Below is a portion of a letter from "a Soldier in the 29th" (29th Texas Cavalry) printed in the Clarksville TX newspaper 'The Standard':

On the evening of the 15th [September 1864] we crossed the Arkansas at Chosky [Choska], and encamped for the night at old Camp Pleasant, without any knowledge upon the part of the Federals, that we were within their lines. Early the next morning we were in the saddle, and on the march to make an attack upon the hay party; who were quietly pursuing their occupation, and as prisoners state, boasting that they were secure from Rebel surprise, now that they were camped in the open prairie. Arriving within seven miles of the place, the 1st Cherokee and the 30th Texas cavalry, Capt. Strayhorn commanding, were ordered to move to the right, and take position in rear of the enemy with a view of cutting off their retreat from Grand River, and Fort Gibson, whilst the remainder of the command moved to the foot of a large mound in the open prairie, and halted to give time to the two former regiments to get into position. From the top of this mound, with the aid of the glass, could be seen the working party, mowing hay as if in perfect security. Sufficient time having elapsed for the first detachment to get into position, and move simultaneous with our own movement, the command moved rapidly forward, to another mound within a mile and a half of the encampment. Again a halt was called, and the position of the troops for attack quickly made. The remainder of Watie's Brigade moved to the [illegible] and northward of the encampment, cutting off [illegible] that direction, and forming the prong of [illegible] V; the 29th T. C. leading off to the right at the same time, constituting the other prong; the [illegible] regiments, and unattached companies of the Texas Brigade, with Howell's battery, con[illegible] the apex of the letter, rushed forward to the attack. The surprise was complete, and be[illegible] we reached the camp, the Federals had evacuated it, and the cavalry portion were flying in every direction, endeavoring to make their escape. The infantry (negroes) after running some two hundred yards down the creek, and in the direction of the Grand River, perceiving the 30th Texas cavalry in their rear, and all hope of a successful retreat cut off, halted in the brush, behind trees on the creek, and opened on the charging column. An immediate demand for surrender was made, with the assumption that their lives would be spared. This they refused to do, and fired upon the officer who bore the flag. A few rounds were exchanged with them, by the scattered men from the various commands. Failing to dislodge them, Howell's Battery was ordered to open. One shot thrown in their midst, had the desired effect: they scattered in all directions along the Creek. The troops were dismounted and penetrated the woods upon both [sides? banks?], as well as up and down it. Singular to say but few could be found. The vengeance of the red [?] man was not thus to be appeased, and his natural sagacity suggested that in the creek, and under the tall grass and bushes overhanging the banks, the "contrabands" might be found. A search proved the supposition to be correct, for there sure enough, with noses protruding from under the water, the foe had secreted himself. Call to memory the Choctaws at Poison Springs, and you have the remainder of the fight described. I leave off here to [illegible] up the result. The enemy numbered 175, and were encamped on Flat Rock Creek, 17 miles north of Gibson, on the main road from Scott, to Gibson, of this force 90 were taken prisoners, and between 65 and 80 killed. 200 six shooters, and half the number of breach loading rifles were captured, with all their camp and garrison equipage; also of mowing machines, 30 wagons, and 3000 tons of hay burned.

STANDARD [CLARKSVILLE, TX], October 15, 1864, p. 2, c. 1-3