Yale University Library 39002030661855 "1&- m m :"fei|:r ^ u- ?%A ".:' !T *, DE "I.give'thtft BMii for. tie founding ef. a. College in, this Colony' 'Y^LH-WMirviEii&sinrY- • iLniaisArar - 1915 OFFICIAL. ISLITARY HSSTQRY UP KANSAS ''REGIMEN1 DURING THE WAR POR THE SUPPRESSION OP THE GREAT P.EBELLION. LEAVENWORTH: W. S . BURKE. 1.ST0. YALE Cc42. lOm MILITARY HISTORY OF KAKSAS REGIMENTS. ¦¦ »-»<»-»-»-» -;.t RESIDENCE, Kas, FIRST REGIMENT KANSAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. The First Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was raised under the call of President Lincoln, May, 18G1, ior 400.000 volunteers. The men were recruited between the 20th of May and 3d of June, 1861. The greater portion from May 28th to June 3d, making abnost an entire regiment recruited within a week. The rapidity witii which men enlisted, and the .earnest ness manifested to proceed at once to the place of conflict, most clearly demonstrates the loyalty and patriotism of the citizens of Kansas. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Lincoln, near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, under the following officers, com missioned by His Excelency, Governor Charles Robinson: FIELD AND STAFF.' NAMES. HANK. G. W. DEITZLER,jCo!onel, O. E. LEARNARD.|Lieut. Colonel, J. A. HALDERMANJMajor, ED. S. NASH, 'Adjutant, CHAS. II. CHAPINJ.Quarter Master, SAM'L I). SMITH.IAsst. Surgeon, EPHRAIM NUTE.iChaplain. LINE OFFICERS. CO. CAPTAINS. 1 St LIEUTENANT8. A B. P. eHenowith, Peter A. Josephs. B Wm. Y. Roberts,1 John P. Addin. C Peter McFarland,iWm. Phillips. D Frank B. Swift, Newell W. Spicer. E Powell Clayton, -Lewis Stafford. JF Samuel Walker, L. L. Jones. .& Job B. Stocktoa, James Ketrier. H Daniel McCook, J. A. McGonigle. I Gustavus Zesch, K Geo. II. Fairchild. Henry Sarstedt. Camille Agniel. : Lawrence, ¦Burlington,'Leavenworth, Olathe, Leavenworth, Ehvood,Lawrence, 2d LIEUTKNANTS. Chas. 0. Smith. John W. Dyer. Matthew Malone. Caleb S. Pratt. Azel W. Spalding. Theron Tucker. Hugh D. McCarty. Michffil Brausfield, Emil Unfried. ll, A. Barker, 6 MILITARY HISTORY OF increasing ; and realizing the almost utter impossiblity of a ret rograde movement in the face of such a superior force — familiar with the whole country and all the by-paths, he determined to strike at once — to force a battle, and if possible, inflict snch a severe blow as to enable him to make good his retreat before the rebels could recover from its effects. A council of "Field officers" was held at "Headquarters," and it was determined to attack the f-nomy in his camp on the morning of the 10th, in such way and manner as to bring on a general engagement. The pl.Vn of attack made by General Lyon was both bold and skillful. He divided his small army into two columns, one of about 3,000 men of all arms, under his own immediate command, the other, about 1,500 strong, under General Sigel. The latter was ordered to move by the Fayettville road and strike the enemy at daybreak ir. front of his encampment, thefonner simultaneously attacking iu the rear, moving by Iih left (tank and came after in the rear, thus giving the enemy no alternative but to fight. In accordance with this plan, the two divisions moved after dark on the night of t!m <-t'i, and by three o'clock on the morn ing ol the 10th, General Lyon's column reached, undiscovered, the immediate vicinity of the enemy's rear. Our scouts had penetrated near enough the enemy's camp, without meeting a picket, to ascertain the desired information. They presuming on their superior numbers and strong position, had neglected a precaution unjustifiable under any circumstances. At about 5 o'clock Colonel Deitzler rode along the line of his regiment, and electrified the spirits and hopes of his men, by uttering a few sharp, emphatic sentences, that did more to arouse their feelings than the most elaborate speech, delivered by the most gifted and eloquent orator, could have done. Rising in his stirrups, he ex claimed, in language more emphatic than reverent, "Boys, we've got them, d — n them !" The column of General Lyon now formed, and in a few minutes the booming of General Sigel's guns announced that the battle had begun. Captain Steele's regulars deployed as skirmishers, swept rapidly onward, followed iloscly by the several regiments and batteries, in their order. A rebel battery, posted on a hill on the left bank of the creek, now opened fire, and sent round shot howling high overthe tops KANSAS SECtlMENTS. 7 of the timber under which our command was marching. Cap tain Dubois brought his guns into battery on the left of the road, and replied with such telling effect as soon to silence theirs, and compel them to change position. The First Iowa, being the leading regiment, took position near Dubois' battery. The First Kansas formed on the right of the First Iowa, and the First and Second Missouri regiments promptly filed into line on the right of the First Kansas, and Captain Totten placed his guns in the rear of the First Missouri. The Second Kansas was held in reserve some distance in the rear of the line ot battle. The cavalry, which consisted of Lieutenant Farrand's United States Dragoons, Captain Wood's Company "I," Second Kansas, aud the "Missouri Home Guards," were posted on the high, open ground north of the battle-field, to protect tho roar and right flank. The rebel force, consisting of about 20,000 effective men, and about 5.000 others so poorly armed as to be of but little service, was immediately iii front of our lines. Rapidly as these move ments had been made, the rebels were not less prompt, and out line scarcely formed ere it was confronted by the enemy, and along the entire front a hot fire of artillery and musketry opened. The hattie was now fully begun, and raging with terrible slaughter. Sigel's guns that opened the fight, were now silent, and for two hours their re-openiug was anxiously listened for. During the momentary pause in the din of hattie, the significant question would pass from officer io officer, '-Where is Sigel ?" It was not, however, fully answered until after the close of the battle, though it was soon ascertained where he ivas not. Sigel had planted a six gun battery on an eminence in the immediate vicinity of the rebel camp, undiscovered, and at break of day opened with grape and canister, shell aud shrapnell, into tho rebel camp. The enemy, surprised and panic stricken by this unexpected and furious assault, rushed out as Sigel's infantry entered their camp, but instead of improving this important advantage, his comparatively undisciplined three month's troops broke ranks at ence, thinking the battle ended, and commenced a critical examination of the spoils. This gave the enemy time to rally, and in return they charged this disorganized mass, cap- 8 MILITARY BISTORT OP tii red Sigel's guns, about 300 of his men, and dispersed the whole brigade. An important link in General Lyon's plan had now been broken, and the rebels permitted to turn their wh ole force on the division commanded by him in person, and the conflict became terrible and bloody in the extreme. The hardest fight ing fell to the lot of the First Kansas and First Missouri, which fact is abundantly established by the mortality lists of these two regiments. The Second Kansas was now ordered fo the front, and as it filed into position a rebel regiment rose and poured into it a dose and murderous fire of buckshot and ball. By this fire General Lyon, who was with Colonel Mitchell at the head of the Second Kansas, was killed, and Colonel Mitchell badly wounded. The Second, under Lieutenant Colonel Blair, stood firm, and met the enemy, and handled him so roughly that he soon fell back in confusion. Immediately after this repulse a profound silence reigned over the whole field for twenty or thirty minutes, which gave the officers a moment's leisure in which to inspect the condition of their troops. The First Kansas and First Mis souri were terribly cut to pieces. But, the most discouraging fact of all, General Lyon had fallen. In addition to this, all hopes of assistance, or a diversion, by Sigel, in our favor, had died out, and under these discouraging circumstances, Major Sturgis, now in command, was urged to withdraw his shattered battalion from the field. But before it had been fully decided upon to fall hack, a heavy column ot infantry were set.n advancing from the hills where Sigel's guns had been heard. These troops carried the American flag, and at first were mistaken for Sigel's brigade, and consequently permitted to move down the hill, within easy range of Dubois' battery, to a covered position at the foot of the hill on which our troops were posted, and from which they had been so fiercely assaulted before. A rebel battery now opened from the top of a hill in our front, and heavy lines of infantry advanced from the covered position at the foot of the hill, and at once com menced along the entire line the fiercest and most bloody engage ment of the day. At times the combatants fought almost muzzle to muzzle. The enemy advanced battalion after battlion to the top of the bluff, in our front, which were literally mowed down by our close and well directed fire. Though our lines showed no signs KANSAS SEDIMENTS. 9 of wavering, it was nevertheless apparent to at least all the ex* perienced officers, that our thinned ranks could not long main tain the unequal contest. *At this important crisis, Captain Granger, U. S. A., discovered a commanding position on the ene my's right flank, and at once communicated the fact, and had detached three companies of the First Kansas, some of the shat tered remains of the First Iowa, and one section of Totten's bat tery, and led them through a tornado of balls, and took posses sion of it. From this position the whole force of the bluff, up which the rebels were charging in great numbers, was exposed to our enfilading fire, and from which we poured in volley after voliey of musketry, grape, cannister, shell and shrapnell, killing or wounding almost every enemy within sixty or seventy rods of our front, until their killed and wounded lay literally in piles. Human courage, backed by superior numbers, could not with stand this terrible slaughter, and the enemy fell back, fired a portion of their train, and broke and fled in confusion from the field. Thus closed, at half-past eleven o'clock, an almost uninter rupted conflict of six hours, in which the troops first engaged had at no time been relieved. The bleeding ranks, exhausted by hunger, thirst, and six hours' almost constant fighting, under a burning August sun, were utterly unable to advance, and reap the full reward of the hard fought battle. The command, under Major Sturgis, fell back to Springfield. On the way back it was met by several loads of bread, which the hungry men devoured with a relish which extreme hunger alone can give. But the immortal hero, the beloved General, than whom none could have been more idolized, returned not. He had fought his last battle offered up his life upon the altar of his country — laid down to his last sleep, no more to gaze upon the field of carnage and blood. There rest, noble patriot—immortal hero— until thy comrades shall all have slept to awake with thee. The First regiment went in the engagement with G44 men and officers, of whom seventy-seven were killed and 255 wounded; killed and wounded, 332, or fifty-one per cent, of those engaged. At the time of this battle the regiment had been onlv two months in the service. Yet, its record abundantly "Governor Crawford, Colonel Blair, and others, give the Cfcclii to Captain Chcnoweth, of '-A" Company, FirstKansas. 2 iO MILITARY HISTORY OF proves that greeu Kansas regiments can fight in a manner of which veterans need not be ashamed. The opinion of an old regular officer on this subject is worthy of note. Major Sturgis, during one of the hardest struggles of the battle, remarked to General Lyon : "These Kansas boys are doing the best fighting that I have ever witnessed." The same officer, after having passed through many of the bloodiest battles of the war, said that, 'for downright, hard, persistent fighting, Wilson's Creek beat them all." In the official report of the battle, great praise is awarded to the First Kansas. Col. Deitzler, Major Halderman and other officers are specially mentioned for gallant and meritorious con duct, ln the official regimental report, published herewith, the Major commanding says : "all the officers and men of this com mand fought with a courage and heroism rarely, if ever equaled." On the morning of the 11th the army evacuated Springfield, removing all the stores and wounded that were in condition to be moved. After ten days' arduous marching, the command reached Rolla, from which point the wounded were sent imme diately by rail to St. Louis, and in a short time the regiment followed. The most conclusive evidence that the rebels were whipped at Wilson's Creek, is the fact that our command was unmolested during the long ten days' march to Rolla, through a rough and heavily wooded country, offering every advantage to a pursuing army, and one so thoroughly acquainted with the country. The large train filled with valuable baggage, and such as the enemy so much needed, also about $250,000 of the funds of the Spring field Bank, was a prize too tempting to be neglected or over looked .by the rebels, had they been victorious, (as their official report claimed) or even in a condition to have made pursuit. All that Gen. Lyon had expected to accomplish as the result of the battle, had now been secured — a safe retreat. The regiment was ordered from St. Louis to Hannibal, and for some time occupied several posts on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. In October the regiment was ordered to Tipton, to join the expedition for Springfield, under Major General Fre mont. It was deemed necessary, however, to leave the regiment to guard the post at Tipton, and at other points along the line of KANSAS REGIMENTS. \\ the Missouri Pacific Railroad, to keep communication open with the army and to forward supplies. On the 1st of January, 1862, the regiment left Tipton for Lexington, which post it occupied until February, when ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Ten days' furlough was there granted, after which the regiment rendez voused at Lawrence, and marched to Fort Scott, to join the army under General Curtis. An expedition to Texas by way ot New Mexico, being con templated, the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley. This expe dition being abandoned, in May the regiment was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, to reinforce General Halleck then pressing Beauregard at Corinth, Mississippi. Before reaching that point, however, Beauregard had retreated from Corinth, and the.regiment was re-embarked on steamboats and landed at Co lumbus, Kentucky, in June. During the summer it was em ployed in opening and guarding the Mobile & Ohio R. R., with headquarters at Trenton, Tennessee, until the last of September, when removed to Jackson. On the 3d of October the regiment, forming a part of General McPhesron's brigade, was ordered to reinforce General Rose crans, then fighting the bloody battle of the 3d and 4th of Octo ber at Corinth, Mississippi. It arrived jnst in time to 'take the advance in the pursuit of the retreating rebel army, which it continued to Ripley, Mississippi, a distance of fifty miles, during which time it had several engagements with the retreating enemy, and captured a large number of prisoners. From Ripley they returned to Corinth, and from there to Grand Junction. The regiment at this time formed a part of General Grant's army then concentrating at the latter point preparatory to a movement down the Mississippi Central R. R., in the direction of Jackson, Mississippi. Itwasnow transferredto Colonel Deitzler's brigade} and was generally in the advance on this expedition — marched through Holly Springs, Abbeyville, Oxford, etc., driving the enemy before it. Van Dorn having gained the rear of our army and destroyed the depots at Holly Springs, and cut off all communication with Grant's base of supplies at Columbus, Kentucky, which rendered it necessary at once for the regiment to return. It was now beyond Oxford, and the most distant from the point to be 12 MILITARY HISTORY OF reached, and had but arrived in camp, when an order was re ceived to march immediately on Holly Springs, and with the 7th Kansas it was the first to reach the destined point. From Holly Springs it was, with Colonel Deitzler's brigade, dispatched to Salem, Mississippi, to cut off Van Dorn's retreat, which, by rapid marches, he prevented, only losing by capture, a portion of his rear guard and some stragglers. From this point the regiment returned through rain and mud to Holly Springs, and had just got into camp when ordered to Collierville, on the Memphis & Charleston R. R. From this place, in December, it marched with General Grant's army to Memphis, Tennessee. In Janu ary, 1863, was transported by steamers to Young's Point, oppo site Vicksburg, and from that time until the fall of that city on the 4th of July following, actively participated in all the ma- neuverings, etc., that finally resulted in the consummation of this, the great object of the campaign. On the 1st day of February, 1863, the regiment was mounted by order of General Grant, and served as mounted infantry during the ensuing eighteen months. It was now almost con stantly employed on outpost and picket duty, advance guards, flankers and scouts, in which service the enemy was frequently encountered. After the fall of Vicksburg it formed a part of the expedition sent to occupy the port of Natches, Mississippi. From this latter place it was ordered to cross the Mississippi river to rout a party of about 2,000 rebels, who had made a dash on a pontoon train on the Louisiana side. After routing and driving them twenty miles into the swamps, it returned and occu pied the post of Vandalia, Louisiana. In October the regiment was again ordered to Vicksburg, and stationed at an outpost at Black River Bridge, twelve miles south of the city. Remained at this post during the winter; kept up a number of picket posts on both sides of the river, and thoroughly scouted the country in the direction'of Jackson, Ben ton. Yazoo City, etc. The regiment formed a part of General McArthur's forces in an expedition up the Yazoo river, striking the Central Missis sippi R. R. at Benton. In this expedition the enemy rendered the satisfaction of showing their faces as well as their backs. The regiment was now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel KANSAS REGIMENTS. 13 Spicer, Colonel Roberts being in command of a brigade. During the spring the regiment occupied several outposts in the vicinity of Vicksburg. On the first day of June, 1864, the regimen} (except two companies of veterans) embarked on transports for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to be mustered out, tlieir term of service hairing expired. On the 2d of June, near Columbia, Arkansas, an eight gun rebel battery opened on the boat (the Arthur) as soon as it came in range, and the fire was continued until beyond the range of the enemy's guns. There were on board at the time about 300 men of the First Kansas, and an equal number of other passengers consisting of men, Women and children. Several balls struck the boat, three shells ex ploded inside of her, and the casualities all told were one man killed and another mortally wounded, of the First Kansas. The boat was considerably shattered in her upper works and one wheel, but the hull and machinery escaped damage. "This battery was a part of the rebel Magruder's armv, and was deliberately posted at this point to make war upon non-com- battants — to take the lives of women and children, and this was only one instance of the worst than savage warfare that charac terized the rebellion. And yet, we hear those men talking about their Constitutional rights, and about their honor as things of value. How can the human heart become so dead to all the honorable feelings of manhood as to glory in such acts, and if possible, the worst crime, that of murdering prisoners by thou sands and tens of thousands, and yet the possessors of that heart have the impudence to claim, at the hands of the Govern ment, other rights than the right to be hung." The regiment reached Leavenworth and was mustered out June 17th, 1864, its time of service having expired. The vete ran companies continued in service in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and^Texas until the end of the war, when they were honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 30th, 1865. During the term of service of the First Kansas, its movements, marches, etc., make an aggregate of over 6,000 miles actually traveled through portions of six rebel States, not including Mis souri and Kentucky. 14 MILITARY HISTORY OF During these long marches and campaigns the regiment was engaged in many battles, a detailed account of which would oc cupy more space than can be alloted to any one regiment in this report. The following is a list of the battles and skirmishes in which the First Kansas Volunteer Infantrv were in whole or in part engaged : Dug Springs, Mo., August 3d, 1S61. Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10th, 1S61. Brownsville, Tenn., September, 18S2. Trenton, Tenn., September 17th, 1862. Chewalla, Miss., October 5th, 1862. Tuscumbia Mount, Miss., October 5th, 1862. Lumpkin's Mills, Miss., December, 1862. Tallehatche, Miss., December, 1862. Old River, La., February 10th, 1863. Hood's Lane, La., " " " Black Bayou, " " Near Lake Providence, La., February 18th, 1863. Caledonia, La., May 10th, 1863. Pin Hook, " " Bayou Tensas, La., Mr«y 17th, 1863. Holly Brook, La., June 9th, " Lake Providence, La., " '£ " " " " June 29th, 1863. Baxter's Bayou, La., June 9th, 1863. Cross Bayou, " September 14th, 1863. Alexandria, " " 20th, " Big Black River, Miss.. October 8th, " Tallehatche, Miss., November 30th, " Columbia, Ark., June 2d, 1864. Atchafaluya Bayou, Ark., October 4th, 1864. Salem, Miss. Richmond, La. Bayou Macon, La. Yazoo City, Miss. Benton, Miss. The promotions, resignations, etc., of field and staff officers of the regiment were as follows : PROMOTIONS. Col. Geo. W. Deitzler, promoted to Brigadier General November 29 th, 1862. Capt W. Y. Roberts promoted to Major May 12th, 1862., KANSAS REGIMENTS. 15 Major W. Y. Roberts promoted to Lieutenant Colonel May 18th, 1863. Lieut. Col. W. Y. Roberts promoted to Colonel June 15th, 1863. Capt. 0. M. Tenneson promoted to Lieutenant Colonel August 16th, 1S62. (Dismissed the service May 10th. 1863.) Capt. Newall W. Spiar promoted to Lieutenant Colonel June 15th, 1S64. Capt. James M. Ketner, promoted to Major June 15th, 1S63. Lieut. John A. Henry, promoted to Adjutant November 29th, 1862. Lieut. Charles F. Garrett, promoted to Quartermaster, October, 1861. " " (- " to Captain and A. Q. M., April 26th, 1862. Lieut. John H. W. Mills, promoted to Quartermaster, May 12th, 1862. '; " " '; " " " Captain and A. C. S., February 19th, 1863. Martin H. Dickinson promoted to Quartermaster July 1st, 1863. Dr. Geo. E. Buddington, appointed Surgeon July 24th, 1861. Dr. Albert Newman, assigned Surgeon June 1st, 1862. Asst. Surgeon Mahlon Bailey, promoted to Surgeon June 1st, 1S63. Dr. Mahlon Bailey, appointed Assistant Surgeon May 27th, 1862. Dr. Charles King, " " " Dr. Joseph Speck, " " " June 3d, 1863. Assigned to veteran battery May 28th, 1864. RESIGNATIONS. Lieut. Col. 0. E. Learnard, resigned July 25th, 1S0J. Maj. John A. Halderman, resigned April 30th, 1862, and on the 12th of September following, was appointed by Governor Robinson, Major General of the Northern Division of the Kansas State Forces. Lieut. Ed. S. Nash, promoted to Captain Company G, June 1st, 1862. Charles H. Chapin, resigned October 25th, 1861. Surgeon Geo. E. Buddington, resigned May 12th, 1863. Asst. Surgeon Sam D. Smith, resigned April 16tb, 1862. Asst. Surgeon Charles King, resigned December 10th, 1862. The First Kansas did its whole duty during the war. The officers and men did honor to themselves and the State they rep resented. For official reports, and other documents relating to the First Kansas, see appendix, 1 6 MILITARY HISTORY OF SECOND REGIMENT KANSAS VOLUNTEER IN FANTRY. This regiment was mostly recruited during the month of May. It rendezvoused at Lawrence, Kansas, and was mustered into the United States service at Kansas City, Missouri, on the 20th of June, 1861, by Lieutenant R. H. Offley, United States Mustering Officer. Immediately after being mustered into ser vice, the regiment moved from Kansas City to join the brigade commanded by Major Sturgis at Clinton, Missouri, and the division of Brigadier General Lyon, near the Osage river, in St. Clair county, Missouri. From there it marched through Stock ton and Melville to a point near Springfield. Here a camp was established, and the work of brigading and 'drilling the troops commenced. The First and Second Kansas Volunteers formed one brigade, commanded by Colonel Deitzler, of the First regi ment, the ranking Colonel. The first time any portion of the regiment came under fire was in the engagement at Forsythe, Missouii, July 22d, 1S61. In the latter part of July, General Lyon moved his command south, on the Cassville road, having heard that the enemy was approaching in three columns, hoping to attack and defeat them in detail. On the 2d of August the command engaged and defeated the enemy at Dug Springs, and followed as far as McCullock's ranche. At this point it became evident that the enemy was falling back, to concentrate their columns in one, and then attack on his own choice of ground. Thi- command, being nearly out of supplies, and every day get ting further from the base of supplies, a council of officers was called, to determine the propriety of a retrogade movement on Springfield, General Lyon stating at the same time that this would probably also involve the necessity of falling back all the way to Rolla. The enemy was known to be about 25,000 strong, and our forces only about 4,000 ; yet it was determined to fall back to Springfield. On arriving at the latter place, a large supply train had arrived, which, in itself, was so unwieldy as to preclude any rapid movement, without abandoning it, which latter alternative could not for a moment be contemplated. General Lyon now determined to attack, with the design, no doubt, as related in the history of the First regiment, of so crip pling the enemy as to enable him (General Lyon) to accom- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 17 plish a safe retreat, if nothing more. But finding that his men were too much fatigued by the recent hard marching, under a burning August sun, deferred it until the night of the 9th of August, when the line of march was taken up, without wagons or ambulances. Colonel Sigel, with his own regiment, and Colonel Solomon, with a portion of the regular cavalry and six pieces of artillery, were to attack the enemy on one side, and the main command on the other. At daylight Sigel's artillery opened the engagement. It, however, was soon silenced, and heard no more during the action. During the early part of the battle, the Second regiment supported one section of Totten's battery, on the left of our line, where the battalion of regular infantry, in the long to be remembered corn-field, fought. When the regulars fell back, the Second covered their retreat, and by the aid of the battery, drove the enemy, in turn, to his covert in the timber, beyond the corn-field. In the pause which followed the conflict on the left, Colonel Mitchell directed Lieutenant Colonel Blair to proceed to the right, and ascertain from General Lyon, Colonel Deitler or Major Sturgis, what further disposition to make of the regiment, and whether their services were more needed, or could be used to better advantage elsewhere. While crossing an intervening ravine, and ascending the opposite slope, he met the First Iowa regiment being driven back in confusion, and with terrible loss. He galloped back to within calling dis tance of Colonel Mitchell, and requested him to move the Second regiment to a point higher up the ravine, to prevent our right from being turned, and also to within supporting distance of the center, which being rapidly done, the enemy fell back, and order was restored on the right. He then sought General Lyon, told him of the position of the regiment, of what had been done, and asked permission to occupy the crest of the hill on the front center, where he thought the main attack would be made. " That is right, sir. Order your regiment to the front," was the reply. The regiment was ordered, and promptly came up, and as it passed Totten's battery, marching by the flank, General Lyon joined Colonel Mitchell, and was riding by his side, and when they approached the crest of the eminence, a heavy am buscaded fire was opened on the head of the column, which killed the General, and wounded and disabled Colonel Mitchell. 18 MILITARY HISTORY Of The regiment was marching left in front, Company " K," Cap* tain Tholen, was at the head. * The fire was so severe, that for a moment the head of the column recoiled under it, but in an instant the men sprang forward again, and as the column swept into line by the left, charged, and drove the enemy clear over the hill, and into the brush beyond. Lieutenant Colonel Blair now brought the regiment back to the brow of the hill, and formed it there, when he received a message from Colonel Mitchell to come to him. On going back about two hundred yards, he found him badly wounded. The Colonel informed him that he (Lieutenant Colonel Blair) must take command, and fight the regiment to the best of his ability, to which he replied, " I will try not to disgrace you or the State." At this time there were but eight companies present. The cavalry company, under Captain Wood, and Company " B," Captain McClure, had been detached at daylight, under Major Cloud, who had been accom panied by the Adjutant (Lieutenant Lines) and had not returned, leaving neither field nor staff officer with Lieutenant Colonel Blair, and but one mounted orderly, to .assist him. Lieutenant Colonel Blair passed along the line, speaking a few words of encouragement to the officers and men, when the main attack was made, and the heavy fighting commenced. The enemy's first charge was gallantly met and repulsed, and it soon became evident that the position could be held, although the men were falling thick and fast along the whole line. They were now ordered back, under cover of the crest of the hill, and ordered to lie down to load, and rise on one knee to fire. In this way many valuable lives were spared. In a short time, Major Cloud and Adjutant Lines rejoined the command, with Company " B," and soon after, Captains Clayton, Walker, Roberts, and Zesch, with their companies of the First Kansas Volunteer Infantry, formed on the right and left of the Second, where they could the soonest get into action. The regiment occupied this position for some time, occasionally charging the enemy, and driving them from the crest of the hill, when they came too incon veniently near, and then retiring again to the first position. Adjutant Lines was repeatedly sent to Major Sturgis for orders, but could receive none. Artillery was then earnestly sought after, and only after repeated efforts did they succeed in o-^ttino. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 19 a section, which came without any officers, under the command of a Sergeant. It came just in time, as a whole rebel brigade was marching up to our right, and by the time the artillery got into position the enemy was within short cannister range, but the quick and deadly discharges soon scattered them along our entire front, from which place our Minnie rifles hurled them back into their covert beyond range. About this time the Sergeant lim bered up his guns, and left the field, giving as his excuse, that he had no officer with him. Three companies of the First Kansas were also ordered off, to rejoin the balance of the regi ment, but Captain Clayton, with his company, remained with the Second. During all this time, the anxious inquiry was, " Where is Sigel ? " The belief was, that if Sigel could be joined, the victory would be sure. As yet, there was no knowl edge of his defeat. About this time, through the thick underbrush, the stars and stripes were seen oh the hill opposite our left front, and being satisfied that it was Sigel, and there being a pause in the firing, which tended to confirm this belief, our men were formed, the line dressed, and three cheers given for the victory deemed already won. Captain Russell rushed from his place in the line to where Lieutenant Colonel Blair was sitting on his horse, to warn him that he believed it to be a ruse. •' I tell you, Colonel, it is Manassas again," he exclaimed, with great emphasis. And the words were scarcely uttered, until the fiercest .fire of the day opened upon our line from beneath the '.'dear old flag," and the battle was renewed with greater fury than ever. It was at this juncture, under a furious fire, and totally unsupported, all the other troops moving visibly and rapidly to the rear, with his little regiment, as it were, in the very " jaws of death," that Colonel Blair received the order to retire. " I was humiliated," says Colonel Blair, " beyond expression for I felt that the battle might have been ours, and the ground we had fairly won. I felt it to be impossible to retire under snch a fire as that, and accordingly held my ground for near an hour and a half, and until the enemy's fire was utterly silenced, and then slowly withdrew from the field, pausing and reforming several times before rejoining the balance ol the force on the prairie." The Second regiment was the last one to leave the' field and the only regiment which kept its line and organization 20 MILITARY HISTORY OF unbroken from the first to the last of the fight, which lasted about six hours. About one-lhird ot the regiment was lost, but Colonel Blair came out of it unscathed, although his horse was killed under him. The command returned to Springfield the same day after the close of the battle, and the next day were en-route for Rolla, The Second, after being delayed a short time at Rolla, and also at St. Louis, was ordered to Kansas for muster out and reorgani- zation. Arriving at Hannibal, Missouri, Colonel Williams of the Third Iowa Infantry, requested that the Second accompany him to Paris, Missouri, after a force of the enemy in that neigh borhood, and to assist the officers of the bank in removing the money under their charge to where it could be protected by the government. Accordingly, about one-half of the regiment, the other half being left to guard the stores, with three companies of Colonel Williams' regiment, (all he had in the neighborhood) moved up to Shelbina, on tho Hannibal & St. Joe R. R., and from there moved south to Paris. After a slight skirmish the enemy was driven out and the town occupied by our troops, We remained here until the next day, pur outposts most of the time skirmishing with guerrillas. The next day Major W. F. Cloud put the officer in command under arrest, (he not being in condition to command) and marched the troops back with cau tion, avoiding arhbuscade to Shelbina.' The following; morning Colonel Green, with 3,500 men and a battery of artillery, sum moned us to surrender, and uport our refusal opened on the town. They soon tore up the railroad east, and made several attempts to destroy it on the west, from which the command was barely able to repulse them. Colonel Williams had in all only about 600 men, of which only thirty were cavalry and only one cavalry officer, Lieutenant Pierce, who had been taken prisoner at Paris. Notwithstanding this, our little band inarched out several times and offered them battle on the prairie, but they being all mounted kept out of our reach, and continued to play upon our lines with their artillery. It was evident that we were powerless, and must in the end be taken, unless we .could es cape. In this action Captain McClure, of Company B, had his right foot shot off by a solid shot. If the enemy's guns had been supplied with shell our forces would have suffered severely, but KANSAS REGIMENTS. 