Report of Colonel Charles W. Adams, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), on the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862.

HEADQUARTERS, ADAMS REGIMENT, CAMP ON LEE'S CREEK,

December 9, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report [concerning] my regiment at and during the battle of Prairie Grove fought on December 7.

After remaining in the position (assigned me by Colonel [Robert Glenn] Shaver, commanding brigade) at the back of the apple orchard lot, his order detached two companies , Captain [Larkin] Bunch's and Captain Ray's, as skirmishers and placed them obliquely across my front, the left of Captain Ray's Company resting near the right of the front of General [Francis Asbury] Shoup's right at the distance of near half a mile from my front. [I] remained in line some time, when I received another order from Colonel Shaver directing that when I should hear the report of small arms to our left, I should change my front perpendicularly to the one, which would place me fronting directly in the direction of General Shoup's Division, where a sharp cannonading was then going on, and at the time that I should so change my front I should likewise call in my skirmish companies and place them in a different position.

After waiting some time I heard quite a heavy firing of small arms and immediately changed my front as ordered, directing Lieutenant Colonal Fitzwilliams that so soon as we get our line dressed he should go and bring in our skirmishers. Just as we [had] gotten our line dressed on the new line, and before Lieutenant Colonel Fitzwilliams had gone for the skirmishers, Colonel Shaver, in person, ordered me to report at once at double-quick to the point at which the firing was, which I did, moving off by the left flank, the column being led by my direction by Major James H. Williams, Lieutenant Colonel Fitzwilliams being at his post with the right wing, myself being near the center and not knowing at the time whether the entire brigade were to act together or not. I from time to time directed Major Williams to conduct our column parallel to the regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Adams.

Major Williams came to me and said he could not hear my orders and desired that I should lead the column, which I immediately [did] and conducted [it] directly toward the firing, and soon met with Brigadier General [James Fleming] Fagan, who requested me to go with him and he would show me a fine position where one of his regiments (Colonel [Joseph C.] Pleasants') greatly needed support. I went with General Fagan for some distance, when he met Captain [Albert] Belding (his aide-de-camp), when he directed to conduct me to the position. I went with Captain Belding some distance through a very thick growth of scrub oak and other small undergrowth, until I thought we had passed all of the troops (not seeing any), when I asked him if he was sure that he was right, remarking that it seemed to be rather a bad place, thinking of the maneuvering [of] my regiment. The captain turned to me, seeming annoyed, and remarked that he was quite sure it was the place or very near the place at which he left Colonel Pleasants' Regiment a very short time since, and passed a compliment on Colonel Pleasants who he said had just been wounded. Turning then to some men who were approaching us he asked where Colonel Pleasants' Regiment was and was assured that they did not know. He then turned to me and said, "Well, Colonel, this is the place."

I at once commenced to form my regiment under a brisk fire, being left in front and the enemy being on my left as we marched; I thought it imprudent to countermarch. I faced by the rear rank. Just as I had formed my line a heavy fire of shell and small arms (one of the shells exploding and killing two of my men in ranks) was opened upon us and General Shoup rode up and advised a charge into a thicket inside a fence very near us and made some remarks to encourage the men.

In the meantime, the firing upon us was very heavy and there had been a great deal of confusion in some commands near us, and intending to make the charge as advised by General Shoup, I ordered my men to lay down until they should get a little Ressted and perfectly cool. After suffering them to lay there a few moments, I moved them up to the fence, caused them to lay flat down and place their guns through the openings between the rails, directing them to wait for the command to fire, which they did, and seemed as cool as men could be. Availing myself of the opportunity offered by the enemy, who came from their previous prostrate position to fire upon us, I gave the command to fire, which the men did in most admirable style, the effect of which was truly terrific. The thicket seemed perfectly filled with the enemy, and at the most not more than sixty yards distant from us. The eight companies which I then had with [me], being armed with muskets, charged with buck and ball; their fire was a most deadly one, and I can say with truth that the enemy fell in heaps of slain. Immediately after the delivery of the fire I ordered the charge. The officers and men charged over the fence and for a little distance into the thicket in most gallant style, as did a portion of what I supposed to be Colonel Pleasants' Regiment and some dismounted Texans under Lieutenant Colonel [R. P.] Crump, but were repulsed by an extremely heavy fire from the enemy posted in the rear of those against whom we had delivered our fire, and which threw my men into the greatest consternation and confusion, few or some of them having ever before that day been under fire. I am satisfied that more of my men fell killed and wounded from this fire than are reported by the captains of companies, who can not possibly make correct reports to this, not having had the opportunity afterwards to visit the battlefield or the hospitals.

