Col. John M. Harrell, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

With the report of Gen. W. L. Cabell, we will close the description of this brilliant victory and deadly blow to the Seventh army corps, although reports of other officers engaged furnish details of great interest and value. The report of General Cabell is as follows:

After getting in the neighborhood of the train, General Shelby was ordered on the road leading to Mount Elba, to intercept the train and to attack in front and on the rear. Cabell's brigade moved up to the road leading direct to Marks' mills. After detaching Hill's regiment and one company of Monroe's regiment, and sending them to ascertain if there was any enemy on our left flank, as we moved down the Marks' mills road the enemy's pickets were soon encountered, and it was definitely known that the train was moving rapidly toward Mount Elba. I at once formed Monroe's regiment of Cabell's brigade in line of battle and dismounted them, and Colonel Monroe, by my order, threw out two companies rapidly as skirmishers, and drove the enemy back until I could dismount Cabell's brigade and form it in line of battle. This was done, Gunter's command, composed of his battalion and Pettus' battalion of State troops, on the right; Monroe's regiment on his left; Morgan's regiment on Monroe's left crossing the road, and Gordon's regiment acting as a support to the battery. Skirmishers were thrown out in front of our whole line, and were engaged all the time with those of the enemy.

As soon as I commenced forming line of battle, I sent my aid to General Dockery to hasten forward his command. General Fagan, being present, ordered me to command Cabell's brigade and all the troops in my front, and that he would give General Dockery the necessary orders. After moving Cabell's brigade as far to the front as I deemed it prudent, until I could hear from General Dockery, I sent to General Fagan and informed him of my position, which was then across two roads leading into the road in which the train was moving, which could be distinctly heard. I received orders ‘to move rapidly forward and attack the train.’ This order was promptly obeyed, and my whole line moved forward rapidly under a tremendous fire, driving the enemy through and beyond