21 ¦as it was they escaped with little loss. A council of all the -officers was called, and it was determined to run the gauntlet of the battery with a locomotive arid some freight cars, which was -accordingly done. Arriving at Macon City, we found Brigadier General Hurlburt with some three hundred men, who had been loaded on the cars all day, and for whom we had been persistently telegraphing for many hours, but who never came to our relief. General Hurlburt ordered our return to Shelbina, but as he was not in a condition to give orders, I, Colonel Blair, declined to •obey them, on the ground that I had General Fremont's orders to proceed to Kansas. General Hurlburt then furnished transpor tation, and the Second came on to Bloomfield, where it remained a few days to guard some public stores, then without adequate protection. From thence the Second came by rail to St. Joseph, Missouri, by night, and surprised and routed the rebels, and held the post until the arrival of troops to permanently garrison the place. Then, taking boat, the Second started for Leavenworth, and at Iatan attacked and dispersed a rebel force. Arriving at Leavenworth, the Second, for the first time in three months, laid aside arms and took off accoutrements, feeling that they again ¦rested upon friendly soil and among " loyal people." Price's forces having captured Lexington and threatening Kansas, the Second was sent to Wyandotte for its defense. Price retreated, and the Second returned to Leavenworth, and having finished the term for which they entered the service, were honorably discharged, with instructions to organize. For the accomplishment of this, Colonel R. B. Mitchell, Lieutenant Colonel Blair, (the acceptance df his resignation having been revoked), Major W. F. Cloud and Captain S. J. Crawford were retained in the service. The Second was reorganized into a cavalry regiment, with th title of Second Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and during the wa fully maintained its former standing and good name. The Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry took part in th ^following battles and skirmishes : Forsythe, Mo., July 22d, 1861. Dug Springs, Mo., August 2d, 1S61. Wilson Creek, Mo., August 10th, 1S61. Paris, Mo., September 2d, 1861. iShelbina, September 4th, 1861. 22 MILITARY HISTORY OF Iatan, September 4th, 1861. Colonel Robert B. Mitchell, Colonel Second Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Blair, Major Second Kansas Cavahy. Major W. F. Cloud, Major Second Kansas Volunteer Cavalry;. Adjutant Edward D. Thompson, mustered out with regiment October 31st, 1861. Quartermaster Shaler W. Eldridge, mustered out with regiment October 31st, 1861. Surgeon Aquila B. Massey, absent on detached service at data of muster out. Assistant Surgeon A. L. Pattee, absent on detached service at place of muster out. Chaplain R. C. Brant, mustered, out with regiment October 31st, 1861. KAXSAS REGIMENTS. 23 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE SECOND KANSAS CAVALRY. In the month of October, 1861, A. C. Davis, of Wyandotte county, Kansas, obtained authority from Major General Fremont, then commanding the Western Department, to raise a regiment of Cavalry in the State of Kansas, and reported to the Governor for instructions. The regiment thus authorized was designated the Twelfth Kansas Volunteers, and the rendezvous was estab lished at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The organization was commenced on the 8th of November by the muster-in of First Lieutenant C. L. Gorton, of Leavenworth county, Adjutant ; First Lieutenant Julius G. Fisk, Wyandotte county, Quartermaster, and Dr. J. B. Welborne, of Wyandotte county, Surgeon. A company was organized on the 22d of November, with Captain Samuel A. Williams, of Bourbon county ; First Lieuten ant Robert H. Hunt, of Davis county ; Second Lieutenant Harvey A. Smith, of Linn county. B company was organized on the 9th of December, with Captain Henry Hopkins ; First Lieutenant John F. Aduddell, and Second Lieutenant Oscar F. Dunlap, all of Leavenworth county. C company was organized on the 11th of December, with Captain Daniel S. Whittenhall, of Doniphan county; First Lieutenant Charles Harrison, and Second Lieutenant William M. Hook, both of Leavenworth county. D company was organized on the 11th of December, with Captain Amaziah Moore and First Lieutenant Robert White, of Atchison county, and Second Lieutenant Horace L. Moore, of Douglas county. E company was organized on the 15th of December, with Captain John Gardner, of Leavenworth county; First Lieutenant Elias S. Stover, of Davis county, and Second Lieutenant Augus tus T. Lovelette, of Leavenworth county. Cn the 26th of December, to the five squadrons as above 24 MILITARY HISTORY OF organized, the Governor attached four companies of Nugent's Reg iment of Missouri Home Guards, as follows : F company, Capt. A. Thomas ; G company, Captain C. Lovejoy ; H company, Captain B. F. Simpson, and I company, Captain C. Hill. (These four companies were organized in the fall of 1861, in the counties of Douglas, Johnson, and Miami, under command of Lieutenant Colonel William Mewhinney, of Douglas county, and attached themselves temporarily to Nugent's regiment. They were raised for home service, and were consequently disbanded on the 4th of February, 1862), and the organization, then consisting of nine companies, was designated by order of the Governor the Ninth Kansas Volunteers. On the 31st of December, Surgeon J. B. Welborne's muster-in was revoked for reason of inability to procure a certificate of qualification from the State Board of Medical Examiners, and on the same day Dr. Joseph P. Root, of Wyandotte county, was mustered in as Surgeon. The regiment was inspected and mustered for pay by Colonel Graham, Eighth Kansas Volunteers, who was temporarily in command of all the regiments then organizing and in rendezvous at Fort Leavenworth. On the 4th of January, 1862, the following officers were mustered in: Lieutenant Colonel Owen A. Bassett, of Douglas county; Major Julius G. Fisk and First Lieutenant Luther H. Wood, of Wyandotte county, Quartermaster, vice Fisk. On the 7th of January, the following officers were mustered in : Major Thomas B. Eldridge and Rev. Charles Reynolds, Chaplain, both of Douglas county. K company was organized on the 7th of January with Captain Austin W. Mathews, of Leavenworth county ; First Lieutenant Pat Cosgrove and Second Lieutenant Gideon M. Waugh, both of Johnson county. The organization of the Ninth Kansas Volunteers, with ten companies, was completed on the 9th of January by the muster- in of Colonel Alson C. Davis and Dr. George B. Wood, Assistant Surgeon, both of Wyandotte county. In obedience to orders from Department Head Quarters, the Ninth moved from Fort Leavenworth on the 20th of January to Quindaro, in Wyandotte county, for the purpose of finding quar ters suitable for protection from the inclement weather. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 25 On the 4th of February, companies F, G, H and I were, by order of Major General Halleck, commanding Department of Mississippi, mustered out of the service, for the reason that their organization was irregular; and on the same day, by order of Colonel A. C. Davis, K company was designated F company. First Lieutenant Charles Harrison, of C company, deserted to the enemy February 8th. (He captured horses out of Missouri, near Quindaro, and took them to Leavenworth, Kansas, and sold them, for which he was arrested and lodged in jail. He broke away, knocking the guard down, and made good his escape. He went to Missouri and joined the bushwhackers.) On the 20th of the same month^ First Lieutenant Edward C. D. Lines, of Wabaunsee county, was mustered in vice Harrison. The regiment having been reduced to six companies, the resignation of Colonel Alson C. Davis was accepted and Major Thomas B. Eldridge was mustered out, at his own request, as a supernumerary. Pursuant to instructions from the Head Quarters of the army, Major General Hunter, commanding Department of Kansas, with consent of His Excellency Charles Robinson, Governor, issued an order on the 28th of February, assigning to the Ninth Kansas Volunteers the following companies, formerly belonging to the Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry : G company was organized on the 27th of December, 1861, with Captain Hugh Cameron, of Douglas county ; First Lieuten ant James C. French, of Shawnee county, and Second Lieutenant Albert Schroder, of Leavenworth county. H company was partly organized with First Lieutenant John Johnston, of Anderson county. I company was partly organized with First Lieutenant David E. Ballard, of Marshall county. And the following companies, formerly belonging to the Eighth Kansas Volunteers : K company, Captain George F. Earl. L company, Captain Asaph Allen. And the following company, formerly belonging to the Third Kansas Volunteers : M company, Captain John E. Stewart. (The last three squadrons were transferred to another regiment 26 MILITARY HISTORY OV on the 27th of March, and therefore are not more particularly mentioned here.) The organization was again completed by the assignment of the following officers from the Second Kansas Infantry: Colonel Robert B. Mitchell, of Linn county ; Major Charles W. Blair, of Bourbon county, and Major William F. Cloud, of Lyon county. First Lieutenant John Pratt, of Douglas county, was mustered in as Adjutant, vice Gorton. First Lieutenant Cyrus L. Gorton Quartermaster, vice Wood. First Lieutenant Luther H. Wood, First Battalion Quartermaster, and First Lieutenant David C. Coleman, of Miami county, First Battalion Adjutant. On the 28th of February, the regiment was inspected and mustered for pay by Lieutenant Colonel Bassett. The organization of I company was completed on the 8th of March by the muster-in of Captain Arthur Gunther and Second Lieutenant John K. Rankin, both of Douglas county. On the 11th of March the regiment was paid by Major Eaton to include the 28th of February, and on the same day Colonel Mitchell arrived at Quindaro with companies G, H and I with six hundred horses, and asssumed command of the regiment. Pursuant to instructions from Department Head Quarters, the Ninth moved from Quindaro March 12th to Shawneetown. On the 15th of March the number of the regiment was changed, by order of the Governor, from the Ninth Kansas Volunteers to the Second Kansas Volunteers. This change was made at the instance of Colonel Mitchell, who had commanded a three month's regiment — the" Second Kansas Volunteers" (infantry) — in the campaign in the summer of 1861, in Southwest Missouri, under General Lyon, which regiment had been mustered out and authorized to be re-organized for three year's service. The three squadrons thus organized — G, H and I — were assigned to the Ninth, by order of Major General Hunter, on the 28th of February. This change in the number ot the regiment has led many to believe that it was the same which Colonel Mitchell commanded at the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10th, 1861, and it often occurred that the celebrated engagement of Wilson's Creek was referred to as a part of its history ; but only a portion of the KANSAS REGIMENTS. 37 regiment has any claim whatever to a participation in the stirring scenes of July and August, 1861. On the 16th of March, arms, consisting of Hall's carbines, Austrian carbines and French revolvers, were issued to the men, and company M, Captain John E. Stewart, reported and was assigned its place in the line. On the 18th of March, Second Lieutenant John A. Lee, of Shawnee county, was mustered into G company, vice Albert Schroder resigned March 7th ; and on the 22d of March, Second Lieutenant Charles Dimon, of Bourbon county, was mustered into A company, vice Harvey A. Smith, resigned February 28th. On the 24th of March, a portion of the regiment, consisting of uine officers and two hundred and forty-one men, went in pursuit of a band of guerrillas in the neighborhood of Little Santa Fe, Missouri, attacked and dispersed them, and returned on the 25th. In this skirmish Major Pomeroy, temporarily on duty with this regiment, was wounded. On the 25th of March the following officers were mustered in and assigned to duty : Second Lieutenant Joseph Cracklin, of Douglas county, Second Battalion Adjutant; Second Lieutenant John B. Dexter, of Wyandotte county, Second Battalion Quar termaster; Second Lieutenant William B. Parsons from Sergeant C company, Third Battalion Adjutant, and Second Lieutenant Elizur T. Goodrich, of Leavenworth county, Third Battalion Quartermaster. On the 27th of March the regimental designation was again changed, by order of the Governor, to the "Second Kansas Cavalry;" companies K, L and M were transferred to a new regiment — the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, Colonel Edward Lynde — Major W. F Cloud was commissioned and entered on duty as Colonel of the Tenth Kansas Volunteers, (an infantry regiment formed by the consolidation of the Third and Fourth regiments Kansas Volun teers), and a squad of men organizing under First Lieutenant Avra P. Russell, of Leavenworth county, for the Second Kansas Volunteers, Infantry, was attached to this regiment and designa ted K company. On the 28th of March, Captain Byron P. Ayres, from private of K company, was mustered into A company, vice Williams resigned. 28 MILITARY HISTORY OP The organization of K company was completed April 5th, by the muster-in of Captain Avra P. Pussell, First Lieutenant Barrett B. Mitchell, from private same company, and Second Lieutenant John M. Mentzer, trom sergeant same company. The organization of H company was completed on the 8th of April, by the assignment to duty of Samuel J. Crawford, of Anderson county, who was retained in the service at the time of the muster-out of the three month's organization, known as the Second Kansas Volunteers, for the purpose of assisting in its re-organization for three year's service. On the 9th of April, Colonel Robert B. Mitchell received information that he had been appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers. On the 12th of April Colonel Mitchell changed the letters of the several squadrons as follows; Captain Crawford's company H will be known as company A, u Hopkins' « B u u it B, (1 Whittenhall's tt C u ll It C. u Moore's it D u ll It D. It Gardner's a E u It it E. « Cameron's (C G u ll It F. ll Matthew's a F u ll ll G. « Gunther's et I ll ll It H. « Ayre's u A ll li li I. tt Russell's u K ll il it K. and assigned as his reasons therefor that "Samuel J. Craw ford was the ranking Captain, and accordingly his company should be company A, and rank should in like manner deter mine the letters of the other squadrons." This reasoning of Colonel Mitchell was not correct. The companies were lettered according to the date of their organization or assignment, and once lettered they should not have been changed. Officers took rank in the volunteer service from date of muster-in, and the letters of their respective squadrons had nothing to do with the determination of that question. Of the ten companies mentioned in the order, Captain Ayres' company was the first organized, and should have retained the letter A as its designation. The same rule would apply with equal force to the change of the KANSAS REGIMENTS. 29 letter of Captain Matthew's company from K to F, by order of Colonel Davis, in February previous. Colonel Robert B. Mitchell having been promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers April 8th, relinquished command of the Second on the 16th, and orders" were issued directing the regi ment to join the New Mexico expedition, concentrating at Fort Riley, and on the same day, Second Lieutenant Samuel K. Cross from private same company, was mustered into A company. On the 20th of April the regiment moved from Shawneetown en route for Fort Riley, and reached Lawrence on the 22d, where orders were received from District Headquarters directing a detail of one hundred and fifty non-commissioned officers and privates to report forthwith at Fort Leavenworth for assignment to duty with a battery of six 10 pdr. Parrott guns, (called Hollister's battery) for the New Mexico service. These men having been detached for permanent duty, sent from the regiment, and having a separate military history, will be more particularly mentioned hereafter in a supplement On the 26th of April the Second started for and reached Tope - ka the next day, where it halted for muster, and on the 30th it was inspected, mustered for pay, and reviewed by Lieutenaut Colonel Bassett. On the 1st of May, the following officers were detached and ordered on duty at Brigade Headquarters: First Lieutenant John Pratt, Adjutant, to be A. A. A. G. ; First Lieutenant Cyrus L. Gorton, Quartermaster, to be A. C. S., and First Lieutenant Edward C. D. Lines to be A. D. C. ; and the following officers were ordered on duty in the Regimental Staff: First Lieutenant David C. Coleman, First Battalion Adjutant, to be Acting Adju tant; Second Lieutenant John B. Dexter, Second Battalion Quartermaster, to be Acting Quartermaster; and on the same day the Second started for Fort Riley, and reached there on the 4th and reported to Brigadier General Mitchell, commanding New Mexico Brigade. The regiment was inspected May 8th, by Major Walling, Seventh U. S. Infantry, and on the 9th was paid by Major Eaton, to include the 30th of April 1862. The men were armed with sabres May 12th, and on the 13th 30 MILITARY HISTORY OF the regiment was reviewed in line with the Brigade by Brigadier General Mitchell. On the 15th of May, Surgeon Joseph P. Root, claiming to have been regularly commissioned by the Governor as Colonel, and being recognized as such at Brigade Headquarters, assumed command, and on the same day Second Lieutenant Bradford S. Bassett was mustered in and assigned to duty in B company, vice Dunlap, resigned May 14. Second Lieutenant John B. Dex ter, Second Battalion Quartermaster, was assigned to D company, vice Moore, and First Lieutenant Horace L. More was mustered in vice White, resigned April*30th. May 16th, the following officers were detached and ordered on duty with the battery heretofore mentioned as Hollister's Battery, but which will hereafter be known as Hopkins' battery, viz: Captain Henry Hopkins, B company ; First Lieutenant Robert H. Hunt, I company ^Second Lieutenant John K. Rankin, H company, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Cracklin, Second Bat talion Adjutant, rand the Battery was ordered with a brigade of troops, under Brigadier General Mitchell, to Tennessee; and Second Lieutenant William B. Parsons, Third Battalion Adjutant, was assigned to a company in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, by order of the Department commander, with the consent of the Governor. On the same day, Major Julius G. Fisk was detached with squadrons A and D, and ordered to escort Major Martin, Pay master, to New Mexico. For an account of that expedition see supplement I. On the 21st of May, it having been ascertained that Surgecn Joseph P. Root had assumed to act as Colonel of the Second without proper authority, Lieutenant Colonel Bassett resumed command of the regiment, and also of Fort Riley, where head quarters had been established, and Dr. J. P. Root resumed his duties as surgeon of the regiment. On the 27th of May, the Governor sent Lieutenant Colonel Bassett a commission as Colonel, to date April 9th 1.-362, and on the day following he made application to be mustered in but the muster was refused, for the reason that Brigadier Genera] Blunt, commanding the Department of Kansas, had giveti instructions to the mustering officer not to muster any officer into KANSAS REGIMENTS. 31 the Second Kansas regiment unless the applicant presented written permission from Department Headquarters for such muster. In giving such instructions, Brigadier General Blunt exceeded his authority ; for, by the orders of the War Depart ment, the mustering officer was subject only to the orders of the Adjutant General of the Army, and the mustering regulations. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett applied at once in person at Department Headquarters for authority to be mustered in. He showed by the regimental reports that the regiment was above the minimum required for the muster of a Colonel, and that a vacancy had actually existed since the 8th of April. Major Charles W. Blair had received a commission as Lieut. Colonel, Captain Avra P. Russell as Major, and First Lieutenant Burnett B. Mitchell as Captain, and the refusal to muster Lieut. Colonel Bassett prevented the muster ot these officers. By section three of an Act of Congress, approved August 6th, '61, it was provided that vacancies thereafter occurring among the commissioned officers of volunteer regiments should be filled by the Governors of the States respectively, in the same manner as original appointments. By section four of an Act of Congress, approved July 2 2d, '61, it was provided that the Governors of States furnishing volunteers should commission the field, staff and company officers. A vacancy exisied, however,4n the office of Colonel of the Second Kansas Cavalry, and an order was issed by Brigadier General Blunt relieving Colonel William F. Cloud from command of the Tenth Kansas Infantry, and assigning him to the com mand of the Second Kansas Cavalry, and Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was informed that the vacancy of Colonel in the regiment was filled by that assignment. On the 1st of June Colonel Cloud, Tenth Kansas Infantry, assumed command of the regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel Bassett remained in command of Fort Riley. On the 5th of June First Lieutenant Cyrus L. Gorton was relieved from duty as A. C. S. New Mexico Brigade, and assigned to the same duty in the Indian Expedition. On the 9th of June orders were received from Department Headquarters for the Second to join the Indian Expedition then concentrating at Humboldt, in the south of Kansas, leaving a 32 MILITARY HISTORY OP sufficient force to garrison Fort Riley; and in obedience to the instructions, squadrons B and C were detached. for garrison duly under command of Captain Daniel S. Whittenhall, and the regiment moved on the 11th of June to Emporia, reaching the latter place on the 14th, where, by order of Colonel Cloud, it remained until the 23d, when it again moved to Iola, reaching the last named place on the 26th, when, being again joined by Colonel Cloud, it was halted until the 14th of July. Squadrons B and C were ordered to Fort Larned on the 22d of June. For more particular account of these companies see supplement II. On the 30th of June the regiment was mustered for pay. On the 10th of July John Bell, private company I was executed by hanging, by sentence of a drum-head court martial, approved by Colonel Cloud, for having committed a rape on a woman living near Iola, July 4th. On the 14th of July the Second started for and reached Fort Scott on the 15th, and on the 16th and 17th the men were armed with Whitney rifles. On the 16th of July Major Blair was detached, and ordered to repbrt at Department Headquarters for special duty. On the 18th of July the Second moved south, and reached Baxter Springs, on the Quapaw Indian Reservation, on the 20th, when the Indian Expedition was met, moving northward, with the commanding officer under arrest. On the 26th of July Colonel Cloud was assigned to the com mand of the First Brigade Indian Expedition. First Lieutenant D. C. Coleman, First Battalion Adjutant, was detached and assigned to duty as A. A. A. G,, Brigade headquarters, and Lieutenant Colonel Bassett resumed command of the regiment, and assigned First Lieutenant E. S. Stover, company E, to duty as Acting Adjutant. On the 1st of August the Second marched in light order south, via Tallequah, capital of the Cherokee Indian Nation, to Park Hill, reaching the latter place on the 3d ; where, after securing the archives and treasure of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and being joined by John Ross, principal chief, and Lewis Ross treasurer, with their families and friends, returned to the camp KANSAS REGIMENTS. 33 on the Quapaw Reserve, reaching the latter place on the 6th. (See Report No. 1.) On the 7th of August the Second moved north, and on the 11th camped on Moore's Creek, eight miles south of Fort Scott and on the 12th Captain Ayres was detached with his company I, and ordered to escort Chief John Ross, with the archives and treasure of the Cherokee Indian Nation to Fort Leavenworth, and return without unnecessary delay. On the 13th of August the regiment marched to Fort Scott, and was reviewed by Brigadier General Blunt, and returned to camp on Moore's Creek, and received an order to march forth with to join a force in pursuit of a rebel raiding party, under Colonel Coffey, moving northward through the western tier of counties in Missouri. It marched in light order, joined the pursuing column, made forced marches, and reached Dry Fork Creek, near Carthage, Mo., on the 22d. On the morning of the 24th the Second marched for Fort Scott, and encountered a force of rebels, under command of Colonel Shelby, at Coon Creek^ and returned to camp near Fort Scott on the 25th. (See Report No. 3.) On the 30th of August the regiment was inspected, mustered for pay, and reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Bassett. On the 1st of September the designation of the brigade was changed to Third Brigade Army of Kansas. First Lieutenant Stover was relieved from duty as Acting Adjutant, and Second Lieutenant Mentzer, of K company, assigned to that duty. Second Lieutenant Dimon, of I Company, was detailed as Acting Quartermaster, and Second Lieutenant Waugh, of G company, as Acting Commissary. First Lieutenant Robert H. Hunt, of I company, resigned September 3d, and on the 10th First Lieut. Stover, E company, and twenty-five men, were detailed,and placed on special duty with a section of 12-pdr. mountain howitzers. Squadrons A, B, C and D, under command of Major Fisk, from the New Mexico Expedition, reported for duty at Regi mental Headquarters September 20th, and were in good condition for active service. For a full account of these companies while away from the regiment, see supplements I. and II. On the 26th of September, Second Lieutenant Bassett, B company^vas detailed and assigned to duty as Acting Adjutant, t«'ce 34 MILITARY HISTORY OF Second Lieutenant Mentzer, returned to duty with his company, and the resignation of Assistant Surgeon George B. Wood was accepted, on account of disability. In the resignation of Dr. Wood, the regiment lost an able and efficient officer, and the officers a courteous and genial comrade. On the 27th of September the Second marched in light order on a scout, and returned to Cox's Creek, twelve miles south of Fort Scott, on the 30th. This was one of the hardest, and least productive of good results, bf any trip ever made by the regiment, and it remains a mystery to this day why il was required to make it. The scout was made southwest from Fort Scott. Three days and nights were occupied. A brief description of the first night's march will suffice to describe the entire trip. The regiment was in camp six miles southeast of Fort Scott; left camp at sundown ; traveled all night — estimated distance thirty-five miles — and in the morning at eight o'clock, it was just seven miles from the place of starting. The same farce was played for the next three days and the two intervening nights, until the Second found itself, on the 30th, as above stated. September 30th Captain Crawford was assigned Acting Major commanding a battalion, and Lieutenant Johnston to command of company A. Captain Crawford never returned to duty with the company again. On the morning of the 1st of October orders were received for the regiment to march forthwith to reinforce Brigadier General Solomon, commanding division al Sarcoxie, Mo., who was threatened by a superior force at Newtonia. First Lieutenant Luther H. Wood, First Battalion Quartermaster, was assigned to duty as Commissary of Subsistence, having reported from de tached service at Department Headquarters. The regiment reported to Brigadier General Solomon on the night of the 3d, and at one o'clock A. M„ of the 4th, marched on the direct road to Newtonia, and on the morning of the 4th entered that place. (See Report No. 4.) October 5th the Second marched to Neosho, twelve miles west of Newtonia, and returned to the latter place at noon the next day, thence eight miles southwest to Indian Creek, and on the 10th marched to a point five miles north of Keittsville where it was paid by Major Eaton, to include August 31st. Captain KANSAS REGIMENTS. 35 Hopkins, having been relieved from detached service with Hop kins' Battery, returned to the command of his company at this place. (See Supplement III.) Captain Amaziah Moore was granted leave of absence for thirty days. On the 16th the Second was ordered to the front to ascertain the position of the enemy, and if possible, to report their strength, preparatory to a forward movement of the army, and reached Elk Horn tavern, on Pea Ridge, the same day, and on the 12th moved forward to Sugar Creek, on the 18th to Cross Hollows, on the 19th to Mud Town, driving the enemy's pickets and outposts tweuty miles. This was an important expedition. The enemy was known to be in considerable force in front of our army, and it became necessary Jto find out something concerning their position, and ascertain their strength. A cavalry regiment was sent out on the 15th, but returned after an absence of twelve hours. Briga dier General Schofield then directed the detail of a regiment that would go where ordered, and stay until recalled. The Second Kansas Cavalry was selected, and performed the duty without faltering, and returned to the line of the army, then advanced to Pea Ridge, on the 20th. (See Report No. 5.) At dark on the 20th. the Second was again on the march, having the advance of the division moving west, reached Bentonville before daylight, and again resumed the march at sundown of the 21st, holding the same relative position in the column, and reached Maysville at sunrise on the morning of the 22d. The regiment numbered four hundred and ninety-seven, aggregate for duty, and had just be#n on a very severe march and scout, and in the saddle for five days and seven nights in succession, (having rested one day at Bentonville.) Eight miles east of Maysville a halt was ordered for one hour. The night was very dark, and the timber on each side of the road heavy. The advance guard consisted of company K, of the Second, which was followed by Brigadier General Blunt, division commander, with his staff and escort ; Colonel Cloud, brigade commander, with his staff, came next, and then the Second Kansas Cavalry. Brigadier General Blunt ordered the column forward. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett sent an officer to the rear of the regiment to communicate the order to each squadron 36 MILITARY HISTORY OF commander. When the head of the column had arrived within two miles of Maysville, a halt was ordered, and Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was directed to send two squadrons around the town to surprise and capture the pickets, and prevent any com munication with the enemy's main force. It was then first discovered that no troops had moved forward from the place of halting, six miles back, except the Second. Major Fisk was sent back to order the division forward with all possible speed. The plan was to surprise and attack the enemy early in the morning, but the delay of the attacking force was likely to interfere materially with that plan. The pickets had escaped, and conveyed intelligence to the rebel commander that a force was approaching. Time would be gained by him for prepara tion, and instead of rapture, he might make good his escape; instead of an eas\ conquest, a desperate struggle might come; instead of victory, dekat might follow; and all from the care lessness and inattention of some officer, whose rank and authority had been conferred upon him under the belief that he was capable of discharging the duties of his responsible position. The position was a novel one for officers to be placed in. It was the division commander's duty to know that each brigade was in its proper place, that his column was arranged in order for formation into line of battle. It was the duty of the brigade commanders to see that their respective brigades were ready for instant attack. It would not do to presume that every regiment, detachment and battery, would maintain its proper place, and go into action without any supervision of its movements. True, they might do so, but if they did not, their neglect might be fatal to the army, as well as to its commander. Had the entire division been up in time, the result might have been different. Instead of being driven off the ground, a large portion, if not all of the enemy, might have been captured. Squadrons B and I were sent around the town, but the pickets made their escape and alarmed the enemy, four miles southwest of Maysville. The regiment moved forward and entered the town of Maysville soon after daylight, where a halt was again ordered for a short time, to hear from the division in the rear. Soon after sunrise the Second moved on a trot in the direction of the enemy, drove in their line of skirmishers, and although KANSAS REGIMENTS. 37 five miles in advance of the rest of the division, attacked the rebel force in position, drove them from their guns, captured a battery of four pieces, (three six pound field pieces and one twelve pound howitzer), aud sent it to the rear before reinforce ments came up. The enemy was posted four thousand (4,000) strong with a battery in the edge of a heavy body of timber skirting the prairie on the south. The attacking force — consisting of four hundred and ninety-seven (497) men and officers, and one section of mountain howitzers — advanced at a gallop in column across the open prairie, formed "Left front into line of battle " within three hundred yards of the enemy, and, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, dismounted, charged across an open field and routed the rebel force without a single bayonet. (For a full description of this action see Report No. 6.) On the 24th Major Fisk, with a detachment of two hundred (200) men was sent down the State Line road to the town of Cincinnati, and returned on the 26th without accident. On the 27th of October a battery -was organized by assigning Captain Hopkins with company B to the command of the four (4) pieces captured on the 22d ; and the battery thus organized was designated, by General Order from Regimental Headquarters, as " Hopkins' Battery," but continued with, and reported to the regiment. On the same day 2d Lieutenant B. S. Bassett was assigned to duty as A. A. A. G. at Brigade Headquarters ; 2d Lieutenant Cross was detached and assigned to duty as Acting Adjutant; and 2d Lieutenant David R. Coleman, 1st Battalion Adjutant, was mustered out as a supernumery ; 2d Lieutenant William M. Hook, C company, was tried by General Court Martial for " misbehavior before the enemy," in the action of the 22d, — charges preferred by Lieutenant Colonel Bassett — found guilty, and subjected to private reprimand by the General commanding Division. On the 31st of October the Second marched in rear of the division to Spavina Creek, and was mustered for pay by Colonel Cloud. Captain Byron P. Ayers was sent on detached service to Fort Scott and Fort Leavenworth. 38 MILITARY HISTORY OF The regiment marched from Spavina Creek on the 6th of No vember to Prairie Creek, eight miles southwest of Bentonville, and squadrons A, F and K, under command of Major Fisk, were sent to Brown's Mills, eight miles southwest, to hold an advanced post. They remained there until the 15th, and rejoined the regiment, which had moved west on the 14th, and reached Pol lard's, on the west line of the State on the 15th, and camped. While at Prairie Creek two hundred (200) officers and men were sent to scout the country in the direction of Rhea's Mills, Cane Hill and Dick Oliver's ; and having proceeded via Cane Hill into Cove Creek returned up that creek via Fay- etteville to Regimental Headquarters, having met a rebel force under command of Colonel Emmet McDonald in Cane Hill and pursued them more than ten miles down the road towards Van Buren. A rebel flag was captured and the enemy compelled to flee in haste; and as each mule team gave out the wagon and its contents were fired and abandoned. On the return a number of bushwhackers were captured. Second Lieutenant Waugh was detatched, and assigned to duty at Division Headquarters as Judge Advocate. On the 17th of November Captain Crawford was sent with one hundred (100) men to Carthage, Missouri, to reinforce the escort to a supply train enroute from Fort Scott, and returned on the 26th. On the 27th the Second marched in light order in the rear of the division south via Cincinnati to near Rhea's Mills. On the 28th the march was resumed, with company C, under command of Captain Whittenhall, as advance guard, three com panies under command of Major Fisk at the head of the column, followed by the 2d Indiana Battery, next by the 11th Kansas Infantry, and then by the remaining five squadrons under com mand of Lieutenant Colonel Bassett. Having passed Rhea's Mills, and while yet four miles from Cane Hill, the llih Kansas halted to rest ; but the cavalry and artillery in advance pushed on and engaged the enemy one mile north of Boonsboro. At the first report of the artillery the five squadrons in the rear of the 11th Kansas passed that regiment by file at a gallop ; and, with the four companies under Major Fisk, supported the 2d Indiana Battery until the infantry came up. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 39 The enemy was reported at six thousand (6,000), but did not, probably, exceed three thousand (3,000), under General Marma- duke, and were known to be well equipped and well officered — by such men as Coffey, Shelby, McDonald, and others. Yet Brigadier General Blunt, Division Commander, and Colonel Cloud, Brigadier Commander, found themselves under the ene my's fire at short range, with a full battery of light artillery, with only four small companies of cavalry to support it, and no reinforcements within four miles. Courage under such circum stances could not save a battery. Ignorance on the part of the enemy of the true position was its only safety — its best support. Had the enemy charged the Federal advance, as they should have done, in the outset, Major Fisk's cavalry might have saved themselves from capture, but the 2d Indiana Battery, the pride of the Hoosiers, would have fired its last shot in defence of liberty. At Old Fort Wayne five hundred (500) men of this regiment captured a battery of four pieces supported by more than one thousand (1,000) men. How much easier for Marmaduke, with one thousand (1,000) men to have captured six pieces supported by less than two hundred (200). The brilliant oppor tunity was presented, but the enemy faltered and the battery was saved. So long as an officer is successful it matters but little how his point is gained, or what blunders he may have com-, mitted. But if defeated by his own negligence or carelessness he cannot survive it. The attack commenced at 11 o'clock A. M., and the Second kept the advance in the pursuit of the enemy, which retreated towards Van Buren down the Cove Creek road for seven miles, and until 4 o'clock P. M., skirmishing the greater portion of the time. Major Fisk was wounded severely on the top of his head by a piece of shell, but continued on duty in command of his battalion until he received a preemptory order from his com manding officer to report to the Surgeon to have his wound dressed, who forbade his return to the front. (For full account of this action see Report No. 7.) The regiment bivouacked for the night on Cove Creek, and the next day returned to Boonsboro, and camped. Notice was received at Regimental Headquarters that Second Lieutenant Joseph Cracklin, 2d Battalion Adjutant, on duty with 40 MIXITARY HISTORY OF battery in Tennessee, had been mustered out of the service as a supernumery ; and on the 2d of December, Major Fisk being unfit for actual field duty on account of wounds received in action, was, by order of Brigadier General Blunt, directed to report for duty at Fort Leavenworth. On the same day a scouting party ot seventy-five (75) men was sent out under Captain Cameron, with instructions to proceed to Natural Dam, on Lee's Cveek,via Dick Oliver's, and return via Evansville, on the State Line road. Captain Cameron performed the duty assigned him ; and, returning on the 3d, brought reliable information that General Hindman was crossing his army at Van Buren for the purpose of marching to attacK the Army of the Frontier. On the 3d scouting parties were sent out on all the roads leading south, but returned without any special intelligence except corroborating the information brought in by Captain Cameron. On the 4th Captain Russell was sent down the Cove Creek road, and Lieutenant Moore was sent down the Mountain road, with instructions to go until they met the enemy's pickets. Captain Russell moved cautiously down the creek, and about seven miles below the outposts encountered the enemy's pickets remained near them until daylight and returned. ' Lieutenant Moore was particularly directed to discover if possible, the enemy's strength, as well as to watch their move ments. He met the pickets and drove them in, and during the night from the hills observed their camp fires, passed down on their left flank and drove their pickets in on the south. He returned and reported to Lieutenant Colonel Bassett about 3 o'clock A. M. of the 5th, and was sent at once to Division Head quarters to give information to the commanding General. Lieu tenant Moore reported the enemy's camp fires as extending for three miles, and very numerous. The next morning the entire effective force of the regiment went to the front, and scouting parties were again sent out. Captain Gardner was sent down Cove Creek ; Lieutenant Mitchell was sent across to the Wire road and Lieutenant Moore was again sent down the Mountain road. Captain Gardner and Lieutenant Moore met the pickets KANSAS REGIMENTS. 41 The former returned to the outpost and took command of it, and the latter returned in the night to the camp. Lieutenant Mitchell returned without seeing the enemy. Assistant Surgeon John W. Robinson, of Douglas county, having been commissioned and mustered in, vice Wood, resigned, reported and was assigned to duty, and Captain Moore returned to duty from absence with leave. The outpost was stationed on Cove Creek where the roads from Fayetteville and Cane Hill meet. Cove Creek is a deep gulch, very narrow, with steep mountains on either side, and an army once in it must either go through or turn back — there being for twenty miles no place where artillery could be moved up the mountain side without great difficulty. The enemy was moving up that creek. The outpost was the salient point. If it could be held the enemy could not flank the 1st Division and get in its rear, or advance further to the attack. It was a very strong point, and was the key to the position, and could have been, and should have been held at all hazard. It was evident that the head of the rebel column had not advanced on the 5th, and that an attempt would probably be made to drive in the outposts on the morning of the 6th. To be properly prepared for that attack, General Blunt, on the after noon of the 5th, directed Colonel Cloud to reinforce the picket, or outpost, with sufficient force to hold it. Captain Gardner was in command of the outpost, consisting p one hundred (100) men. Colonol Cloud directed Lieutenant Colonel Bassett to detail an additional hundred men and two howitzers to be in readiness to march at 5 o'clock next morning to reinforce Captain Gardner, and also ordered one hundred and fifty men for the same purpose from another regiment in the same brigade. It was suggested that the entire regiment ought to be sent and be on the ground by midnight. The outpost was not less than six miles from Regimental Headquarters ; the r6ad was very rough anda mountain had to be crossed, and at leastan hour and a half would ordinarily be required to reach it; and reinforcements starting at 5 o'clock could not possibly reach it before daylight. The suggestions were not heeded, and Captain Cameron was detailed with two Lieutenants and one hundred (100) men, and 42 MILITARY HISTORY OF Lieutenant Stover, withhis section of mauntain howitzers; and positive instructions were given to be in the saddle and in readi ness to march at the hour specified. Captain Cameron started with his detachment at precisely 5 " o'clock A. M. on the 6th, but when four miles out he met a messenger from Captain Gardner, informing him that his out post had been attacked before daylight by such overwhelming numbers that he was compelled to fall back. Captain Cameron hastened forward, reinforced Captain Gardner on the top of the mountain, where the latter was slowly retiring before the enemy's skirmishers. The reinforcement checked the enemy's advance, and Captain Gardner then sent a messenger to Lieu tenant Colonel Bassett informing him that he had fallen back two miles, to the north brow of the mountain, and that the enemy had followed him closely. The balance of the regiment then moved out to the support of Captain Gardner Avithout waiting for orders, aud reached the foot of the mountain just as Captain Gardner was driven by the enemy off from it into the valley below. Had the outpost beei properly reinforced it might still have been driven from its posi tion; but that supposition cannot be received as a sufficient plea in this case. A larger reinforcement should have been sent, and ought to have been sent so as to have arrived on the ground at midnight, as suggested. To have sent them much earlier might have discovered the act to the enemy ; to delay it later was fatal. During the day the Second Cavalry was reinforced by battalion of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, and succeeded in regaining the top of the mountain. The enemy made three charges to dislodge our forces, but failed. The enemy, being strongly reinforced, made the last charge just before dark, to drive our forces back into the valley. The position was now plain. The enemy had already driven our outposts back two miles from the forks of the road, and an attempt would be made either to cross the mountain and make an attack on the Union forces at daylight, or make a flank movement, and get between General Blunt's command and General Herron, who was marching with reinforcements from the northeast via Fayetteville. To the Second Kansas was, there fore, entrusted a very responsible position. Captain S. J. Crawford was in immediate command of the companies of the Second KANSAS REGIMENTS. 43 Cavalry in the skirmishing of the 6th. He was supported by company H, of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, under Captain Joel Hunton, with companies D and I, of the Eleventh, as a reserve. The morning of the 7th was beautiful — clear and frosty. Every preparation was made to resist an attack from the enemy. Slight skirmishing ensued, when it was discovered that the ene'my had withdrawn all but a few who were left for a mere feint. Our skirmishers moved forward with but little opposition. The left flank of the First Division had been passed. Hindman was in its rear. Reports of artillery told too plainly that General Herron was attacked; that the reinforcements, marching to the support of the First Division, were in imminent danger of defeat. (See Report No. 8.) At eleven o'clock, A. M., on the 7th, the Seerond received orders to move in the direction of Rhea's Mill, in rear of the division, and came up with the column a mile and a half from that place. The enemy had engaged the Second and Third Divisions, under Brigadier General Herron, at the crossing of Illinois Creek, five miles east of Rhea's Mills. The First Division was turned at once in that direction, and this regiment moved by file at a gallop, and arrived on the battlefield in advance of the column, and formed line of battle on the enemy's left flank,dismounted,took position between the Tenth and Thirteenth Regiments of Kansas Infantry, and maintained its position until driven back with the rest of the line, when it immediately re-formed, mounted, and moved to the support of the artillery, which was retiring, with prolonges attached, firing with great rapidity ; and soon after dark the Second retired to the rear one mile, and bivouacked. Second Lieutenant B. S, Bassett was taken prisoner, and in the night was sent, with a small party of the enemy to Cane Hill. He had informed General Hindman that he was fighting the three divisions of the Army of the Frontier, while Hindman thought he was fighting but two, and that the First Division, under Brigadier General Blunt, was twelve miles in his rear, at Cane Hill, where he had flanked it. Finding that the Lieutenant's statements were true that General Blunt had left Cane Hill in the forenoon of that day, and therefore had had sufficient time to march that distance, preparations were at 44 MILITARY HISTORY OF once made for retreat. Blankets were wrapped around the wheels of the artillery to muffle them, and as soon as it was light a flag of truce was sent, asking an armistice, and Lieutenant Bassett was released on parole. Captain Avra P. Russell, of company K, was mortally wounded. He was at the head of his command, with it marched into line, discounted, and fell at the first fire. He was carried to the rear, ana everything done that could be to relieve him. He lived to learn that the enemy was vanquished. He was a brave soldier an accomplished officer, a firm friend, and an implacable enemy. His virtues were cherished by his comrades, and his faults forgotten. He died on the 12th. A General Order was published from Regimental Headquarters, in which his services were extolled, and the several actions in which he had. taken part mentioned, and his character eulogized. On the 8th the Second remained inactive, and on the 9th moved to Rhea's Mill. (See Report No. 9.) On the 10th, First Lieutenant Gorton, having been relieved from duty as C. S. Indian expedition, was detached, and assigned to duty as A. A. Q. M., First Brigade, Colonel W. R. Judson commanding. On the 12th the regiment moved back to its old camp at Cane Hill, and was engaged on picket duty and scouting until the 26th, without any occurrence of special importance. On the 27th the regiment marched in advance of the division, and bivouacked that night at the mouth of Cove Creek, at Dick Oliver's, and the next morning resumed the same order in column, moved rapidly forward, met the enemy's pickets sixteen miles from Van Buren, drove them back, and met a regiment of Texas cavalry at Dripping Springs. At this place Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was ordered, with six squadrons, by Brigadier General Herron to make a detour to the right, and gain a road two or three miles further west, which caused him to enter Van Buren half an hour behind the advance. Captain Moore, in command of the other three squadrons, maintained the advance into Van Buren, and supported by a regiment of Missouri cavalry trove the Texas regiment, before referred to, into and through Van Buren, and captured their baggage train, consisting of twenty-five wagons; the entire advance under Colonel Cloud During the afternoon an attack was made by the enemy from KANSAS REGIMENTS. 45 across the river with artillery. The Second was formed in the rear, and to the south of the town, but could not, of course, be rendered available, owing to the interposition of the river as a barrier, and the fight, therefore, became solely an engagement with artillery, in which the Union forces were successful. The same night the regiment bivouacked in the rear of Van Buren, and on the morning of the 29th made a scout down the north side of the Arkansas river twenty-five miles, and returned at twelve o'clock, P. M., to find that the army had moved again north in the direction of Fayetteville. Next day the Second marched to Dick Oliver's, on Lee's Creek, and on the 31st to Price's old headquarters on Cove Creek, and was there mustered for pay. On the first day of January, 1863, the regiment reached Rhea's Mill, to which place all the- baggage of the army had been1 sent, and placed under the command of Colonel Judson, who was left with the First Brigade to guard it. (See Report No. 10.) Captain Ayres returned to duty with his company from detached service, and First Lieutenant E. C. D. Lines rejoined his company from detached service as A. D. C. on the staff of Brigadier General Mitchell, and at the same time, a large portion of the men who had been detached in May, 1862, for duty with Hollister's battery, rejoined their companies. On the second day of January the Second moved to Illinois Creek, and on the 3d to Elm Springs, where it remained until the 11th. Hopkin's battery was detached from the regiment> and assigned to duty with the Indian Brigade, and as it never afterwards rejoined the regiment, but subsequently was perma nently detached, by order of the Secretary of War, and designated the Third Kansas Battery, no further mention will be made of it iu connection with the history of the Second Kansas Cavalry. First Lieutenant J. C. French was assigned to duty as A. A. G. at Brigade Headquarters, vice Lieutenant Bassett, returned to duty with his company. Lieutenant Lee was assigned to duty as Acting Adjutant, vice Lieutenant Cross, returned to duty with his company, and First Lieutenant John Johnston was detailed and sent to Kansas in charge of a recruiting party. On the 11th of January the Second moved to Mud Town, on . the Springfield and Fayetteville road. On the 12th Captain 46 MILITARY HISTORY OF Cameron was sent on a scout to Huntsville, and did not rejoin the regiment until the 20th, at Springfield, Missouri. No written account was ever made of that scout, and consequently nothing definite can be stated regarding it. On the 12th the regiment was ordered back to Elm Springs to escort a supply train to Springfield, Missouri, and the latter place was reached on the 16th. On the 17th the Second was ordered on a scout towards Hartsville, in pursuit of a rebel force which had attacked Springfield on the 8th, but finding the " track cold" — so cold that more than twenty (20) men froze their feet — and so old that the "oldest inhabitants" could scarcely remember it, officers and men returned to Springfield on the 20th, to reflect on the brilliancy of the movement, and admire the genius that planned it. Captain Cameron was placed in arrest on the 20th, under charges preferred by his First Lieutenant, J. C. French. During the month of February the regiment was employed on picket duty and escorting forage and supply trains, and on the 10th of that month Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was sent on de tached service to St. Louis, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Captain Moore, who mustered it for pay on the 28th. On the 14th of February Second Lieutenant John B. Dexter was assigned, by order of the Department Commander, as Post Quartermaster at Springfield, Missouri ; and by same authority, Second Lieutenant G. M. Waugh was assigned to duty as Judge Advocate of the District ot Southwest Missouri. First Sergeant Morris Enright, having been commissioned and mustered First Lieutenant and Adjutant, vice First Lieutenant John Pratt, pro moted Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers, was placed on duty, and Lieutenant Lee was returned to duty with his company. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett returned to duty on the first day of March. On the 8th the regiment was paid by Major Wilson to include the 31st of October, 1862, and on the 26th Lieutenant B. B. Mitchell was placed in arrest on charges preferred by Colonel Cloud. On the 27th of March the resignations of Captain Byron P. Ayers and Second Lieutenant William M. Hook were accepted KANSAS REGIMENTS. 47 on account of disability. In the resignation of Captain Ayers the regiment lost an intelligent and brave officer, and his com pany an excellent commander. But the fatigue and experience incident to the active campaign of the past eight months had been too severe for him, and he was compelled to leave the service, which he had been among the first to enter. On the 1st of April Major Charles W. Blair was assigned to the command of Fort Scott, Kansas. During the month First Lieutenant Ballard was sent to Fayetteville to bring up some wounded and sick soldiers left there in February. On the 15th the regiment was paid by Major Adams to include the 28th of Febiuary, 1863 ; and on the 30th it was inspected and mustered for pay. May 1st the regiment was paid by Major Adams to include April 30th, 1863. On the 4th of May Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was placed in arrest under charges preferred by Captain Samuel J. Crawford. On the 5th of May First Lieutenant Edward C. D. Lines was promoted Captain of C company, vice Wittenhall, discharged; First Sergeant Edgar A. Baker was promoted to First Lieu tenant, vice Lines ; Sergeant Henry S. Jenks was promoted to Second Lieutenant, vice Hook, resigned, and Captain A. Moore was granted leave of absence on account of disease contracted in the line of duty. In the month of May Captain Crawford, who succeeded to the command of the regiment, made a scout, with other troops, in the direction of Carthage via Bentonville, where a number of bushwhackers were captured. A rebel force under Colonel Coffey was encountered near Carthage and dispersed ; also Livingston's band was routed near Sherwood. Second Lieutenant Charles Dimon was promoted to First Lieutenant I company, vice Hunt, resigned, and First Sergeant Edward Ross was promoted Second Lieutenant, vice Dimon. First Lieutenant John M. Mentzer, having received a commission, was mustered Captain of company K, vice Russell, deceased. On the 10th of June the trial of Lieutenant Colonel Bassett commenced before a General court Martial, and continued until the20th, when the Judge Advocate asked a continuance for- 30 days, 48 MILITARY HISTORY OF On the 16th of June Chaplain Charles Reynolds, was, by order of the Department Commander, detatched and assigned to duty at Fort Scott, and on the 29th, Major Fisk returned and assumed command of the regiment, and inspected and mustered it for pay on the 30th. On the 6th of July Brigadier General McNeil assumed com mand of the District of Southwest Missouri, and company A was detatched and entered on duty at District Headquarters as personal escort to the General commanding. First Lieutenant J. C. French was detached and assigned to duty at District Headquarters as A. D. C; Second Lieutenant H. S. Jenks was detatched and assigned to duty at Brigade Headquarters as A. A. A. G., and First Lieutenant and Quartermaster C. L. Gaston, having been relieved from duty with Colonel Judson, was detatched and assigned to duty at Brigade Headquarters as A. A. Q. M. On the 23d of July the regiment, under command of Captain Gunther, was sent to Cassville, Missouri ; Major Fisk was detailed on a General Court Martial ; Lieutenant John Johnston returned to duty with his company, and Captain John Gardner was detailed for duty on a Military Commission for the trial of citizen prisoners. On the 26th of July the General Court Martial resumed the con sideration of Lieutenant Colonel Bassett's case; and pending a motion by the prosecution to discontinue it, Brigadier General McNeil directed the Judge Advocate to send all the proceedings to him for examination. Captain Crawford resumed command of the regiment at Cassville about the 1st of August; First Lieutenant L. H. Wood was detatched and assigned to duty at Brigade Headquarters as A. C- S., and Surgeon J. P. Root was assigned to duty as Surgeon in Chief of Troops in the Field. On the 6th of August Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was released from arrest, the General commanding having decided after exam ining the testimony for the prosecution that there was no evidence presented that could sustain the charges. The Court Martial was dissolved. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett and Major Fisk were detailed upon a General Court Martial to convene at Springfield Missouri, August 12th; and the disability of Captain Amziah KANSAS REGIMENTS. 49 Moore still continuing, he was honorably discharged from the service. On the 14th of August the Second moved from Cassville under command of Captain Crawford to Bentonville, Arkansas, on the 16th to Fayetteville, on the 17th to Cane Hill, on the 18lh to Rhea's Mill, on the 19th to Cincinnati, and the same day started for Fort Gibson, Cherokee Indian territory, and arrived there on the 21st. On the 23d it crossed the Arkansas river to Honey Springs, in the Creek Indian territory; on the 24th to the Canadian river, Choctaw Indian territory. At this place, by direction of General Blunt, Captain Crawford, with the 2d Kansas Cavalry and detatchmentsj of the 14th Kansas Cavalry, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry and Captain Kauffman's howitzers, 3d Indiana Home Guards, was sent to the West by way of North Fork Town for the purpose of getting to the rear of the enemy and destroying their supplies at Perryville, and capturing the enemy's train. Gen. Cooper at this-timewas in front and south of General Blunt's command about ten miles. Cap tain Crawford, on reaching North Fork Town, sent messages back to General Blunt that he had safely reached the latter place and destroyed their warehouses of supplies; had taken all the clothing the men could in any way use ; had burned the depot of ordinance supplies, and would, by daylight next morning, reach the junction of the roads and proceed to Perryville to the accomplishment of the designated work. He moved forward from North Fork Town, captured a paymaster's outfit with $40,100, captured a number of horses and mules, destroyed some wagons, and arrived at the junction to find that the rebel army had retreated before General Blunt made any move towards them; and that they had already passed the junction toward Perryville. He here joined the forces of General Blunt and hotly pursued General Cooper's command — overtook it, and drove it beyond Perryville. On the 27th the command, on the return, camped near" the junction; the next night — the 28th — at Scully- ville. The 29th, 30th and 31st it marched to the Poteau river, about 16 miles south of Fort Smith. From Scullyville Captain Mentzer, with one company, went to, and took possession of Fort Smith, and again raised the stars and stripes to the breeze, never again, it is to be hoped, to be taken down by enemies of the Government. 50 MILITARY HISTORY OF On the 1st of September, the brigade, the Second at the head, moved east from Poteau to the road leading from Fort Smith toward Backbone mountain, where a rebel force under General Cabbell was overtaken. Company C, commanded by Captain E. C. D. Lines, in the advance, was ambushed, the Captain and a number of his men killed and wounded. On the 2d the command moved north to Fort Smith. Captain John Gardner having been relieved from duty on Military Commission at Springfield, Missouri, was ordered to rejoin his regiment at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and- on the 10th of September, between Elk Horn Tavern and Cross Hollow, was captured by the enemy, held a prisoner for several days, released on parole and returned to Springfield, but afterwards made the trip with better success. Sometime km r i.; the month ol September a detatchment of the regiment was sent with other troops to Dnrrlanelle, Arkansas, where a rebel force was encountered and defeated. On the 1st of October B company was permanently detatched by order of the Secretary of War and created into a battery to be thereafter known as Third Kansas Battery, Captain Henry Hopkins, First Lieutenant John F. Aduddell, and Second Lieu tenant, B. S. Bassett. On the 13th of October Major Charles W. Blair was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry. On the 2Sth of October the Regiment was paid by Major Sullivan to include the 31st of August, and on the 31st of October it was mustered for pay by Captain A. W. Matthews. On the 2d of November Lieutenant Colonel Bassett andMajor Fisk rejoined the regiment, and the former resumed command. On the 6th Captain Mentzer with one hundred (100) men was sent to Dardenelle where he remained until the 23d of December and rejoined the regiment at Waldron. On the 10th Captain Gardner was sent with one hundred (100) men to Charleston, twenty miles east of Fort Smith, where a large amount of cotton was siezed and brought into Fort Smith. On the 15th Captain Gardner was sent with fifty (50) men to Waldron, forty-five miles southeast of Fort Smith, to report to Colonel Johnson, commanding troops at that place, who ordered him to scout in the direction of Boonville; and near that place KANSAS REGIMENTS. 51 he met the rebel Colonel Brooks with six hundred (600) men. Discovering the rebel advance and supposing it to be a small band of guerrillas, he gave the order to charge; and such wis the impetuosity of the men that some of them passed entirely through the enemy's lines. Some were captured, and a few, discovering the large force in time to do so, wheeled about, and, with the enemy in pursuit, charged the other way with all possible speed. Captain Hopkins, Third Kansas Battery, having been regularly commissioned and mustered in as Major, vice Blair, promoted, reported and was assigned to duty. First Lieutenant Charles Dimon was promoted to Captain company I, vice Ayers, resigned. First Lieutenant Edgar A. Barker was promoted to Captain company C, vice Lines, killed in action, and Clarence J. Williams was promoted First Lieutenant company I, from private same company. On the 29th of November an order was issued constituting a new company out of the recruits enlisted by Lieutenant Stover, and assigned that officer to the command as Captain, designating it company B. The regiment was ordered on the 30th to report to Colonel Johnson, First Arkansas Infantry, at Waldron, and reached that place on the 1st of December, and on the 2d marched on a scout via Mt. Ida to Caddo Gap, where it remained over night. Lieutenant Stover was sent with a squad of men ten miles directly south; and Lieutenant Cosgrove with another party on the Arkadelphia road. Both encountered the enemy's scouting parties, and returned. On the 5th the regiment marched west toward Dallas, and on the 6th and 7th returned to Waldron, where Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major Fisk. December 6th Captain Crawford was promoted Colonel of the Eighty-third U. S. Colored Troops. He was ordered to the com mand of the regiment, and on duty with it for two months prior to this time, and mustered to November 1st. On the 10th of December Assistant Surgeon John W. Robinson died at Fort Smith, Arkansas. During the month of December the regiment was actively engaged in scouting east, west and south of Waldron, and fre- 52 MILITARY HISTORY OF quently met scouting parties of the enemy. The weather was rainy and cold, the men were on short rations and suffered more than they had done at any time before. On the 24th snow fell to the depth of ten inches, and the thermometer indicated 18° below zero. On the 24th Captain Mentzer met a force of the enemy near Dallas and was repulsed. On the 27th Captain Gardner, who was stationed with his company as an outpost, was attacked in the middle of the night, while the most of his men were asleep, by a superior force ; but he drove his assailants off, killing their commander and killing and wounding a number of the men, losing on his own part two (2) killed and several wounded. No written report was made. The attack was a complete surprise, although Captain Gardner had one third of his men on picket at the time. It is due Captain Gardner to say that he had taken proper precaution for the safety and protection of his position. On the 31st of December the camp equipage of the regiment arrived, the regiment was inspected and mustered for pay by Major Fisk, and a permanent camp was established. On the 8th of January, 1864, First Lieutenant Jolin Johnston was promoted to Captain of company A, vice Crawford ; Second Lieutenant Samuel K. Cross, to First Lieutenant, vice Johnston. On the 11th William P. Phillips, from private company F, was promoted to First Lieutenant company B ; Second Lieu tenant Henry S. Jenks, to First Lieutenant company C, vice Barker ; Sergeant Alfred B Hopkins, to Second Lieutenant, vice Jenks, and Second Lieutenant Gideon M. Waugh, G company, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Second Arkansas Infantiy. During the month of January the regiment was actively engaged iu scouting, frequently going as far south as Dallas, and south east to Caddo Gap ; and on the 20th Captain Barker was sent out with sixty (60) men, passed through Caddo Gap, thence west to Barker's Springs, eighty miles from Waldron, where the enemy was strongly posted in log houses ; charged them at daylight, beat down the doors of the cabins, captured thirty (30) prisoners killed and wounded fifteen (15), and nearly as many more escaped Lieutenant C. J. Williams was shot through the right shoulder- one or more of Captain Barker's men was killed, and several KANSAS REGIMENTS. 33 wounded. To make such an attack so far from reinforcements, in the enemy's country, required not merely courage, but rash ness; but as was usually the case, the Second Kansas Cavalry came out ahead, and the prisoners were brought to camp. On the 20th of January one Fred. W. Schwarte, Wearing the shoulder straps of a Lieutenant Colonel, hailing from an Indian regiment, who had, by some means, obtained an assignment to duty as Acting Inspector for the district, visited the Third Brigade at Waldron, and inspected the Second Kansas Cavalry. The weather had become sufficiently warm to thaw the snow and take the frost out of the ground, and this Inspector ordered Major Fisk to maneuver his regiment in a plowed field. The horses floundered about — some fell down, and their riders were compelled to dismount and lead them out. Schwarte reported that the regiment was not well drilled; that neither men nor officers knew how to discharge their duties properly ; that the men were neither clean nor soldierly in their appearance ; and in fact, gave the regiment the most unfavorable report possible. Yet, no regiment west of the Mississippi did more work, performed harder service, or made a better appearance on parade, when so situated that it could put on its holliday attire1, than the Second Kansas Cavalry, and to have such a disgraceful record made concerning it, was like gall and wormwood to the brave soldiers who had always been placed at the post of honor, " in the front." Notwithstanding, the Second Kansas Cavalry continued to perform its duty, and in three days after occurred the extraordi nary results of Captain Barker's scout, chronicled above. Schwarte afterwards left the service, to save himself a dishonorable dismissal. On the 8th of February, 1864, Sergeant Charles A. Archer, A company, was promoted to Second Lieutenant, vice Cross, and on the 20th the regiment moved north to Jenny Lind, twelve miles south of Fort Smith. First Lieutenant Horace L. Moore was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, and Captain Hugh Cameron was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Second Arkansas Cavalry, and on the 25th Major Adams paid the regiment, to include the 31st of December, 1863. The regiment was inspected and mustered for pay on the 28th by Major Fisk. On the 1st of March Joseph Hutchinson, private of company G was promoted to First Lieutenant, company L, to fill an 54 MILITARY HISTORY OF original vacancy, and John 0. Miller, of Polk county, Arkansas, was mustered Second Lieutenant same company, to fill an original vacancy. The organization of company L was com pleted on the 2d of March, by the promotion of First Lieutenant Pat Cosgrove to be Captain. This squadron was recruited in Arkansas during the winter of 1863-4, by Cosgrove, Hutchinson and Miller, and on the same day First Lieutenant James C. French was promoted to Captain, company F, vice Cameron, promoted. The Second was ordered to prepare for a campaign, and was assigned to the cavalry brigade commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bassett, and the following officers were assigned to duty at Brigade Headquarters: Lieutenant John A. Lee, A. A. A. G.; Captain Charles Dimon, A. A. Q. M ; Lieutenant Alfred B. Hopkins, A. D. C; and Lieutenant Henry S. Jenks was assigned t,o duty as A. C. S. at Division Headquarters, Brigadier General Thayer, commanding. The regiment marched on the 22d to Boonville, on the 27th to Rock Creek, on the 28th to Springfield, on the 29th to Danville, on the 30th to Fourche Le Fave, and on the 31st to South Fourche. While at Booneville, squadrons E and D, under command of Captain Gardner, were sent to Rose- ville, Arkansas, and ordered to report from that place to Colonel W. R. Judson, commanding Fort Smith and the District of the Frontier. On the 2d of April the regiment marched to Middle Fork of Saline, on the 3d to the South Fork of Saline, on the 4th to Magnet Cove, on the 5th to Midway, on the 6th to Arkadelphia, on the 7th to Antoine Creek, on the 8th to Oskalona, on the 9th to Elkin's Ferry, and on the 10th to Sulphur Springs, where the army under General Steele was joined by the Frontier Division, Seventh Army Corps. The enemy being reported in force six miles south, the army was marched in that direction, this regiment on the 11th being on the right of the brigade which formed a reserve for the left flanK of the army. That night the men slept on their arms, and the next day the regiment was formed in echelon on the left of the brigade, which was on the flank of the left wing of the army. As the Seventh Corps moved across Prairie de Anne it presented one of the grandest sights ever seen in Arkansas. The entire KANSAS REGIMENTS. 