After this repulse it seemed utterly impossible to reform the men, although Major Williams and myself exerted ourselves to the uttermost of abilities, assisted for a short time by Captain Belding who visited us at this fine time, and from it did doubtless form a most unfavorable opinion of the regiment. After long exertion, however, Major Williams and myself succeeded in reforming about 100 of the command and with them, inconjunction with Lieutenant Colonel Crump's command and some cavalry commanded by Colonel [Emmett] MacDonald, we crossed a small open field to the right of our first position, hoping to flank the enemy and, if possible, capture the battery which had been playing upon us with such decided effect, but our purpose seemed to be understood by the enemy, who turned the battery upon us and also opened upon us with their long range guns, and also ordered up a cavalry force, evidently with the view of advancing, and finding it impracticable to proceed further than a fence on the opposite side of the field which we entered. Some of our troops advancing to assist us, we moved off by the flank and returned under cover of a fence to [the] rear [of] our former position, where we were met by General Fagan, who desired us to accompany his troops in another charge upon the enemy, which neither he nor myself and Major Williams could urge the men to do.

It was now late in the evening and General Fagan proposed that as they were then near several detached regiments and parts of regiments, we should act together for the evening, which I consented to and we marched some distance in the direction of the Fayetteville Road and bivouacked, where I remained until ordered by Colonel Shaver to repair to the point at which we first went into position, which I did about 9:30 o'clock p.m.

It will be remembered that I did not have with me after the firing commenced either the company of Captain Bunch or Captain Ray, both of whom were left, as before stated, as skirmishers where first posted.

I regret also to have to state that when we first came under fire, as I learn, Lieutenant Colonel Fitzwilliams' horse threw him, twice injuring him severely, so that I was deprived of the benefit of his services in the battle, which would have been of the greatest value to me.

George Sanders, my sergeant-major and a most noble soldier, was also severely injured by a horse which ran against him. These are at the hospitals near the battlefield.

My color-sergeant was sick and not with me; my color guard was therefore composed of the eight corporals. Of these, fiver are reported killed and two wounded. One who bore the colors is unhurt; this was Third Corporal John Howater of Company A, Captain Bunch. Of the truly brave and gallant conduct of this young man, too much praise can not be spoken, for during the whole of the terrific fire which we were under during the whole of the confusion, and notwithstanding all of his comrades of the guard had fallen, yet he steadily upheld the color, and both by speech and action continued to rally the men to it. He deserves all praise and honor for his truly soldierly conduct.

To Major James Williams I feel bound in this report to render my thanks for his gallantry, daring, and very effecient services; he was everywhere present in the thickest of the fire, cheering, encouraging, an urging the men forward, and in the confusion which ensued, [he] exerted himself almost to exhaustion to rally the men. He showed himself to be a truly brave and gallant officer.

Captain Owens of Company B, Captain Combs of Company K, and Second Lieutenant Albert Rodgers of Company D, and First Lieutenant William H. Gregory of Company E, all deserve honorable mention for their bravery and gallantry, shown in the severe trials to which they were exposed.

Except the orders above mentioned and the orders of Colonel Shaver prior to going to the place of firing as above stated, I was wholly without orders during the day.

Without intending by so doing to say anything improper or indicative, I express the opinion that had the brigade fought together immediately with Colonel Shaver, it is probable that far bolder results would have been attained.

For myself I can only say I have honestly [tried] to do my duty. If the enemy fell at the hands of other regiments as I know they did under the fire of mine, the enemy most certainly suffered great slaughter. Our flag attests that we were at points where bullets flew thick. The accompanying statement sets forth the casualties of the day in my regiment. [Nominal list is embraced in Colonel Shaver's Brigade report.]

I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES W. ADAMS,

Colonel Adams' Regiment, Second Brigade,

Third Division, First Corps Trans-Mississippi Army.
Captain C. J. NOTEBE,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
[Francis Herron Collection, The New York Historical Society]