21st May - Arkadelphia and Camden in Confederate Control

Skirmish at Camden, morning of May 19th 1864

 

 

 

Night of May 20th

The campaign theatre has been quiet. There was some skirmishing in the western section of Camden again on May 19th, as Brig. Gen. Kraft (with the 19th Missouri and 15th Indiana cavalry) attempted again to take the town from Col. Dibble and the 29th and 30th Arkansas cavalry. Kraft was unsuccessful and retired again to the west of town. They did not engage again on May 20th, but the Federal presence close to town was sufficient to thwart any Confederate recruitment efforts.

In Princeton, a Federal cavalry brigade arrived to find an Arkansas cavalry regiment had been recruiting there. The Confederates quickly fled southward towards Hampton without a fight and are being followed by a Federal regiment. There were no other encounters during the 19th and 20th.

First Action in Camden - May 18th

There was light skirmishing reported in Camden on May 18th. Two Federal cavalry regiments approached the town from the direction of Coney and engaged with two Confederate Arkansas cavalry regiments in the west section of town. Light skirmishing took place throughout the day, with the Federals retiring to Sylvan Hills just northwest of town for the night.

Arkadelphia was quiet on the 18th. The Confederate cavalry that had skirmished there the previous day quietly took to the road towards Greenville in the early morning.

Light Skirmishing in Arkadelphia: May 17th

Two regiments skirmished in Arkadelphia town center on the morning of May 17th. Lesson learned: Two opposing sides can't recruit in the same town at the same time. The Federals held the town by evening, but the Confederates (19th Missouri Cavalry) were just south of town center observing from a hill as additional Federal cavalry arrived just before dark.

CS Cavalry Correspondence - May 3rd and 4th

In THE WAR IN ARKANSAS II, players issue orders to their division commanders and then receive reports on the situation in the field. Attached are some reports from the Confederate cavalry division commander for May 3rd and 4th, describing the events around Midway. A courier from Marple's Federal cavalry brigade had to pass through their lines and by an unfortunate twist of fate (determined by the roll of a die), was wounded. This meant that the report he was carrying fell into Confederate hands.

Maj. Gen. Hackett, commander of the cavalry division, made his headquarters with Randall's Brigade and is reporting to Maj. Gen. Hobbs in the correspondence below. Maj. Gen. Hobbs (the player representing Hobbs) would receive other correspondence from this 1st, 2nd and 3rd Division Commanders, but this is what a command simulation looks like to a player, who then must reference maps to and cross reference various reports to attempt to understand what is going on across the campaign theatre.

Benton Road, May 3^d – 8:00 p.m.

Maj. Gen. JAMES A. HOBBS,

CMDR, II Corps,

GENERAL: My compliments to headquarters on the successful capture of Arkadelphia from the enemy. I must say that Maj. Gen. Swain’s Division fought splendidly with cool resolve against the enemy today.

I am with Brig. Gen. Randall’s Brigade about 9 miles from Midway, having passed through the infantry in pursuit of the enemy cavalry brigade (Col. Paul Herling’s Brigade). They can’t be too far ahead of us. Losses in Randall’s Brigade were 1 killed, 5 wounded and 1 missing. These losses were all incurred by the Nineteenth Missouri during skirmishing early in the morning.

Brig. Gen. Holcomb reports that he is 10 miles from Hot Springs and expects to reach there tomorrow morning.

Your obedient servant,

Maj. Gen. CYRUS P. HACKETT

CMDR, Cavalry Division

 

  

Grier Farm, Arkadelphia Rd, May 4^th –9:00 a.m.

Maj. Gen. JAMES A. HOBBS,

CMDR, II Corps,

GENERAL: Randall’s Brigade has reached the Grier Farm, just south of Midway. Col. Herling’s Yankees have turned and set up a defensive line across the road at an orchard at the Lee Farm to our north.

Mrs. Grier informs me that a large body of Yankee infantry arrived yesterday and spent the night around the Lee Farm and Jamison House, but they departed this morning. Her description was vague, but it sounds as though it was at least a division in size.

The Twenty-Sixth Arkansas has not yet arrived here and must still be on the road from Raymonds. No word from Holcomb yet, but there may not be direct route for couriers if enemy is at Midway, Rockport or Hot Springs. Do not expect to hear from him yet.

