Here is one account of the Ashley fight that I posted on this board a few years back and which has since been archived.

Louisiana Journal, 4 Sept. 1862, p. 2
THE ALARM--When the Ashley messenger reached here on Thursday morning, with the news of the rebel raid on that place, the bell of the Christian Church rang a fire alarm to call our people together. The citizens were in the streets in a jiffy, and the story soon told. Some lively imagination converted the facts into an army of "400 guerrillas coming straight to Louisiana!" A few tender hearted mothers wrang their hands and in tears deplored the coming terrors. A few brave men compressed their lips and turned grimly pale. Some laughed heartily at the terror stricken. The greater portion, however, knowing just how matters stood and what ought to be done, bestirred themselves to get ready for a forward march to the relief of our Ashley friends, who were supposed to have the guerrillas only checked, and not routed. Nearly all the loyal citizens and some not suspected of being any too loyal, shouldered their muskets.--All were intent upon putting down the guerrillas. The infantry being useless so far as Ashley was concerned, were kept in the city and on the leading roads, to be ready for any contingency. The cavalry to the number of 200, by 10 o'clock, a.m., were in their saddles and off for the seat of war. Altogether the extent of the measures and promptness with which they were taken, were creditable to our citizens, and shewed them ready at a moment's warning to defend the "sacred soil" of Pike. We think we may safely say that if anything more formidable than a small squad of horse thieves wish to effect much in our county, they must come terrible as an army with banners. We may not be lynx-eyed enough to see a few thieves in the dark, nor powerful enough to crush Jeff Davis' entire army, but we assure all guerrilla parties that they can no more get through Pike without seeing "somebody hurt" than a tom cat can get through h-ll without burning his claws!