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

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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.

 

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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