One hundred fifty years ago, on June 22, 1864, two reports on the fighting at Hahn’s Farm: HDQRS. DIST. OF THE FRONTIER, DEPT. OF ARK., Fort Smith, June 22, 1864. COLONEL: In obedience to instructions by telegraph, directing me to send out a cavalry force to co-operate with a similar force from Little Rock to be sent into Polk County, Ark., I have the honor to report that on the 17th instant I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, Ninth Kansas, with 250 cavalry. Colonel Clark proceeded some distance southwest of Waldron, where he met Wells battalion of Texas cavalry (numbering about 500), surprised the rebel force, routed them, killing several, capturing 5 prisoners, 40 horses, 80 muskets, and over 100 saddles. His horses giving out from the fact that they are in a bad condition, quite weak, having had no grain, and his men having lost nearly all their subsistence while charging the enemy, he returned to this place on the 21st instant, having failed to make a junction with forces sent out from Little Rock. Respectfully, JOHN M. THAYER, Brigadier-General. Lieut. Col. W. D. GREEN, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Little Rock, Ark. HEADQUARTERS NINTH KANSAS CAVALRY, Camp Thayer, Ark., June 22, 1864. MAJOR: In compliance with instructions from the general commanding, I have the honor to submit the following report: Pursuant to orders from the Third Brigade headquarters, detachments from the Sixth Kansas Cavalry (50 men), Ninth Kansas Cavalry (150 men), and the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry (50 men), total, 250 men, left camp on the 17th instant for a scout in the direction of Dallas, Polk County, Ark. In the afternoon of the 18th, hearing of rebel troops at Hahns farm, south of west of Waldron, said to be 300 to 400 strong, and others said to be 500 to 600 strong, 8 miles south of Waldron, in Scott County, the last being on our line of march, and not willing to leave the rebels at Hahns farm undisturbed, the command was turned off the road to Waldron to the Lookout Gap road. After marching within 4 miles of Hahns farm we camped for the night. At 9 a.m. of the 19th, being in charging distance, the detachments were ordered as follows: The Sixth to take the advance, under Lieut. John M. Defriese, and charge the pickets, run them to camp, and charge that also. The Ninth, under Captains Coleman and Flesher, to follow the Sixth and finish the work the Sixth would begin. The Fourteenth was held in reserve under Capt. William N. Bixby. Right well did each perform his duty. The Sixth charged in fine style, followed by Captains Coleman and Flesher, striking the rebel line about center, scattering the rebels in every direction. The camp was cleared so quick I could hardly tell how it was done. A few rebels tried to make a stand, but they were pressed so close they could not. It was a perfect stampede. After chasing them 2½ miles, the troops were recalled, and we were left in quiet possession of 5 dead rebels, 3 prisoners, 40 horses, saddles, &c., about 80 stand of arms, consisting of shotguns, Enfield rifles, &c., and their camp equipage and subsistence and books and papers. The arms, saddles, and camp equipage were destroyed. No casualties on our side. After inspecting the horses I found them quite exhausted, and not in condition to go farther. I decided to return to camp at Fort Smith, where we arrived on the 21st instant. Respectfully, your obedient servant, C. S. CLARK, Lieutenant-Colonel. Maj. T. J. ANDERSON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 14:30:00 +0000