We are preparing to demonstrate against Herling at the Lee Farm.

Your obedient servant,

Maj. Gen. CYRUS P. HACKETT

CMDR, Cavalry Division

 

 

 

St. James Church, May 4^th 1864 – 8:00 p.m.

Maj. Gen. JAMES A. HOBBS,

CMDR, II Corps,

GENERAL: Randall’s three Missouri Regiments engaged the enemy in heavy skirmishing from 10:00 a.m.  to 12:00 p.m. The enemy’s cavalry was deployed at the Lee Orchard and across the Arkadelphia Road. Despite Randall’s best efforts, the enemy’s position was strong and he could not be dislodged.

At around 2:00 p.m., the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas arrived at the Jamison House and threatened the enemy’s flank. Brig. Gen. Randall resumed his assault, but was again driven back and returned to the Greer Farm to await the arrival of the infantry.  Randall’s losses were over150 men.

Later in the afternoon, the enemy retreated before the infantry and under fire from Maj. Gen. Smead’s batteries and slowly fell back through Midway and up the Point Cedar Road. The enemy took a position on Meeting Hill behind a stone wall and has encamped there for the night. Brig. Gen. Randall’s brigade is encamped near St. James Church in proximity to the enemy, but he does not believe that his men can take their position.  He requests Maj. Gen. Smead’s artillery to dislodge them in the morning.

I received word that an enemy courier  rode into our lines and was wounded. The attached report from Col. Marple’s Cavalry Brigade was recovered.

 Your obedient servant,

Maj. Gen. CYRUS P. HACKETT

CMDR, Cavalry Division

-------------

INTERCEPTED REPORT:

Mt. Moriah Road, May 4^th 1864 – 7:00 pm.

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps,

GENERAL: The First Brigade passed through County Line about 1:00 p.m.  No enemy encountered. Bivouacking just short of Mt. Moriah. Will proceed to Murfreesboro in morning.

Your obedient Servant,

Col. KIRK MARPLE,

CMDR, 1^st Brig., Cav. Div.

 

--------------

St. James Church, May 4^th 1864 – 10:00 p.m.

Maj. Gen. JAMES A. HOBBS,
CMDR, II Corps,

GENERAL: I have received word that Brig. Gen. Holcomb has occupied Hot Springs without incident. The enemy vacated Hot Springs on May 1^st with all of their supplies. Two divisions are reported to have marched southward and one westward. Brig. Gen. Holcomb awaits further orders in Hot Springs.

Your obedient servant,

Maj. Gen. CYRUS P. HACKETT

CMDR, Cavalry Division

Updated Download Links

I had some time and have updated the links for downloading the most up-to-date PDF locality maps, campaign map and distance map.

Southwest Sector - Original Wartime Map

Of course, what is called the southwest sector in THE WAR IN ARKANSAS II command simulation was never called by that name. I have also made numerous adjustments to the map for gaming purposes and added on a few localities that appear in post-war maps from the 1890s. Most of the tows and localities, however, roughly approximate what existed during the 1860s as found from the Johnson and Ward map of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, from 1864. Here is a piece of that map corresponding to the area being fought over in the sim.

Notice that Mt. Moriah has been moved significantly to the northwest in the sim. Other localities were also moved onto primary roads. The primary road from Princeton to Hot Springs via Tulip and Pleasant Ridge was also modified slightly.

Beech Creek and Huddlestons

Here are the locality maps for Beech Creek and Huddlestons. Downloads to be updated the coming week.

Campaign Map Revision

The campaign map has been revised by expanding secondary road network into the southwest section. Two new localities have been added: Huddlestons and Beech Creek. This gives new strategic options inside the triangle formed by the primary roads that connect, Washington, Arkadelphia and Coney. Locality maps and a download for the revised campaign map will be available next week

Recruitment Model Changes

Recruitment may take place in occupied towns. Federals will recruit United States Colored Troops (either cavalry or infantry) and Confederates will recruit unit that may be designated as Arkansas battalions or regiments,  Confederate States of America battalions or regiments, or independent battalions named after the commander. The recruitment model will reflect the following changes effective May 15th (in-game):

1.       Detachment: Regiment assigned to recruit is detached from brigade and assigned to Provost Marshall. The Provost Marshall will periodically report on the recruitment activities and status.

