Lieut. Col. William T. Campbell

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by my command, consisting of Companies A, C, F, and H, commanded, respectively, by Lieutenant [Thomas J.] Darling, Lieutenant [Richard L.] Phillips, Captain [William] Gordon, and Captain [David] Mefford; also section of mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant [John P.] Grassberger, in action on the 17th instant, at Honey Springs, Creek Nation.

My command left camp at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 16th instant, with a section of Second Kansas Battery , crossing the Verdigris and Arkansas Rivers without loss. After a halt of a few hours, I, with my command, was ordered to take the advance, Company F, Captain Gordon, being advance guard.

About daybreak, the advance came up with the enemy in considerable force, posted on a rise of ground, and near the timber. The captain immediately formed his men and opened a brisk fire on the enemy, but was compelled by superior numbers to fall back. I brought the rest of my command forward at a gallop to the support of the advance, and, after a sharp skirmish, drove the enemy from his position, with a loss of 1 killed and 3 wounded. Private Banks, of Company C, and Allingham, of Company F, were slightly wounded; also had 1 horse killed.

I then advanced and came up with the enemy, posted in force under cover of timber at Elk Creek. Here I came to a halt, and sent a company forward to reconnoiter; found the enemy strongly posted in the woods, their line extending on the right and left of the road. I kept up a brisk fire on them; they, however, kept under cover. Private White was here shot through the shoulder.

At 7 o'clock, I was transferred from the command of Colonel Judson to that of Colonel Phillips (Colonel Judson retaining the section of howitzers), and assigned to the extreme left of our line of battle.

Shortly after the general engagement commenced, I discovered the enemy endeavoring to flank us, under cover of timber. I immediately dismounted Companies C, F, and H, and sent them into the woods as skirmishers, and after sharp work of about an hour and a half succeeded in driving the enemy back, and turning his right flank, with slight loss.

During this time, Colonel [S. H.] Wattles, First Indian Regiment, made a gallant charge, driving the enemy from his position, which relieved my flank. I immediately recalled my men, and, after obtaining a supply of ammunition, mounted and started in pursuit.

Shortly after crossing the creek, I charged into a large body of rebels, whom I took to be Stand Watie's Indians and Texans. They retreated to the woods, where they made a stand. My men dismounted and opened a vigorous fire, which, together with a section of Hopkins' battery and the mountain howitzers, soon put them to flight. I followed on until ordered to cease pursuit, the enemy retreating in great disorder. Hospital Stewart Holdeman was badly wounded while on the field.

I state with great pleasure that the officers and men under my command behaved, without exception, coolly and bravely.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. T. CAMPBELL,

Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Col. WILLIAM R. JUDSON,

Commanding Troops in the Field, &c.