Report:
Bentonville AR in 2003

Brigade Staff Engineer Headquarters
St. Louis, Missouri
13 November, 2003
 
Colonel Prater,
 
Greetings good sir, I wish to express my gratitude for the honor to serve the brigade in the Bentonville, Arkansas, engagement.   The officers and men performed their duties in the best tradition of the unit and country.
 
Spirits in camp and on the field were in my humble opinion excellent.   Serving under the command of Major G. Benefiel was an opportunity that I have only a positive reply.   Major Benefiel proved himself a true warrior, as he moved the battalion on the field of battle with such ease and grace that I was most impressed.
 
The confederate forces seem to never know how or where our commander would move against them, which is testimony to Major Benefiel's presence as a tactician.   I wish to commend Major William "Bill" Hoskins on his ability to handle the pressure of being in command upon the unfortunate wound received to Major Benefiel.   Major Hoskins may have harbored some reservations in his ability as a field commander, but I assure you sir that he only demonstrated sound skill and judgment in the face of the enemy.   Major Hoskins moved with conviction in keeping the confederates on their heels, pushing them south out of Bentonville.
 
The men of the battalion constructed solid breastworks on a hill northwest of camp and performed their outpost duties in good form.   Their performances of the outpost duties were essential to the construction of the breastworks in keeping the confederate forces at arms length.   The encampment was located on a slope that overlooked the valley floor providing our forces an excellent field of observation over all avenues of approach.
 
The sergeants of each company maintained order and discipline within the camp and on the field.   The sergeants of the battalion utilized their skill and knowledge to complete the breastworks in a timely fashion.   I am satisfied that our sergeants are well-trained and disciplined and should be looked upon favorably.   The sergeants' conduct on the battlefield during the engagement with the confederates reinforced my conviction that although we may be small at times on the field, we strike with the impact of a full brigade.
 
Lieutenant Edwin "Rex" Talcott, Assistant Brigade Surgeon with his select staff provided our men the best care and comfort available under these conditions.   Lt Talcott worked late into the night ensuring the men were mended and kindly provided rations acquired through appropriate purchases.   I consider Lt. Talcott's knowledge in the care of the common soldier to be commendable.
 
I therefore submit to you good sir that the engagement at Bentonville, Arkansas appears to have stemmed the confederate advance.   The Federal Brigade has come out of the field in good order and spirits.   If I may be so bold to say that the brigade's strength and honor is intact and can accept any duties assigned to its officers and men.
 
I wish to finally report that I did attend a Confederate Rounders game on the engagement field.   I was provided passage through the Confederate lines to witness a game between the 1st Missouri Battalion CS and the 1st Arkansas Battalion CS.   As the only federal officer in attendance to this event, I was treated with respect and allowed to return to my lines without delay.   I make mention of this event because it was an outstanding display of comradeship that may serve our cause.   Although the 1st Arkansas Battalion lost the game, they did retire from the field with their mascot "Mary Todd" with her honor intact.
 
I submit the following letter for your review and approval.
 
Your most humble servant,
CAPT. BARRY BARFIELD
Brigade Staff Engineer, Frontier Brigade