2.       Number of Recruits (1^st Regiment Recruited Per Town): Recruits will be added daily. The number of daily recruits will be determined by the roll of a 12-sided die multiplied by 10.

3.       Number of Recruits (Subsequent Regiments): After a battalion or regiment has been recruited, the army may continue to recruit in the same town, but the number of recruits will be decreased by a random percentage each time a subsequent regiment is being recruited.

4.       Mustering-in:  New units will be uniformed and armed at muster-in. They will then march to join their brigades when assigned.  Units can be mustered in as a Battalion or a Regiment.

5.       New Battalions: When a minimum 400 men are recruited, they may be mustered in as a battalion and assigned to active duty. The Corps Commander will give the order to muster-in the regiment.  Recruitment for that unit will stop at muster in and the commander will be given the rank of major or lieutenant colonel. The regiment quality will be green (0) at muster-in.

6.       New Regiments: When a minimum of 800 men are recruited, they may be mustered in as a regiment and the commander will be given the rank of colonel. Maximum regimental size is 1,000 men and the regiment will be automatically muster-in. The regiment quality will be green (0) at muster-in.

7.       Disrupted Recruitment: If the enemy engages friendly forces at the town where recruitment is taking place, recruitment is aborted and recruits will flee. Any recruitment in that town will have to be restarted from zero.

8.       Recruiting Regiments: Regiments that have successfully recruited another regiment (full regiment) will have a +10% modifier on subsequent recruiting efforts.

Centerville Map Revised

The Centreville Map has been revised with a change of a road name and the additional of two hills. They are not very high or large hills, but they are hills none the less.

 

Hospital Reports

Both Corps Commanders have received returns for May 15th and a report from the Chief Medical Officer showing movement through the Corps Hospitals and the number of patients per regiment in the hospital on 15th May. The hospital report shows:

• Sick and wounded present in the corps cospitals on 30th April 1864
• Sick and wounded admitted to corps hospitals from May 1st to May 15th 1864
• Sick and wounded who died in corps hospitals from May 1st to May 15th 1864
• Sick and wounded who were discharged for disability (discharged from army)
• Sick and wounded who were returned to the regiments

More than 1,000 men moved through the hospitals of each army through the period of May 1st - May 15th. Some of those have left the army (through death or discharge), others who were less severely wounded were returned to their regiments. 

Effect of XXVI Corps Headquarters Shift

I am still working on reports for the commanders and order of battle updates after Tulip Creek. The simulation is still expected to resume sometime over next weekend, although the vigor with which the two sides choose to engage or not engage will be dependant on the how their respective strategies play out across the campaign theatre.

During the Tulip Creek Campaign, the XXVI Corps had its headquarters in Hot Springs at the start of the campaign. With the II Corps headquarters in Washington, this made Arkadelphia a logical "hot spot" between the two armies. (Primary roads are significantly faster than secondary roads for moving units). The campaign was fought out over a relatitvely small section in the east-central portion of the campaign theatre. The fighting was restricted to six localities, with infantry only engaging along the triangle formed by Arkadelphia, Rockport and Tulip. Although there were no engagements in Pleasant Ridge, Raymonds, Princeton and Cache Marse, there was significant troop movement through these localities throughout the campaign.

With the shift of the XXVI Corps headquarters to Mt. Ida, will we see a shift in figthing to the western side of the campaign theatre? Centreville and Mt. Moriah are about half way between the two headquarters on the main road. The secondary road network in the west and central portions of the campaign theatre is slightly more developed than that of the east, with key crossroads at Amity, Alpine, County Line, Brocktown and Point Cedar. Movement, however, is 40% slower on secondary roads than primary roads in good weather. There was no rain during the period of May 1 - May 15, but marching on secondary roads will be extremely slow when it finally does rain. (The weather model is based on actual weather in the Hot Springs area on corresponding dates in a randomly selected year from the 20th century.)

Consumption of Ordnance During Tulip Creek Campaign

I put down hospital reports briefly to complete reports from ordnance officers for the campaign. The heaviest consumption of ammunition in both armies was in the cavalry. The two cavalry divisions (US and CS) consumed more ammunition than all six infantry divisions combined during the same period.

