigade was as follows: 62 officers and 987 enlisted men and the casualties as follows: 21 enlisted men killed, 7 officers and 85 enlisted men wounded and 213 enlisted men missing. [Recapitulation shows casualties for Shaver's Regiment as: 6 killed, 24 wounded, and 33 missing.]
I regret exceedingly to be compelled to give it as my opnion that the larger portion of those missing, especially from Colonel Adams' Regiment, threw down their arms and deserted to the enemy.
I ahve the honor to be very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. G. SHAVER,
Colonel, Commanding.
[Francis Herron Collection, The New York Historical Society]