Fighting began at daybreak this morning, near the village of Marksville. The artillery batteries of both sides were heavily engaged. It was an almost constant boom of artillery until noon, when the firing ceased.
After passing through the town the union column turned to the south and passed over a beautiful prairie. Along the edge of this prairie there was a piece of timber where the Confederates had planted their guns. As soon as the column came upon the prairie the rebel guns opened fire, killing two of the Union horses. The Union batteries soon wheeled into line, firing and then circling over the prairie. The Confederates made the same rapid movement. It was a beautiful sight, but the damage was not great on either side.