Maybe this is why some people in Washington said, "Don't give them breachloaders, they will use too much ammunition."

Changing Officers and Re-organizing....

The II Corps is going through some minor re-organizing and replacing some non-performing officers. As new officers are appointed, their leadership qualities in the OOB file will be determined with fresh rolls of a die for the various attributes. The II Corps could end up with some better leaders, or.... worse.

Chief Medical Officer Reports

I just completed a report from the II Corps hospitals for 1st - 15th May. The report shows the number of patients that were in the hospital on 30th April 1864, those that were admitted, those that died, those that were discharged from the army on a surgeon's certificate, those that were returned to their regiments and those remaining in the hospital on 15th May. The report is disaggregated by division and down to regimental level, as well as disaggregated by patients who were sick and those who were wounded.

The hospital reports help determine the number present and absent as I make the next returns as of 15th May and then use those to adjust the order of battle for 16th May. I will start on the XXVI Corps hospital report tomorrow. It takes some time and some throwing of dice to come up with random percentages for patients who have died, been returned to regiments, etc.  Once we get to 31st May, I will publically release the hospital reports from 15th May.

Break...

THE WAR IN ARKANSAS II is on a brief break, as I prepare returns and reports for the commanders. They will receive updated orders of battle and returns, giving their strength and unit quality as of the morning of May 16th. They will also get ordnance reports, letting them know how much ammunition they have at hand, and a provost report that lets them know the number of prisoners captured during the campaign and the prisoners' units.

It will be assumed that some intelligence activities have been taking place. Before the sim starts up again, commanders will have the option of selecting TWO of the following intelligence reports:

1. Strength Report: This intelligence report is brief and assumes that intelligence agents (or someone smart) has been going through newspapers, interviewing prisoners and interviewing citizens where the enemy has camped, etc. The report will give the strength of the enemy army by division.  The strength reported per division will be accurate to +/- 1,000.

2. Location Report: This report assumes a scout has been roaming the sector and interviewing citizens and determined where the enemy army has camped following the withdrawal from Tulip. It will give all of the localities that were occupied by enemy troops on the night of the 15th.

3. Hospital Report: This report assumes that a scout has gotten detailed information from the enemy's corps hospital. It will give a number that shows the total number of enemy absent in hospital.

4. Recruitment Report: This report will give the commander notification of all towns in which the enemy has started recruiting new regiments.

5. Division Report: This report assumes that a scout has gotten close enough to a division to get detailed information on that division. The commander will get an OOB with accurate strengths and quality assessments of regiments for the division. (The commander must say on which division(s) he wants to gather information.) 1 Division counts as 1 intelligence report, 2 Divisions counts as 2 intelligence reports.

6. Ordnance Report: The scout has been sent to infiltrate officers and teamsters in the supply lines and will give an accurate report of the status of the enemy's ammunition.

The next intelligence will be available as at 31st May.

Tulip Creek Campaign Summary (May 1st - May 14th 1864)

THE WAR IN ARKANSAS II is still on-going, but the two sides have disengaged. They have put enough distance between themselves to name the 1^st campaign the Tulip Creek Campaign and declare it over. The Tulip Creek Campaign represents the period from May 1^st 1864, when the two armies left their winter camps, to May 14^th, when both armies had re-established their respective headquarters. The two commanders are free to rest, recruit, skirmish, or resume a new full campaign at their discretion. They will be receiving various reports and returns over the next week.
 

Engagements:

1.       Skirmish at Arkadelphia, May 2^nd and 3^rd 1864: Herling’s Brigade (2/Cav/XXVI), Randall’s Brigade (2/Cav/II) and Swain’s Division (2/II)

2.       Skirmish at Midway, May 4^th – May 5^th  1864: Herling’s Brigade (2/Cav/XXVI), Randall’s Brigade (2/Cav/II) and Smead’s Division (1/II)

