Daily Times, Leavenworth, Kansas US
The Fight at Cane Hill.
[Correspondence of the Times]
Cane Hill, Ark., Nov. 30.

Dear Times:--This portion of Arkansas seems destined to be made memorable by its battles fought and won, and by the retreats of the rebels over the inevitable Boston Mountains, where nothing but Jackass batteries can conveniently follow them. The telegraph will already have informed you, via St. Louis, of our "skirmish" the other day with Marmaduke & Co., the representative rebels of this district, with ten thousand or so of the chivalry under their command. The "Army of the Frontier" is in active service, not figuratively but in real "dead" earnest, and we mean to show the country that western boys can't stand the inactivity of the Potomac. We came down here to fight rebels, and precedent and indications are that we shall have enough of it before we see Kansas again, especially should dandy Hindman come up with his sixteen thousand infantry and three full batteries or thereabouts. Marmaduke evidently expected his co-operation at Cane Hill, as he had received information that Hindman, with his command had left Fort Smith; but as yet we have seen or heard nothing of him. Perhaps he has started for Texas again.

Five days ago, while camped on the Indian boundary line, Gen. Blunt learned that Marmaduke was at Cane Hill, about thirty five miles from our camp. This was rather too long a march for infantry, but the Second were sent forward as an advance, and during the forenoon of next day, (the 28th) reached the rebel post by a road from the North, having taken a circuit to surprise the enemy, who however, as soon as he discovered us opened his artillery from a strong position. Lieut. Stover's howitzers and Rabb's battery soon took position and opened fire upon the enemy's position, continuing about an hour with varying results. During this time Major Firk, of the 2d, had a narrow escape from emigration to "kingdom come," having the crown of his hat and portion of his scalp carried away by a piece of shell. The 2d was then ordered by Gen. Blunt to fall back, and make its way through some fields in the direction of one of the rebel batteries, in which movement it was joined by six companies of the 11th under Ewing and Moonlight, while Major Plumb with the other four was sent to support Rabb's battery and Stover's howitzers, the fire from which being so well directed that the enemy abandoned his first position before it was reached by the 2d and Col. Ewing.

At this juncture the whole of Col. Cloud's brigade arrived, with a portion of Weer's. Rabb's and Hopkin's batteries were placed opposite the second position taken by the rebels, and a cannonade of perhaps half an hour took place, when the enemy retired to a third position at the south of the town, his line covered by woods on the east and a hill on the west. Led by Gen. Blunt we made a wide circuit to the right, through the woods, emerging from which it was supposed that we should be met by the whole force of the enemy. We were disappointed, however; for he had again skedaddled, this time to the Boston Mountains.

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon guns were heard in the mountain gorge to the southeast, on the Van Buren road, whither a detachment of the 2d Kansas, and Col. Phillips' Indian regiment with a couple of howitzers had gone in pursuit. Coming up with the enemy, he made a stand in the gorge, the sides of the road being heavily wooded. The 6th and 11th regiments, Rabb's and Lieut. Tenney's batteries were ordered to advance.

The Indians here gave us a specimen of their woodcraft, advancing from tree to tree with a constant fire into the rebels, driving them slowly back over the slope, until the 11th came up and passed, driving the enemy further on. Retreating about a mile, he made another stand for a moment, but started on again soon, and a running fight was kept up for about eight miles through the mountains, until a narrow gorge was reached which the rebels seemed disposed to defend as long as they were able, but with only three companies of the 6th Gen. Blunt led a charge in person, Rabb's battery being in position to rake them terribly. Then, they hoisted a white flag under the pretext of looking after their dead and wounded, but in reality to gain time to get off with their artillery.

In this last charge Lieut. Col. Jewell and Lieut. Johnson were wounded. Gen. Blunt has given evidence of his capabilities as a soldier. Brave as the bravest, he never asks his men to go where he is not willing to lead, and he possesses in a great degree the confidence of the entire army of the Frontier.—And Col. Cloud—nothing can be said of him that would enhance his reputation with Kansas people. He was active and energetic all day, moving his brigade with the ease of a veteran commander.

The work is not all done yet in this country, and if I mistake not, you will hear before long of a "skirmish" something like the Pea Ridge affair.

I have given you only the outlines of the Cane Hill fight, as time, paper and conveniences are scarce and in demand, as they say in the market reports.

I had almost forgotten Col. Ewing. His whole bearing throughout the fight was bravely dignified. He seems as one born to command, and with experience will make a thorough military man. He is an excellent disciplinarian, and the 11th is fast attaining, under him and the popular Lieut. Col. Moonlight, great proficiency in drill, and will even now compare favorably with any regiment Kansas has furnished.

Yours,

Mars.