The Armies Rest and Recuperate

The Armies Rest and Recuperate. Honey Springs Battlefield. Following their overnight 20-mile march from Fort Gibson and the day-long battle, the Federal soldiers were exhausted. The units camped on the battleground on both sides of Elk Creek. The next day part of the Federal Army marched back to Fort Gibson while some of the units rested a second day before returning. In the meantime, the Confederate units retreated 17 miles south to North Fork Town. , The enemy being completely routed and defeated, we were ordered to fall back to the Springs, rest the men, and cook supper. At 7 p.m. we were ordered to take position on the battle field, near the ford, on Elk Creek, and bivouac for the night. , Lt. Col. J. W. Bowles, , 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, USA , The retreat of the forces under my command eastward instead of south completely deceived the enemy, and created... the impression that the re- enforcements from Fort Smith were close at hand, and that by a detour in rear of the mountain east of Honey Springs our forces might march upon Gibson. , Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, CSA