The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 785
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CHAP X IX.1 ARKANSAS POST. 785
it in front, flank, and rear at the same time, literally raking our entire
position. It was during this terrific cross-fire, about 4.30 o'clock p. m.,
that my attention was attracted by the cry of "Raise the white flag, by
order of General Churchill; pass the order up the line," and on looking
to the left, to my great astonishment, I saw quite a number of white
flags displayed in Wilkes' regiment (Twenty-fourth Texas Cavalry, dis-
mounted), from the right company extending as far as I could see toward
the left. At this time I was near the left company of the Sixth Texas
Infantry. This regiment refused to raise the white flag or to pass the
word up the line; but being deceived by the sudden and simultaneous
display of white flags (for I could not conceive it possible that a white
flag could be thus treacherously displayed in any part of our line with
impunity), as well as by the cessation of firing on the left and the re-
peated and emphatic manner in which the words came coupled with
the name of the commanding officer, I was convinced at the time that
the order had originated from the proper source though not conveyed
through the ordinary channel-as at this time the enemy's fire of artillery
and small-arms was so intensely hot that no one could have passed from
the general's position to mine without being struck-and directed the
words to be passed to the fort as they had come to me. As the order
did not reach me through the ordinary channel I did not feel authorized
to give any order on the subject, and particularly as no order could have
been of any avail, the act having already been consummated before it
came to my knowledge. As the white flags were not: displayed on the
line from the right of Wilkes' Xvgiment to the fort the enemy's batteries
kept up fire on this part of the line for some minutes after the firing had
ceased on the left and until they had taken possession of the fort. From
all the information I can obtain on this subject the white flag which thus
treacherously deceived the rest of the command was raised in Wilkes'
Twenty-fourth Regiment Texas Cavalry (dismounted), and the interest
of the service, as well as justice to the rest of the brigade, demands a
thorough and immediate investigation.
Throughout the engagement, with but few exceptions, both officers
and men of the brigade exhibited commendable coolness and unflinch.
ing courage. Much credit is due to Lieutenant-Colonels Swearingen
and Neyland and Major Phillips for the prompt and gallant maaner in
which they led the re-enforcements from their respective regiments, or-
dered from the right to re-enforce the extreme left of the line, under a
most galling fire.
M11y staff generally did effective service in their respective departments.
Lieutenant Marsh, Sixth Texas Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-gen-
eral, and Lieutenant Hunter, Twenty-fourth Texas Cavalry (dismounted),
acting aide-de-camp, afforded me much assistance in the prompt trans-
mission of orders to different parts of the line under the hottest fire.
CASUALTIES.
Killed. Wounded. iMissing.
6th Texas Infantry................................................... 8 24 21
24th Texas Cavalry (dismounted).................--................... 12 17 25
25th Texas Cavalry (dismounted).. ................................... 2 8
Hart's battery ..........--...... --.... ..... .................. 3 13 22
Denson's cavalry................................................... ........-- - - 2 ..
Total,............ -----------------.............................................. 25 64 68
50 R R-voL XVII
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1886; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154626/m1/796/?q=hart: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.