On July 4, 1863 Drake was on the sick list with all of the other staff officers during the Battle of Helena Arkansas. Although the staff officers were too sick to take part, the regiment—led by Captain Martin Varner (CO. A) as well as company officers and non-commissioned officers—played a key role in repulsing three dismounted enemy cavalry brigades under overall command of Major General John S. Marmarmaduke, and consisting of Joseph (Jo) Shelby's "Iron Brigade," a second brigade under Colonel Colton Greene and a third brigade commanded by Brigadier General Lucius "Marsh" Walker. The rebel brigades attempted to seize Battery A--one of four huge reinforced redoubts armed with heavy siege guns along the crest of Crowley's Ridge, immediately west of the town of Helena.
On July 4, 1863, Drake was on the sick list alongside all other staff officers during the Battle of Helena Arkansas. Although the staff officers were too ill to participate, the regiment—led by Captain Martin Varner (CO. A) along with company officers and non-commissioned officers—played a crucial role in repelling three dismounted enemy cavalry brigades under Major General John S. Marmarmaduke's command, which included Joseph (Jo) Shelby's "Iron Brigade," another brigade commanded by Colonel Colton Greene, and a third brigade led by Brigadier General Lucius "Marsh" Walker. The rebel brigades attempted to capture Battery A—one of four massive reinforced redoubts armed with heavy siege guns situated on the crest of Crowley's Ridge, west of Helena town.