3.       Skirmish at Midway, May 6^th 1864: Herling’s Brigade (2/Cav/XXVI) and Holcomb’s Brigade (1/Cav/II)

4.       Battle of Rockport, May 6^th 1864: Mallory’s Division (1/XXVI) and Smead’s Division (1/II)

5.       Skirmish at Jones’ Field, May 8^th 1864: Marple’s Brigade (1/Cav/XXVI) and Martin’s Brigade (3/Cav/II)

6.       Skirmish at Willow, May 8^th 1864: Herling’s Brigade (2/Cav/XXVI) and Holcomb’s Brigade (1/Cav/II)

7.       Skirmish at Elm Hill, May 9^th 1864: Marple’s Brigade (1/Cav/XXVI) and Martin’s Brigade (3/Cav/XXVI)

8.       Battle of Tulip Creek, May 10^th 1864: XXVI Corps vs. II Corps

PHASE I: On 30th April, the Confederate II Corps was in Washington and the Federal XXVI Corps was in Hot Springs. From the 1st to the 3rd of May, the two sides were trying to locate each other. First contact was between Col. Paul Herling's Federal cavalry brigade (2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division) and Brig. Gen. Charles F. Randall's Confederate cavalry (also 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, but in the Confederate II Corps). The two cavalry brigades skirmished very lightly west of Arkadelphia until Maj. Gen. Clinton Swain's infantry division (2nd Division, II Corps) came up and Herling made a fighting withdrawal through the town and then back toward Midway.

Phase II: The Federal 1st Division moved to Midway with Maj. Gen. Daniel Ormsby's Corps Headquarters. On hearing that Herling had sighted two divisions of infantry at Arkadelphia, Ormsby withdrew from Midway to Rockport before Herling or the enemy arrived, leaving Herling to skirmish there and then flee towards Point Cedar.

New cavalry brigades arrived at Hot Springs and Washington, with several portions of each army moving towards Arkadelphia while others moved towards Rockport. Herling doubled back towards Midway, chasing the 26th Arkansas which had been detached from Randall's Brigade and assigned to observe him, while Holcomb's Brigade left a position observing the enemy at Rockport and engaged Herling at Midway. Brig. Gen. Albert Holcomb was killed and command of the brigade was given to Col. William Dibble of the 26th Arkansas, who was the senior officer on the field.

At Rockport, the 1st Divisions of the two armies clased at Coffman's Knoll, with both corps headquarters being present at the engagement. As the Confederate's 2nd Division arrived, the Federal 1st Division withdrew toward Pleasant Ridge to the south.

Phase III: Arkadelphia was occupied by opposing forces on and off from the 7th to 9th, sometimes with only hours between one side leaving and the other arriving. The Confederate 3rd Division was waiting with Randall's Brigade for the arrival of Marple's Brigade, expecting to crush it west of town. Marple turned on Martin, who had been following him, leading to skirimish at Jones' Field, between Arkadelphia and Greenville.

When Marple didn't turn up, Gowan's 3rd Division marched off towards Greenville to find him. Randall stayed at Arkadelphia, to see Herling pass by towards Willow, chased by Dibble. The Federal 2nd and 3rd Division arrived, chased off Randall, but then marched back towards Princeton via Cache Marsa, as the Confederate 3rd Division turns around and began marching back towards Arkadelphia.

Dibble and Herling fought at Willow on the 8th and Herling withdrew towards Tulip to meet with Kraft's Brigade and the 1st Division, XXVI Corps.

Phase IV: Maj. Gen. James Hobbs was in Pleasant Ridge, when he heard about the skirmish at Willow on the 8th. He marched his 1st and 2nd Division towards will and had his 3rd Division and Randall's Brigade move towards Princeton. The Federal 2nd and 3rd Divisions had passed through Princeton and already met up with the 1st Division at Tulip. All forces of both armies were moving towards Tulip, with the exception of Martin and Marple's cavalry brigade, which fought at Elm Hill on the 9th until both brigades had exhausted their ammunition (they did not have ordnance trains with them)

On the 10th, fighting began in the morning with an unsuccessful attack. The Federals planned a counter-attack in the afternoon, but it was a plan that would never be implemented due to the arrival of Randall and Gowan's Division at the southern end of the field. The Confederates launched a second attack in the afternoon, part of which was driven back and part of which stayed engaged until dark.

End of the Tulip Creek Campaign:On the night of May 10th, the Confederate II Corps withdrew westward to Willow and the Federal XXVI Corps withdrew northward to Pleasant Ridge. They then began marching, and marching, and marching...  On May 14th, Maj. Gen. Hobbs re-established the II Corps Headquarters at Washington. On the 15th, Ormsby made his headquarters at Mount Ida. You can only really name a campaign when it is over, and it was clear that The Tulip Creek Campaign was over.

