I know there is a reference to Crabtree in the reports relating to the execution of Pvt. Private Harvey H. Blackburn, in retaliation for the alleged murder of Missouri militiamen by guerrillas during Price's Raid. John N. Ferguson, Company A, Crabtree's (Arkansas) cavalry, C. S. Army
There is also this report from Major Greeno that referres to Crabtree commanding Coleman's Regiment:
Report of Maj. Harris 8. Greeno, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry (Union).
Headquarters Fourth Arkansas Cavalry,
Cavalry Depot, DevalPs Bluff, Ark., November 15,1864.
CAPTAIN: In pursuance of instructions from headquarters Second Division, Seventh Army Corps, Devall's Bluff, Ark., November 8,1804, I marched with the scout under my command, consisting of 130 men of theFourth Arkansas Cavalry, on the morning of the 9th instant, in the direction of Batesville, Ark. I proceeded without interruption to near Hickory Plains the hist day. On the morning of the 10th instant I marched with my command in the direction of Searcy, Ark., and went into camp five miles north of Searcy the same evening. During the day's march I captured 1 prisoner, who had deserted Price's army at Pineville, Mo. From him and from citizens who had conversed with several deserters from Price's command and returned home, I learned that Price with his main force had marched in the direction of Fort Smith, Ark., with a view to cross the Arkansas River either at Fort Smith or at a point west of that place. On the 11th instant I marched to Fairview, a place twenty miles south of Batesville. At this place I gained additional information in regard to the movements of Price's army, corroborating the statements of others, that Price intended to cross the Arkansas Rivcr west of Fort Smith. I captured 3 more deserters from Price's army at Fairview, who claimed to belong to Coleman's regiment. From these men 1 learned that Lieutenant-Colonel Crabtree, commanding Coleman's regiment, was marching in the direction of Searcy, and that he intended to make Searcy his headquarters. I also learned from prisoners I had captured that Colonel McCray was marching down White Kiver, and was going to Jacksonport with two regiments, Colonel Crandall's and Baber's, and the citizens informed me that small parties of from fifteen to fifty had been passing through on the ('linton and Jacksonport road for a week past; they all reported that they were ordered to Jacksonport for the purpose of collecting supplies for McCray's brigade. All the prisoners I obtained seemed to understand perfectly well that McCray would make headquarters at Jacksonport or Batesville. I went into camp a few miles north of Fairview the evening of the 11th instant, and sent a detachment of fifteen men under charge of alieutenant in the direction of Clinton with orders to proceed as far as they could safely, and return to camp by daylight next morning, and obtain all the information possible in regard to the whereabouts of McCray, or any other force moving in the direction of Batesville or Jacksonport. This party proceeded some six or eight miles in the direction of Clinton, and by passing themselves off as Confederates succeeded in capturing several prisoners and obtaining considerable itIformation in regard to the movements of the rebel forces that left Price's army and came in this direction.
From all the information I was able to obtain the condition of affairs in Northern Arkansas at the present time is as follows:
There has already returned to Batesville, Jacksonport, and Searcy three regiments, all under Colonel McCray. These regiments are Coleman's, Crandall's, and Baber's. Coleman's regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Crabtree, when all together, numbers about 300 men; Crandall's and Baber's some 250 each, but of these two-thirds of the men have deserted, and say they will never go out again. They have thrown away their arms and are nearly all at their homes. They are all greatly demoralized and discouraged; those I saw all agree in the statement that Price's army was badly whipped at every point, and all greatly demoralized, and large numbers are deserting. From some I learned that either Shelby or Fagan intended to drop down in this part of the State with their commands. Although this seemed very uncertain, one thing appeared quite evident: If a scout of 400 or 500 cavalry could go up through that country at the present time or very soon, McCray could be taken in and most of his men picked up, with the proper exertion, but if they are allowed to remain undisturbed long enough, they may reorganize and give us considerable trouble during the coming winter. About Jacksonport there has been a very good crop of corn raised. On the morning of the 12th instant I moved back with my command in the direction of Searcy, intending to hunt up Crabtree and give him fight. I found Little Bed Kiver had raised considerable since I had crossed up and was still rising, and it was with much difficulty that I crossed my command, being compelled to swim some of my horses. I camped near Searcy and on the morning of the 13th instant I sent a detachment up the Searcy Valley to ascertain the whereabouts of the rebel forces. The detachment returned during the afternoon and reported that the regiment under Crabtree had scattered in every direction and would not give me a tight. We captured a Captain Bolton, of Coleman's regiment, and two of his men. I would have proceeded farther with my command had it not been for the fact that my horses had no shoes on their hind feet Avhen 1 left, and some of them no shoes at all, and they became very lame traveling ou rocky roads, and if I had gone farther I would have been compelled to abandon many of the horses of my command; and, furthermore, my command was too small to operate to advantage. Consequently I deemed it best to return, which I did, by slow marching, arriving at Devall's Bluff the evening of the loth instant, having been absent seven days and captured 1 captain and 9 men of the rebel army, and 15 head of horses and mules. 1 lost no men and but 1 horse on the trip.
I have the honor to be, very respectfullv, your obedient servant,
H. S. GREENO, Major Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, Commanding Scout.
Capt. George Monroe,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second THv* Seventh Army Corps.