The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 22, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 57

Car. XXXIV.] ENGAGEMENT AT CANE HILL, ARK. 57
of the general we took position on the hill, bringing our guns in battery
back of the village of Newburg, there awaiting and expecting to witness
brilliant charges from the foe; but, as before, he depended on dislodg-
ing us with his long-range guns. Here the naked eye could see General
Blunt's columns of cavalry and infantry pouring over the hills in our
front, and advancing slowly and cautiously to the attack. It was a
splendid sight-flaunting banners, serried ranks, as the long lines came
gleaming on;
Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet,
Had dimmed a glistening bayonet !
Being satisfied that with our small force and short-range guns we
could not cope with him, we withdrew to the Boston Mountains, where
we placed one of Bledsoe's guns in position, and there awaited his ad-
vance. We were not allowed to tarry long, for they soon reached the
foot of the mountain, commenced jllacing their batteries in position, and
opened fire. Our gunners were eager and ready. The work again com-
menced, and at short range. We then exhausted all of our artillery
ammunition, and from that cause had to push our guns ahead, which
we did, and did safely. I had ordered Lieutenant Gregg at that point
over to the right, but finding the enemy were making a move still to
his right, I withdrew him, and had him to form back on the main road to
await further orders. Immediately on top of the mountain I had a part
of Colonel Thompson's command, under Major [M. W.] Smith, formed
to receive the enemy, and a little to the rear of Smith, on the right, I
had one company of Elliott's scouts, commanded by Captain Martin.
Smith and Martin calmly awaited the coming of the enemy, and as they
came charging up the hill in solid columns, they poured a deadly fire on
them, which sent them staggering down the mountain. By this time
I had other detachments formed but a short distance in the rear (Smith
and Martin falling back and loading), who fired on them with much
effect, being in easy gun-shot. Martin, having his men ready and formed,
delivered once more a terrible fire, but in so doing this brigade suffered
a terrible loss in the death of the gallant and heroic Martin. He fell,
as he lived, fighting for his home and fireside, " with his back to the field
and his feet to the foe."
Ah! soldier, to your honored rest,
Your truth and valor bearing;
The bravest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring !
The enemy pushing us about this time with all the force he could
urge on, and the ground being of such a nature as not to allow us to
form by regiments or squadrons, I was compelled to detach companies
and form them on both sides of the road, receive and fire on the
enemy, load, form, and reform, using in that manner every company in
the regiments of this brigade. We fought them in this manner about
three hours, never once allowing them to reach our rear in sufficient
numbers to capture any of the men.
I will likewise mention that [Col. Emmett] MacDonald's men were at
.the same time equally as active in their efforts to retard the movements
of the enemy. I noticed also with much pleasure the gallant conduct of
Captain Shoup, who commanded his little howitzer well and delivered
his fire with great coolness, effect, and precision. With this battery was
a brave and fighting driver, who was conspicuous for his daring and the
readiness with which he obeyed all orders.
Captains Webb and Snook, of Colonel Jeans' regiment, were both
wounded while gallantly leading their men on the enemy.