55 line in the form of a curve, the wings being advanced and on higher ground than the center, with all the reserves, could be seen at the same time; and everything was as regular, orderly and quiet as a holiday parade. The enemy, under command of General Marmaduke, in front, were entrenched, but retired on our approach, evidently trying to draw General Steele after them towards Washington, in a westerly direction. General Steele had been ordered, with the Seventh Corps, from Little Rock to Camden, with a view of joining General Banks, who was moving^ up Red river, in the general attack upon Shreveport, where it was anticipated the enemy would make a stand behind almost impregnable fortifications. General Price was in the neighbor hood of Shreveport with sixteen thousand (16,000) men, ready to march north or south, as occasion should require. Kirby Smith was in front of Banks, contesting the ground, and Mar maduke was sent with eight thousand (8,000) cavalry to delay General Steele's advance as much as possible. Kirby Smith met and defeated Banks, and drove his army back, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of April. Rumors of this rebel success reached General Steele on the 12th. As soon as it became known that Banks was defeated, and that consequently Kirby Smith would not need the assistence of Price's army, the latter moved north east to attack General Steele. Camden had been strongly fortified by the rebels. Marmaduke, with his cavalry, was not strong enough to hold it. General Steele moved forty miles to the west ot it, as though he intended to go to Washington. The rebels were misled. Marmaduke placed himself between Steele's army and Washington, expecting to draw General Steele on until Price could get between the latter and Camden; but General Steele marched direct for Camden, forty miles distant, leaving Marmaduke in the rear. Price was sixty miles from Camden, but had much the best road to march on, and the race for that place was an earnest one. The two roads were nearly parallel, and so near together, that the last night before reaching Camden the headquarters of the two armies were but four miles apart, but General Steele had one special advantage: his division of cavalry was in his front, and he hurried it forward, while Price's cavalry division was in his rear. When Steele turned the head of his column towards Camden, M MILITARY HISTORY OF the cavalry brigade waa placed in the rear, and on the afternoon of the 13th, while the Frontier Division was delayed for the trains to pass through a swamp, three miles east of Prairie de Anne, an attack was made by Marmaduke. Brigadier Generall Thayer, commanding the Frontier Division, formed, and drove^ the attacking force back. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett placed the: Second Kansas Cavalry under command of Major Fisk, on the; right of the division, and the Sixth and Fourteenth Regiments of Kansas cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, on the left. The division advanced into the prairie with four squadrons of the Second thrown out to the front, and for nearly a mile to the right, as skirmishers, ana the enemy„ supposing the skirmish line to be merely covering the front off the main line, again fell back, and under the cover of the nighli the Frontier Division withdrew, and before morning passed the swamp in safety. Especial credit is due to Major Fisk, fori the; admirable deception he practiced on the enemy. It had its; effect, and gave the rear of General Steele's army an opportunity of getting out of Marmaduke's reach. Had the rebel cavalry division pressed General Thayer, as it should, he must have been defeated, and the entire train of the Seventh Corps captured, or General Steele would have been compelled to send reinforce ments to the rear. The column would have been delayed, and General Price would have succeeded in reaching Camden in advance of the Union forces. An officer of Marmaduke's staff, his Inspector General, who was captured a few days afterwards by Sergeant Albert P. Mason and another soldier of company K, while passing an interval between two brigades in the rebel cavalry division, while march ing in column, stated that Marmaduke's attack was made on Steele's rear with an intention of capturing the train, under the belief that it was covered only by one brigade as rear guard, and that every preparation was made for a charge, but when they discovered the line of skirmishers extending more than two miles, the order for the charge was recalled, and Marmaduke remarked that " it was the d — dest rear guard that he ever saw," that he did not propose to charge Steele's entire army with his division alone; and when the rebel staff officer was informed of the true state of the affair, he evinced considerable surprise. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 57 The army reached Camden on the 16th, without anything worthy of mention afterwards occurring to the Second, and took possession of the fortifications. On the next day a forage train of two hundred (200) wagons was sent out under command of Colonel Williams, Seventy- Ninth U. S. C. I., and Lieutenant Mitchell was detailed with fifty f(5o) men as a part of the escort. When the train was returning Colonel Williams was attacked at Poison Springs, his escort completely routed, the train captured, and a large portion of his men killed, wounded, and captured. Among those cap tured was Henry Selig, a private of company F, who was wounded, and while en route for Tylor, Texas, a rebel prison, was shot down by his guards, and his body left by the roadside unburied, where his bones now lie bleaching as a monument to mark the spot where the tramp of a chivalrous Southern soldiery once was heard. On the 17th Colonel W. F. Cloud returned to the command of the Second Kansas Cavalry, and was, by virtue of his rank, assigned to the command of the cavalry brigade of the Frontier Division, Seventh Army Corps. On the 20th a detachment of the Second was sent out to reconnoiter the enemy, and being attacked, was compelled to retire. In the skirmish which ensued, Captain J. M. Mentzer was severely wounded in the right leg, and was not able for duty until July following. General Steele evacuated Camden on the 27th of April, and moved towards Little Rock via Princeton and Jenkins' Ferry, on the Saline river. At the latter place all the cavalry of the army was sent forward under Brigadier General E. A. Carr, with directions to proceed to Little Rock with the least possible delay, and reached that place May 1st, where it was mustered for pay by Major Fisk. The enemy under command of General Kirby Smith moved into Camden the same night General Steele left that place, and followed him and attacked his rear on the 29th at Jenkins' Ferry, on the Saline river, where, on the 30th, a severe engagement took place, with an estimated Union loss of and rebel loss of The fight occurred in a swamp where it was almostimpossible to use artillery. During the afternoon and night of the 29th and 58 MILITARY HISTORY OF until noon of the 30th it rained incessantly. The Saline river was not fordable ; a pontoon bridge was thrown across it, but before the trains were over the river rose, and it became a serious question whether the pontoon would be able to stand the increas ing force of the current. The rebel force was superior in numbers, and had the best ground to fight on, yet General Rice, who commanded the rear of the army, succeeded in driving them back, and at night they withdrew six miles. The Seventh Corps then passed the river, destroyed the pontoon, and bivouacked on the first high ground, three miles from the river. General Steele's army had but two days rations when he left Camden, and he was compelled to march to his supplies at Little Rock. On the .'th of M'y the Second started for Fort Smith and reached ti.at place on tho 14th. While on their way, near Dar- danelle, Captain Barker with a scouting paity encountered, a squad of guerrillas, gave chase, pursuing them several miles, when they, being reinforced, rallied and drove the Captain. When the Second reached Fort Smith Captain Gardner, with squadrons E and D, rejoined it, having been on duty atRoseville since the 1st of April, where, on the 4th of that month, he was attacked by a very superior force of the enemy, and after a hard contest in which he lost several of his men and a number of horses, he succeeded in driving them off and maintaining his position. Considerable cotton had been collected and baled at Roseville, and the bales aided the Captain materially as a means of defense, under cover of which his sharpshooters were enabled with their long-ranged pieces, to not only hold the enemy in check, but to keep the rebels at such a distance that their fire had comparatively slight effect. Captain Gardner's men were armed with Sharp's carbines, and well supplied with ammunition. They were therefore strong though few in numbers. No written report of the action can be found among the records of the regiment. On the 1st of May First Lieutenant George W. Stabler was mustered into D company, vice Moore, promoted. On the 23d Second Lieutenant Philander W. Straw was mustered into G company, vice Waugh, promoted; and on tho KANSAS HBGIMENT8. 59 SOth Captain John A. Lee was mustered into D company, vice Moore, discharged. The Frontier Division returned to Fort Smith on the 16th of May; Brigadier General Thayer resumed command of the District of the Frontier, and Lieutenant Colonel Bassett was detailedand assigned to duty at District Headquarters as Chief of Staff. About the 1st of June the Second, under command ot Colonel Cloud, was sent to Clarksville; Major Fisk was detailed on a General Court Martial ; Captain Dimon was placed on duty as Depot Quartermaster in charge of C. C."& G.E.; First Lieutenant C. J. Williams was assigned to the Cavalry Brigade as A. C. S., and First Lieutenant Ballard was detailed for Acting Quarter master of the regiment. On the 4th of June Second Lieutenant John B. Dexter, com pany D, was appointed Assistant Quartermaster of Volunteers ; and on the 11th ot June First Lieutenant Cyrus L. Gerton, Quar termaster, received a like appointment in the volunteer fo rce ; Lieutenant Hopkins was ordered to take charge of a detachment at District Headquarters for scouting purposes ; and on the 30th the regiment was mustered for pay by Colonel Cloud. On the 30th of July the regiment returned to Fort Smith, where it remained several months engaged on escort duty, and was paid by Major Wilson to include the 30th of June. On the 1st of August First Lieutenant George W. Morgan was mustered in, vice French, promoted ; and on the 31st the regi- was again mustered for pay. During the month Lieutenant B. B. Mitchell was sent with an escort to Fort Scott, and Major Hopkins was sent in command of an escort to a supply train to the same place ; Captain Cosgrove with his Company was sent to Fort Gibson ; and later in the month Captains Matthews and Barker were also sent to the same place. j Early in September Captain Barker was ordered with his company and a detatchment of G and L companies to guard a haying party near Fort Gibson, and on the 16th of the same month he was surrounded by a large force of rebel cavalry under commaiwiof General Ganq, and _ succeeded in cutting his way. out with but twelve (12) men, all the rest being either killed or captured. Lieutenants Straw and Miller were captured. The 60 MILITARY HISTORY OF former was held a prisoner until May 27, 1S65. The latter made his escape a few weeks later, and joined his company. This action displayed Barker's characteristic: he would fight any odds, and never give up. No account of it can be found on record. Probably none was ever written. The same rebel force moved north to Cabin Creek, where, on the 19th of the same month, a supply train, under command of Major Hopkins, was met and captured. The escort was routed after a gallant resistance, and returned to Fort Scott. (For an account of the affair, see Report No. 11.) In the month of September Colonel Cloud went, by permission, to Kansas, and immediately went to the front, and was assigned to duty as Aid to Major General Curtis in the campaign against the rebel General Price, and rendered good service, not only to the Government, but also to the State. Major Fisk resumed command of the regiment, and on the 27th Assistant Surgeon Valentine V. Adamson, of Jackson county, was mustered in, vice Robinson, deceased. On the 19th of Octeber First Lieutenant Luther H. Wood, Regimental Commissary, resigned, on account of disability, and Lieutenant H. S. Jenks was ordered on duty as Post Commissary, a position held by Lieutenant Wood from the time the army entered Fort Smith, in September, 1863. In the resignation of Lieutenant Wood the regiment lost one of its best administrative officers. In the capacity of Quartermaster and Commissary he had given excellent satisfac tion, and displayed evidence of superior ability. On the 30th the regiment was mustered for pay by Major Fisk. Major Hopkins and Captain Cosgrove returned, and the several squadrons on detached service were ordered to report to the headquarters of the regiment. On the 7th of November First Lieutenant Morris Enright, Adjutant, was dishonorably discharged for drunkenness. On the 8th of December First Lieutenant Clarence J. Williams was mustered in as Quartermaster, vice Gorton, promoted, and on the 25th companies C, D, E, F, G and I, were placed en route for Fort Leavenworth to be mustered out, their term of three years' service having expired, or being about to expire ; and on the 31st of December Chaplain Charles Reynolds was mustered out at Fort Scott, by reason of expiration of term of service. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 61 'On the 27th of December the Second was sent to Clarksville, and squadron H was ordered to Van Buren under command of Captain Gunther, and on the 31st of December the regiment was mustered for pay by Major Fisk. Company C was mustered out January 10th, 1865, with First Lieutenant Henry S. Jenks, and Second Lieutenant Alfred B. Hopkins ; Captain Edgar A. Barker, with the recruits and veterans, being retained in the service. Company I was mustered out January 10th, with Captain Charles *Dimon ; Second Lieutenant Edward Ross, with the recruits and veterans, being retained in the service. Company G was mustered out January 13th, with Captain Austin W. Matthews ; Second Lieutenant Philander W. Straw, prisoner of war, and the veterans ^and recruits, being retained in the service. Major Henry Hopkins was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth January 13th, far the reason that by the reduction of his regi ment he had been rendered supernumerary. Company D was mustered out January 14th, Captain John A. Lee and First Lieutenant George W. Stabler, with the veterans and recruits, being retained in the service. Company F was mustered out • January 18th, with Captain James C. French ; First Lieutenant Ge'orge W. Morgan, with the veterans and recruits, being retained in the service. Colonel William F. Cloud was mustered out January 19th at Fort Leavenworth, for the reason that by the reduction of his regiment he had been rendered supernumerary. Company E was mustered out January 26th, with Captain John Gardner and Second Lieutenant Augustus T. Lovelette, the veterans and recruits being retained in the service. On the 17th of January, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Bassett, under instructions of the District Commander, gathered together all the enlisted men who were on detached service in the several staff departments, numbering twenty (20) or more, and being relieved from duty as Chief of Staff, and joined by Captain Gunther with his company H, left Fort Smith on the steamboat Annie Jacobs, and proceeded, with three other boats, down the Arkansas river, under orders to cause the officers and men to report to regimental headquarters at Clarksville, and proceed with the fleet to Little Rock, and report in person at department headquarters. _ The fleet proceeded down the river, and a few mies above *»* MILITARY HISTORY OF Roseville the Annie Jacobs stopped to wood ; one boat passed on, the other two remained behind. After wooding, the Annie Jacobs again moved down, and as she passed Roseville the advanced boat was seen lying at the shore on the south side, and a few moments afterwards was discovered to be on fire. Whether the boat had landed for wood, or had been caused to round to by guerrillas, was not known; whether the fire was the result of accident, or the work of rebels, could not be determined. Num bers of persons were discovered upon the bank, but as the boat had more than one hundred refugees on board, that circumstance was not in itself sufficient to indicate the facts. The Annie Jacobs' speed was increased, and not until she had arrived within half a mile of the burning boat was a rebel seen, and then a large force, with two pieces of artillery, opened fire. The channel at that point crossed from the north to the south bank of the river, and to follow the channel the boat would have to steer directly towards the rebel battery, which was considerably less than half a mile distant. To attempt to run the gauntlet was) almost certain to result in destruction. The rebel artillery was] rapidly handled, and served with spherical case, and a singlej shot might disable the machinery, and should the boat become unmanageable, or take fire, those on board would have had no chance for escape, except to surrender to the enemy; but, by turning the boat around, there was a chance of getting to the north shore, and save the capture of the troops, even though the boat should be destroyed. The engines were therefore at once reversed, but before the Jacobs, which was a stern- wheel boat, could be turned, she drifted down to within less than a quarter of a mile of the rebel artillery. Although one shell exploded in the furnice, and two in the engine room, yet the machinery continued to work until the boat had gained sufficient headway to run ashore, and then the explosion of a third shell in the ' engine room disabled her. As she struck the sand a cable was thrown out and made fast to a tree on the bank, and in a few moments all on board gained the shore. Just at that moment the third boat came around the bend of the river, running under a full head of steam, and the rebels abandoned the attack on the Jacobs, moved up the river, and opened fire on that boat ; but one piece of their artillery became disabled, and she run her KANSAS REGIMENTS. 63 prow into a sand bar just above the Jacobs, and escaped with but five shots. The fourth boat had stuck on a sand bar several miles back, and not getting down until next morning, escaped notice. The four boats had over six hundred (600) refugees on board. The Jacobs had two hundred (200), and also fifty (50) soldiers and officers, and although more than forty shots were fired at her, twenty-three of which passed into and through her, and seven of which exploded on the boat, yet, with but a single exception, no one was hurt, although many were very much terrified. On the third boat were also about two hundred (200) refugee negroes, and about one hundred (100) colored troops, and although but five shots were fired at her, and but one shell exploded on her, yet seven (7) persons were killed and a number wounded. Vincent Osborne a private of company A, Second Kansas Cavalry, who had been for a year or more on detached service as Orderly at District Headquarters, and who was returning to duty with his company, deserves special mention. When the Jacobs landed and the cable was thrown out, he, with a few others, seized it and carried it to the bank,for the purpose of making the boat fast, and although the fire of the enemy's musketry was heavy and concentrated on and over the bow of the boat, and every other man sought cover, he alone stood to his post, and as he was giving the cable the last turn it required in securing it, he received a musket ball through his right thigh, breaking the bone and causing amputation. He lost his leg, but the courage he displayed excited the admiration of all, and he has the satisfac tion of knowing that he lost it in the performance of his duty. The boats remained at the place where attacked for two days, and then proceeded to Little Rock. Lieutenant Colonel Bassett reported at Department Headquarters, and on the 26th of Jan uary was mustered out of the service, by reason of expiration of term. About the 15th of January Captain Stover, with his company B having some time previously been assigned temporarily to a four-^un battery, was sent, with other troops, to Dardanelle, where the rebel Colonel Brooks was encountered with eight hundred (800) men, and defeated. Captain Stover and some of 64 MILITARY HISTORY OF his men received a flattering notice in the report of that action. The same rebel force was afterwards engaged in the attack on the fleet of boats near Roseville, hereinbefore mentioned. During the month of February the Second remained at Clarksville, and on the 28th of that month was mustered for pay by Major Fisk. First Lieutenant David E. Ballard, II company, resigned February 15th. On the 3d of March the Second left Clarksville and reached Lewisburg on the 7tb. Company H was sent to Little Rock, and mustered out March 18th, with Captain Arthur Gunther and Second Lieutenant John K. Rankin, and the veterans and recruits were assigned to L company, Captain Cosgrove commanding. Company C (new company) was organized on the 18th of March, from veterans and recruits of squadrons C and I, with Captain Edgar A. Barker, First Lieutenant George W. Stabler, and Second Lieutenant Edward Ross. Company D (new company) was organized on the 18th of March, from veterans and recruits of squadrons D, F and G, Captain John A, Lee, First Lieutenant George W. Morgan, and Second Lieutenant Philander W. Straw; and the recruits and veterans of company E were assigned to company L, Captain Cosgrove commanding. During the months of March and April the Second ramained at Lewisburg employed in the trenches. The war was considered virtually -ended, although some hard fighting was done after wards; still, it was evident that the "Anaconda" had put his last coil about the rebellion, and but one more effort was required to crush it; yet, for the first time the Second was to be employed in building fortifications, and that, too, at a point which had never been threatened by more than a hundred men at any time, and probably would not be again by one-half that number. Company A was sent to Little Rock April 14th, and mustered out with Captain John Johnston, First Lieutenant Samuel K. Cross, and Second Lieutenant Charles A. Archer. The veterans and recruits were assigned to company B, Captain Stover commanding. Company K was sent to Fort Leavenworth, and mustered out April 17th, with Captain John M. Mentzer and First Lieutenant Barnett B. Mitchell. The recruits were not assigned to another company, but remained as a separate detachment under command of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 65 On the 18th of April Major Julius G. Fisk and Surgeon Joseph P. Root were mustered out at Little Rock, by reason of expiration of term and reduction of the regiment, so as to render them supernumerary, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Captain Barker, new company C. On the 21st of April Second Lieutenant Robert D. Watts was mustered into B company. He had received a commission many months before, but had no opportunity of being mustered, having been as a private soldier on duty in another department. On the 1st of May First Lieutenant George W. Morgan, new company D, resigned, and on the 8th Second Lieutenant Edward Ross, new company C, resigned. On the 1 1th of May Major John Johnstone, late Captain of company A, was mustered in, and assumed command of the regiment. On the 13th of May the Second, having been ordered to proceed to Fort Gibson, Cherokee Indian Nation, officers and men embarked upon a steamboat, and bade good-bye to the city of Lewisburg. The Second proceeded on, and reached Fort Gibson on the 20th of May, and there learned that another " Indian Expedition " was to be undertaken. The contemplated expedition,however,was soon abandoned, and the Second received the gratifying intelligence that their labors were ended. On the 23d of May Captain Edgar A. Barker resigned, and on the 9th of June Captain George W. Stabler was mustered in to fill the vacancy. On the same day Second Lieutenant Nathan W. Mott was mustered into new company C, vice Ross, and First Lieutenant Henry L. Isbell was mustered into the same company, vice Stabler, and on the 14th Second Lieutenant Philander W. Straw, who, as prisoner of war, had been released on parole, tendered his resignation, which was accepted. Company B was mustered out on the 22d of June, at Fort Gibson, with Captain Elias S. Stover, First Lieutenant William P. Phillips, and Second Lieutenant Robert D. Watts, their services being no longer required. Company C (new company) was mustered out on the 22d of June at Fort Gibson, with Captain George W. Stabler, First Lieutenant Henry L. Isbell, and Second Lieutenant Nathan W. Mott, their services being no longer required. Company D (new company) was mustered 66 MILITARY HISTORY OF out on the 22d of June, at Fort Gibson, with Captain John A. Lee, their services being no longer required. Company L was mustered ont on the 22d of June, at Fort Gibson, with Captain Pat Cosgrove, First Lieutenant Joseph Hutchinson, and Second Lieutenant John Miller, for the reason that their services were no longer required, and the recruits of company K were also -discharged at the same time and place, for lite reason. Major John Johnstone, First Lieutenant and Quartermaster Clarence J. Williams, and Assistant Surgeon Valentine V. Adamson, having been rendered supernumerary by the muster out of the last squadron of the regiment, were also mustered out, and the men were placed en route for Lawrence, Kansas, where they were to be discharged. They left Fort Gibson on the 2d of July, and reached Lawrence on the 14th, where they remained until the iTth of August, when their discharges were delivered, and final payment made by Major J. Bowen. First Lieutenant Henry L. Isbell was subsequently, by order of the Secretary of War, mustered as Adjutant, to date March 26th, 1865, and mustered out, to date August 11th. Thus is closed this brief history of the Second Kansas Cavalry — a regiment which did as much hard service and as good fighting as any other cavalry organization west of the Mississippi ; a regiment which was noted for being always in the front, and ever ready for action ; which furnished a larger clerical force for the staff departments, and more than its proportion of acting staff officers, and whose list of promotions from the ranks is in excess of any other Kansas organization, and the only cavalry regiment in the West that captured a battery. These facts indicate courage and intelligence, both of which are required in a good soldier. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 67 SUPPLEMENT TO THE HISTORY OF THE SECOND KANSAS CAVALRY. I. Squadrons A and D, under command of Major Fisk,. having been ordered to proceed to Fort Lyon, Colorado, as an escort to Major Martin, Paymaster U. S. A., and other officers, left the headquarters of the regiment, at Fort Riley, May 20th, 1862, and marched west six miles, where a halt was made for two days. On the 22d the detachment marched west eleven miles, on the 23d nineteen milfs, on the 24th twelve miles, on the 25th fourteen miles, and crossed the Saline fork, and on the 26th twer.ty-five miles, and crossed Clear Creek. On the 27th the detachment crossed the Smoky Hill, and marched southwest eleven miles; on the 28th crossed Plum and Cow Creeks, twenty miles ; on the 29th to Walnut Creek, fourteen miles, and on the 30th by Pawnee Rock, and across Ash Creek to Pawnee Fork,twenty-four miles, and halted for three days near Fort Larned, having traveled a total distance of one hundred and fifty-six miles. On the 2d of June the detachment left Fort Larned, and proceeded, by the new military route, via the " cut off," to the Arkansas river, where Fort Dodge has since been erected, thence up that river, via the " Trading Post " and Bent's Fort, to Fort Lyon. At this place Major Fisk refused to go further, without written orders. The written instructions under Avhich he started out directed him to report to Colonel Howe, Third United States Cavalry, and escort Major Martin, Paymaster, and other officers, to Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, and having performed that duty, to return and rejoin his regiment, wherever it might be. The Major was willing to perform any military duty that might be lawfully required of him, but when orders could be given in writing as well as not, he was right in requiring them. Colonel Howe swore that he would not give a written order, and that the detachment should move without them, and accordingly placed Major Fisk under arrest, and directed Captain Crawford, 68 MILITARY HISTORY OF who was next in rank, to assume command. Colonel Howe then directed the detachment to march at a certain hour, and he, as well as other officers, had their ambulances and carriages in readiness and their horses saddled, but the escort did not move. He then sent a Lieutenant over to Captain Crawford to inquire the cause of delay. The Captain's answer was, " I am waiting for written orders," and the written orders were issued before the command moved. The Colonel was beaten, but his rage was unbounded. He found that not only every officer, but every soldier, in the detachment sustained the Major, and he accordingly yielded. Major Fisk followed in rear of his command to Fort Union, which place was reached on the 22d, and as soon as a letter could reach the Department Commander, and an answer returned, an order came for the Major's release from arrest and restoration to his command. On the 30th of June the detach ment was mustered for pay by Major Walling, Seventh United States Infantry. On the march from Fort Lyon to Fort Union the detachment passed " The Sinks " and " Hole in the Rock," crossed over the Rattoon Mountains, and passed the Canadian and Red rivers having marched a distance ot five hundred miles from Fort Larned. On the fifth day of July Major Fisk, with his command, having received orders to rejoin the Second, left Fort Union and returned to Fort Larned by the same route he had passed out, reaching the latter place, after a march of five hundred miles, on the 3d of August, where they were joined by squadrons B and C, under command of Captain Whittenhall, who was in command of the Fort. Major Fisk at once relieved Captain Whittenhall from command of the post, and was in turn relieved on the»l5th of August by Colonel Leavenworth, and Lieutenant Bassett being also relieved from duty as Post Adjutant. The four squadrons, A, B, C and D, started for Fort Riley via Council Grove, and reached the former place August 25th, having marched a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. On the 31st of August the detachment was mustered for pay by Major Fisk. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 69 About the 5th of September the detachment marched from Fort Riley down the north side of the Kansas river to Topeka, thence down the south side to Lawrence, and from there as an escort for a battery of siege guns to Fort Scott, reaching the latter place September 20th, having marched two hundred and thirty miles. The whole distance marched by squadrons A and D, since leaving the regiment, was one thousand five hundred and sixty- six miles, and the distance marched by squadrons B and C five hundred and sixty-six miles. The men were in excellent health and spirits, the horses in good condition,and no time was required to fit them for the field. II. When the regiment left Fort Riley on the 11th day of June, squadrons B and C, under command of Captain Whitten hall, were detailed to garrison Fort Riley, and the Captain was placed in command of that post, where he remained until the 22d, when, under instructions from Department Headquarters, the detachment went to the relief of Fort Larned, which was threatened by hostile Indians, and reached that place on the 28th, having passed over the same route described in the preceding statement. Captain Whittenhall assumed command of Fort Larned, and ordered Second Lieutenant Bassett on duty as Post Adjutant, and on the 30th of June the detachment was mustered for pay by Captain Whittenhall. The proper defense of the post being the first object, and the arms in the hands of the men being entirely worthless,and there being a sufficient number of Spring field rifled muskets in store to equip the two squadrons, Captain Whittenhall ordered them to be issued and used. To this the men objected. They did not enlist for infantry, and did not propose to be equipped for that arm of the service, and mutiny seemed imminent. Captain Whittenhall discovered the ring leaders, had them placed in irons, and the arms were issued. III. While the Second was at Lawrence, on the 22d of May, 1862, an order was received from District Headquarters directing the detail of one hundred and fifty (150) non-commissioned officers and privates, to man a battery of six 10-pdr. Parrott guns at Fort Leavenworth, designed for service with the New Mexico brigade, then concentrating at Fort Riley. The detail 70 military History of was made, and on the 23d started for Fort Leavenworth, reaching that place on the 24th. The battery left Fort Leavenworth May 5th, and proceeded towards Fort Riley, but on reaching Man hattan orders were received to return to Fort Leavenworth, for the purpose of joining a brigade ordered to Tennessee. On the 16th of May the following officers were assigned to duty with the battery: Captain Henry Hopkins, B company ; First Lieutenant R. H. Hunt, I company ; Second Lieutenant John R. Rankin, H company ; and Second Lieutenant Joseph Cracklin, Second Battalion Adjutant, and the organization was thereafter known as " Hopkins' Battery." On the 26th of May the battery reached Fort Leavenworth, and on the 28th embarked upon a steamer and proceeded down the Missouri river, thence down the Mississippi to Columbus, Kentucky, where it debarked about the 6th of June, and remained there for several days. From Columbus the detachment marched in the direction of Corinth, Mississippi, to Trenton, Tennessee, halting several times from two to three days in a place. While at Trenton an order was received for all the troops in that part of the country to join the Army of the Potomac. The detachment marched two days in the direction of Columbus, when the order was countermanded, and it again returned to Trenton, and thence to Humboldt, Tennessee, where it was mustered for pay June 30th. On the 4th of July, after firing a national salute, a march was made to Jackson. It was at this place where Brigadier General John A Logan, of Illinois, issued an order directing his guards to be doubled to prevent the Kansas troops from stealing negroes. From Jackson the detachment proceeded to Corinth, where it was assigned to Major General Rosecrans' Corps de'Arme, and there it remained until July 31st. About the 1st of August, Captain Hopkins, First Lieutenant Hunt, and Second Lieutenant Cracklin, were relieved from duty and ordered to report to General Grant, who ordered them to rejoin their regement in the Department of Kansas. They proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, where they were temporarily assigned to duty with the Post Battery, where they remained until disposed of as indicated in the history of the Second Kansas Cavalry. