Charlie,

William L. Shea's "Fields of Blood--The Prairie Grove Campaign" (2009), pages 34-61 provide a good description of the military operations around Fayetteville in late October 1862. The focus of the 20th Texas Cavalry (before they were dismounted) seems to be on pages 56-58.

Parolees (captured 20th Texas troopers) given by MG Schofield on October 29th at Fayetteville could have come from the local hospital convalescents, or captured skirmishers from Oxford Bend (5 miles north of McGuire Store), or from skirmishes at McGuire's Store (1st Confederate defense line) and later at their camp to the east (2nd Confederate defense line) of Cravens' Brigade (of all four Texas cavalry regiments, including Bass' 20th Texas). Herron's 3rd Division (of those present) overran the Texas Camp late in the day of October 28, and the four Texas cavalry regiments fled south toward MG Hindman and his infantry waiting for orders about five miles south of the skirmish.

These four "orphan" Texas Cavalry regiments had had four commanders (Cooper, Bass, Bradfute and Cravens) during the past month, and nobody around wanted them (because they were so poorly armed, fed and clothed.) The 20th would soon be dismounted, and served the next six months at Ft. Smith on garrison duty. The Battle of Honey Springs got them out of Ft. Smith. Hope this helps.

Carroll