Col. John C. Moore, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 9.2, Missouri
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[148] out of Shelby's and Shanks' way. They did this on Shanks' line of retreat at Warsaw, at Cold Camp and at the crossing of most of the streams. A command having information of his approach attempted to ambush him in a rocky gorge. But Shanks charged it without halting, and one volley was all the Federals fired. After passing through Humansville he became involved among a network of detached bodies of the enemy, and one of his lieutenants and a number of his men were captured. He soon cut his way out, and these were the only prisoners he lost. But constant marching and fighting, loss of sleep and lack of food, were telling on his men, and it became evident to the sturdy soldier that he must reach a place of safety soon or succumb. He made a detour around Springfield, passed between Mount Vernon and Greenfield, both heavily garrisoned by the Federals, and was approaching White river when his way was barred by 200 Federal cavalry. The cavalry were quickly dispersed and thirty horses fell into the hands of the victors, which served to mount the men whose horses had given out or been killed.

That night Shelby's scouts and Shanks' scouts met. The two commands were camped not five miles apart. About as quickly as a tired horse could travel five miles, Shelby was informed of Shanks' safety, and he at once aroused his camp and a shout went up that could have been heard for miles around. And then, at midnight, he marched with all his command to Shanks' camp and, tired as they all were, a night of jollity and rejoicing followed. The next day the re-united command moved slowly southward, and encamped in the vicinity of Huntsville, Arkansas. Colonel Hunter with a small detachment was sent to occupy the town and bring in some companies of recruits that were near there. Early next morning he returned and reported that he had been driven out of the town, and that McNeil with a large force was in possession of it. Shelby was not anxious to meet McNeil, because