Prairie De Ann
Hempstead Co Ark
April 12 1864

My Dear Sarah
We are still holding the enemy in check at this place,
the lines of the two Armies are one mile apart. We have a
very large force here and everything is going on well. I
think beyond a doubt that the federal Army from Little
Rock will be defeated and drawn out of the country. We
have just received official intelligence of the defeat of the
Federal Army below Shreveport. The enemy is in full retreat
closely pursued by our Army under Genl Taylor,
2000 prisoners, 35 pieces of Artillery and thousands of
small arms have been captured.
We have an engagement with the enemy at Mount
Elba on Saline River on the 30 ult. We attack [ed] them
in their position and was repulsed. The loss in my own
Regiment was very heavy. I charged the enemies battery
and was never in my life in so hot a place before. 175 men
of my regiment was in the charge out of which 32 were
Killed & wounded and 8 captured. The enemy got into our
rear and captured our train with all our clothing etc. I
have not even a change of clothes left. Morris was with the
train in charge of my fine two [The rest of the letter is
faded and unreadable for the most part. However, I believe
Morris went over to the Union Army.]
Kiss all my Children for their Pa. My Love to your
parents.
Affectionally your husband
W A Crawford