Casualties:

 

Senior Officers Lost:

·         Brigadier General Albert Holcomb (CSA), commander, 1/Cav/II: Killed at Midway, May 6^th

·         Colonel John Woods (USA), commander, 3/3/XXVI: Wounded at Tulip Creek, May 10^th

 

 

Night of May 14th

All is still quiet. There has been no contact since the two armies withdrew from Tulip Creek on the night of May 10th.

Bi-monthly returns will come out on May 15th. This will give each army its current strength by regiment and battery, showing number of men present and number of men absent. I will have to do some calculations to determine the number of men who have fallen sick, died in the hospital or been discharged and the number of returning convalescents.

Commanders will also receive an updated Order of Battle (there half of the OB file for May 15th) which will allow them to see the adjusted unit quality of each unit.

Night of May 12th

May 12th passed without engagement. Rumour has it that both sides are on the march, but their destinations and intent are not clear.

Recruiting Locations

Night of May 11th

There was no fighting on May 11th. Men are resting and recovering morale. Routed regiments have returned to their brigades.

Unit Profile: 21st Ohio Cavalry (Part 1)

The 21^st Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with its sister regiment the 20^th,  was raised in Columbus in early 1864. The regiment was raised by Colonel Paul Herling, from Mansfield Ohio.  Herling had served as a junior officer in the 3^rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry until being wounded at Perryville. Herling’s family had connections with Senator John Sherman. As he recovered from his wounds, Herling benefitted from some friendly influence and was given authorization to raise a regiment of cavalry. The 21^st was mustered into service on February 28^th , 1864 and sent to Camp Chase for instruction before being sent to Arkansas.

When the regiment reached Hot Springs, it was placed into a brigade with the 20^th Ohio, 16^th Missouri and 22^nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.  Herling’s commission pre-dated that of Colonel Neal of the 20^th Ohio by one week and, being senior colonel, he was appointed to command of the brigade. The brigade was designated the 2^nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps. Command of the regiment was handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Lafayette Ludwig, also of Mansfield.

Herling’s Brigade moved from Hot Springs to Midway, where it camped near the Wolf Farm from mid April until the 1^st of May, when it was ordered to Arkadelphia. The brigade was tasked with guarding approaches to Arkadelphia from Washington and deployed on a hill west of town on the afternoon of the 1^st. On May 2^nd, an enemy cavalry brigade of three Missouri Regiments appeared. It was Herling’s first encounter with Randall’s Brigade, less the 26^th Arkansas Cavalry which had been detached to Raymonds.  Brig. Gen. Ewing, the division commander, had made his headquarters with Herling’s Brigade and submitted the following report:

Arkadelphia, May 2^d 1864 – 10:00 a.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade is deployed at a crossroads west of town, with skirmishers to the front across the Washington Road. An enemy cavalry brigade is approaching on the road from the west. It appears to be led by a Missouri regiment.

Your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

Herling rotated regiments on the skirmish line throughout the day, the 21^st Ohio having served on the line when enemy infantry was sighted in the evening.

Arkadelphia, May 2^d 1864 – 6:00 p.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

GENERAL:  The enemy cavalry brigade has deployed to our west across the Washington Road and thrown out skirmishers just out of range, but has not engaged.  A column of enemy infantry has just come up in their rear. I believe it to be a division.

Your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

The enemy infantry turned out to be Maj. Gen. Clinton Swain’s 2^nd Division, II Corps. It began advancing on Arkadelphia and Herling’s Brigade made a fighting withdrawal throughout the day.

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 7:15 a.m.

 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

             CMDR, XXVI Corps,         

GENERAL:  Enemy skirmishers engaged Herling’s Brigade west of Arkadelphia at 6:00 a.m.  Enemy infantry division has deployed and engaged. Making a fighting withdrawal into Arkadelphia. Will delay enemy advance as long as possible. 

Enemy force sighted: One cavalry brigade (Missouri) and three infantry brigades (Missouri, Kentucky and Florida). Two six gun batteries. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

  

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 9:45 a.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade made a fighting withdraw through Arkadelphia Town. Now deployed at bridges preparing enemy assault. Enemy artillery firing on us to good effect. Will resist crossing and then fall back to Donaldson Farm. 

