Soldiers recruited at Quindaro, Kansas, in late 1861 were assigned to the 9th Kansas Cavalry and stationed in Kansas before joining Blunt's brigade and fighting in Missouri and Arkansas. Company B was detached from the regiment and designated as Hopkins's Kansas Battery. The battery saw action in Indian Territory and in Arkansas before being ordered to join the Indian Brigade in 1863. Operating from Fort Gibson in Indian Territory, it also fought at Webbers Falls and Fort Gibson. After receiving orders to cross the Arkansas at the mouth of the Grand River, the unit made the crossing at dark, marched southwest, came upon the enemy's outposts at daylight, formed a line of battle, and then advanced again when the enemy was found to have fled. After moving forward 6 miles, the enemy under Cooper was discovered in force in a strong position in a thickly wooded ravine.