Smith's Kansas Battery was organized in August 1862 as light artillery and equipped with two 12-pounder field howitzers and four 6-pounder guns captured from Confederate units. First stationed at Fort Scott, Kansas, it was attached to the Army of the Frontier and saw action in important engagements in Missouri and Arkansas and at Cabin Creek in Indian Territory. Captain Edward A. Smith said his command consisted of two 12-pounder brass guns and two 6-pounder iron guns manned by 77 officers and men. At 3 a.m. on the 16th, two 6-pounder guns under Lieutenant Wilson were ordered out to assist the 6th Kansas Volunteers in forcing a passage at the upper ford of the Arkansas. This was accomplished without opposition, and that part of the command proceeded to the ford at the mouth of Grand River, where Smith rejoined it at 5 p.m. the same day with the 12-pounder guns. The march continued during the night toward Honey Springs in Creek Nation, and at 8 a.m. on the 17th the battery came in sight of the enemy's line on Elk Creek.