The counterattack

12:17 P.M.

The black troops disappeared in the timber where they drove the Texans back rapidly with severe losses and Smith was "ordered to follow."13 Smith moved his Napoleons to the timber's edge and waited for the 6-pounders to rejoin the battery. As the artillery regrouped, black troops pressed forward with their assault vigorously. The Texans made several determined stands as they withdrew, especially "at the bridge"14 over Elk Creek.

13 Smith to Judson, July 19, 1863, Official Records, i, XXII, Pt. 1, p. 454.

14 Ibid, p. 448.

15 The American Slave, Vol. 7: 53-64.

16 Ibid, p. 459.

17 Ibid, 53-74.

18 Ibid, p. 461.

It was here the fiercest and bloodiest fighting took place when black troops trapped remnants of three dismounted cavalry units along the banks of Big Elk Creek. As the regiment advanced, troops saw rebels moving a gun toward the bridge. Close behind them, another rebel group loaded a disabled cannon into a wagon. Sgt. John Carter, Co. F, sent for his two best sharpshooters, Corporals Henry Crittenden and Whitfield Ross. He ordered them to concentrate fire on men and horses nearest the bridge.

The black troops moved to the timber's edge and exchanged fire with rebels huddled along the banks. A mile away in Honey Springs, fearful residents heard "de guns sound lak hosses lopin corss a plank bridge way off somewhar."15 Sgt Douglas Grimes, Co. F, directed his troops' fire at the Twentieth Texas, the largest and most organized regiment on the banks. The Twentieth had charged the black troops less than an hour ago with 300 men. Only 60 of them would make it back safely across Big Elk Creek.

Musket fire began to decimate the Texans. Frantic rebels tried desperately to clear wreckage off the bridge to "save our little battery"16 from capture. Lee, fearful black troops could cross the bridge, started to withdraw toward Big Texas Road.

Suddenly, the sky darkened and heavy thunderstorms moved northeast through the Honey Springs area. Strong winds, lightning, and driving rain made it difficult for townspeople and slaves to escape the fighting. "It rain so hard for a little while dat we jest have to stop de wagon and set dar"17 as roads quickly became wet and muddy. Over-burdened mules and slave women struggled to pull wagonloads of people through potholes and wheel ruts in the roads and trails.

12:38 P.M.

As thunderstorms moved north into the bridge area, strong gusts of wind blew dust and debris into the eyes of black troops. For a few moments, the assault diminished as volleys decreased and accuracy went down. During the lull, rebels on the bridge cut harnesses away from the horses. They shoved dead and wounded animals into Big Elk Creek 25 feet below. Next, the men threw cannon balls and limber wreckage in the creek as rain began to fall harder.

Sheets of hard rain reduced visibilities to 75 feet and prevented visual contact between the opposing forces. Using the cloudburst as cover, rebels dragged the cannon across the bridge which cleared the way for "men in small parties"18 to fall back across Big Elk Creek.