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 71 At the same time, the men were relieved from duty with the battery and mounted, and witn Lieutenant Rankin, ordered to report to Brigadier General Gordon Granger, commanding cavalry division of Jacinto, Mississippi, and were assigned to Brigadier General Philip Sheridan's brigade, and placed on provost guard duty, where they remained but three days, and were then sent to Brigadier General Mitchell, and joined him at Iuka,Mississippi, on the 17th of August. On the 18th the detachment marched, with other troops, to reinforce Major General Buel, in northern Alabama, and on the 19th crossed the Tennessee river at Eastport, and on the 21st reached Florence, Alabama, being the first cavalry to enter that place. From Florence the detachment marched northward, and reached Columbia, where it was mustered for pay August 31st. Thence, via Franklin and Triune, to Murfrec sboro, where Buel's retreating army was joined, and from the latter place to Nashville, September 6th. On the 8th of September the detachment was sent to Edgefield, and from there was sent up the river on the 10th on a scout, and returned without accident. Soon afterwards the army marched again north,m'aBoling Green, and reached Louisville, Kentucky, September 25fh, where a halt was made for three days, when the detachment moved out with the advance of the army through Bardstown to Perryville, to attack the army under the rebel General Bragg, and skirmished with the enemy's advance the greater portion of the way, but without loss to the detachment. On the 8th of October the battle of Perryville took place, in which the detachment bore a part. First Lieutenant Rankin having been called to assist Brigadier General Mitchell as A. D. C, the command devolved upon Sergeant Hugh Quinn, of company A, who performed his duties well, and received the approbation of his commanding officer. After the battle of Perryville, the enemy, under the rebel General Morgan, retreated toward Lancaster, and was pursued by the Union forces, the detachment of the Second Kansas Cavalry in the advance, and at the latter place the retreating force made a stand. In this action a part of the Federal line gave way, and in falling back two pieces of a Wisconsin battery were not brought off, and seeing that the enemy were about to 72 MILITARY HISTORY OF get possession of them, Sergeant Quinn dismounted a portion of his men, and brought them dff by hand. Next morning the detachment was the first to enter Lancaster, where they captured a rebel flag and twenty-four (24) prisoners, and then proceeded to Crab Orchard, where General Buel's army then was, and there remained two days. The detachment won the good opinion of the army for their activity and courage ; always ready and never faltering when anything was to be done, their execution was prompt and marterly. The Secretary of War having issued a general order directing that all men and detachments serving in departments in which their commands were not serving, should be returned to duty with their respective organizations, the detachment was relieved from duty in Tennessee, and ordered to proceed to Fort Leaven worth. From Crab Orchard it acted as an escort for some prisoners to Bardstown, and while en route fcrr that ptace passed right through the rebel General Morgan's column, trfen making a raid in rear of General Buel's army, during which a, large portion of General Buel's transportation baggage, &c, was captured and destroyed. From Bardstown the detachment proceeded to Louisville, and thence by boat and rail to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, reaching the latter place October 26th, and were assigned to duty temporarily with the Post Battery. Most of the men returned to duty with the regiment by the 1st of January, 1863, but many never returned. The detail of this one hundred and fifty (150) men was a great disaster to the Second. It materially impaired its strength, and created dis satisfaction in the ranks. Those who were not detailed felt that double duty was required of them, and those who were sent away claimed that they had a right to serve with the regiment, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 73 RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF CAPT. EDWARD C. D. LINES, COMPANY C, SECOND KANSAS CAV ALRY. A meeting of some of the officers of the Second Kansas Cavalry was held at Springfield, Missouri, September 11th, 1863, to pay tribute to the memory of Captain E. D. C. Lines, who was killed at the head of his squadron while leading a charge against the enemy near Fort Smith, Arkansas, September 1st, 1863. There were present Lieutenant Colonel Owen A. Bassett, Major Julius G. Fisk, Captain Hugh Cameron, Lieuten ant John Johnston, Lieutenant Elias S. Stover, Lieutenant James C. French, Lieutenant Barnett B. Mitchell, Lieutenant John B. Dexter, and Lieutenant Samuel K. Cross. There were also present, by invitation,the following officers of the Second Indiana Battery: Captain John W. Rabb, Lieutenant Hugh Espey, and Lieutenant James S. Whicher, they having been with that Battery during the last year, serving with the Second Kansas Cavalry. A committee was selected to report resolutions. The following were adopted : Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His wisdom, to remove from our midst oar much esteemed and beloved brother officer, Captain Edward C. I). Lines, C company, Second Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, who died as he lived, brave, true, kind and generous, an accomplished gentleman and an honorable soldier, whose bearing, during his long service, has secured the love and-esteem of all his brother officers; therefore, Resolved, That while we mourn the loss of our departed friend, we feel conscious that his death was that of a true patriot and a good soldier, falling as he did with "his back to the field, and his face to the foe." That dying as he has lived, faithful in the discharge of his duties, we can proudly point to his example as the pattern of private and official worth and excellence. That we tender to the afflicted wife and parents of the deceased our heartfelt sympathies in this, their severe affliction, fully realizing that, deeply as we may feel our loss, they mourn a husband and a son. 74 MILITARY HISTORY 0# REPORT NO. 1 OF EXPEDITION TO PARK HILL, C. N. In obedience to instructions from Brigade Headquarters, six squadrons of the Second Kansas Cavalry (aggregate for duty, 325) marched on the 1st of August, 1862, via Hudson's Crossing, on the Neosho, and bivouacked that night on Rock Creek, forty-four miles from the place of starting. On the 2d to Grand Saline, thirty miles, and on the 3d, via Tallequah, to Park Hill, thirty- six miles. During the night the battalion rendered every assistance to parties desiring to leave that country, and having secured the archives and treasure of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and having been joined by Chief John Ross, his brother, Lewis Ross, Treasurer of the Nation, tlieir families and friends, the command marched north to Grand River, forty-five miles, and sent a scouting party across the river, with instructions to ascertain whether any force was marching from Fort Gibson to intercept it. On the 5th, crossed Grand river, and marched to Bald Hills, twenty-five miles, and on the 6th reached camp near Baxter Springs, forty miles. The command, in six days, marched two hundred and ten miles, secured the archives, treasure, Chief, and principal families of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and met with no casualty. At Park Hill our forces were at least ten miles further from the crossing of Grand river than the rebel forces at Fort Gibson, which, in numbers, was much superior to ours. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 75 REPORT NO. 2 OF MARCH MADE IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1862. In obedience to orders, the Second Regiment Kansas Cavalry, on the 13th of August, 1862, prepared to march in light order, and left camp with the effective force of five companies, with an aggregate number of two hundred (200) men for duty, and moved towards Shanghae, Missouri, and reached that place the next day in the afternoon, and found that no force of the enemy had been heard of in that vicinity for a month previous. On the next day, the 15th, a march was made north to the Osage river, where the enemy's trail was struck, and though then three days old, it was followed on the 16th, and on the 17th reached Kings- ville, where another pursuing force, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Blunt, was met, and information was then received that the enemy had fought the Union forces at Lone Jack, routed them, captured their artillery, two pieces of the Third Indiana Battery, and were attempting to move south by almost the exact route upon which they had passed north. In compliance with the orders of Colonel Cloud, the regiment remained quiet until the morning, and then learned that the enemy had passed down about three miles east of Kingsville, traveling with all possible speed. At Kingsville orders were received for the regiment to leave the column, and proceed by the most direct route, and with the least possible delay, to Clinton, in Henry county, and reached that place the next morning. The enemy did not go to Clinton, as was anticipated, and accordingly the regiment left that place and again struck the enemy's trail, ten hours after Colonel Cloud's brigade had passed, and about fifteen hours after the enemy had passed. The regiment reached Taborsville at night on the 20th, and Lamar on the 21st, where it was ascertained that the chase was abandoned, and the largest portion of the pursuing forces under orders to return to Fort Scott the next morning. On the 22d the regiment marched again on the enemy's trail, intending to follow until it came up with the detachments of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry and Tenth Kansas Infantry regiments, and at Dry Fork Colonel Cloud was met, with a small escort, who directed the command to halt at this place. At Montevallo seventy-five (75) men had been sent to Fort Scott, so that the remaining force of the regiment numbered only 125 men. 76 MILITARY HIBTOBY OF REPORT NO. 3, OF ENGAGEMENT AT COON CREEK, MISSOURI. On the 23d of August, 1862, the 2d Kansas Cavalry received orders to march, and at 3 o'clock A. M. the regiment started from camp on Dry Fork, about twelve miles northeast of Carthage, and marched in the direction of Fort Scott. Just at daylight the command reached Coon Creek, where it halted to feed the horses and prepare breakfast, the command intending to resume its march in one hour, when some men rode hurriedly up from the rear guard and reported that there was a large force upon the north side of il e creek, moving towards the west, on a road run ning parallel with the creek, and about one mile north of it. The command not being advised of any force of Union troops in that vicinity except a detachment of the 6th Kansas Cavalry, under Major Campbell, and a detachment of the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, under command of Captain Conkey, which had been left behind in camp on Dry Fork, and which were under orders to march for Fort Scott at sunrise the same morning, the conclusion arrived at was, that the force on the other side must be rebels, and conse quently a line of battle was formed. The hills on either side of the creek were low and gradually ascended for more than a mile each way, and any one standing a mile from the creek could look over the timber and readily see one standing the same distance from the timber on the opposite side; As the column approached the creek it was impossible to see far in any direction on account of the early dawn ; but in a few moments afterwards it became sufficiently light to discover objects at even a much greater distance. Lieut. Pat. Cosgrove and eight men were sent across the creek to reconnoitre, and he returned bringing with him a citizen who lived on the road heretofore mentioned on the north side of the creek, who, on being interrogated, said that the force seen was a rebel force under command of Col. Jo. Shelby and that they were intending to move around our camp at Dry Fork and pass to the south, and that they claimed to have two thouand men. The command of the 2d Regiment consisted of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 77 one hundred and]twenty-eight men and officers, and was eight miles north from Dry Fork, where Major Campbell had been left with two hundred men of the Sixth Kansas, and Captain Conkey with seventy men of the Third Wisconsin, and no other rein forcements nearer than Fort Scott, sixty miles distant. The enemy was evidently trying to pass us unnoticed, havingprobably over estimated our force in camp at Dry Fork, undoubtedly believing it to be the entire force with which Col. Coffey had heen pursued. Situated as the command was it could easily have passed on, crossing the enemy's track at right angles in their rear, and proceed to Fort Scott or make some attempt to fight them. Determining at once on the latter course, the question then to decide was, how best to do it If reinforcements were sent back after and hurried up — then eight miles in the rear — the enemy would have at least two hours the start, and the command had just had ten days' experience and more than three hundred miles travel in trying to overtake the enemy, concluded that plan impracticable. Believing that the enemy was trying to gain a road parallel with the one on which the command was, and about eight miles to the west, it was determined then to head them off, and the command moved back to the place from whence it had that morning started. Orders were sent Major Campbell to be in readiness to march immediately, or, if already on the march, to halt until the Second could rejoin him. The Sixth Kansas and Third Wisconsin Cavalry were joined one mile from camp, just where a road turned off leading southwest in the direction of Carthage. To reach Carthage from the point where the enemy had first been discovered, they would have to travel eight miles west and seventeen miles south, and by the route the Second intended to march, it would have to travel eight miles south and about twelve miles southwest, and although the enemy had perhaps four or five miles the start, it was thought that the command could cross Uieir route before they could reach Carthage, or cross Spring River on the north of that place. As soon as Major Campbell's command was joined, the entire force moved as fast as possible, and reached the Lamar and Carthage road on which the ememy was expected, and then moved cautiously forward on that road, passed over the ground where the rebel General Price fought the Union forces under command 78 MILITARY HISTORY OF of General Sigel, in July, 1861, and reached Dry Fork, a branch of Spring River, running parallel with Coon Creek, and about eight miles soutn of it. The enemy was expected at least at that creek, if not before; but finding nothing ot them, small scouting parties were sent out to the right and left and in advance, and continued moving forward to a point about two and one-half miles south of Coon Creek, when information was received from scouts that the enemy had formed in a heavy body of timber on the right of the road on the north side of the creek. The road on which the command was advancing crossed Coon Creek about three-fourths of a mile from where it empties into the north fork ' of Spring River, and another road south of and parallel with Coon Creek and crossed North Fork. Captain Russell, with twenty-five men of the Second Kansas Cavalry, and Lieut. Gordon and twenty-five men of the Sixth Kansas, went forward to reconnoitre and ascertain, if possible, the exact location of the enemy. The command formed in line and moved forward near to the creek, and just as the cross road was reached, a messenger from Captain Russell stated that "the enemy had left their position on the east side of the road and were retreating down the creek," and just at the same moment firing commenced between the advanced parties and the enemy. The column Was immediately turned to the left and passed at a gallop down the. creek, crossed over North Fork expecting to intercept the enemy; the object was to get in front of them. It was ascertained that the command had passed too far in advance and that the enemy had halted, and by the rapid firing in their rear, were making determined resistance, Captain Gardner, Co. E, and Lieut French, Co. F, were sent to reconnoitre their position on the west side ot the creek. The detachment of the Third Wisconsin followed the Second Kansas, but Major Campbell, with the Sixth Kansas, did not; but states that on airiving at the point where the Second had turned to the left, he directed the Third Wisconsin to follow, but the firing between the enemy and Captain Russell's and Lieut Gordon's detatch ments becoming more rapid, he thought best to go to their assistance, and as the action resulted his course was best; but had the enemy been found " retreating down the creek," as the messenger from Capt. Russell stated, the case might have been very different. Major KANSAS KUULMENTS. 79 Campbell says in his report: "I arrived to the support of Capt, Russell and Lieut. Gordon and ordered them to charge dismount ed. I reinforced them with twenty-five men under Capt. Greene, Sixth Kansas ; they charged but were repulsed, losing two officers, Capt Greene and Lieut. Gordon wounded, and twenty-one men killed and wounded in less than fifteen minutes. I then formed my men in line about six hundred yards from the enemy and awaited further developments, and then heard firing on the opposite side of the creek, about a mile, as I judged, to the west% The enemy was strongly posted in heavy timber with thick underbrush, which entirely cuncealed their movements, and I made up my mind at once that it was useless to attempt to drive them out with our small force." Captain Gardner was then ordered to fall back and join the regiment on the other side of the creek, for which place the regiment started at once where Major Campbell, with his command was found as he has above stated.. A new line was formed somewhat nearer the enemy's position, the command was given, " Prepare to fight on foot." The com mand awaited the return of Captain Gardner with companies E and F ; but after waiting half an hour, two messengers were sent to meet and direct him to hurry up, and expecting him every moment, the command still waited. The firing on the west side of the creek ceased soon after the regiment had left, but Capt. Gard ner, having received no orders to follow, his delay could not be accounted for. After the command had waited some time longei^ Lieutenant Cosgrove and six men were ordered to proceed to the place where Captain Gardner was left, and order him to rejoin the command at once. To enable him to do so, it became nec- eesary for him to pass the enemy's right flank and rear. Lieu tenant Cosgrove returned after an absence of more than an hour, and reported that he had carried out instructions fully, so far as they required him to make dilligent search for Captain Gardner's command, but could not find him or any trace of it, and accord ingly returned. The only conclusion that could be arrived at was that Captain Gardner's detachment was either captured, or had passed up on the west side of North Fork towards Lamar, and the latter being the most probable, was accepted as true The force was thus weaken by the withdrawal, of more than 80 MILITARY HISTORY OF fifty of its best armed men, which was at that time an irreparable loss. From the experience of the attack made, it was evident that the force was entirely too small to successfully attack the enemy in their own position, and after maneuvering for more than three hours within six hundred yards of them, and had failed to draw them out ; the men were wearied with ten days' forced marching, had a train of sixteen wagons to protect, and a number of wounded men and no medical officer; fifty-five miles from reinforcements ; in front of a force which outnumbered ours an four to one; defeat would have resulted in capture or death. The principal officers had no hope of success, as they severally stated when eonsultt d ; and under all these circumstances, it was concluded to abandon any further attempt to fight them. The detachment of the Third Wisconsin was ordered to pro ceed with the train towards Lamar, and in half an hour, Major Campbell, with the Sixth Kansas, was ordered to follow in the same direction, the rear being guarded with sixty men of the Second for more than an hour afterwards. Yet, the enemy made no advance. They either had no desire to fight, or overrated the numbers they had to contend with; but the latter would have been of but little advantage had they come out on the open ground where they could have seen the entire force. Upon reaching Coon Creek, the first attack was made before eleven o'clock, and it was after five P. M. before the regiment started towards Lamar, which place it reached at eight o'clock in the evening. Captain Gardner rejoined the command at that place shortly after its arrival, and stated he did not receive any orders after he had been sent forward to reconnoitre the enemy's position, and after having dismounted and skirmished for some time, finding his support withdrawn, he recalled his men, remounted them and withdrew a short distance, where he waited for some time, and hearing no further firing, and believing that he could not, with any degree of certainty, pass around the enemy by the route he had reached his then present position, he determined to make his way, if possible, to Lamar, and accordingly passed up the west side of North Fork. Had the messenger carried the orders to Captain Gardner, in the first instance, to withdraw and follow, or had the two KANSAS REGIMENTSI. 61 messengers in the second instance succeeded in finding him, an attack would have been hazarded ; but, weakened as the com mand was, by the loss of seventy-five men, it was not deemed expedient. Captain Greene and Lieutenant Gordon, of the Sixth Kansas, are deserving of much praise for gallantry displayed in their attack with such odds against them. 82 MILITARY HISTORY OT REPORT No. 4 OF THE PART TAKEN BY THE 2d KAN. SAS CAVALRY AT NEWTONIA, MISSOURI. On the 4th of October, 1862, the regiment, in obedience to orders, left Sarcoxie, Missouri, at one o'clock in the morning,and proceeded in the direction of Newtonia. The regiment was directed to move on the most direct route, and halt within two or three miles of the place until a certain signal should be given ; the one on the east of the place, or the enemy's position, to be the firing of artillery, three shots, an interval of one minute between, and an answer by four shots on the west as follows: two shots in rapid succession, then an interval of one minute, and then two more. The signal was to be given at daylight. Brig. Gen. Schofield was approaching from the east with the brigades of Brig. Gen. Totten, Brigadier General Brown, and Brigadier General Blunt was approaching from the west with the brigades of Brig. Gen. Solomon, Colonel Weer and Colonel Cloud. The Second Kansas Cavalry was approaching from the north, and having no guide, and having no knowledge of the route, the regiment moved forward until it encountered the enemy's pickets, who fled at the first approach. Here the regiment halted and waited for the signal. Just at daylight it commenced rain ing, and for two hours poured down in torrents. The signal was not given until ten o'clock a. m., when the regiment moved forward at a gallop and entered the town without seeing a rebel. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 83 REPORT No. 5 OF EXPEDITION TO CROSS HOLLOWS. Pursuant to instructions received direct from Division Head Quarters, at one o'clock, a. m., on the 16th of October, 1862, the Second Cavalry, with an effective force of 500 strong, marched to Keitsville, where detailed instructions were received from Colonel William Weer. At sunrise, started for Pea Ridge, or Elk Horn Tavern, reaching there at 12 m. At Keetsville, directions were given to detail an officer and twelve men to escort some paroled prisoners into the enemy's lines. Lieutenant S. K Cross, of A company, was detailed for that duty, and directed to bear a white flag and proceed in the direction of Bentonville until he met the enemy's pickets, and to deliver the prisoners to whoever he should find there,and return towards Keetsville until he struck the trail, and rejoin the command at Elk Horn Tavern. Having performed the duty assigned him, he reported at Regimental Head Quarters before the morning of the following day. As the command reached Elk Horn Tavern, it encountered the enemy's pickets and drove them back. Strong guards were immediately placed on all the principal roads, the intervals pick eted, and the regiment placed in order of battle, and with the exception of picket firing, suffered no interruption. Early next morning, Lieutenant Cosgrove and twenty men were detailed, and ordered to scout down the Fayetteville road. Lieutenant Lee and fifteen men were directed to scout in the direction of Bentonville. Lieutenant Moore and fifteen men were sent southeast in the direction of White river. Each of these parties went as far as they could, and were driven in. In the afternoon the regiment moved forward three miles to Sugar Creek, where the enemy was again encountered, but retired with out making any resistance, and the night was again passed with the men lying in line of battle, and in readiness for instant attack. The next morning scouting parties were again sent west and south and some prisoners were captured, from whom it was ascertained that the main body of the enemy was at Holcomb's 84 MILITARY HISTORY OF Springs, on the Fayetteyille road, ten miles south of Cross Hollows, and was preparing for a movement. A deserter from the rebel army gave the information that their force was over 3,000, and consisted of more than one- half infantry; A messen ger was immediately sent to Brigadier General Schofield with the above information, and that the second would endeavor to reach Cross Hollows that night — eleven miles south of Sugar Creek. Six miles south of Sugar Creek a large scouting party was encountered, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to ambuscade the advance under command of Captain Hopkins, but failing in that, they opened a brisk fire on our advance. Major Fisk was ordered to form the first battallion in line and attack them, and Lieutenant Stover was directed to give them some canister from his Howitzers. They did not wait for a second round, but fled in great confusion. The Second moved forward cautiously — could not pursue rapidly, for it was necessary to keep out a line of skirmishers well to the front and on each flank for it was expected that an ambush was planned, and that the force which had just been encountered was merely a decoy, although it was afterwards ascertained that it consisted of 400 picked men, sent out especially to attack or lie-in- wait for scouting parties from the Union forces ; but they did not expect to find a party scouting with artillery, and consequently fled at the first fire. The regiment reached Cross Hollows just before sunset, and at dark withdrew and took a position a mile back, leaving Lieut. Johnston in command of a strong picket of seventy-five men. During the night the enemy moved up a force of 1,500 infantry and 500 cavalry to within half a mile of Lieutenant Johnston's pickets, and with a large force attacked them and exchanged several volleys, but as the pickets held their ground, the attacking party withdrew, and just before daylight the enemy fell back again below Mudtown. From two deserters, who reported within our lines before sunrise, information was received as to the force of the enemy, and as the command had already gone further south than instructed to go, and with positive orders not to bring on nor risk an engagement with unequal numbers, and considering our force insufficient to successfully engage such superior force, and not knowing of any reinforcements within KANSAS REGIMENTS. 85 twenty-five miles, the regiment did not move forward again until afternoon, but scouting parties were sent out east, west and south, to ascertain if possible whether any attempt was being made to flank us or attack in front. Finding no enemy on either side, the command again moved forward and crosed Cross Hollows, passed through Mudtown — four miles south — and proceeded to within three miles of Holcomb's Springs, drove in the enemy's pickets with the advance guard, captured several of them and a number of stands of arms which were dropped or abandoned by the pickets in their flight. The regiment halted here for an hour or more, and again fell back to the place where it had bivouacked the night before and remained unmolested until morning, when orders were received to return and report to the brigade. It was ascertained that the whole rebel force moved in the direction of Huntsville. after their pickets had been driven in south of Mudtown. Although but few men were wounded and none killed, yet the courage of the men was severely tested and not found wanting — they were ready for action or any emergency at every moment for four days and nights, and were almost constantly skirmishing with the enemy. They could have cut off the chances of retreat at almost any time, and hence the test of courage, for every officer and man fully understood the position in which they were placed. 86 MILITARY HISTORY OF REPORT No. 6. BATTLE OF OLD FORT WAYNE. The Second left camp on the evening of the 20th October, 1862, at Pea Ridge, Benton county, Ark., and made a night march toward Bentonville, and reached there the next morning. On the 21st, at four o'clock p. m., the march was resumed on the road leading to Maysville — the Second in advance of the column. Captain Russell, with his company, was detailed as an advance guard, and Lieutenants Johnston and Ballard, with their companies, as rear guard for the Third Brigade. At two o'clock on the morning of the 22d, when about eight miles from Maysville, the column was halted for an hour, when General Blunt came up and ordered the column forward. Half an hour before daylight the advance reached a point two miles east of Maysville — supposed to be in the neighborhood of the enemy's pickets — where General Blunt ordered a halt, and under his instructions, B company and part of I, under command of Captain Hopkins, were sent to take position on the road leading from Maysville to the enemy's camp to cut off the retreat of their pickets. At this time it was ascertained that from some cause no troops had moved forward from the place of halting, six miles back, except ihe Second and General Blunt's personal escort. A few minutes after daylight the advance proceeded into Mays ville, and ascertained that the pickets had been alarmed at our first approach, and fled before Capt. Hopkin's could intercept them. Soon after sunrise the advance started on the gallop on the road leading to the rebel camp, and about three miles out on the prairie met the enemy's advanced picket, and formed line of battle to the left front in the following order from right to left : Company I, numbering sixty men, commanded by Captain Ayres ; F, forty-two men, by Lieutenant Lee ; K, forty-nine men, by Captain Russell; G, forty-eight men, by Lieutenant Cosgrove; B, thirty-nine men, by Captain Gardner; D, forty-seven men, by Lieutenant Moore; C, thirty-eight men, by Lieutenant Hook; and Lieutenant Stover's battery of two mountain howitzers was formed in rear of G company. In this order the regiment KANSAS REGIMENTS. 87 marched forward half a mile over a prairie to a heavy body of timber. This prairie is called Bano Prairie, and the timber projects into it in the shape of an equilateral triangle, the side which we approached running north and south. At this point the men were dismounted and sent into the timber as skirmish ers, and proceeded about three-fourths of a mile — Captain S. J. Crawford commanded the left wing, and Captain B. P. Ayres the right wing. The prairie on the northwest side of the timber extends southwest about a mile and a half, gradually declining to the south and west The northern side of the prairie is bounded by fields, and the whole by a heavy body of timber, extending back to the right and rear as far as Maysville. At the lower or south end of the prairie are two uncultivated fields, separated by a fence, the first about two hundred yards wide, the second about one hundred and fifty, each extending across the prairie, which is there about half a mile in width. The fences at the ends of the fields are covered with a thick growth of underbrush. A road runs along the south side of the second field. The north side of the first field is skirted with sassafras bushes from six to ten feet high, like a hedge row, and the field is partially covered with the same, about as high as a man's shoulder?. The second, or division line of fence, is skirted in a manner like the first, excepting that the brush is much higher and thicker. The lower, or south line of fence, and the north side of the road, is bounded by a heavy body of timber, extending many miles. The enemy was discovered moving in a westerly direction on the road south of the fields. At this moment Lieuts. Johnston and Ballard came up from the rear with their companies — A, numbering fifty- three men, and H, numbering Torty-seven men — and formed in line on the prairie, a few hundred yards to the right of the line of skirmishers. The men moved out of the woods by the right flank on double quick, mounted and moved off in column of fours at a fast gallop. (At this time Lieutenant Hook left his company in charge of 1st Sergeant Edgar A. Baker, and was no more seen during the engagement Lieut. Stover, with his howitzers, having arrived at the first field, formed left front into line of battle, and a cannonading position was selected for the howitzers inside the first line of fence, where 88 MILITARY HISTORY 07 they immediately opened fire with good effect. T&he enemy had formed their first line at the division fence, their skirmish line in the north field, their battery in the south field, and their reserve in the road next to the timber, and opened fire on the advancing column as soon as it came in range. The order was given, " Prepare to fight on foot," when the men dismounted with celerity, passed over the fence and drove the enemy out of the first field and beyond the second line of fence, The advantage thus gained was followed by moving forward to the division fence. The enemy's line was at least half a mile long, and they appeared to be passing troops from their left to their right in the rear of their line, as there was reason to suppose for the purpose of attempting to turn our left flank. The rebel battery in our front consisted of three six pounder smooth bores and one twelve pounder howitzer, which they fired with rapidity, but too high to inflict any serious damage. Lieutenant Johnston, with A com pany, was on our extreme right ; Lieutenant Stover, with his howitzer, next. Some distance to the left of the howitzers were the following companies.: H, under Lieutenant Ballard; B, Captain Hopkins ; D, Lieutenant Moore ; K, Captain Russell ; E, Captain Gardner. And some distance to the left of these five companies, and forming the left wing of our line, was company C, Sergeant E. A. Baker; I, Captain Ayers ; F, Lieutenant Lee ; G, Lieutenant Cosgrove. Our right and left were being annoyed by the enemy's flanking fire, so that company A, on the right, and G, on the left,. were directed to fire obliquely. Companies H, B, D,KandE, dismounted, were ordered by Captain S. J. Crawford to charge the rebel battery, and the men went in with cheers, drove the enemy from the field, and captured their bat tery. The force engaged in the charge numbered one hundred and thirty-six (136) men and officers. By order of Captain Crawford, B company was ordered to man the captured battery, and turn it upon the enemy, whilst the other companies, now joined by the balance of the regiment, pressed beyond the battery to prevent its recapture. Captain Hopkins reported that the guns could not immediately be used, and part of his company and part of D company, under Lieutenant Moore, took them to the rear. The presence of the Eleventh Infantry at this time coming down the long slope on double quick, with their bayonets KANSAS REGIMENTS. 89 gleaming in the morning sun, tended to increase the confusion into which the enemy had already been thrown by the unexr pected and daring charge of the Second cavalry, prevented any attempt on their part to retake their captured battery. Lieutenant Stover and his men deserve great credit for the efficient service rendered with their howitzers. Every officer and man did his whole duty in this bold and seemingly reckless charge made by a few resolute men against more than five times their own numbers. If one company or part of a company did more than another, it was only because the opportunity presented, or the position occupied rendered it possible for the accomplishment of more effective service. General Blunt went with the advance to the vicinity of the rebel camp, and in person directed the movements until the Second got so far into the sassafras bushes'as to render it impossible to be seen. During this time Rabb's Second Indiana battery came into position, and seeing the captured battery being brought out, and supposing it still in rebel hands, prepared to give it other than a friendly reception, Up to this time it was not known, except to those in the immediate front, whether the Second had captured or was captured, A messenger in haste rode up and informed . General Blunt of the result of the charge, and that the guns being brought out were the captured battery. Captain Rabb now turned his guns in the direction of the retreating rebels, and increased their speed. Our troops were not repulsed at any time at any point, although contending against vastly superior num bers — against an enemy in a strong and well selected position, and well acquainted with the ground on which they were fighting. Our loss was but four (4) killed and three (3) severely wounded. 