Report of Colonel Hiram L. Grinsted, Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), on the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862.

HEADQUARTERS, GRINSTED'S REGIMENT, CAMP NEAR VAN BUREN,

December 12, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed by my regiment in the battle of Prairie Grove.

I went into battle with 306 men rank and file, twenty-three of whom were commissioned officers of the several companies.

In the first formation of line of battle, I was posted in the rear of [Westley] Roberts' Battery for the purpose of supporting the same. After remaining in this position for some time, and when the firing had become brisk in the rear, I was ordered to the center of the new line by Colonel [Robert Crittenden] Newton and directed to take position upon the left of Colonel [Dandridge] MeRae's Brigade. Here the regiment formed along a line of fence and awaited the attack of the enemy. I could plainly see them in the long grass a few hundred yards to the front, in all I think three regiments. I immediately threw our Lieutenant [John A.] Ashley with a portion of his company as skirmishers, and passed to the left to observe more fully the position of the enemy, whence I discovered that they were attempting to flank us by troops deployed from the woods, beyond the creek. I at once sent to inform Colonel McRae or some general officer of the fact, and to ask for instructions. The messenger having returned with information that he could find no one, I determined to proceed to the left, to meet the enemy's movement, which I did with my own regiment alone. Having taken position and engaged the enemy, I again sent for instructions, but failed to receive them.

At this time I learned that Colonel McRae on my right was falling back and being pressed by a largely superior force of the enemy, and exposed to a raking fire from one of his batteries, I ordered my regiment to fall back to the crest of the hill, which was executed in good order under a galling fire. Just before reaching the crest of the hill, I met a portion of Colonel McRae's Brigade, which had been sent to my assistance by yourself, but instead of advancing to form a junction with me, they became confused, and it was with great difficulty that I succeeded, assisted by their officers, in preventing a panic and flight.

We at length formed our line and I ordered a charge, to which my own regiment responded with a shout and rushed upon the enemy. I led the charge myself and was ably seconded by Lieutenant Colonel [John Edward] Glenn, commanding McRae's Regiment. The other regiment on my left and one on my right hung back and moved in a very disorderly manner. We drove the enemy through the apple orchard in our front, with considerable slaughter, and while he was in full flight, I endeavored to continue the charge through the orchard, but discovered that all the other troops except my own regiment were falling backto the crest of the hill, where we reluctantly followed them. We then formed again in line, and waited for an attack, or for orders, neither of which we received. In a little while night put an end to the engagement.

I am of the opinion, that if we had had any general officer to direct our movement, we could easily have driven the enemy through the field in our front and captured a battery, which played upon us incessantly from first to last.

It is due to my regiment to state that two of my best companies, viz., Captain [John] Flint's, forty-seven strong, [and] [William B.] Lankford's, twenty-seven strong, were detached before the engagement commenced and thrown out as skirmishers, and that they did not rejoin me again until after the battle, being eventually attached to some other regiment.

I take pleasure in stating that my regiment, both officers and men - with very few exceptions - were cool and self possessed, and that they acted with great gallantry, yielding at all times a steady obedience to orders. I am particularly indebted to Lieutenant Colonel [Henry] W. McMillan and Adjutant A. M. Barns for the assistance they rendered me on the field.

I append a list of the killed, wounded, and missing. [List shows 2 killed, 9 wounded, and 9 missing.] A number of others were slightly wounded, who were not included in the above list.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

H. L. GRINSTED,

Colonel, Commanding Regiment,

Arkansas Infantry.
Colonel [ROBERT GLENN] SHAVER,

Commanding Second Brigade, Third Division, First Corps, Trans-Mississippi Army.
[Francis Herron Collection, The New York Historical Society]