Damon, here is an extract that covers the experiences of Joseph Coker while attached to Brown's Battery. I hope it will be of some use to you.

Recollections of J. A. Coker, Thomas Ewing Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

I enlisted in Jeffer’s Swamp Rangers, but in August [1862], when Jeffers was commissioned a Colonel and ordered to go to Missouri and recruit a regiment, the rangers became Company B in the 3rd Mo. Cavalry, known as Greens regiment, and I, with other dissatisfied members of the company, transferred to Browns Battery.

While a member of this battery, in November, 1862, while Burbridges regiment was ordered to proceed from Bennetts Bayou, Ark., and surprise and capture a small post, (the name of which I cannot recall) located in Douglas or Wright County, Mo., I remember this expedition as the severest of my war experiences. We broke camp at eight A. M., and it was said marched seventy-five miles and attacked the post at eight A. M. the next day. The battery was light artillery, and the cannoneers were supposed to be mounted but they were not; only those acting as drivers, three to each gun and the Sargeant in charge of the detachment. Two men could ride on the limbers, and the others were told to take turns with them and the drivers, when tired of walking. I, and Henderson Willy [Wiley], a comrade, being young and full of enthusiasm, and allowed [to] go as we pleased tween the head and rear of the column, struck out briskly and led the column till night, when we halted and built fires to cook supper, when the company came up. After feasting on bacon, corn pone, and sorghum molasses, it was found that several men who had been with the guns all day, riding and tieing [taking?] turn and turn about, were too much exhausted to tie [?] it at all, but must ride all the time, and Willy and I had to walk again, which we did cheerfully all night, for our enthusiasm had not failed, though it began to flag considerably just before day. About this time word was passed down the line to close up. The cavalry to march in sections of fours, the artillery men, in position at the guns, and not to speak above a whisper, that we were in the enemies country and liable to be attacked at any moment, and that the advance guard had captured a federal picket, who reported a strong force in front. This had the desired effect to banish sleep and make the blood circulate freely.

After several miles of weary, but rapid marching, that showed the officers confidence, and encouraged the men, we came in sight of the post and attacked it at once.

The post consisted of a block house surrounded by palisades and was defended by a battalion of home guards, a small detachment of regular volunteers, and two toy cannon. At the second or third round from our battery they run up a white flag, and called for a conference, which resulted in their surrender as prisoners of war. The officers to keep their personal property and side arms, and all officers and men to be let go on parole. A detail from the cavalry was ordered to go inside and see that all marched out, and that the property was destroyed, and I was sent it with it from the battery to look after the two toy guns. Some of these home guards had no doubt committed crimes against their neighbors and Southern sympathizers, and it lay heavily on their consciences at that time, and they were almost paralyzed with fear of the consequences.

I had hardly time to notice the craven aspect of one or two of these poor devils when some one in my front called out: “Why if it ain’t Joe; boys these are not bushwhackers, I know this boy,” and the speaker came forward, extending his hand which I took and pressed warmly for I had recognized one of the officers I had frequently met when on picket duty the previous year, and I felt that I had met an old acquaintance from home, and had held in high esteem save that he wore a Yankee uniform, and he for the old times sake took two gray blankets and threw them with his kit, while he pressed on me his own pair of fine Mackinaws, strikingly illustrating that for our opinions, we would fight each other to the death, while personally we could be warm friends.

The paroling of the prisoners accomplished, our little army much elated with victory, well supplied with blankets and clothing, returned to Yellville, Ark.

In the winter of 1862-3, we make a second rain into Mo., and had a hard fight at Hartville, in which out battery suffered severely. The first man killed was Charley Alexander, a Cape [Girardeau] County boy, shot through the heart while charging into town at the head of the column. A preacher named Smith, who rode and drove the wheel span on one of the guns was shot through the chest as we were going into battle, but he would not leave his post until after calling” “Boys, I am shot through and must die, come quick and take the horses or they will run off with the limber,” fell dead when relieved. Lieut. Brown, of Stodard [Stoddard] County, rallying his men and leading them in the charge, and declaring he would rout the Yankees or die, was shot through the lungs, but recovered; his men, with a yell, dashed forward, setting an example that was followed by the whole regiment and drove the enemy from ambush and gained the day, but counting the losses, the honors were about even between federal and rebel.

In April, 1863, another raid was made, known as “Marmaduke’s raid,” the objective point being Cape Girardeau. The purpose of the raid, as stated, was to make a diversion, to relieve Vicksburg. The division was composed of Marmaduke’s and Shelby’s Mo., and Carter’s Texas brigades, and was of sufficient strength to command the respect and caution of the enemy. It was marched up deliberately, driving before it or capturing all opposing forces on the way, made a bold bluff at the Cape, then slowly and sullenly returned to Ark. The federals following cautiously to the state line, when they a made a bluff and then returned to the Cape.