90 MILITARY HISTORY 07 REPORT NO. 7, OF PART TAKEN BY THE SECOND KAN- SAS CAVALRY IN THE ENGAGEMENT AT CANE HILL, ARKANSAS, NOVEMBER 28, 1868. The Second Kansas Cavalry left camp Babcock and marched in column formed by the Third Brigade in the place assigned, Which was in the immediate rear of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry. The second consisted of nine companies of cavalry — A company, commanded by Lieutenant Johnston ; C company, Captain Whittenhall ; D company, Lieutenant Moore; E com pany, Captain Gardner ; F company, Captain Cameron ; G company, Captain Matthews ; 11 company, Captain Gunther; I company, 1st Sergeant Morris Enright, and K company, Captain Russell, numbering three hundred and thirty-seven (337) enlisted men, one battery of light artillery, (4 pieces), the same captured by this regiment on the 22d of October, 1862, under command of Captain Hopkins, known as B company, Second Kansas Cav alry, and one section of mountain howitzers, under command of Lieutenant Stover, Second Kansas Cavalry. On the evening of the twenty-seventh, the regiment went into -camp ten miles north of Cane Hill, and was ordered to march next morning at five o'clock. The regiment moved on the morning of the 28th at five o'clock. A portion "of the Second was ordered in advance. Accordingly companies I and G were sent to the head of the column, under command of Major Fisk, the balance of the regiment took the same position assigned it on the day previous. Captain Gunther was detailed as field (fficer of the day, leaving H company in command of Lieutenant Ballard. About 10 o'clock A. M. Captain Whittenhall, at the head of lhe column as advance guard, suprised and captured three of the enemy's pickets and killed one. Major Fisk hurried forward, and at the foot of the hill, about one half mile north of Boonsboro came upon a party of the enemy's cavalry drawn up in line leading to the village. He formed line, and Lieutenant Stover coming up with his howitzers, opened on them with good effect. The enemy was drawn up in force on a hill to the right front of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 91 Major Fisk's line, and with three pieces of artillery opened fire. Lieutenant Stover immediately turned his howitzers on them; Rabb's Second Indiana battery came up, and Major Fisk moved a portion of his force to the rear over the brow of the hill, dis mounted it, and ordered the men to lie down and hold themselves as a support to Rabb's battery ; the remainder he sent to recon noitre the enemy's position. Just after making this disposition, the Major received a severe wound on the top of his head by a piece of shell, which tore away the hat crown and knocked him down ; he recovered in a few moments and remained in command a full hour afterwards. When the first shot was fired by the enemy, the regiment was in rear of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, (which had halted), at a halt four miles back, but immediately passed that regiment by file on their right and left flanks through timber and underbrush. The regiment arriving at the brow of the hill, Captain Crawford, with A and D companies, was sent to occupy a hill to the right and front of Major Fisk's line, Captain Cameron, with F compa ny, to a hill still further to the right, and Captain Gardner, with E company, to the right of Captain Cameron. Lieutenant Bal lard and Captain Russell, with their companies, remained on the hill in suppopt of Rabb's battery. It was discovered that the enemy was retreating from the timber on the hill where they had made a stand. Companies A, C, D, F, G and I, were ordered to move forward to the front and right, and soon afterwards skirmished through the timber the enemy had lately occupied, and passed out on their trail to the top of the hill over which they had been seen retreating. Here the regiment waited for Hopkins' battery to come up, which soon after arrived and opened fire on the enemy's retreating column about three-fourths of a mile distant, and upon a section of their battery on a hill about one mile distant, and with such precision was the round shot thrown from the gun handled by Corporal Sayer, that the enemy immediately withdrew their pieces and retreated. Companies H and K, under command of Major Fis' » left in support of Rabb's battery, having been relieved by the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, came up to the support of Captain Hopkins' battery. Major Fisk was relieved from command and directed to report to the surgeon and have his wound dressed- 92 MILITARY HISTORY OF The other companies moved forward to the right front over the chain of hills northwest of town, where for half an hour they had remained inactive. General Blunt came up and ordered the Second forward to the town of Newburg, one mile south of -Boonsboro, and from there pushed down the road across the valley to the heights opposite and pressed the enemy's rear closely lo the foot of the mountains, five miles from where the fight first commenced. Companies G, F and I had, by some means, become separated from the regiment in the woods. The enemy had made a stand, placing their artillery upon a high point, at the foot of which their cavalry was situated. Companies A, C and D were ordered through the brush as skirmishers to drive back the cavalry, which, after a a few moments the^ succeeded in doing. The skirmishers were then withdrawn, ordered to mount, and remain under cover. Lieutenant Stover then came up with his howitzers and replied to the enemy's artillery, which was soon afterwards withdrawn. The regiment immediately charged up the hill, and having gained the enemy's last positioa, the advance companies dismounted and were ordered forward as skirmishers At this moment Captain Russell came up and took position on the right. Companies A, C, D and K moved forward to the second bench, when C company returned to their horses and mounted. Captain Russell, with K company, pressed forward in advance of everything else, and around the base of the rocky ledge, just below the summit, along which runs the road; and companies A and D passed on up and over the summit, returning into the road about one mile from the foot of the hill, where they halted to let the Eleventh and Thirteenth regiments Kansas Infantry and Sixth Kansas Cavalry pass. The men of the Second regiment were then ordered to mount, and again moved forward about two miles into an open field, and there bivouacked for the night KANSAS REGIMENTS. 93 REPORT No. 8, OF SCOUTING AND SKIRMISHING FROM DECEMBER 3d TO DECEMBER 7th, 1869. It was ascertained that the enemy was making a movement, the object of which was not known, except through the medium of deserters, and they could only inform us that the enemy was preparing sixty days' cooked rations, and crossing the Arkansas river at Van Buren without transportaticn, except such as would naturally be required for the sick and wounded, in case of action. As no other body of Federal troops was within a hundred miles, it was natural to suppose that the First Division, Army of the Frontier, was the object of attack. It then became a special duty to ascertain, as far as possible, everything relating to their move ments, and the Second regiment being on picket and outpost duty in the front, as it was technically termed, this duty devolved upon it. Accordingly, after Captain Cameron returned, other scouting parties were sent out, which returned during the night bf the 3d without bringing any special intelligence, and on the morning of the 4th Captain Russell was sent down the Cove Creek road, and Lieutenant Moore down the Mountain road, which runs nearly parallel to the one first mentioned, and unites with it near Lee's Creek, and directed to go until they met the enemy. There was an outpost on Cove Creek, where the Fayetteville and Cane Hill roads converge, which must be secured to prevent the enemy from getting into the rear of and cutting that outpost off. Accordingly, the pickets were extended on the Mountain road and up the Fayetteville road, which prevented any danger of a surprise by a flank movement, and sent a scout east in the direction of Hogeye, on the Wire road, which runs parallel to the east of the Cove Creek road. Information was received from a deserter that the enemy was advancing on the road from Van Buren to Dick Oliver's, where the two roads last mentioned unite. A messenger from Captain Russell arrived at midnight,bringing information that he had met the enemy's pickets six miles in 94 MILITARY HISTORY OF advance of the outposts, and at daylight next morning he returned. Lieutenant Moore returned about three o'clock, A. M., of the 5th, and reported that he had driven in the pickets on the west and south of the rebel column, and from the hills had been able to discover the extent of their line by the appearance of their camp fires. Lieutenant Moore was sent at once to Division Head Quarters, and all the effective force of the regiment moved out to the support of the outpost. In the morning Captain Gardner was sent down Cove Creek, Lieutenant Mitchell across to the Wire road, and Lieutenant Moore again down the Mountain road. Lieutenant Moore and Captain Gardner met the enemy and skirmished during the day, and returned during the night. Captain Gardner reported that the enemy had made no advance since the night before. By direction of Colonel Cloud, the outpost was reinforced with forty men — increasing it to one hundred men — Captain Gardner being placed in command. At seven o'clock in the evening Colonel Cloud ordered a detail of one hundred men and Lieutenant Stover's howitzers to reinforce the outpost, the com manding officer to report at five o'clock the next morning at Brigade Head Quarters for instructions. Captain Cameron and one hundred men were detailed and instructed to be mounted and in readiness to march precisely at the hour. The next morning Captain Cameron was ready, his men up and horses saddled a little after four o'clock. He started a few minutes before five, but before be reached the foot of the mountain, four miles distant, he was met by a messenger from Captain Gardner, who stated that the outpost was attacked just before daylight by an overwhelming force, and that it was with difficulty that he saved his men from capture. Captain Cameron hastened for ward and met Captain Gardner's command on the mountain, near the descent on the north, still closely pursued by the enemy's skirmishers. By aid of the reinforcements, Captain Gardner was enabled to check the enemy's advance. When the loss of position was known, the remaining force of the regiment moved to the front, and reached the foot of the mountain just as Captain Gardner was driven back off from it One battalion was formed in line KANSAS REGIMENTS. 95 of battle about 250 yards below the foot of the mountain, and another battalion 300 yards to the rear of the first, and there awaited the movements of the enemy, as it was expected an attempt would be made to follow up the advantage thus gained. The command remained in nearly the same position until late in the afternoon, when, being reinforced by a battalion of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, (four companies) under com mand of Major Plumb, the Second regiment advanced to the attack to regain the brow of the mountain, at least A line of skirmishers was formed under Captain S. J. Crawford, supported by H company of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, and the Second Kansas Cavalry was brought to the foot of the mountain as a reserve, also companies D and I of the Eleventh Infantry. After half an hour's sharp skirmishing, the command succeeded in regaining the summit, where, after the advancing parties being posted in a strong position, a charge by the enemy was received, but repulsed. Soon afterwards the enemy returned with a second charge, which was likewise repulsed. The advance of the enemy was then reinforced, and just after sunset a third charge was made with great determination, but the men having been cautioned in anticipation of another effort, reserved their fire until the enemy were within twenty yards, and then gave it to them with such effect that they retreated in double quick, and left the command in peaceable possession. Captain Craw ford commanded the advance, consisting of two companies of the Second Kansas Cavalry, supported by H company of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, and the rest of the command was held in reserve in the valley, in which situation the night was passed. The following report from Captain Joel Huntoon, commanding C company, Eleventh Kansas Volunteer Infantry, will more fully explain the extent of the skirmishing at Reed's Mountain the day preceding the battle of Prairie Grove: REPORT OF CAPTAIN HUNTOON. On the morning of the 6th of December, 1862, Company II, of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, marched with a detachment of that regiment from line of battle near Cane Hill, Arkansas, to the foot of the Boston Mountains, at which place company H was ordered to relieve the advance, stationed near the top of the mountain, which wa3 composed of a detachment of the Second 96 MILITARY- HISTORY 07 Kansas Cavalry. The company remained at this station until about twelve o'clock, when we were ordered to withdraw to the foot of the mountain. Soon after the advance of the enemy appeared in sight on the brow of the mountain, and the company was again ordered forward. Having deployed in line of skirmishers, we advanced and drove the enemy beyond the old advance position, where the enemy appearing in force, we retired to the point we had occupied in the morning, and formed, being protected by a ledge of rocks, where we repulsed the advancing enemy, who retreated out of range of our guns, and formed with a larger force. Captain Crawford, of the Second Kansas Cavalry, at this time came up with a detachment of his regiment and assumed com mand. A second charge was now made by the enemy, but was repulsed with loss. The enemy being again reinforced, a third charge was made with the determination to carry the position, but they were driven back the third time with. heavy loss. The superior force of the enemy enabled them to out-flank our small advance, which they were doing when Captain Crawford ordered the advance to retire to the foot of the mountain. Com pany H was ordered to guard a road coming down the mountain, where it remained during the night of the 6th. On the morning of the 7th it was ordered to join the regiment en route for the battle field of Prairie Grove. This was the first time that company H was under heavy fire, and I feal it my duty, as well as a pleasure, to say that every man stood up to the work faithfully, and did his duty as becomes an American citizen fighting the enemies of his country. Joel Huntoon, Captain Co. H, Eleventh Kansas Volunteer Infantry. During the night, Captain Moore, Field Officer of the Day, reported that the enemy's artillery was moving, that he distinctly heard some pieces being withdrawn from our immediate front, and was strongly of the opinion that he heard the rumbling of the wheels about a mile to the left, passing up Cove Creek, That intelligence was conveyed to Colonel Cloud, commanding Third Brigade, and as soon as it was light in the morning, an advance was ordered, and the enemy's pickets found strongly KANSAS REGIMENTS. 97 posted about half a mile distant The command waited some time for orders ; but receiving none, made another advance with a stronger force, intending to drive the enemy still further back ; but on arriving at the place where they were expected to be found, it was discovered they had been withdrawn. A line of skirmishers proceeded a mile further without making any discoveries. The battalion of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, Lieutenant Stover's howitzer's, and a battalion of the Third Indian, which had joined the command early that morning, were ordered to report to their respective commanding officers, and Colonel Cloud was informed of the enemy's movements. Between nine and ten o'clock, artillery firing was heard towards the northeast; the discharge of the pieces could not be distinguished, but the bursting of the shells could be heard much plainer, which showed that the shells were bursting high in the air. Captain Cameron was sent with his company to reconnoitre in a northeast direction, and was instructed to cross over the mountains and observe, if possible, the Cove Creek road, and return via camp at Cane. Hill, and if he found that the Division had moved, to report at Rhea's Mills,or such other place as he could-find any portion of the Division, as the command did not expect to remain in its then present position, and it was known that Captain Cameron could not carry out his instructions until nearly night. At eleven o'clock A. M. the command was instructed to follow the Division, which had marched in the direction of Rhea's Mills, and to remain in the rear until the General Hospital could be moved. Captain Joel Huntoon, Eleventh Kansas Infantry, deserves great credit for the efficient services rendered by him and his command in resisting the charge made by the enemy on the evening of the 6th. S8 military history or REPORT NO. 9, OF THE BATTLE OF PRAIRIE GROVE, ARKANSAS, DECEMBER 7TH, 1S62. On the morning of the 7th, at 11 o'clock, the Second Regiment left its position, five miles south of Newburg, and moved towards Rhea's Mills, in rear of the column formed by the Second and Third Brigades. About one hour previous to the regiment receiving orders to retire, Major Plumb, commanding four companies of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, that had been sent to the support of tho Second, and Lieutenant Stover, command ing section of mountain howitzers, were directed to report to Colonel Cloud, commanding Third Brigade. Captain Hopkins, commanding twitery, had already reported to him, and Captain Cameron hdd been seiu to reconnoitre the mountains to the left, and observe the movements of the enemy. -The regiment, 'therefore, consisted of company A, commanded by Lieutenant Johnston ; company C, Captain Whittenhall ; company D, Captain Moore; company E, Captain Gardner; company G, Captain Mathews; company H, Captain Gunther; company I, First Sergeant Morris Enright; and company K, Gaptain Russell, numbering twelve officers and three hundred and thirty-two (332) men. In addition thereto, there was Captain Crawford, assisting in the field, three staff officers and two of the nan- commissioned staff. Upon the arrival of the regiment at Boonsboro, it was delayed half an hour or more by the removal of the sick and the General Hospital. The regiment came up with the column about one and a half miles from Rhea's Mills, when information was received that a battle was being fought five miles east on the Fayetteville and Cove Creek road, and moved at once, with all possible speed, in that direction ; but its progress was much impeded on account of it being in the rear of two brigades. The road lay most of the way through lanes and thick underbrush, and it became necessary for the regiment to pass threugh the fields, throwing down fences for that purpose, and through the tangled undergrowth, without the benefit of roads or paths. The Second passed the Tenth, Eleventh aud Thirteenth regiments Tfj»n«ne infant™- nno rem™ on f „<¦ KANSAS REGIMENTS. 99 Indian Home Guards, Captain Rabb's, Captain Hopkins', Lieutenant Tenny's and Lieutenant Stover's batteries, and formed line within range of the enemy's left flank in the woods, at half-past two o'clock P. M. A few minutes later the regiment moved to the left and formed a new- line in a corn field, where it dismounted and moved forward into the woods opposite the enemy's left flank. Captain Crawford, with companies E and I, was ordered to take position on the left of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry; companies C, A, G, D, K and H, were placed on the right of the Thirteenth Infantry, (the latter being on the right of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry), under a heavy fire of the enemy's musketry at long range. Lieutenant Stover took position with his howitzers in an interval made by him in the Thirteenth Kansas Infantry, where he opened fire upon them with canister at short range with good effect. Captain Hopkins, with his battery, took position on the right of Rabb's battery, where he remained until after the action closed. The enemy massed his infantry about half an hour before sunset, charged our left flank, drove back an Indian regiment, and compelled Captain Crawford's battalion to give way, although that force did not retire until it was more than decimated, and theleftwas held by the 11th Kansas Infantry; but the enemy, charging obliquely on the line, forced that regiment and the Thirteenth, and then the Second, to retire. Lieutenant Stover was ordered to withdraw before the shock came. The regiment, fell back, remounted, and formed to the support of the artillery in good order, where it remained until dark, when a portion of it was ordered to Rhea's Mills, and the rest retired a mile to the rear and bivouacked. The officers and men of the command behaved gallantly during the entire action. The conduct of Captains Crawford and Gard ner and 1st Sergeant Morris Enright, with the battalion on the left, deserve especial mention, for it required all the nerve and courage that Captain Crawford and the others were able to infuse into their men, by their brilliant example and courageous bear ing, to withstand the force of the enemy's fire as long as they did. The commanding officers of the squadrons on the left, already mentioned, encouraged the men by their coolness and bravery. Captain Russell fell severely wounded at the head of 100 MILITARY HISTORY 09 his company. Lieutenants Aduddell, Mitchell, Ballard, Moore, Hook and Mentzer, displayed more than ordinary courage. Captain Hopkins deserves great credit for the skillful manner in which he, with his company, handled the captured battery, although having but five week's experience with that arm of the service. Their coolness and the well-directed fire of their pieces would have reflected credit on veterans. The staff officers — Lieutenants Cross, Gordon and Wood — rendered valuable servi ces. Sergeants Baily ond Vangeuder — who acted in the capacity of orderlies — conducted themselves in a manner worthy of special notice. KANSAS REGIMENTS. lOl REPORT NO. 10, OF MARCH TO VAN BUREN, ARK, On the morning of the twenty-seventh of December, 1862, the Second regiment marched with the command on the Cove Creek road towards Van Buren, and bivouacked at about eleven o'clock P. M. about three miles from Lee's Creek. In the meantime, General Herron's Division moved down the Wire road, and halted for the night at the junction of the two roads above mentioned. The next morning at early dawn, the regiment moved forward about two miles to Dick Oliver's, where it halted for a few minutes to feed the horses and cook some breakfast, when it resumed the march, and met the enemy's pickets at ten o'clock A M. sixteen miles from Van Buren. The pickets fled without any resistence — fired into the air to alarm the outposts, which consisted of a regiment of Texas cavalry stationed at Dripping Springs, twelve miles from Van Buren ; and although the regiment pushed forward the most of the way at a gallop, the enemy was in line, posted in a strong position, with their baggage sent to the rear, before the regiment encountered them. Just as the line was formed, and companies D and F preparing to go forward as skirmishers, Col. Cloud assumed direction of the advance. Six companies turned off to the right, E company having been ordered to reinforce D and F. Companies H and I were dismounted, and directed to skirmish over the hill to the right ot the road and flank. The rebels, having discovered the movement, fled precipitately down the road, and by the time the skirmishers remounted, Brigadier General Herron came up with two or three regiments of cavalry, and stated that his cavalry would follow the main road, and directed the Second to follow a road leading west from that place until it came to another north and south road, and follow that to Van B uren. Captain Gardner, with the three companies on the left of the road, kept the advance all the way into Van Buren, pressing the enemy's rear closely, and proceeded most of the way at a fast trot or gallop, and charged through the town on a run; and learning that the enemy's baggage train had passed on down the north side of the ri v- 102 MILITARY HISTORY OF er.pursued and captured it The Texas regiment became considera bly scattered; some were captured, some succeeded in crossing the river' either by swimming it, or by a horse ferry boat, and some, who had no time to reach the ferry boat; and no inclination to swim the river, made their escape to the woods, or down the north side of the river in advance of the baggage train. Lieut. Stover kept so close to the advance that he was able to shell the ferry boat with his howitzers before it could reach the opposite bank. As ordered by General Herron, six companies of the regiment proceeded west from Dripping Springs until they reached the road indicated, and then hurried forward on that road aud reached Van Buren half an hour after Captain Gardner had passed through and joined the Brigade. Near two o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy having moved a battery down to the opposite side of the river, opened fire with solid shot and spherical case. Our force was considerably mixed up — men had left their ranks and were scattered through the town. The six companies of the Second had just moved into a street running at right angles from the river, and dismounted when the firing commenced. The street upon which it had halted was in range of one piece of the enemy's battery, from which they fired solid shot or case shot that failed to burst. The regiment Avas ordered to pass up the street to the foot of the hill, where it turned to the right, crossed the main street upon which it had entered the place, halted, and formed with the right resting on the latier street. Soon afterwards, it moved by the left flank a quarter of a mile further down, and remained in that position until sunset Early the next morning the regiment received oiders to proceed down the river on the north side on a scouting expediton, and accordingly went twenty-five miles and returned to Van Buren at 12 o'clock P. M., where it learned that the main Union force had moved back toward Fayetteville, and at 10 o'clock the next morning marched north with the captured train, which, by order of General Blunt, had been loaded with sugar, and reached Rhea's Mills on the 1st of January, 1863. KAK3AB RBraMENTS. 103 REPORT NO. 11, OF ENGAGEMENT AT CABIN CREEK, C. N., SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1S64. Fort Gibson, C. N., September 22, 1864. I would respectfully make and forward the following report : The supply train under my command, having been repaired and loaded at Fort Scott, Kansas, I moved on the 12th of Sep tember with as much despatch as the condition of the animals would permit for this place. On leaving Fort Scott, I sent orders to the commanding officers of stations on the road between that post and this, to thoroughly scout the country in their vicinity, and notify me if the enemy be there and their movements, and also to reinforce me with as many troops as they could spare, being fully convinced that the enemy intended an attack on the train at some point on the route between Scott and Gibson. The escort under my command numbered two hundred and sixty (260) men, composed of the following troops: Fifty men mounted and thirty dismounted, of the Second Kansas Cav alry; sixty mounted and seventy dismounted men of the Four teenth Kansas Cavalry, under command of Captain Stevenson, and ten mounted men and forty dismounted, of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, under command of Captain Ledger. The entire train numbered three hundred wagons — two hundred and five govern ment wagons, four government ambulances, and ninety sutler wagons, &c. On arriving at Baxter Springs, this force was increased to three hundred and sixty (360) men by the arrival of one hundred (100) Cherokee Indians, under command of one white officer, First Lieutenant Waterhouse, Second Indian Regiment, and one Indian officer — Captain Tahlala, Third Indian Regiment. At this place I received a dispatch from Colonel C. W. Blair, commanding at Fort Scott, to the effect that General Price had crossed the Ar kansas river at Dardanelle, and was moving north. I forwarded this to Colonel Wattles, at Fort Gibson, and urgently requested him to forward, without delay, all the troops he could spare to 104 MILITARY HISTORY OY J* . _ ». reinforce me, as I anticipated an attack from a heavier force than my present force could contend with successfully. Arriving at Hudson's crossing of the Neosho river, I ordered Lieutenant Waterhouse with his command to remain at that station, and moved with the rest of my command and train to Horse Creek, fifteen miles south. On the night of the 18th, at 12 o'clock, whila camped at this place — fifteen miles north of Cabin Creek — I received a dispatch from the commanding officer at Gibson, stating that the enemy were in force, numbering twelve hundred or fifteen hundred, with infantry, and moving in the direction of Cabin Creek ; and embodied in the dispatch was an order for me to move with all possible despatch to Cabin Creek, and there await further orders to move the train. I immediately moved the train in double column, and arrived at Cabin Creek at 9 o'clock A. M. en the 18th instant. Lieutenant B. Whitlow, Third Indian, with one hundred and forty Cherokees, reinforced me at this point, together with one hundred and seventy Cherokees stationed at that point, under command of Lieutenant Palmer, Second Indian Regiment. My entire force at this point numbered one hundred and twenty mounted cavalry, (white), one hundred and forty dismounted cavalry, (white), and thirty mounted Cherokees and three hundred and thirty dismounted — the entire' force under my command numbering six hundred and ten white men and Indians. On arriving at Cabin Creek, in the afternoon of the same day I moved out to the south of that point with twenty-five men of the Second Kansas Cavalry, under command of Captain Cosgrove, Second Kansas Cavalry, for the purpose of ascertaining the position and force of the enemy. Moving south from the station at Cabin Creek three miles, I found the enemy strongly posted in a hollow on the prairie. Pickets were reinforced, and the train formed in a quarter circle, preparatory to an attack. At 12 o'clock on the night of the 19th my pickets were driven in, and the enemy reported advancing in force. My lines were formed, and the train was ordered to be parked in close order in rear ofthe stockade. At 1 o'clock the enemy opened with artillery and small arms, and moved upon my lines with a yell. At that time information was received that the enemy numbered from six KANSAS REGIMENTS. 105 hundred to eight hundred men, and Was not informed that they had any artillery until it opened fire upon my lines. The enemy's lines were formed in a quarter circle, covering my right and left flank, and the nearest estimate I could form of their numbers was between two thousand and twenty-five hundred,and four or six pieces of artillery. [They numbered not less than two thousand at the very lowest estimate, and four to six pieces of artillery, some of them rifled guns.] The enemy formed in two lines, with mounted men in the first line, and dis mounted in the rear line, a few paces in the rear of the first. Two pieces of their artillery were posted in our immediate front,and two pieces opposite the right flank, making a cross fire on my line and the train. At the first charge of the enemy, the teamsters and wagon-masters, with but very few exceptions, stampedad, taking with them one or more mules out of each wagon^ leaving their trains and going in the direction of Fort Scott This rendered it impossible to move any portion of the train. The enemy was held in check from 1 o'clock A. M., by about four hundred of my men, until seven and a half o'clock, when they advanced upon my line, planting their artillery within one hundred yards of our position, and our forces were compelled to fall back in disorder, leaving the train, excepting a few wagons and an ambulance, that immediately moved back on the. Fort Scott road across Cabin Creek. I encouraged the men to hold out until daylight, at which time I was in hopes Major Foreman, Second Indian regiment, with six companies of Indians and two howitzers, would arrive and attack the enemy in the rear. In order to move the train across the creek to a more remote position, I made every effort to rally the teamsters and wagon- masters ; and while attempting to accomplish this, the enemy swung around my right flank and took possession of the road in our rear rendering all efforts to move the train useless. On seeing this, I collected all the scattered troops possible together, and moved in the direction east of Cabin Creek on Grand River, where I was in hopes of joining Major Foreman, and if possible retake a portion of the train. At daylight I sent a messenger to the commanding officer at Hudson's crossing of the Neosho River, to immediately join me IOC MILITARY HISTORY Or with his entire force, and in doing so he would protect any parties or part of the train that might have fallen back in that direction. Finding it impossible to join Major Foreman, I sent a messenger to the commanding officer at Gibson, informing him that the train had been captured, and I immediately marched for that place, and arrived there on the morning of the 21st, at 7 o'clock A. M. I expected Major Foreman to join me on the morning of the attack, but I find he was not within forty-five miles of my position at the time the enemy moved upon me. The lorce sent under Colonel J. M. Williams I knew nothing of until my arrival at Gibson. I sent four messengers to Gibson, calling lor reinforcements, two of whom were cut off and raptured, and consequently were not received by the commanding officer at the Post, but every effort was made on his part to hurry up to my assistance all the force he could possibly spare. I was not apprised that the enemy had more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) to one thousand five hundred (1,500) men, and did not expect they had any artillery, until they opened it upon my lines, at 10 o'clock in the morning. The night previous to the attack it was my understanding that Major Foreman, with three hundred (300) Indians and two mountain howitzers, would camp within nine or ten miles of the post at Cabin Creek, and move on to reinforce me at daylight next morning. It is my opinion that the enemy did not get away with more than seventy-five or one hundred wagons, including Government wagons, sutler wagons and ambulances. The remainder were destroyed at Cabin Creek. Great credit is due the commanding officer at -Gibson, in forwarding reinforcements, and also to all the officers and men under my commandl throughout the entire engagement, for their bravery and gallant conduct. Lieutenant G. W. Smith, Adjutant Thirteenth Kansas Infantry, rendered, throughout the entire engagement, very efficient servi:. j.and prompt action. It is, at this time, impossible to forward the number of killed, wounded and. prisoners, but will forward, as soon as possible, the result. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 107 Lieutenant Colonel J. B.Wheeler, Thirteenth Kansas Infantry, was on the field with me at the opening of the engagement. Three (3) men of the Second Kansas Cavalry, taken prisoners two days before they attacked me, have just escaped from them, but at different times, and report their force at from four to five thousand, and six pieces of artillery, General Gano commanding. Very Respectfully, Henry Hopkins, Major Second Kansas Cavalry. 