I'm trying to track the location and movements of "Speight's Brigade" in late 1862 and early 1863. I believe Speight and his 15th Texas Infantry were around Little Rock, AR in late 1862. I found a record of one member of the regiment who died at Camp Nelson AR (at or near present North Little Rock) in late November 1862. I also found a comment that the 15th was the honor guard at the funeral of Nelson in Little Rock. I haven't seen primary sources confirming either.

Some time in January 1863 "Speight's Brigade" was ordered to report to Gen. Wm. Steele who had just taken command of the Indian Territory and had just arrived at Ft Smith, AR. Prior to this, Speight's 15th Texas Infantry was in Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch's Division, Col. Horace Randal's Brigade.

Steele reports "Soon after my arrival, an infantry brigade was sent me, consisting of five regiments, under Col. Speight. This brigade had present less than 2,000 men, and four of the regiments were so demoralized that it had been found necessary to distribute the men among other troops." [OR, Series 1, Vol 22, Part 2, P.794]. Also, "Soon after my arrival, Col. Speight reported to me with his regiment, Stevens', Hawpe's, Alexander's, and Bass', all except Speight's completely disorganized and without discipline." [ibid. P.909]

I therefore presume Speight's Brigade was composed of:

Col. Speight's regiment -- 15th Texas Infantry
Stevens' -- 22d Texas Cavalry, Col. J. G. Stevens, formerly Roane's Div, Bradfute's Brigade "dismounted cavalry"?
Hawpe's -- 31st Texas Cavalry (battalion), T.C. Hawpe, formerly Roane's Div, Bradfute's Brigade "dismounted cavalry", Lt. Col. G.W. Guess commanding?
Alexander's -- 34th Texas Cavalry, Col. A. M. Alexander, formerly Roane's Div, Bradfute's Brigade "dismounted cavalry"?
Bass's -- 20th Texas Cavalry, Col. Thomas C. Bass, formerly Roane's Div, Bradfute's Brigade "dismounted cavalry"?
Battery attached ?

Bass's regiment, which he retained in Ft Smith, he said originally had 200 men but when put on duty on about 100 were present, the primary cause being desertions. The balance of the brigade was sent to Doaksville to be supplied since subsistence could not be provided further north.

The battery is not identified. In March, Steele only comments he has "an inferior 4 gun battery" and an artillery company without guns (which I presume to be Howell's battery whose guns were captured at Ft Wayne, Cherokee Nation, the previous fall). In March, he also orders that Speight's Regt and West's Battery be sent north. Was West's Battery the battery that came with Speight's Brigade in January? There were two Texas batteries in McCulloch's Division in December 1862, Daniel's and Haldeman's. Did one of these become West's Battery?

Speight's Brigade, per Steele's reports, was delayed in arriving at Ft Smith, in January, due to heavy snow. Fifteen miles from Ft Smith, 20 of Speight's rear guard were captured and released by Unionist guerillas under Capt Martin Hart. Steele retained Bass's Regt in Ft Smith and sent the balance of Speight's Brigade west into the Choctaw Nation and then redirects them south to Doaksville near Red River.

I'm looking for any information on the above units during this time, particularly first hand accounts of their movements and whereabouts.

Ken