Enemy infantry division present is Maj. Gen. Swain’s 2^nd Division, II Corps.  

Received report from Col. Marple. His brigade is on the march and expects to reach Amity today, possibly even Alpine.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

 

Arkadelphia, May 3^d 1864 – 9:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade was driven back from the vicinity of Arkadelphia and is in retreat towards Midway. Colonel Herling reports that enemy cavalry is in pursuit.  His brigade is spending the night about 8 miles from Midway. He reports total losses today of  24 men killed, 88 wounded and 17 missing. 

Colonel Marple reports that he passed through Amity without incident, but did not reach Alpine. His brigade is bivouacked at about 4 miles from Alpine. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

The 21^st fought on the left of Herling’s Brigade, initially engaged with Brig. Gen. Bieber’s Kentucky Brigade as the Confederates advanced towards town.  The 21^st fell back passed the Haydin House towards the Court House.  As the Confederate advanced continued, the 21^st fell back again with the rest of the brigade to the wooden brigade north of town on the Benton Road. It engaged Black’s Missouri Brigade, which has been assigned to carry the bridge.  The 21^st fired on the 19^th Missouri Infantry, which stormed the bridge, and then the cavalrymen fell back to the Donaldson Farm, where the brigade made a brief stand before leaving the field and heading back toward Midway.

The 21^st lost 7 men killed, 27 wounded and 5 missing during light skirmishing on the 2^nd and the fighting withdrawal through Arkadelphia on May 3^rd. On May 4^th, the brigade reached the Lee Farm near Midway around 10:00 a.m. and deployed to slow down any enemy advance. They were followed by Randall’s Brigade and skirmishing resumed. 

Lee Farm, May 4^th  1864 – 10:00 a.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade has deployed near the Lee Farm for a clear view down the Arkadelphia Road. Brig. Gen. Randall’s cavalry brigade has just appeared to the south and is into forming line at the Grier Farm. We will try to hold the cavalry here, south of Midway, and then give way with a fighting withdrawal towards Point Cedar when infantry arrives. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

------------

Lee Farm, May 4^th  – 6:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Col. Herling’s Brigade, while deployed across the road at the Lee Orchard,  repelled repeated attacks by three Missouri regiments from Brig. Gen. Randall’s cavalry brigade from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm.  The enemy withdrew to the Greer Farm until 2:00 p.m., when the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas came up the Raymonds Road. The Sixteenth Missouri moved from the left of the line and engaged the enemy at Jamison, while the enemy’s Missouri Regiments resumed the attack on the Lee Orchard.  All attempts by the enemy cavalry to dislodge Col. Herling’s men failed, including an attempt to flank the line through the Lee buildings. The enemy cavalry withdrew again to the Greer Farm at 2:30 p.m. 

At 4:00 p.m., an enemy infantry division arrived on the Arkadelphia Road and deployed at Greer. The division included Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama Brigades and is believed to be the enemy’s 1^st Division. A cavalry escort was seen with a high ranking officer, leading Col. Herling and I to believe that Maj. Gen. Hobbs was on the field. The enemy opened fire with two batteries and Herling began to fall back without engaging, but forcing the enemy to deploy.  

Col. Herling’s Brigade is encamped on Meeting Hill near the Epps Farm and behind a stone wall. Randall’s Brigade is in a rocky field near St. James Church. The enemy’s infantry is at Midway Crossroads. My intentions are to fall back to Point Cedar first thing in the morning, without engaging. 

No word from Col. Marple’s Brigade. 

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

The 21^st, with the rest of the brigade, repulsed repeated attacks by Randall’s Brigade, inflicting heavy loss on the enemy while suffering a much smaller comparative loss. The regiment lost 3 men killed, 4 wounded and 3 missing while fighting  while deployed in some woods just east of the Arkadelphia Road and Lee Orchard. The next day, the regiment was at Meeting Hill and then slowly withdrew before enemy infantry without engaging, but losing 2 men wounded to shelling by enemy batteries. The entire brigade then withdrew toward Point Cedar, being followed by the 26^th Arkansas Regiment, commanded at the time by Colonel William Dibble.

