The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove

Here's McRae's (NY Historical Society):

Hd Qrs 2nd Brigade

2nd Division Camp near

Olivers, Crawford Co Ark

Dec 9th 1862
Capt L. P. Dodge
A A Gen'l 2nd Division
Captain:

I beg leave to submit the following report of my command and of the part it took in the battle, fought on the 7th inst. at Crawford Prairie, in Washington County Ark. I arrived upon the ground between 10 and 11 a.m. and found that the first brigade, under command of Brig Gen'l Fagan, was deployed to my right and front. Under orders from Brig Gen'l Shoup I formed my command immediately in rear of General Fagan's in column of echelon with my right resting upon the road, and my left to the right and rear of Gen'l Fagan's position. It being then believed that the enemies main attack would be from that direction. About 12 m. the enemy made a demonstration upon one of our batteries placed upon the left of General Fagan's line and upon the main road, when by direction of General Shoup, I moved McRae's regiment under command of Lieut. Col. Glenn across the road, to the left, and advanced it to the crest of the hill which overlooked the field, and threw forward two companies of skirmishers who were advanced to the front. I, at about the same time, moved Col. Young's regiment up rapidly and placed it immediately upon the right of the road. About this time the enemy commenced the attack upon the right and center. Col. Young having been killed, and his regiment hard pressed. I directed Col Morgan, with his regiment to move up and support him. Col. Morgan moved up, but when he arrived, it appearing that the main attack would be upon the right, Col Morgan was, by Gen'l Shoup, ordered to the support of Gen'l Fagan's right, which was hotly engaged.

At this time the enemy had discovered our position, and was pouring in a terrible storm of shot and shell. Finding that the enemy were massing a heavy force upon my front and left, I moved Col McNeill's regiment across to the left of Col Glenn, and ordered skirmishers to the front. Being still threatened with overwhelming force upon that flank, being heavily pressed upon this flank, I applied to be reinforced, as there was every prospect of my position being turned about this time. Fortunately Col Grinstead's regiment of Col Shaver's brigade took position upon my left. During all of this time, my position was exposed to a terrible cross fire of artillery. The artillery of the enemy was admirably handled, their shot and shell striking with admirable precision.

In the afternoon, Col Glenn's regiment was ordered down into the field, to support the line of skirmishers, but the artillery fire of the enemy was so severe that the position was found to be entirely untenable, and the regiment, being exposed to very severe fire of musketry and artillery, fell back in some confusion, but was soon rallied, and after being formed, charged down the hill, and cleared the side of the hill of the enemy who had in the mean time taken possession of that point. Late in the evening a regiment of Indians came up from the right and got in rear of Col Glenn's command and opened fire, but they were driven off in confusion by a few vollies.

Although no close engagement of long duration took place along my lines, yet, during the whole time of the engagement, with but little intermission, my command was exposed to a terrible artillery fire, and much of the time to musketry, and my line of skirmishers (which was composed of two companies to each regiment) was engaged nearly all of the time the fight was progressing, and I must say that both officers and men behaved themselves admirably, exposed for hours to a heavy cross fire, without being able to return it, and I am happy to state that there was scarcely any straggling to the rear, much less than I have ever witnessed before. Captain Biscoe of Col McNeill's regiment and Lt McKay of McRae's regiment are entitled to great credit for the manner in which they managed their companies, which were acting as skirmishers. It is my melancholy duty to inform you of the death of Lt Col Charles L. Young. He died like a good soldier and patriot, at the head of his regiment. In his death the country has suffered great loss. Enclosed you will find a list of casualties.

With Respect Your Obt Servt

DANDRIDGE MCRAE

Col Comd 2nd Brig, 2nd Division

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Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove
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Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove
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Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove
Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove
Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove
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Re: Shaver's Report on Prairie Grove