Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 4.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[531] reached the road on which he is to form. He at once gives Walker the signal for the attack. The fire of the twelve guns posted near the road, about seven hundred and fifty yards only from the Federals, suddenly informs the latter of the opening of the fight, which they were beginning to believe would not take place. Walker advances his three brigades en échelon by the right; the artillery follows him. Major has penetrated by the north into the woods. Nearly at the same time shouts, mingled with the musketry-shots of Churchill's soldiers, reply to Walker's cannon. The latter deploys his three brigades—Randall on the left on the road, Gause in the centre, and Scurry on the right. He crosses the ravine which divides the road, and his first effort bears upon Shaw's brigade, which, being in an advanced position, is assailed on all sides at once and promptly driven back. The losses of Shaw are considerable, and his retreat on this side makes a breach in the Federal line. Dwight, on the road, is in turn attacked by Walker, whilst Green threatens his right flank, but the timely arrival of McMillan, whom Emory brings to his assistance, enables him to sustain himself.

Churchill, on his part, once arrived on the Sabine River road, has deployed Parsons' two Missouri brigades on the right — that is to say, beyond this road. Tappan and his two Arkansas brigades form on the left, and a regiment of cavalry scouts the extreme right. Churchill's soldiers are full of animation and courage, but he directs them without judgment. Taylor has justly reproached him for not having borne sufficiently to the right to completely outflank the enemy's left, and for having left half of his forces this side of the road. But — a still greater mistake-he does not know how to co-ordinate the movements of his two divisions. While Tappan's division has not yet come into line, Parsons has already crossed the ravine which slopes on the south and bisects the Sabine River road, as the other bisects the Mansfield road, in spite of the firing of two Federal batteries which defend the approaches. His brave troops, inured to war by the rough campaign they have served under Price, carry the batteries, and, crossing the glade, fall on the left of Benedict, whose right is already pressed by Scurry.

Benedict, who exposes himself in this unequal struggle, is killed