The Battle of Dripping Springs, Arkansas
Battle of Dripping Springs - Reports & Eyewitness Accounts
Brig. Gen. Francis Herron
General Herron, center, with his
staff during the Civil War. Herron
wrote the primary Union report
mentioning Dripping Springs.
General Herron, center, with his
staff during the Civil War. Herron
wrote the primary Union report
mentioning Dripping Springs.
Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman
A unique portrait of Major
General Thomas C. Hindman,
the Confederate commander in
western Arkansas in late 1862.
A unique portrait of Major
General Thomas C. Hindman,
the Confederate commander in
western Arkansas in late 1862.
Reports and Eyewitness Accounts
Battle of Dripping Springs
Hdqrs. 2d and 3d Divs., Army of the Frontier
Van Buren, Ark.
December 29, 1862
Report of Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U.S. Army
…Yesterday morning we left north side of the mountains, General Blunt taking Cove
Creek road and I taking Telegraph road. It was a terrible trip. We formed junction at
daylight this morning, and pushed the cavalry into Van Buren without halting. Two
regiments of cavalry were encamped at Dripping Springs and showed fight, but after
killing a few and wounding some, they left….
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, pages 168-169.
-----
Headquarters Second and Third Divisions
Prairie Grove, Ark.
December 31, 1862
Report of Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U.S. Army
At daybreak on the 27th, we moved out of camp, with picked men of the whole
command, General Blunt going from Cane Hill, by the Cove Creek route, while I took
the Telegraph or mountain road. We marched all of that day and until 3 o’clock the
next morning, crossing the mountains successfully, and forming a junction at Oliver’
s Store, 18 miles from the river. Getting information in regard to their camps, pickets,
&c., General Blunt instructed me to advance all my cavalry, leaving Huston, with the
infantry and artillery, to follow up. The general and myself pushed on with the
advance guard, striking their first picket 3 miles from Oliver’s. After firing upon us,
they ran, we following them into the camp at Dripping Springs. Here a regiment was
formed in line, but our cavalry charged and drove them in great disorder, capturing
wagons, tents, and all their equipage complete…They made three attempts to check
us between Dripping Springs and Van Buren, but were driven every time. The last 10
miles was traveled in one hour, the whole cavalry force going in at a gallop.
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, page 169.
-----
Headquarters Hindman’s Division
Little Rock, Ark.
February 15, 1863
Report of Maj. Gen. T.C. Hindman, C.S. Army
…One of Fagan’s infantry regiments, with a section of artillery, remained at Van
Buren, and one regiment of cavalry, under Lieut. Col. R.P. Crump, was posted at
Dripping Springs, 9 miles north of that place, instructed to picket at Oliver’s, 19 miles
north, and at corresponding points on all other roads leading toward the enemy,
scouting actively on each road, and keeping up constant patrols by day and night
between the several picket stations.
…On December 28, at 10 a.m., Lieutenant-Colonel Crump reported to my by courier
that the enemy was advancing on the Cove Creek road in heavy force of cavalry,
infantry, and artillery….
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, page 171.
-----
Britton, Wiley. Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border, 1863. Chicago: Cushing,
Thomas, 1882., pages 61-64.
…But when we crossed Lee’s Creek we were still about twenty miles from Van
Buren. We continued to march along leisurely, occasionally halting a few moments
to allow the infantry and artillery to close up, until towards eight o’clock, when a report
came along the column that our advance guard had come upon the enemy’s pickets
who, on discovering us, fled towards their camp in the direction of Van Buren. Our
advance pursued them closely, so that they should not reach their camp in time to
give the rebel troops many moments warning of our approach. Our movements
gradually quickened, and shortly our cavalry was in full gallop, which was kept up for
five or six miles and until we came in sight of the enemy’s camp at Dripping Springs.
In the meantime Gen. Blunt, who had kept up with us, sent back an order for the
artillery and infantry to move forward with a quick step. The enemy, under command
of Col. Crump, of a Texas cavalry regiment, were encamped along the north side of a
hill, and immediately north of their camp were several fields with intermediate
spaces covered with undergrowths of woods. But when we came to the fences
inclosing the fields, there was scarcely a moment’s delay, for they were instantly
thrown down and we came into line of battle in a trot, and charged across the field in
a full gallop, and when within fifty yards of the enemy’s camp, delivered a volley into
the ranks of those who had formed in line and thought of making a stand. The
Second Kansas cavalry took the left of our line, and the Sixth Kansas cavalry and
several companies of the Third Wisconsin cavalry the right. Gen. Blunt ordered the
bugles to sound the charge, and with gleaming sabers we dashed forward like a
whirlwind, throwing up a perfect cloud of dust. The enemy did not wait to feel the
edges of our sabers, but fled in the direction of Van Buren, and in their flight left their
tents, camp, and supplies of every kind in our possession.
After charging through their camp we could not preserve our line of battle in perfect
order, on account of the broken condition of the ground. Nor was it necessary as the
enemy had broken up completely, and thought only of saving themselves. We were
cautious, however, as we did not know but that they had formed another line back
some distance, with the determination of contesting our advance. The Sixth Kansas
cavalry and Third Wisconsin cavalry, therefore, moved right straight forward over the
steep hill south of their camp. But when we were passing down the southern slope
of the hill, we saw from the clouds of dust hanging over the high road leading to Van
Buren, that they had no intention of making a stand short of that place. We also
learned from several rebel soldiers and teamsters, whom we had captured, that they
were completely surprised, and that their retreat had become a stampede.