Point Cedar Road, May 5^th   – 10:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: I have been with Herling, withdrawing from Midway. We are being pursued by a single regiment of Arkansas cavalry, but they are keeping their distance about a mile behind us and are clearly only observing and have no intention of engaging. We have reached about 5 miles from Point Cedar. 

I have received word from Col. Marple. His brigade has reached Murfreesboro without incident and without encountering the enemy. He awaits further orders.    

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

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Point Cedar Road, May 6^th   – 3:00 a.m.

 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

 

GENERAL: I have just received a courier informing me that Brig. Gen. August Kraft has been attached to this command with a small brigade of cavalry. The brigade is composed of the Tenth Iowa, Nineteenth Missouri and Fifteenth Indiana Cavalry. I do not have the precise returns, but Brig. Gen. Kraft informs me that total strength is approximately 1,700 men. The Tenth Iowa is said to experienced and of regular quality. The Nineteenth and Fifteenth are green.

 

Brig. Gen. Kraft and his brigade arrived in Hot Springs during the night and are awaiting orders there. 

 

Herling preparing to return towards Midway this morning.        

 

Your obedient servant,

 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

Col. Herling was ordered to turn on the 26^th Arkansas Cavalry first thing in the morning on the 6th. The brigade began to chase the 26^th back to Midway arriving shortly befor  noon.  

 

Midway , May 6^th   – 11:45 a.m.

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

 

CMDR, XXVI Corps,

 

GENERAL: Have arrived at Midway with Herling’s Brigade. Enemy cavalry regiment                       retreating  towards Rockport. No other enemy found. Two infantry divisions (1^st and 2^nd Divisions, II Corps) moving to Rockport.

 

Marple making progress towards Greenville. No word from Kraft.

                                

Your obedient servant,

 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

  

Midway, May 6^th   – 1:00 p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: Have arrived at Midway with Herling’s Brigade. Enemy cavalry regiment deployed across Pleasant Ridge Road near Jeffries. No word from Marple.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps

 

While infantry was fighting at Rockport, Holcomb’s Brigade of Confederate cavalry arrived at Midway.  There was some brief fighting, but it cost the Confederate II Corps its first Brigade General of the campaign.
 

Arkadelphia Road, May 6^th – 7:00 p.m.. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps,                

GENERAL:  Herling’s Brigade was engaged by Holcomb’s Brigade (Arkansas Cavalry) at Midway between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Herling was initially deployed at a wood line just south of town and held off an attack. The Twenty-Second Illinois killed Brig. Gen. Holcomb early in the attack. The enemy brigade, however, is quite large, over 2,000 strong. It extended beyond our left flank, and the regiment we had pursued earlier (now identified as the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas Cavalry) appeared on our right flank. 

Herling withdrew to the Greer Farm and held off another attack until flank. The brigade is now retiring towards Arkadelphia on the Arkadelphia Road, being the most viable direction of movement.  

Losses were as follows: 

Twentieth Ohio: 1 killed, 5 wounded, 1 missing

Twenty-first Ohio: 2 wounded

Twenty-Second Illinois: 3 wounded

Sixteenth Missouri: 2 wounded

 

Enemy losses believed to be well over 50 men.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps 

Herling was ordered to Arkadelphia, followed by Holcomb’s Brigade. As the brigade reached the wooden bridge where it had engaged Black’s Brigade four days earlier, it found Randall’s Brigade guarding the crossing. Rather than get caught between Holcomb’s Brigade (now under command of Col. Dibble and with the 26^th Arkansas attached) and Randall, Herling’s Brigade moved east to Willow and spent the night near Willow Tavern with Holcomb’s Brigade not far away.

 

Arkadelphia – Willow Road, May 7th   – 1:00  p.m. 

Maj. Gen. DANIEL C. ORMSBY,

CMDR, XXVI Corps, 

GENERAL: Reached Arkadelphia with Herling’s Brigade from Midway. Enemy cavalry in close pursuit. Found Randall’s Brigade guarding bridges over river. Caught between the two enemy cavalry brigades. Avoiding engagement. Heading towards Willow. 

Marple reports enemy infantry division turned around and moving back towards Arkadelphia via Greenville. He is following it.  

Your obedient servant, 

Brig. Gen. ROBERT EWING,

CMDR, Cavalry Division, XXVI Corps