Camp Prairie Springs, C. N. }
June 20th 1863. }
Col.—I have the honor to report the following facts in relation to my command in the engagement on Greenleaf Prairie on the 16th inst.; when ordered out by you from the command with four companies of the 29th Tex. Cav. (about 120 men) and Capt. Jno. Van with ten or twelve men for the purpose of attacking a reported force of the enemy supposed to be about 100 strong. I did not march more than one mile before I was led to believe that it was a false report, and not being able to find the man who gave the report, I halted my command and reported to you. In half an hour I heard the firing between the scouts under Lieut. Heiston of the com'dg General's personal staff, and the enemy's piquets. I immediately formed my command and moved forward to Lt. Heiston's support, under guidance of a courier who I met from him to you, suposing the entire command would follow. Lt. Heiston had driven their piquets into the timber before I arrived. I was informed by Capt. Van, who knew the country that the enemy must be on the east side of Greenleaf creek there being no crossing below, and being misled by that information, I halted my command under cover of the timber. I then sent Capt. Matt Daughterty with ten men of his company forward to the front to make reconnoisance of the position of the enemy. Capt. Van to my left to examine a crossing on Greenlief [sic] creek and two other parties, one to the front and the other to the left, under Sergt. Styles of company D, and Sergt. Hooker of company F and sent two couriers to you to report. Sergeant Styles soon returned and reported that he had been fired upon by the enemy's piquets. Sergt. Hooker returned in about fifteen minutes, and reported the enemy in column seven companies strong on my left. I sent him back to observe their movements, and began posting my men on foot under cover of the timber to fight them. Capt. Daugherty reported twice; the first that he had discovered the enemy's piquets, and the second time when I was forming the command to fight, reported a large column of the enemy with one howitzer passing on my right with a view of gaining a position in my rear; I immediately began falling back to gain a position in front of the column on my right at the foot of the mountain, when the enemy attacked me upon the left. I ordered Capt. Oliver's Squadron into line and dismounted it, which was promptly done, and just at that time Col. K Lieut. Littlejohn com'dg was thrown into confusion losing all organization and not being controlled by its officers, broke through Capt. Oliver's line, scattered his horses and confused his men. Observing the enemy still passing upon both my flanks and the courier I had sent to you returned to report that he had been fired upon, and driven back by the enemy; I again mounted my command, and fell back about one half mile. Capt. Hooks with his company, D, passing under a heavy fire from the enemy. I then formed under a heavy fire, and charged the enemy on my right and front driving them back about four hundred yards to their main column on my right. They in turn rallied, and I was compelled to retire before superior numbers which was done with some exceptions in good order by Capt. Oliver, Hooks and Daugherty, company K, receiving no orders from the company officers retreated in confusion. Whilst falling back I was continually expecting to meet the command marching to our support. After moving one mile we came to the Choctaw line formed near the prairie in the woods. While reporting to you the condition and number of the enemy, charge was ordered; supposing the entire force would be engaged, I passed to the front and right, expecting to find my command. Finding no troops to sustain the right, and the enemy trying to turn our position by that flank, I ordered Capt. Brown of Co. H, who informed me that he had no command upon the field, to carry the Choctaws to our right, and drove back the enemies left which with the assistance of Adjutant Les C. DeMorse was gallantly accomplished; the Choctaws fighting like veterans. The enemy were driven from every position for one mile leaving many of their number upon the field dead. Among them I noticed three negroes, upon the side of the mountain. They rallied upon their howitzer, about 400 strong. I ordered company C, Capt. Harmon com'dg who I found on the left of the Choctaws forward with a view of capturing the howitzer. Capt. Harmon dismounted his men within seventy five yards of the Gun, and with the support of about 200 Choctaws drove the enemy about thirty yards from it, when the Choctaws were thrown into confusion and began slowly to retire. I attempted with the assistance of Lieut. Col. Parks of the 1st Cherokee to rally them in which we failed, and noticing the enemy were beginning to close in on our right, I retired slowly and in good order; feeling satisfied that with one more company I could have taken and held the howitzer.
The enemy having gained a position between me and the river and being in ignorance as to the remainder of the command with the enemy in position between me and them, and only fifty men with me; I moved across the prairie to the timber, and thence I marched to the mouth of Canadian, to cross the river, at which place I found the command.
In closing my report I cannot forbear mentioning the gallant conduct of Capt. Oliver & Sergt Hooker of Company "F" Capt. Matt Daugherty of company "E" and the men of the companies of both Captains rallying and forming twice under a heavy fire, charging the enemy in the face of superior numbers with the coolness of long tried troops. Capt. Hooks company "D" behaved with coolness and courage. To Lieut. T. B. Heiston of the Gen. staff I am indebted for valuable services it is sufficient to say he sustained his well earned reputation. Too much cannot be said of the gallant conduct of Capt. Harmon and his men, the last upon the field they maintained the unequal contest against overpowering numbers until I brought them off the field in person. When nearest the enemy, Lieut. Gunn was conspicuous in front of his company encouraging his men by word and action, Captain Young, Martins Regiment and Adjutant L. C. DeMorse of our regimental staff acted gallantly throughout the engagement.
We had six men killed and three wounded among the wounded is Dr. Smith of the medical staff who bore himself gallantly upon the field. Lieut. Derickson of Co. K; who was on piquet when the action began with the men of his company reached the field in time to join in the last charge and acted with coolness and courage. I have since been informed that the Choctaws were thrown into confusion by mistaking orders. I stopped some men when about to fire upon Captain Harmon's company and told them that they were friends which being heard by some Choctaws on my right caused the confusion. I hope the past may be a lesson to company officers to better discharge their duties.
Respectfully
J. A. Carroll, Maj.
29th Tex. Cavalry.
Col. Chas. DeMorse
Commanding