Battle of Dripping Springs
Hdqrs. 2d and 3d Divs., Army of the Frontier
Van Buren, Ark.
December 29, 1862
Report of Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U.S. Army
…Yesterday morning we left north side of the mountains, General Blunt taking Cove
Creek road and I taking Telegraph road. It was a terrible trip. We formed junction at
daylight this morning, and pushed the cavalry into Van Buren without halting. Two
regiments of cavalry were encamped at Dripping Springs and showed fight, but after
killing a few and wounding some, they left….
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, pages 168-169.
-----
Headquarters Second and Third Divisions
Prairie Grove, Ark.
December 31, 1862
Report of Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U.S. Army
At daybreak on the 27th, we moved out of camp, with picked men of the whole
command, General Blunt going from Cane Hill, by the Cove Creek route, while I took
the Telegraph or mountain road. We marched all of that day and until 3 o’clock the
next morning, crossing the mountains successfully, and forming a junction at Oliver’
s Store, 18 miles from the river. Getting information in regard to their camps, pickets,
&c., General Blunt instructed me to advance all my cavalry, leaving Huston, with the
infantry and artillery, to follow up. The general and myself pushed on with the
advance guard, striking their first picket 3 miles from Oliver’s. After firing upon us,
they ran, we following them into the camp at Dripping Springs. Here a regiment was
formed in line, but our cavalry charged and drove them in great disorder, capturing
wagons, tents, and all their equipage complete…They made three attempts to check
us between Dripping Springs and Van Buren, but were driven every time. The last 10
miles was traveled in one hour, the whole cavalry force going in at a gallop.
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, page 169.
-----
Headquarters Hindman’s Division
Little Rock, Ark.
February 15, 1863
Report of Maj. Gen. T.C. Hindman, C.S. Army
…One of Fagan’s infantry regiments, with a section of artillery, remained at Van
Buren, and one regiment of cavalry, under Lieut. Col. R.P. Crump, was posted at
Dripping Springs, 9 miles north of that place, instructed to picket at Oliver’s, 19 miles
north, and at corresponding points on all other roads leading toward the enemy,
scouting actively on each road, and keeping up constant patrols by day and night
between the several picket stations.
…On December 28, at 10 a.m., Lieutenant-Colonel Crump reported to my by courier
that the enemy was advancing on the Cove Creek road in heavy force of cavalry,
infantry, and artillery….
Official Records, Series 1, Volume XXII, page 171.
-----
Britton, Wiley. Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border, 1863. Chicago: Cushing,
Thomas, 1882., pages 61-64.
…But when we crossed Lee’s Creek we were still about twenty miles from Van
Buren. We continued to march along leisurely, occasionally halting a few moments
to allow the infantry and artillery to close up, until towards eight o’clock, when a report
came along the column that our advance guard had come upon the enemy’s pickets
who, on discovering us, fled towards their camp in the direction of Van Buren. Our
advance pursued them closely, so that they should not reach their camp in time to
give the rebel troops many moments warning of our approach. Our movements
gradually quickened, and shortly our cavalry was in full gallop, which was kept up for
five or six miles and until we came in sight of the enemy’s camp at Dripping Springs.
In the meantime Gen. Blunt, who had kept up with us, sent back an order for the
artillery and infantry to move forward with a quick step. The enemy, under command
of Col. Crump, of a Texas cavalry regiment, were encamped along the north side of a
hill, and immediately north of their camp were several fields with intermediate
spaces covered with undergrowths of woods. But when we came to the fences
inclosing the fields, there was scarcely a moment’s delay, for they were instantly
thrown down and we came into line of battle in a trot, and charged across the field in
a full gallop, and when within fifty yards of the enemy’s camp, delivered a volley into
the ranks of those who had formed in line and thought of making a stand. The
Second Kansas cavalry took the left of our line, and the Sixth Kansas cavalry and
several companies of the Third Wisconsin cavalry the right. Gen. Blunt ordered the
bugles to sound the charge, and with gleaming sabers we dashed forward like a
whirlwind, throwing up a perfect cloud of dust. The enemy did not wait to feel the
edges of our sabers, but fled in the direction of Van Buren, and in their flight left their
tents, camp, and supplies of every kind in our possession.
After charging through their camp we could not preserve our line of battle in perfect
order, on account of the broken condition of the ground. Nor was it necessary as the
enemy had broken up completely, and thought only of saving themselves. We were
cautious, however, as we did not know but that they had formed another line back
some distance, with the determination of contesting our advance. The Sixth Kansas
cavalry and Third Wisconsin cavalry, therefore, moved right straight forward over the
steep hill south of their camp. But when we were passing down the southern slope
of the hill, we saw from the clouds of dust hanging over the high road leading to Van
Buren, that they had no intention of making a stand short of that place. We also
learned from several rebel soldiers and teamsters, whom we had captured, that they
were completely surprised, and that their retreat had become a stampede.
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