108 MILITARY HISTORY Off HISTORY OF THE FIFTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The aetive service of the Fifth Kansas commenced about the 17th of July,lS61, companies A and F leaving Fort Leavenworth for Kansas City, Missouri, about that time. A few days later they formed part of an expedition to Harrisonville, Missouri, under the command of Colonel William Weer, Fourth Kansas Volunteers. After driving out the rebels at that place they returned to Kansas City, company F losing one (1) man, killed. After a lew days rest escorted a supply train to Fort Scott, Kansas. At that point companies B, C and E, joined the regiment, and Colonel H. P. Johnson assumed command. Company F was there assigned to the Third Kansas, and two companies of infantry attached to the Fifth. After marching and skirmishing around that post for some time, the regiment was fairly engaged at the battle of Drywood, September 2d, 1861, and had a num ber of men wounded. The regiment returned to Fort Scott, daily watching the enemy, until he started north, when we followed him; September 17th, 186 J, attacked a rebel regiment at Morristown, where, in a gallant charge, the brave Colonel Johnson fell at the head of his men, pierced by nine bullets. Several men were killed and wounded, among them private Copeland, killed, and Sergeant Wade, and Second Lieutenant Randlett, company A, wounded. We captured large numbers of horses and equipments, camp and garrison equipage, &c. On the same day the regiment moved from Morristown to West Point, Missouri, and from that point marched with the Third and Fourth regiments to Osceola, Missouri, and attacked the rear of Price's army, routing them, and destroying large quanti ties of stores for the rebel army. From there the regiment returned to West Point. Near the latter part of September, 1861, marched from West Point to Kansas City, the latter place being threatened by General Price, who was at Lexington, where he had captured Mulligan and his command. After several days spent in refitting, scouting, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 109 &c, the regiment marched for Springfield, Missouri, to join the army of General Fremont; arrived there early in October, and remained until the army was dispersed by order of General Hunter. It then marched to Fort Scott, Kansas, and after resting a few days, moved alone, under Colonel Ritchie, upon Carthage, via Lamar. Finding no enemy of importance, the regiment moved back to Fort Scott, halted at that point one day, and then marched to Ossawattomie, where it remained a few days; then moved back on the road south to Fort Lincoln, halted a few days, and went into winter quarters at Camp Denver, near Barnesville, Kansas. While at Fort Lincoln Lieutenant Colonel Ritchie left the regiment, and for a time it was commanded by Captain James Hunt, company E. He was relieved by Major Somers. Lieutenant Colonel Powell Clayton assumed, in February- following, command. The regiment immediately began to improve under his able management. The notoriously incom petent field officers who had preceded him (always excepting the gallant Johnson) had well nigh ruined the regiment New life and energy were infused into every department The regiment, soon broke camp, and started upon its career, regarded by all as second to no regiment Kansas has sent into the field. From the first to the middle of March camped about ten miles south of Fort Scott, and near the old battle ground of Drywood. Here the time was spent in drilling, and perfecting the organization of the regiment, until March 17th, 1862, when it marched for Car thage, Missouri, where it arrived on March 19th, 1862. By one of those strategic movements, for which he has since become famous, Colonel Clayton made quite important captures at that place. Learning that the people of the surrounding eountry were to assemble at that point on the 19th, for the purpose of organizing a guerilla company, he dispatched Captain Creifz, early on the evening of the 18th, to Lamar, with orders to move from that place at daylight, upon Carthage, while the remainder of the command moved down through the neutral lands upon the same point. It snowed violently all of the 19th. Captain Creitz reached the outskirts of the town about two hours -in, advance of the regiment, the latter having been detained by the slow progress of our train. Captain Creitz, seeing the town full 110 MILITARY HISTORY OP of people, promptly ordered the company to charge, The result was the capture of a large portion of the party assembled, among whom was found a Representative in the rebel Legislature cf Missouri. From this time until about the 10th of April, the regiment was engaged in threshing and grinding the fine crops of wheat found along the valley of Spring River, and fowarding the flour to the post of Fort Scott. It also took a large number of prisoners, stragglers from the battlefield of Pea Ridge. April 10th, orders were received from General Curtis for the regiment to move to Springfield, where it arrived April 12th, 1862. While at Springfield the time was mostly occupied in perfecting the drill of the regiment, and it made fine progress in tactical evolutions, even exceeding any other cavalry regiment at the post. The severe drilling it here underwent it never forgot, and subse quently was highly complimented for its skillful maneuvering. Moved from Springfield to Houston, Missouri, May 25th, and arrived at the latter place May 27th. After a short stay, during which the regiment drove the guerilla band of Coleman out of that section of country, it moved to Rolla, Missouri. June 17th, 1862, a part of the regiment marched to join the Army of the Southwest, leaving company A, Captain W. F. Creitz, behind to escort the regimental train, laden with valuable quartermaster and ordnance stores. Captain Creitz started about June 25th, to join the regiment, then supposed to be at Batesville ; was joined at Houston by a portion of company K, Captain S. R. Harring ton, (since Major) and a portion of company D, under Lieutenant Moore, (since Captain.) The entire escort at this time numbered one hundred and fifty (150) men. July 6th, met, and in the first charge, overthrew an Arkansas cavalry regiment, at Salem, Arkansas ; killed seven,(7) and took several prisoners. No loss on our side. July 8th, while crossing Black River, near Jackson- port, Arkansas, were attacked by the Fifteenth Texas Cavalry Rangers, Colonel Smith. The action lasted a little over one hour. For awhile the Texans had possession of the train; but our forces succeeded finally in utterly routing them, driving them several miles, killing eighteen, (18) capturing their hospital, many guns, horses, etc. Our loss was one (l) man drowned, two (2) severely wounded, and two (2) prisoners. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 1 II This was a gallant fight, and Captain Creitz deserves much credit for its successful issue. On the day before, the escort captured an entire guerilla company, (a Captain and seventeen men), with several wagon loads of sutler's goods, which they had stolen from the rear of the army in advance. Finding that the Army of the Southwest had moved down White River, its detachment followed, and without further incidents of note, (although pursued by a large body of rebel cavalry) reached the army fifty miles from Helena, and rejoined the regiment July 14th, 1862. Throughout this long and perilous march, every officer and soldier nobly did his whole duty. Captain Creitz, commanding, deserves great credit for the able manner in which he succeeded in eluding and defeating his numerous pursuers, and bringing his little command and entire train safely to their destination. In his official report, he mentions and acknowledges the valuable assistance rendered him by Adjutant T. W. Scudder, Lieutenants Harrington, Morse, and Barnes. Division Commander, General Osterhaus, congratulated the regiment upon the remarkable bravery and skill with which the march was conducted. The detachment had been given up as lost, and the rebels themselves have since admitted it to be a marvel of impudence and success. From the time of arrival at Helena until mid winter, the regiment was engaged weekly, and almost daily, in skirmishing with the rebel cavalry hovering around that post, and with invariable success. Major Walker became a terror to all guerilla bands, capturing from lime to time many men and horses. Sometime during the month of December, 1862, a detachment of the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel W. A. Jenkins and Major T. Scudder, formed part of General Washbnr.ne's expedition against the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Shortly after its return to Helena, the regiment moved, with other troops, toward White River, to take part in the expedition against St. Charles and Little Rock, Brigadier Gorman in command. The regiment was ordered to St. Charles, as it was designed to attack that point simultaneously with General McClernand's movement against Arkansas Post Owing to the high water, it was found impossible to reach the river at that place, and Colonel Clayton turned the 112 MILITARY HISTORY OT head of his column toward Clarendon, a small town twenty-five or thirty miies higher up the river. It being necessary to estab lish communications with the fleet, with which we were to co-operate, Major T. W. Scudder undertook the job. Accordingly, upon a dark, stormy night, he started with two (2) men from company D, (Sergeant Baird and private Ringer) in a little skiff, and after nine long hours reached the fleet, nearly frozen, the rain having turned into a severe snow storm. In that time he had traveled forty-five miles, passed two rebel picket posts, and a Union gunboat doing guard duty, without discovery. St. Charles had already been evacuated, and the garrison sent to Arkansas Post. In a few days the regiment again returned to Helena. May 7th, 1863, the regiment formed part of an expedition, under Colonel Clayton, sent out by Major General Prentiss to scour the country west and north of Helena, and destroy forage and other supplies, to prevent the same from falling into the hands of the rebel army, should it move that way. The regi ment moved out on the Little Rock road, toward Clarendon ; thence north to Bayou de Vieu, where it found an infantry force under Colonel (since General) Rice. From there the cavalry started north. The Fifth Kansas and Fifth Illinois, ali under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W. A. Jenkins, of the Fifth Kansas, crossed the La Aquille River. Colonel Clayton halted with the Indiana Cavalry, and took up a position to guard the bridge until our return. Camped on the evening of the 9th at Taylor's Creek, eight miles from the bridge. The following morning moved south between the St Francis and La Aquille rivers, hoping to overtake the rebel Colonel Dobbins and com mand. After marching about twenty miles General Marmaduke was discovered in our rear, and between us and Colonel Clayton. Colonel Jenkins turned back, hoping to be able to cut his way through. About four o'clock P. M., the Fifth Kansas engaged a brigade of Texas Rangers, under Colonel Carter. The brigade was composed of four of their best regiments, and numbered about one thousand six hundred (1,600) men, with two pieces of artillery. At this time the Fifth Illinois was five miles in the rear, feeding, leaving the Fifth Kansas alone to oppose this vastly superior force. Nobly the gallant old regiment, under the in trepid Jenkins, sustained its reputation. With undaunted front KANSAS REGIMENTS. 113 it met and overthrew three furious charges of as many regiments, and the fourth, seeing the fate of those preceding, broke before our line was reached. During this furious fight we had driven them about one-half a mile ; they then opened with their artillery, and having taken a strong position, Colonel Jenkins deemed it imprudent to assault them. The regiment held its ground until darkness ended the conflict By this time the Fifth Illinois had come up. Our loss was very light, only one (l) killed, and ten or twelve wounded, among them Captain Moore, company F, severely through the hand. Every officer and man did his -whole duty bravely. The rebel loss was much larger than ours ; they had one Lieutenant killed and six officers wounded. The exact number of their loss we never knew. Under cover of the night the regiment withdrew to the La Aquille. Here Major Scudder and Captain Barnes succeeded, with great labor, in constructing a bridge from some neighboring houses, upon which the entire command crossed. At nine A. M. the enemy appeared on the opposite bank. H aving the horses safely over, the men moved back on foot to give them battle. After the exchange of a few shots, the enemy fell back, and our troops resumed their march to Helena unmolested, rejoiced there to find the gallant Colonel Clayton, who had had a severe contest with another brigade of the enemy, and escaped from him in much the same manner. The Fifth Kansas, by its stubborn bravery, ably led by Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, alone saved the entire command from capture. On this raid there were destroyed vast quantities of corn, bacon, &c. After the return of the regiment, nothing of note occurred until May, when a portioii of the regiment, under Major Walker, was attacked about seven miles from Helena, at Polk's plantation, on the Little Rock road, by a largely superior force of rebel cavalry. After a short resistance, the Major was overpowered, and his force driven in confusion toward town. He finally ral lied them about two miles bac1*, and the enemy fearing reinforcements from town, moved rapidly away. Our loss was seven or eight killed, and two commissioned officers and twenty men taken prisoners. From this time until July 4th, 1863, the regiment was engaged in the usual routine of camp duty, picketing, scouting, &c. 114 MILITARY HISTORY OF At the battle of Helena the regiment occupied the extreme right. With it was the First Indiana Light Battery, and four guns of the Dubuque Battery. Here our troops fought from sunrise until two o'clock, resisting with brilliant success the onsets of Marmaduke's cavalry division, several thousand strong, silencing and dismounting their guns, and finally driving them completely from the field with heavy loss. The loss of the Fifth was four (4) killed and six or eight wounded. Captain Creitz and Lieutenant Jennings were slightly wounded while advancing against a battery. Two days later, the Fifth Kansas and First Indiana, following the rear of Price's army, captured one hundred and thirty (130) prisoners, mostly wounded. August 15th, started from Helena for Little Rock, the regiment forming part of General Steele's Arkansas cxpetllifoi:. Moved f'.oiu Duvall's Bluff September 2d, aud camped that night at Browns villt*. September 4th, Clayton's brigade (Fifth Kansas and First Indiana) were ordered on a rcconnoisance to Bayou Meteo. Brigadier General Rice, with a brigade of infantry, as support, followed. Arrived there same day, drove in the enemy's outposts, threw a few shells after and among them, camped for the night, and returned to Browns ville next day. September Tth, moved with the rest of the army toward the Arkansas River, and reached it at Ashley's Mills, twelve miles below Little Rock, September 8th. On the next day was ordered to reconnoitre the enemy's position on the north side of the River. About three miles from camp, fell upon their pickets, and drove them, with light skirmishing, until they took refuge behind their works. The appearance of our troops created a great commotion in Little Rock, (which was in plain view) the long roll was sounded, and infantry and artillery hur riedly moved to their positions. Our forces stayed long enough to enable the engineers to make a sketch of the works, then slowly and quietly withdrew. September 10th, after a heavy cannonading, a portion of the army of General Steele crossed the river, and moved upon Little Rock, while the remainder moved by the north bank in the same direction. By this move ment the rebel position was turned, and about four o'clock P. M. the old flag was ouce more floating from the United States Arsenal. KANSAS REGIMENTS. J 15 September 14th, a portion of the regiment was ordered to Pine Bluff. Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins moved from Little Rock late in the morning, and reached Pine Bluff the same night, having marched fifty miles. A few days after, Colonel Clayton was ordered to assume command of the post, and Major Scudder, with the remainder of the regiment, marched to the same point. A few days later, the other regiment of Clayton's brigade (the First Indiana)joined us. About the 1st of October,1863, Colonel Clayton moved, with three hundred (300) , men and four pieces of light artillery, to attack General Marmaduke's outpost at Tulip, starting at night from Pine Bluff. By continuous marching for ninety miles, he placed his force between the main body of the rebels and Tulip, and at four A. M. of the second day fell upon their camp. The Fifth Kansas, led by Lieutenant Colonel W. A. Jenkins, made a furious charge through their lines, while at the same moment the artillery opened upon their camp. The entire rebel force, six hundred (600) strong, fled in dismay, leaving nearly everything behind them; their tents, wagons, quartermaster and commissary stores, besides many stands of arms, sabres, pistols, and one battle-flag, fell into the possession of the regiment, which marched back ta Pine Bluff in triumph, without the loss of a man. Colonel Clayton was slightly wounded by a glancing shot. Everything went on quietly at the post until the morning of October 25th, 1863, when it was attacked by General Marma duke, with three thousand (3,000) men and twelve pieces of artillery. To oppose him, Colonel Clayton had about six hundred (600) men and nine pieces light artillery. The action lasted from nine A. M. until three P. M, when the rebels, beaten at all points, withdrew, and left Clayton and his "gallant six hundred" masters of the field. The rebel loss was about one hundred and fifty (150) killed and wounded, and thirty (30) prisoners. Or loss was thirty-seven (37), of which twenty-seven (27) belonged to the Fifth Kansas. Major Scudder, commanding the regiment, was slightly wounded in the knee. Colonel Clayton was highly complimented for his brave defense, and well he deserved it. Few officers would have held out as he did. Lieutenant F. M. Clark, of the Fifth, met the bearer of the flag of truce in the morning, with a summons to Colonel Clayton to surrender, and 116 MILITARY HISTORY OF told him there was no need to go to the Colonel ; that any one who knew him could answer for him, that he never surrendered. Accordingly the bearer returned, and the battle began. January 10th, 1864, was fought the engagement of Branchville, in which portions of the Fifth Kansas, First Indiana and Seventh Missouri Cavalry, defeated Shelby's forces. January 21st, 1S64, Ave were again in motion, eighteen miles out on the Camden road. Colonel Clayton halted with the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and Fifth Kansas and First Indiana batteries. Major Scudder, with the Fifth Kansas and First Indiana, was sent to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, where it was rumored an infantry force was crossing. He found and surprised a cavalry picket, killed one (l) Lieutenant, one (l) man, and twenty-five horses, and burned a large quantity of forage. Found no force at Mount Elba except a few cavalry, and from that point returned to Pine Bluff. March 28th, 1864, Colonel Clayton, with a portion of his troops, moved out to give battle to General Dockery, who had a brigade at Monticello. Our force consisted of about one thousand (1.000) men of all arms. General Steele, at this time, was at or near Camden. Colonel Clayton intended to drive Dockery out of the country lying between Bayou Bartholomew and the Saline River. To deceive the rebel General as to the real movement, he despatched Lieutenant Drover Y"oung, Fifth Kansas, on the direct road to Monticello. Lieutenant Young drove in the rebel pickets,and at night built numerous fires, as if there was a large force with him. During the night he quietly withdrew, and joined the main body under Colonel Clayton, at Mount Elba. March 29th the cavalry moved out toward Camden, leaving the infantry and a portion of the artillery to guard the crossing. The cavalry halted a few miles further on, and camped, watching all the approaches to the crossing leading north and west. Lieutenant Young, Fifth Kansas, and Greathouse, First Indiana, were sent with one hundred (100) picked men to destroy the enemy's bridge at Long View, about forty miles down the river. General Shelby, who, the evening before, lay with his brigade ten miles above, rapidly fell back toward Princeton. Early on the morning of March 30th, scattering shots were heard toward KANSAS REGIMENTS. 117 Mount Elba ford, and finally the firing grew quite brisk. Colonel Jenkins was ordered to take the Fifth and move back, and ascertain who it was, while the entire cavalry prepared to follow. The Colonel arrived just as the infantry pickets were being driven in on all sides, assumed command, and the battle began. The Eighteenth Illinois infantry, with two guns, Fifth Kansas, with one gun of the First Indiana Battery, were on the right. The Fifth Kansas Cavalry dismounted in the centre, Twenty-Eighth Wisconsin infantry on the left. The enemy, who proved to be General Dockery's command, largely outnumbered us, and advanced boldly to the attack with terrific yells. Our troops greeted them with a tremendous fire from all arms at less than seventy-five yards ; the howitzers poured canister and shrapnel into their ranks with great rapidity, Sergeants Davis and Wade, Fifth Kansas, working their guns splendidly. The rebel line came bravely on, but the fire of our brave men was steady and terrible. The rebels halted, wavered, broke and fled, leaving the ground strewed with their dead and wounded. The Fifth Kansas instantly followed, fell upon their disordered lines, and drove them beautifully. About ten miles out the regiment was overtaken by the First Indiana and Seventh Missouri Cavalry, with Colonel Clayton at their head. The Colonel ordered the Fifth Kansas to charge, himself leading, hat in hand. With a wild yell the old regiment dashed at the enemy, and was met by a heavy volley, but never faltered. The next moment it was upon them, and the rebels fled, scattering in every direction. For five miles the exciting chase continued, and was then abandoned. The whole affair was brilliant in the extreme. Great credit is due Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins for the handsome manner in which he handled his force, and drove the enemy before Colonel Clayton arrived. Colonel Clayton, in his special report, highly compliments Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins, for the able manner in which he repulsed and routed the rebels, and Majors Walker and Scudder for their vigorous pursuit of the flying foe. Just as the engagement closed, Lieutenants Young and Greathouse returned, having succeeded in destroying the bridge, capturing Dockery's wagon train, and two hundred and sixty (260) prisoners, two battle flags, &c, without the loss of a man. The Federal loss in the action at Mount Elba was two 1 1 8 MILITARY HISTORY OF (2) killed, two (2) slightly wounded, and eight (8) taken prisoners. The rebel loss was upwards of one hundred (luO) killed, wounded and prisoners. The next day the command returned to Pine Bluff, with three hundred and eighteen (318) prisoners of war, three hundred horses and mules, and one or two hundred wagons. The balance of Dockery's force fled the country between the Mississippi and Saline rivers, and did not return until after the disastrous campaign of General Banks, when General Steele was forced to retreat, and abandon all south of the Arkansas River. April 25th, a small portion of the Fifth, with one gun, (howitzer) shared in the disaster at Mark's Mills, when General Steele's train was captured, and many men killed and wounded. But few escaped; the gun was lost, and Lieutenants Jennings and McCarty taken, prisoners, with nearly all of their men. Lieutenant McCarty soon escaped. The others were held at Tyler, Texas, until exchanged. September 17th, the Fifth Kansas and First Indiana, with one gun, under Major Scudder, with detachments from the Seventh Missiouri and Thirteenth Illinois, the whole (two hundred and fifty) under command of Colonel Erskine, of the Thirteenth Illinois, was fiercely attacked near the Warren cross roads by a brigade of Texas cavalry. The attack was in front and left flank. The Thirteenth Illinois, after a short resistance, broke in confusion, and the whole rebel force was directed against the remainder of the command, (Fifth Kansas, First Indiana and Seventh Missouri) which stubbornly fought them for five miles in retreat. At one time the rebels had nearly captured the artillery, but by the personal exertions of Major Scudder and Lieutenant Quin, Thirteenth Illinois, it was brought safely off. Lieutenant Jenkins, Fifth Kansas, was at one time cut off from the rest, with his company, but by a dashing charge, cut his way through and joined the others. Our loss was Sergent Major G. W. Denton, killed, four (4) men severely wounded, and one (l) missing. After that time the regiment was engaged in the usual routine, scouting, picketing, &c, unattended by any incident worthy of note. T. W. Scudder, Lieutenant Colonel Fifth Kansas Cavalry. KANSAS REGIMENTiS. 1 19 MILITARY HISTORY SIXTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. This regiment was first organized in the month of July, 1S61, by authority given by Brigadier General Lyon, whilst on the march toward Springfield. W. C. Ransom, and others from Fort Scott, visited General Lyon, and represented to him the exposed and unprotected condition of the southeast portion of the State of Kansas, and asked for authority to organize a force for home protection against threatened invasions from Missouri. The authority was at once granted W. C. Ransom to organize three companies of infantry, which were to be stationed at Fort Scott, and known as "Home Guards." The three companies . were speedily raised, and officered as follows, viz: W. R. Judson, Major; Company A, Captain W. C. Ransom; Company B, Captain W. T. Campbell ; Company C, Captain — — Gower. It was soon ascertioned that these three companies were inadequate for the protection of the border, and by, authority granted by Major Prince, Commander of the Post of Fort Leavenworth, August 12th, 1861, five new companies were organized, which were designated and officered as follows, viz: Company D, Captain L. R; Jewell; Company E, Captain H. S. Greeno; Company F, Captain J. W. Orahood; Company G, Captain 'H. M. Dobyns; Company H, Captain A. W. J. Brown. Four of these companies, D, E, F and G, were cavalry, and one company, H, was infantry. The entire five companies were mustered into the United States service for three years. The regiment having eight companies fully organized, measures were taken to form a regimental organization. Ac cordingly on the 9th day of September, an election for field officers was held, and resulted as follows, viz : Major William R. Judson, Colonel; Captain Lewis R. Jewell, Lieutenant 120 MILITARY HISTORY 07 Colonel; Captain W. T. Campbell, Major; Charles 0. Judson, Adjutant; George G. Clarke, Quartermaster; John S. Redfield, Surgeon. Immediately after this organization was effected, the recruit ment of a new company was commenced,which was subsequently completed and mustered into service as company H, Lieutenant David Mefford, Captain. In the meantime, Charles F. Clarke obtained authority to recruit a company in Riley county, Kansas, which he succeeded in doing in a remarkably short time. In the month of October, 1861, his company was mustered into service and designated company I, Charles F. Clark, Captain. The work accomplished by the battalion prior to its organization as a regiment, was no inconsiderable amount. The three infantry companies which were first organized were kept constantly on garrison duty at Fort Scott, until the 1st of Sep tember, when, after the battle of Drywood and the evacuation of the town of Fort Scott, they then marched, with other troops, under command of General Lane, to Fort Lincoln, where they remained on duty until General Lane started on the memorable march into Missouri, known as the " Osceola Expedition," when the entire force of the Sixth was sent back, under command of Colonel Judson, to re-occupy and garrison Fort Scott. The four cavalry companies, D, E, F and G, were constantly employed scouting the country and watching the movements of the enemy. Company E, under command of Captain Greeno, participated in the battle of Drywood, on the 1st day of September, 1861. On account of Captain Greeno's familiarity with the country, he was detailed, with his company, by order of Colonel Johnson, of the Fifth, to take the advance, and was the first to attack the enemy, which brought on a general engagement During the winter of 1861 and '62, the regiment was stationed at Fort Scott. The four infantry companies performed garrison duty, and the four cavalry companies performed the scouting and picket duty. The scouting parties were almost daily engaged with the bushwhackers, or small detachments from the rebel army. In the spring of 1862, in consequence of the imperfect and KANSAS REGIMENTS. 121 irregular manner in which the Kansas troops were organized this regiment was re-organized under the following order' to- wit : "Head Quarters, Kansas Militia, > "Topeka. March 27, 1862. \ [General Orders No. 26.] ******* "VI. The Sixth Regiment (Cavalry) will be organized as follows : Colonel . Lieutesant Colonel — L. R. Jewell. 1st. Major— W- T. Campbell. 2d Major — W. C. Ransom. Surgeon — John S. Redfield. Asst. Surgeon — Joseph A- Smith. Adjutant — Isaac Stadden. Quartermaster — Charles. H. Haynes. Company A, Captain George W. Veale. B, " E. E. Harvey. C, " H. S. Greeno. D, " John W. Orahood. E, " H. M. Dobyns. « F, '- C. F. Clarke. " G, Lieut. J. M. Laing. " H, " David Mefford, " I, Captain VanSickle. " K, Lieut John Rodgers. ******* "By order of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief. (Signed,) "CHARLES CHADWICK, •'Adjutant and Quartermaster General of Kansas." At the time of the re-organization, companies A, B and C, which were first organized as Home Guard companies, were or dered to be mustered out of service. Immediately after th* muster-out of these companies, the following changes were made, to-wit: Company H, Captain Brown, was transferred to the Eighth Kansas Infantry; Captain G. W. Veale's company of the Fourth Regiment was transferred to this regiment, and made company A; Captain Harvey's company of the Fifth Regiment was trans ferred to the Sixth, as company B ; company E, Captain Greeno, was changed to company C ; company F, Captain Orahood, was made company D; company G, Captain H. M; Dobyns, was 122 MILITARY HISTORY OF changed to company E ; company I, Captain Clarke, was made company F. In the meantime a part of a company was re cruited, and designated company G, Lieutenant Laing, subse quently Captain Lucas. Company H retained its original letter under Lieutenant Mefford. At the date of the consolidation, Captain Van Sickle's "Independent company of Scouts" was as signed to this regiment, and called company I. This company was irregularly mustered into service, and really was not a part ot the Sixth Kansas, and was subsequently mustered out as an irregular troop. Lieutenant Js-hn Rodger's company was as signed to the Sixth Regiment, as company K. Soon after the consolidation was made, one battalion, (com panies C, II and K), under command of Major Campbell, was detached and ordered to report to Colonel Clayton, of the Fifth Kansas, anci inarched with his command to Carthage, Mo; the regiment remained at Fort Scott. In the monthof May the battalion rejoined the regiment at Fort Scott, and with com panies D, E, F and G, were ordered to Paola to be re-armed and equipped. The regiment was divided and stationed along the line, Major Ransom, with two companies, at Little Santa Fe, Mo., Captain Orahood, with two companies, at Trading Post, Kan. The bal ance of the regiment was stationed at different points along the southern line of the State, and changed from place to place as emergencies demanded, with headquarters at Paola. The regiment was constantly engaged in disbanding small forces which were organizing in Missouri under Si. Gordon, Quantrell and Uphayes. Company A, under Captain Veale, made a very successful raid into ihe Sni Hills, Mo. On this occasion, Captain Veale and Lieutenant Johnson, with company A divided into two detachments, broke up eight camps of bushwhackers, killed tiiirty-seven of ihe enemy, and wounded about the same number. They also captured over fifty stand of small arms, and about sixty head of horses with equipments, and completely broke vup ihs organization of rebel squadrons in that section of country until the return of the rebel General Jackinan, and restored peace for a term of three months. About the 1st of June, 1862, company I, Captain Van Sickle, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 123 was mustered out of service, which left the regiment with an or ganization of but nine companies. In the month of June, the regiment concentrated at Fort Scott, and companies C, H and K, under command of Captain Greeno, were detached and ordered to report to Col. Doubleday, Second Ohio Cavalry, to accompany his expedition south into the Indian country, and participated in the battle of Cowskin Prairie. The command went into camp at Baxter Springs, Kan., where the Sixth Regiment joined it on the 20th of June, excepting com pany B, which was left at Westport, Mo., under command of Major Ransom. On the second day of July accompanied the expedition under command of Colonel Weer into the Cherokee country ; and on the 4th of the same month succeeded in overtaking and engaged a rebel force undercommand of Colonel Clarkson, which resulted in his capture, together with the main portion of his command, and all his camp and garrison equipage. The Sixth was sent in pursuit of those that had escaped capture. On the same day, a detachment of two companies of this regiment, under command of Captain Greeno, attacked a camp of rebels under command of Colonel Stan Waitie, at Stan Waitie's Mills, and after a spirited engagement, succeeded in routing the enemy, and capturing a large quantity of sugar and other com missary stores, which were destroyed for want of transportation. On the 5th of July, the entire command went into camp at Wolf Creek, where it remained until the 10th, when it moved south to Grand River, and encamped at Flat Rock Creek, eighteen miles from Fort Gibson. • In the meantime the sixth regiment was detached, and ordered to proceed west until it struck the hills of the Verdigris, and from thence move south and form a flanking party to the main column. On this march the regiment, whilst moving through the country, took possession of a large number of beef cattle, which were turned over, by order of the commanding officer at Flat Rock, to A. McDonald, beef contractor. The regiment encamped with the rest of the forces and was kept constantly engaged in scouting the country south — some small parties went beyond the Arkansas River. On one occasion, 124 MILITARY HISTORY OF a party of five men charged and drove in the rebel pickets in front of Fort Gibson. Whilst the command was in camp at Flat Rock, about the middle of July, 1862, Colonel Weer, commanding the Division, sent a detachment of sixty men of the Sixth Kansas, and one hundred Indians, under command of Captain Greeno, to Talle- quah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, who succeeded in capturing John Ross, principal chief, Colonel William Ross^ Major Pegg, and eight other officers of the rebel army. Two hundred Indians belonging to Colonel Drew's regiment, deserted and joined the Federal command, and returned with it to camp. About the same time, Major Campbell, with six companies of the Sixth Kansas, made a very successful reconnoisance to the Arkansas River, opposite Fort Gibson, and engaged the enemy across the river, and returned to camp without loss. Whilst Colonel Weer was actively engaged in preparing to make an attack upon the enemy at Fort Gibson — about 2,000 strong — a misunderstanding arose between him and Colonel Solomon, of the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, who placed Colonel Weer iu arrest, and assumed command of the expedition, and the contemplated attack was abandoned. On account of the rebel Generals Jackman and Coffey concen trating their forces in Northern Arkansas, it was deemed advisa ble to leave the Indian country in possession of the loyal Indians, and return for the protection of the border from a threatened raid. Accordingly Colonel Solomon ordered a countermarch in the direction of Fort Scott. A detachment of twenty-seven men of this regiment, under command of Lieutenant Johnson, with three Indian guides, were ordered to proceed to Northwest Arkansas, for the purpose of ascertaining, if possible, the movements of the enemy that threatened a raid upon the unprotected border of Kansas. The scouting party proceeded north, parallel with the western line of Arkansas, and thence, by a forced march during the night, succeed ed iu surprising a small party of rebels at Maysville, and captured some prisoners, from whom they ascertained that small squads had begun to move northward on various routes, and that their intention was to surprise Fort Scott if possible, and devastate the country by fire from thence along the border to Kansas City KANSAS' REGIMENT'S. 125 But, should the eastern border of Kansas be protected, they would leave Fort Scott to their left, and pass on various routes through Missouri, and concentrate in Jackson county in that State, and thence make a raid south and sweep all the weak gar risons in Western Missouri. Upon Lieutenant Johnson receiving this information,he made a forced march, and intercepted the command at Cowskin Prairie, and immediately communicated the same to the commanding officer. The Sixth Regiment was then ordered to, take position on the extreme right of the column, and scout through western Missouri. The entire command, except the Indian Regiment, returned from the expedition south about the first of August, and encamped on Drywood, east of Fort Scott, for the purpose of recuperation and rest But, as usual, the Sixth was not allowed to remain idle. General Blunt immediately assumed command of all the forces, reorganized the brigades, and prepared for active service. On the 13th of August orders were received to leave regimental headquarters at Fort Scott, and to leave all sick in Post Hospital, for the purpose of making a march in pursuit of a rebel force of about five thousand (5,000) under General Cooper, which had passed north about forty miles east of Fort Scott, towards the Missouri River. Colonel Cloud, with detachments of the Second and Sixth Kansas regiments, struck the enemy's line of march in the rear, and immediately followed up in pursuit. General Blunt, with the balance of his command, "leaving a small force to garrison Fort Scott," started in pursuit of the enemy, and followed him to Lone Jack, at which place he had been repulsed by Missouri troops, and had commenced to retreat southward. Colonel Cloud, with the Sixth and Second Kansas, took the advance of General B hint's army, and on the 21st of August engaged the enemy's rear at the crossing of the Osage River, driving him until nightfall. The men and horses being very tired from excessive fatigue, he rested for the night On the 22d Colonel Cloud renewed the pursuit, but after a hard day's march, found that the enemy had made good his escape. On the following day, Colonel Cloud returned, with a part of his command, to Fort Scott, leaving about four hundred (400) men, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Bassett, to rest a 126 MILITARY HISTORY OF" day, with orders to return to Fort Scott on the 24th. On the morning of the 24th, Lieutenant Colonel Bassett started with the detachment of the Second Kansas, leaving the detachment of the Sixth, under command of Major Campbell, to follow in the rear. The advance had proceeded but a short distance, when a rebel force, of about one thousand two hundred, (1,200) under command of Shelby, was discovered moving south. Colonel Bassett at once united his forces and started in pursuit of the enemy, who, upon observing the movements of the Federal troops, turned aside, and took position on Coon Creek, to the right of the road. The position of the enemy was naturally strong. Adjoining the timber were two cornfields, with a lane running between them and the timber. The advance guard, in attempting to force a passage through the lane, were encountered by a heavy fire from the enemy, which resulted in a loss of three or four men wounded. Colonel Bassett then formed a line on the north side of the field on the prairie, and ordered Captain Greeno, with twenty-six (26) men, to deploy to the right as skirmishers, and pass through the cornfield, dismounted, and at the same time sent Lieutenant Gordon, with a detachment, to the left, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the enemy, and bring on a general engagement. As Lieutenant Gordon approached the timber, the enemy poured in a heavy fire upon his men, wounding the Lieutenant in the head, and several of his men, and compelled him to fall back. Captain Greeno, with his detachment, at once crossed the fence and entered the timber and advanced a few rods, when about three hundred (300) of the enemy suddenly raised from a ravine, and sent a volley into the line of skirmishers, and charged them. The men raised from the ground, where they had been lying down to escape the enemy's fire, and repulsed the charge with their revolvers. In the meantime Captain Greeno was wounded in the right hand and left arm. Two (2) of his men were killed, and a number of them severely wounded. The Captain, finding that he could not contend against so large a force of the enemy, ordered his men to fall back. Colonel Bassett, finding that the enemy outnumbered his force and posted in a strong natural position, withdrew his troops and marched in the direction of Fort Scott. The command camped KANSAS REGIMENTS. 