New York Times US 4 Aug., 1862
OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST.;
BATTLE OF "THE CACHE," IN ARKANSAS.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL. HOVEY.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, GEN. STEELE's DIVISION, ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST, ON THE CACHE, July 7, 1862.
CAPTAIN: Pursuant to orders, I directed Col. HARRIS, with parts of four companies of his regiment, the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and parts of four companies of the Thirty-third Illinois infantry, and one small steel gun of the First Indiana Cavalry -- in all, a little less than 400 men -- to make a reconnoissance in advance of our lines. He fell in with the rebel pickers at HILL's plantation and fired on them. Passing the forks of the road at this place toward Bayou de View, he had proceeded but a short distance when I overtook and turned him back, with instructions to hasten down the Des Are road, and if possible, rescue a prisoner just captured. He marched rapidly for half a mile and fell into an ambush. The woods swarmed with rebels, and the firing was terrine, I have since learned that over 2,000 Texas troops were here drawn up in line of battle. Capt. MILLER led our advance, and was immediately followed by First Lieut. CHUSBRO' both of these companies were deployed as skirmishers. These companies began the fight. The little cannon was planted a short distance to the left of the road and opened fire. The enemy's advance fell back on the main line, which was concealed by the thick underbrush from our men. Col. HARRIS pushed on his advance until it came within range, when suddenly the rebels began a murderous fire. Our force, thus fiercely and unexpectedly assailed, was ordered to fall back, and in executing this order fell into some little confusion. The Rangers charged. Here Col. HARRIS was seriously wounded, but still kept his horse, and though tainting, fought. I had now reached the ground. The rebels, a full regiment strong, were charging at a gallop and with hideous yells on the little steel cannon, which was deserted by all but Lieut. DENNEMAN and one man. Capt. POTTER with his company here came to the rescue, aided in "limbering up," and withstood the charge of cavalry till the gun had emerged from the bushes into the road, when it was taken in charge by Lieut. PARTRIDGE. Capt. POTTER was severely wounded. I now ordered the gun up the road in haste, and the infantry into the cornfield. As the rebels came charging at full speed, in great force, in pursuit, the infantry fired. The charging column hesitated, but moved on. Another volley, and the ground was covered with their dead. Riderless horses rushed in all directions. The Rangers wavered and halted. The third fire completed their demoralization and overthrow. They left as suddenly as they came, and in great disorder. It was now clear that we had engaged a large force of well armed men -- how large it was impossible to tell; nor did I know their strategy, or have any but the most imperfect idea of the topography of the adjacent grounds. It seemed prudent, therefore, to hold the position already chosen, and which had proved to be a good one, and await events.
I soon discovered a large cavalry force filing past in front of my position, but just beyond musket range. When fully in front they halted and ordered a charge. I could distinctly hear the order "Charge," "Charge on the corn field," but for some reason the change was not made. The column was again put in motion with the intent, as I supposed, to gain my rear and cut off communication and reinforcements. Fortunately the force which had been ordered back from the first onset, was now in position to check this movement, and again the rebels were compelled to retreat. Hardly had this movement failed, when I was apprised of an attempt to turn my left, and dispatched Capt. ELLIOTT and company to thwart it. During these shiftings of positions I could plainly see them caring for their dead and wounded and removing them, but to what extent I have no means of telling. They now formed on their original line of battle, and I at once moved upon them, extending my line till it nearly became a line of skirmishers to prevent being flanked, so disproportionate were the forces. No men could behave more handsomely than did the Wisconsin Eleventh on my right, and the Illinois Thirty-third on my left, while Lieut. DENNEMAN with his gun, supported by as large an infantry force as I could spare, held the centre. The rebels gave way, and while driving them from the field, I heard a shout in the rear, and before fully comprehending what it meant, Lieut.-Col. WOOD, with one battalion of the First Indiana cavalry and two more steel guns, came cantering up. It was the work of a moment for Lieut. BAKER to unlimber his pieces and get in position. The woods were soon alive with shot and shell. The retreat became a rout. Our cavalry, led by Major CLENDENNING, charged vigorously, and the day was ours. Already 110 of the enemy's dead have been found, while the prisoners and the officers with the flag of truce speak of a "terrible carnage," and estimate their dead at more than 200 -- their wounded still greater. Their loss was undoubtedly greater than the 110 whose bodies were found. I have been unable to make a reliable estimate of the number of their wounded; nor have I report of the prisoners taken. A large number of horses were captured, and many left dead on the field. Sixty-six were counted within an area of a half a mile square. Our loss was seven killed and fifty-seven wounded.
The rebel force—Texas troops—engaged in the battle could not have been far from 2,000 men, and well supported by a much larger reserve force, all under the command of Gen. RUST.
The loyal force was less than four hundred, increased just at the close of the fight by two hundred cavalrymen.
When officers and men so uniformly behaved well, -- I can almost say heroically, — it is perhaps invidious to particularize, and yet I may be pardoned for calling attention to the gallant conduct of Col. HARRIS and Capt. MILLER, of the Eleventh Wisconsin; Maj. CLENDENNING, of the First Indiana Cavalry, and Capt. L.H. POTTER, of the Thirty-third Illinois. Surgeon H.P. STRONG was on the field throughout the action, and his services deserve recognition.
Later in the afternoon reinforcements came up, and Gen. BENTON pursued the fleeing foe five or six miles toward Des Arc, killing several and taking prisoners. All along the route he found the houses filled with dead and wounded. Curbstones were wet with blood, and in one case even the water of the well was crimson with gore.
Gen. BENTON's force consisted of the Eighth Indiana Infantry, Col. SHUNK; a section of MASTER's battery, First Missouri Light Artillery, Lieut. SCHOFIELD; part of the Thirty-third Illinois, Lieut. Col. LIPPINCOTT; part of the Eleventh Wisconsin, Major PLATT; one howitzer from BOWEN's battalion; the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, Col. BELL, and a battalion of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry under Major ANDERSON.
After the battle, and while the wounded were being cared for, the rebels again appeared on the Bayou de View road, and drove in our pickets. I immediately sent Lieut. Col. WOOD of the Eleventh Wisconsin, and the First Indiana Cavalry to pursue and capture them. He proceeded to the Bayou de View, shelled the rebels from their camp, and prevented the burning of the bridge, on which faggots had already been piled. By this time it was dark and the forces rested.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C.E. HOVEY, Colonel Commanding.
To Capt. W. PADDOCK, Assistant-Adjutant General.