The following appeared in the Augusta, Georgia, Chronicle and Sentinel on October 5, 1864, and quotes an obvious eyewitness account that appeared in the Meridian, Mississippi, Clarion. Both were Confederate newspapers. The account describes the Battle of Massard Prairie, which was fought at Fort Smith on July 27, 1864:
...The fighting took place five miles S.E. of Fort Smith, in Mesard Prairie. The Lincolnite forces consisting of the "Kansas Sixth" and the so called home guards. The first has long been a "crack" regiment, alike noted for its ferocity, fanatacism and brutality. Gen. Gano divided his Texans into two bodies, while the Choctaws formed a third. One held in person on the center, whilst the others executed a flanking movement on either hand.
Advancing to the summit of an eminence where Yankee balls were whizzing all around him, Col. Folsom prevailed on his Choctaws to accompany him over a broad space to the face of the enemy. The other bodies charged simultaneously, and the robbers finding themselves previously assailed on front and on both flanks commenced a skedaddle from the rear, whilst others fought with desperation, until assured of quarters, when they surrenders. - Many of our men clubbed with their guns and dealt stunning blows; several guns were in this way broken. One hundred and twenty-seven were captured and about sixty killed. The pursuit was kept up to within two miles of Ft. Smith. The number of the enemy's wounded could not be ascertained. Our men obtained a rich booty - 200 Sharp's rifles, 400 revolvers, hundreds of excellent saddles, a considerable number of over coats and many other things.
Note: If you are interested in learning more about the Battle of Massard Prairie, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/massardindex or consider my book on the encounter. It is available on this page.
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