The following is the official report of Lieutenant Marland as given in Official Records, Vol. 26, p. 371.
"In pursuance to your orders I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the action at this place on the 3rd of November by the section under my command.
"In obedience to orders received on the evening of the 2d of November I harnessed up at 4 A. M. on the 3rd, remaining so until 11 A. M. when I was ordered to unharness--the pickets firing all the while.
"At about 11.45 P. M. the firing became general. Hearing the cavalry buglers blow Boots and Saddles, I began to harness up on my own responsibility and was attacked in camp before I could get harnessed. The enemy being within 400 yards of me I opened on them with canister and percussion shell which checked their advance and drove them to the right. I limbered to the front and advanced to the fork of the road which is about 100 yards. Went into battery and fired a few shot until my support all had left me. Finding it too warm, I limbered to the rear and moved 300 yards. Finding the enemy in my rear and on the right, I fired to the right about 50 shot and was charged on three sides. A regiment came up on my left as support, fired one volley and left. The enemy then opened two pieces of artillery on me at about 300 yards killing one horse and disabling one caisson wheel. The cavalry still advancing and no infantry to be seen I limbered up and started for the woods. Here I ordered my cannoneers to draw their revolvers and had quite a brisk fight. Had another horse killed, and two men missing. Went through the woods the enemy coming out in rear and front of men. As the bridges were held by the enemy, it was necessary to charge through, which was accomplished, without loss. I came up to the 46th Indiana and formed on their right. Colonel Bringhurst told me he would support me and I went back through the woods with General Cameron's command, driving the enemy in disorder who left dead and wounded on the field. I then returned to camp with General Cameron's Brigade.
"BRIG. GEN. RICHARD ARNOLD, "_Chief of Artillery. Dept. Gulf_."
We also quote from Major General C. C. Washburne,
"The bringing off of the section of Nims' Battery, after the regiment sent to its support had surrendered, extorted the admiration of every beholder."[13]