127 for the night at Lamar, Missouri, and cared for the wounded. The following day, August 25th, 1862, the detachments of the Second and Sixth Kansas rejoined the main command at Fort Scott. Soon after the return of the regiment to Fort Scott, it was on the move into Southwest Missouri, as a part of the Second Brigade, First Division, Army of the Frontier. Upon the concentration of the forces at Coxie's Creek, in front of the enemy, the Second Brigade was ordered to take position on the left of the army. This position caused the cavalry to watch the movements of the enemy, who had communication with Northern Missouri, through the counties of Dade and Lawrence, and keep open communication with General Totten's forces, which were camped between Mount Vernon and Spring field. The Sixth, being the only cavalry regiment in the brigade, and having such an extent of country to guard, it was kept constantly employed. During the two weeks the Army of the Frontier lay in camp at Coxie's Creek, this regiment performed some very valuable scouting service. On one occasion, a party of men, under command of Sergeant Henderson, of F company, made a scout up Cedar Creek, attacked and scattered a party of rebels, and succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners, from whom valuable information was obtained in regard to the strength and position of the enemy ; also the route by which reinforcements passed south from Northern Missouri. The manner in which this scout was conducted reflected great credit upon the Sergeant in command, and showed at once that he merited promotion, which he soon after received. As soon as the information collected was communicated to Colonel Weer, commanding the brigade, Lieutenant Johnson was ordered to select fifty (50) men from the regiment, and proceed up Cedar Creek, under cover of darkness, and lay in ambush in front of Sarcoxieville, where a rebel brigade was encamped, and to intercept, if possible, a scouting party of the enemy, which was making a reconneisance in ithe rear of the Union forces. The Lieutenant, upon reaching the position, distributed his men, and placed them at three fordings of the creek, in lront of the enemy, where they remained within a half mile of the rebel pickets for twenty-four hours. About the 128 MILITARY HISTORY OF dawn of day of the second morning, it was ascertained that the rebel scouting party was returning on the road leading to the centre crossing, and being in such close promimity to their camp, were entirely off their guard. Upon crossing the creek, they at once ran into the ambuscade prepared for them, which resulted in a loss to them of five (5) killed, and ten (10) prisoners, besides a number wounded, who escaped on their horses. A detachment of five men were left in charge of the prisoners, with orders to proceed tewards camp, whilst the balance of the party proceeded to drive in the enemy's pickets. Lieutenant Johnson returned to camp with his prisoners, without the loss of a single man, either killed or wounded. On the 24th of September, a detachment of the Sixth, in company with a detachment of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, was ordered to proceed down Shoal Creek, and disable the water mills, from which the enemy drew his supplies. The object of this party was accomplished, after considerable skirmishing, and with considerable difficulty and hard marching, it returned with a loss of five (5) men. On th« evening of the 29th of September, 1862, a detachment under command of Captain Mefford was ordered to report to Lieutenant Colonel Jacobbi, Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, who was in command of a force composed of detachments of the different regiments, and charged with the duty of attacking the enemy, who occupied Newtonia, and ascertain his strength and po sition. The balance of the command was to follow the next morning. Colonel Jacobbi moved to within four miles of the town and encamped for the night. At daylight the following morning he pushed his forces through a dense wood, and drove in the rebel pickets. But the enemy was prepared, and at once sent out a decoy, and succeeded in drawing the advance into an ambuscade, which would have resulted in a disastrous defeat, had it not been for the daring bravery of the men, and commendable gallantry of the officers. Captain Mefford rallied his men and held the enemy in check until the artillery could fall back. By this time the entire army was advancing to attack the enemy at Newtonia the Sixth leading the advance. They had not proceeded far however, when portions of the command sent out the day pre- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 129 vious were met in full retreat Upon ascertaining the perilous condition of Captain Mefford 's command, the regiment pressed forward to relieve them. Lieut. Colonel Jewell, with the three companies of the advance and two howitzers, under command of Lieutenant Benedict, moved forward and attacked the enemy on his right flank. The rebels fell back about two miles and formed in a field, with their left flank resting on a ravine, their right being supported by two pieces of artillery and infantry. Colonel Jewell, with three companies and howitzers, attacked the right, and at the same time Captain Veale charged the left flank. The enemy fired one volley with small arms, and fled in great confu sion. The regiment pursued the retreating column to within gunshot of the town, when the enemy opened fire with artillery, and after making some demonstrations it was ascertained that his farces were en masse in the town. The howitzers being too light to reply to the enemy's artilksry, the regiment was ordered to retire about one mile, which it performed under a heavy fire. Several men in the meantime were wounded. About 2 o'clock Colonel Phillips arrived on the field with an Indian Brigade. The Sixth then took position on the extreme right, where it re mained the balance of the day, and about 7 o'clock was ordered to cover the retreat of the army. The following is the official report: "On the morning of the 30th, in pursuance of orders, 1 de tailed three hundred men and officers from my regiment, and proceeded in the direction of Newtonia, and after having traveled about ten miles on that road, met a small party of Col. Lynde's and Col, Solomon's regiments, with two pieces of Captain Stock ton's battery and two howitzers, in full retreat before the enemy, who informed me that Colonel Lynde with a part of his regiment and Captain Mefford's company of the Sixth, were surrounded by the enemy. "I soon came to where appeared to have been a slight skirmish, counted some ten killed and wounded, who were completely stripped of their clothing, and left lying in the hot sun— the day was very hot and sultry. Took one prisoner. There we caught the first glimpse of the enemy, and followed him to the prairie, where he formed his line of battle, three miles out from Newto nia on the Sarcoxie road. I at once ordered my men into line, 130 MILITARY HISTORY OF and directed Lieutenant Benedict to bring his mountain how itzers into position on the gallop ; then threw a fell shells, and the enemy fell back. My men followed them with a shout to the town, where the Lieutenant again commenced shelling them, when the enemy opened his battery upon us within short range, with three guns, using shell and round shot pretty freely. Here Lieutenant Phillips had his horse killed under him by a round shot To get out of range — the howitzers being too light to reply successfully — I ordered my men to retire to a bluff, about one mile to the enemy's front, and immediately sent a courier back to General Solomon, informing him of the enemy's position, and asking for reinforcements. This was about 10 o'clock A. M., and at about 2 o'clock P. M., Colonel Phillips arrived with his Indian regiment, much to our gratification, having held the enemy — seven thousand strong— in check four hours, by con tinually skirmishing witathem, notwithstanding the heavy can nonading we received from him. At about half-past three the balance of the command arrived. "The portion of the enemy that I attacked were Texas regi ments, well armed, that had been selected on purpose to follow our retreating force, and if possible capture our artillery, which was then in full retreat, as at that time there was but little sup port for it. "My command, officers and men, behaved with great coolness and bravery. The only trouble I had was to keep them at what I considered a proper distance from the enemy. "W. R. Judson, "Col. Com'dg. Sixth Kansas Cavalry." On the 4th of October (he regiment was again engaged at Newtonia, and occupied the right of the line of battle. After the enemy withdrew his forces and started on the retreat, the regiment joined in the pursuit of the flying rebels, and only abandoned the chase when men and horses were completely exhausted. Upon its return, it. joined the main command and marched through Pinevillc, Mo, and encamped, at Kent. After resting a few days, it moved to a camp near Keetsville, Mo. One of the most successful scouts made whilst in this camp was performed by Captain Gordon, company F, with a detach ment of forty men. They made a raid on White River, and sue- KANSAS REGIMENTS. l3l ceeded in surprising a detachment of the enemy who were guarding a mill. They killed ten men and captured twenty-five prisoners, together with all their horses and camp equipage and about forty stand of small arms, besides destroying a considera ble quanty of flour and wheat. The Captain returned to camp with the prisoners without the loss of a single man killed and but three wounded. On the 20th of October the regiment moved with the command to Bentonville, Ark., and the night following marched to the vicinity of Old Fort Wayne, C. N., preparatory to attacking a rebel force, about 3,000 strong, under General Cooper, at that place. On the morning of the 22d the advance of the command surprised and drove in the rebel pickets. The Sixth was ordered to the front, and companies A and F, under command of Lieut, Col. Jewell, directed to take position on the right of the Second Kansas Cavalry. Colonel Jewell ordered his detachment to dis lodge a squadron of rebel cavalry that occupied a point of tim ber on his right. This they succeeded in doing, and as soon as it was discovered that the enemy was giving back, Colonel Jewell ordered a charge, which completely uncovered his main line. Colonel Jewell, upon seeing this, immediately wheeled his small force to the left and gallantly charged the infantry which sup ported the enemy's artillery. At the same time the center was charged by the Second Kansas Cavalry, and the entire line driven back in utter confusien. The enemy abandoned his battery and - artillery horses. His battle-flag fell into the hands of the Sixth. No doubt this handful of cavalry would have been counter charged and the battery re-taken, had it not been for the timely arrival of the Eleventh Infantry and Rabb's Second Indiana Battery, which opened a well-directed fire on the enemy, who was rallying in the edge of ihe timber, within a few hundred yards of the battle field. The retreating column was followed up by the entire Sixth regiment and a part of the Indian brigade, which succeeded in capturing and destroying the enemy's train. In this engagement the regiment had several men wounded, amongst the number, Private George Armstrong, company A, mortally wounded. While the army lay in camp at Old Fort Wayne, the regiment was constantly employed in scouting the country, and was en« 132 MILITARY HISTORY OF gaged almost daily with the foraging parties of the enemy. On one occasion, a rebel force under command of Colonel Emmett McDonald, was attacked and driven across the Boston Mountains. The command, after lying in camp at Old Fort Wayne about two weeks, moved te Flint Creek, and established a camp known as Camp Babcock, near the line of Arkansas, where it remained awaiting the arrival of commissary stores from Fort Scott, sub sisting in the meantime upon beef and wheat; little flour arid corn meal could be had in the surrounding country. A very successful scout was made from Camp Babcock east ward to the tributaries of White river. A number of small par ties of rebels were dispersed, a small train captured, and a con siderable quantity of stores destroyed. The party returned to camp with a loss of but two men killed, bringing with it fifty Unionists from the hills of the White River, who had been hid away to avoid the conscription. Soon after the return of this scouting party, Lieutenant Colonel Jewell was ordered to take command of the entire effective force of the Sixth, including the two howitzers, together with detach ments from the Indian brigade, and proceed southward and as certain the position of the enemy, who was reported to be en camped at Cane Hill. Upon Colonel Jewell's arrival at that place, he ascertained that the rebel forces had retreated across the Boston Mountains, and were stationed along the Cove Creek Valley. Colonel Jewell took a circuitous route and fell in the enemy's rear, and surprised a detachment of his forces at Drip ping Springs, and returned through the Evansville P ass just in time to escape being cut off by a large cavalry force, under com mand of the rebel General Marmaduke. As Colonel Jewell passed through the mountains, the inhabi tants greeted the Stars and Stripes with cheers, which clearly demonstrated the sentiments of the people of Northwestern Ar kansas who had been forced to accept secession. The regiment upon its return to camp, rested there a few days with the com mand. On the night of the 26th of November supplies arrived and preparations were at once made for a movement south. On the morning of the 27th, the entire Army of the Frontier marched, without transportation, in the direction of Cane Hill, about forty miles distant, wheTe a large cavalry force, under com- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 183 mand of General Marmaduke, had concentrated. On the morn ing of the 28th, the cavalry and artillery was ordered to the ad vance at a trot, the infantry following as rapidly as possible, and about 9 o'clock made an attack upon the enemy, and after a very spirited engagement of two hours, succeeded in routing him. He was closely pursued to a spur of the Boston Mountains, where his command rallied and made a desperate effort to re pulse the advancing column. The Sixth was ordered forward and took position on the right. The regimental howitzers poured in a heavy fire with canister from one side, whilst the Second Kansas and its howitzers poured in an effective fire on the other side, and Hopkins' battery fired from the main front He was soon driven from his strong position across the moun tain. General Blunt then ordered a charge, which caused the enemy to fall back rapidly for some distance. The Sixth followed up and charged a force of the enemy that had formed in a strong position, and met the regiment with a dreadful fire. In this charge Lieut. Col. Jewell was mortally Avounded ; Lieut. Johnson, company A, was severely wounded through the left lung; Lieut. Hains, company K, was wounded in the neck; seven enlisted men were killed, and about twenty wounded. Lieut. Campbell was taken prisoner by the enemy. General Blunt by this time was pressing forward with a section of artillery and infantry to renew the attack, when a flag of truce was seen approaching from the enemy. "It now being nearly sundown," the flag was met by General Blunt, and an armistice agreed to for one hour. Darkness coming on, the com mand fell back a few miles and bivouacked for the night The following morning, finding no enemy to fight, the com mand fell back to Cane Hill and encamped. General Solomon's division, of which the Sixth formed a part, was sent to Rhea's Mills, about ten miles north of Cane Hill. Here the regiment remained until the battle of Prarie Grove was brought on. At midnight General Solomon received orders to send the Sixth to join General Blunt's command at Cane Hill, and at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 7th of December, the regiment broke camp and immediately started towards Cane Hill, where it ar rived in sight of the town about daylight. Colonel Judson was met at the outskirts of the town with orders to move east with 134 MILITARY HISTORY 6^ the Sixth Regiment to the Fayetteville and Cove Creek road, and ascertain if the enemy was moving northward on that road. Upon Colonel Judson's reaching the point designated, he at once ascertained that General Hindman had passed up the road during the night with his main army. Colonel Judson immediately sent messengers to Gen. Blunt, informing him that the enemy had completely flanked him, and was marching towards Rhea's Mills for the purpose of capturing the trains encamped at that place. Colonel Judson followed the enemy until he came up with his rear guard, and opened fire upon him with the two regimental howitzers. Gen. Hindman at once halted his entire command and formed line of battle to the rear. This delayed the enemy several hours, and prevented him from reaching the train at Rhea's Mills until Gen. Herron with his command arrived from Springfield, and attacked the enemy in front, which brought on a general engagement General Blunt, upon receiving Colonel Judson's dispatch, moved his troops with all possible haste towards Rhea's Mills, and arrived on the battle field of Prairie Grove just in time to save General Herron from being defeated. Colonel Judson finding that the main command had passed up the Cane Hill road, withdrew his small force, and rejoined General Blunt on the battle field about 3 o'clock P. M. The enemy being stationed in the timber, the cavalry could not operate to advantage. The regiment, therefore, was held in reserve, and was not engaged during the evening. There is no doubt that the valuable information furnished by Colonel Judson, and the detention caused the enemy by the at tack made in his rear, saved the train from capture. Had the enemy not been detained, he might have met General Herron's force, defeated it, and then turned upon General Blunt's com mand, and thus defeated both divisions by detail. Whilst Col. Judson did nothing more than his duty, yet, had he also failed defeat, disaster and destruction must have been the result. The battle was continued with great fury till nightfall, when the firing ceased, and the army fell back a short distance and bivouacked. During the night extensive preparations were made for renewing the conflict on the morrow. The trains were sent to the rear to Fayetteville, a full supply of ammunition distribu- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 135 ted, and all the available troops at once ordered to the front. About daylight the next morning, General Hindman sent a message under flag of truce, asking for a personal interview with General Blunt. Shortly after daylight an interview was held, which prevented the attack which was to have been made at dawn of day. It was found that the interview was asked for the sole purpose of gaining time, the rebels having muffled their ar tillery wheels and evacuated their position during the night. This dishonorable and unwarrantable act the illustrious rebel General Hindman was compelled to resort to in order to save his demoralized hosts from either being captured or annihilated on the retreat. The day after the battle the regiment returned to its old camp at Rhea's Mills, where it remained until the 27th of December, 1862, when it accompanied General Blunt's expedition south to Van Buren, on the Arkansas River. Seven miles from Van Buren, at Dripping Springs, the regiment, in company with the Second Kansas, attacked and routed a force of Texas troops, and succeeded in capturing their camp equipage and train. Tha Sixth and Second, leading the advance, dashed into the town of Van Buren, and with the assistance of some Cavalry of Gen. Herron's command, captured four steamboats loaded with com missary stores and corn, besides taking possession of a vast quan tity of stores of all kinds in the town. At the same time, a detachment of the regiment under com mand of Captain Mefford, accompanied Colonel Phillip's Indian brigade into the Indian country. On this expedition Colonel Phillips succeeded in capturing Fort Gibson and Fort Davis, de stroying the latter place. The expedition to Van Buren closed the campaign for the winter. General Schofield arrived from St. Louis and assumed command of the Army of the Frontier, and ordered it back into Missouri. At this time the regiment had but nine companies. In pur suance of General Orders from the War Department, the follow- ino- order was issued for the purpose of making the organization a complete cavalry regiment, viz : 136 military history of "Headquarters Army of^the Frontier, \ "Rhea's Mills, Ark., Dec. 31, 1862. J [Special Orders, No. 16.] (Extract.) "The following named officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the First Division, Army of the Frontier, are hereby detailed on recruiting service, and will report without delay to the commanding officer at Fort Leavenworth, Superintendent of Recruiting for the State : Captain H. S. Greeno, Sixth Kansas Vols. Sgt Maj. H. P. Ledger, " " Private William Coates, " " " Martin 0. Blood " "By order of Brigadier General Blunt, "T. MOONLIGHT, "Lieut. Col. and Chief of Staff" In pursuance of the above order, the detachment proceeded to Leavenworth and received the following order, viz: "Headquarters Supdt's Office Recruiting Service, ) ''Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Jan. 13, 1863. } [Special Orders No. 2.] "Captain H. S. Greeno, Sixth Kansas Volunteers, with a party consisting of Sergeant Major' H. P. Ledger, Private Wm. Coates, and Private M. 0. Blood, Sixth Kansas Volunteers, having re ported to these headquarters for the general recruiting service in the State of Kansas, pursuant to Special Orders No. 16, dated Headquarters Army of the Frontier, Rhea's Mills, Ark., Dec. 31, 1862, will proceed to the city of Fort Scott, Kan., and there es tablish a recruiting rendezvous. "By order of Lieutenant Colonel Burris. "J. M. HADLEY, "Lieutenant Eighth Kansas Vols., "Post Adjutant." Captain Greeno and his party at once repaired to Fort Scot; and commenced recruiting operations. Soon after his arrival at that place, he received the following communication from the Colonel of his regiment, viz : "Camp on Crane Creek, "30 Miles South of Springfield, Mo., '¦February 13, 1863. "Captain Greeno: '¦Dear Sir — Isendacommunication to the Governor for power to raise three squadrons to fill up my regiment. If it is granted, I authorize you to superintend the recruiting of these squadrons. I send Lieutenant Lane to see Captain Robinson, to prevail on KANSAS REGIMENTS. 137 him to raise one squadron. I send Mr. Bisbee, who will go with you to Governor Carney, and if you obtain the erder, he will pro ceed to Kansas City to see Captain Johnson, and get him to as sist in raising a squadron in that vicinity. And I further sug gest that you put forward the Sergeant Major, now with you, to assist in raising the other squadron. "Now, Captain, a united effort is necessary to raise these three squadrons, and I expect you to see that is done. Do not leave a stone unturned to accomplish it at once. "Truly your friend, "W. R. Judson, "Col. Sixth Kansas Vol. Cav." In order that there should be no misunderstanding between the military and the executive, Captain Greeno visited the Gov ernor at Topeka, and obtained permission to recruit the three squadrons necessary to fill the regiment to the required standard. The following is a copy of the letter from th* Governor of Kansas : "State of Kansas, Executive Office, ) "Topeka, Feb. 23, 1863. j" " Col. W. R. Judson, Sixth Regiment Kansas Volunteers : "Sir — You are hereby authorized to cause the regiment com manded by you to be recruited to the standard required by Gen eral Orders of the War Department: Provided, Thatyouuseno special efforts to obtain recruits from the agricultural classes of this State. I am aware that the heavy drain upon Kansas has seriously crippled her farming interests, and I fear will be pro ductive of serious consequences. While therefore I must guard this great interest against further oppressions, I will cheerfully officer such companies as can be raised without detriment to the State or any of its vital interests. "Very respectfully, "Thos. Carney, Governor." One company was recruited at Fort Scott in a very short time, and mustered into service as company L, with H. P. Ledger, Captain ; J. Denton, First Lieutenant, and L. J. Swingley, Sec ond Lieutenant. Company I was recruited soon after, at West- port, Mo., by Major Ransom and J. T. Blake, and mustered into service with J. T. Blake, Captain ; S. D. Harris, First Lieuten ant and Levi Stewart, Second Lieutenant In the meantime, Captain Greeno had succeeded in recruiting the third company at Fort Scott, but owing to some misunderstanding arising between the Governor and General Blunt, at that time, the company was 1 38 MILITARY HISTORY OF mustered into service as company B, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry. Company M was then recruited, composed principally of half- breed Delaware Indians, and was mustered into service July 30, 1863, with J. W. Duff, Captain ; J. Brooks, First Lieutenant, and J. C. Anderson, Second Lieutenant. The first battalion of the regiment was attached to the brigade commanded by Colonel Judson, and during the months of Janu ary, February and March, 1863, it remained in camp on Crane Creek, near Springfield, Mo., when it marched for Fort Scott, Kansas. Soon after the arrival of the battalion at the latter place, the men received furloughs for a brief period. On the 7th of May two companies marched from Westport to Salem, Missouri, as escort to the First Kansas Battery, and irom thence marched to Rolla, Missouri. On the 21st of June it was ordered to join General Blunt's command, ut Fort Scoit, Kansas, where it arrived on the 1st of July. On the 4th of the same month the battalion was ordered, on a forced march, without tents, to proceed to Fort Gibson, C. N. July 17th the enemy was engaged at Honey Springs. The following is the official report of the part taken by the Sixth Regiment: " Headquarters Sixth Kan. Cavalry, Volunteers, 1 " Camp Near Ft. Gibson, C N., y " July 19, 1863. j "Colonel W. R. Judson, Commanding Troops in the Field, S^c: "Colonel — I have the honor to report the part taken by my command, consisting of companies A, C, F and H, commanded respectively by First Lieutenant T. J. Darling, Second Lieuten ant R. L. Phillips, Captain William Gordon, and Captain David Mefford ; also section of Mountain Howitzers, under command of Lieutenant J. P. Grassberger. "My command left camp at four o'clock, A. M, on the 16th inst, crossing the Verdegris River and Arkansas River in the face of the enemy, our crossing being covered by a section of Smith's Second Kansas Battery. The crossing was effected without loss, the enemy retiring on our approach without firing a shot After a halt of a short time, I was ordered with my command to the advance, detailing Captain Gordon with his company F, as the extreme advance. About daylight he came KANSAS REGIMENTS. 139 up with the enemy in considerable force, posted on a rise of ground near timber. The Captain immediately formed his men and opened a brisk fire on the enemy, but was compelled to fall back. I at once brought the rest of the command up at a gallop to the support of the advance, and after a sharp skirmish drove the enemy from his position, with a loss to him of one (l) killed and three (3) wounded, who were left on the ground. Privates Banks, of company C, and Allingham, of company F, of my command, were wounded; also, had one horse killed, and several wounded. I immediately followed, coming up with him again at Elk Creek. Here I came to a halt, sending a company to reconnoitre; found the enemy strongly posted in the timber, with artillery, their line extending to the right and left of the road. I immediately dismounted a portion of my command, and moved up cautiously, opening fire upon them, They, however, kept under cover. Private White, company A, was at this time severely wounded. On the arrival of the main force, I was transferred from Colonel Judson's command to that of Colonel Phillips' (Colonel Judson retaining the section of howitzers)and ordered to the left of our line of battle. Shortly after the engagement commenced, I discovered the enemy en deavoring to flank us under cover of timber. I immediately dismounted companies C, F and H, and sent them into the timber. They engaged the enemy immediately, and after sharp work of about an hour and a half, succeeded in driving the enemy back, with considerable loss. About this time the First Indiana Regiment charged the enemy on the left, relieving my men. I at once recalled my men from the timber, and after obtaining a supply of ammunition, mounted and started in pursuit After crossing the creek, I charged into a large body of rebels, whom I supposed to be Stanwatie's Indians and a regiment of Texans. They fell back to the woods, and made a stand. My men dismounted, and opened a vigorous fire on them, which, together with the effective fire of the howitzers, soon drove them in confusion. I followed them until ordered to cease pursuit "The conduct of the officers and men under my command was excellent, they being cool and self-possessed during the entiie engagement, particularly the detachment on duty with the how- 140 MILITARY HISTORY OF itzers; they advanced almest as fast as the cavalry, unlimbering their guns, and delivering their fire with remarkable celerity and correctness. " My loss was light, considering the heavy fire under which we were, and consists of these whose names appear in the report. '• I have the honor to be, " Your obedient servant, " Wm. T. Camphell, " Commanding Sixth Kansas Cavalry." After the engagement above mentioned, the regiment returned to Fort Gibson, C. N., where it was joined by the second battalion of the regiment. On the 22d day of August it received marching orders, and proceeded, with the troops under command of General Blunt, against the rebel General Cooper. Lieutenant Phillips, com manding company C, had the advance with his company, and was constantly skirmishing with the enemy. The command was then divided, and the Sixth regiment returned to Fort Gibson, where it went into camp on the west side of the Arkansas River. Whilst the regiment was in camp here, Captain J. T. Blake arrived with a new company. The regiment then moved, with the First Brigade, under com mand of Colonel Ritchie, to Northfork-Town, but was soon compelled to fall back to the Arkansas River. j^On the 13th of November, 1863, the regiment marched for Fort Smith, Arkansas, where it arrived on the 18th of the same month. During the winter of 1863-4, it was employed in scouting, and escorting supply trains, and moved to Roseville. On the 26th sf March the regiment joined the First Division, Army of the Frontier, then en route to join General Steele's command. The following is the official report of the part taken by the Sixth on the " Camden Expedition " : " Colonel TV. F. Cloud, Commanding Third Brigade, Frontier " Division, Seventh Jirmy Corps : " Sir — The Sixth Kansas Cavalry, Volunteers, consisting of Regimental Headquarters, and companies A, C, G, K and M, marched from camp near Roseville, Arkansas, under command of Lieutenant Colonel William T. Campbell, forming a junction KANSAS REGIMENTS. 141 on the 28th with the Frontier Division, commanded by Brigadier General J. M. Thayer. The regiment was then attached to the Third, or Cavalry, Brigade, and on the 9th of April, on the Little Missouri River, formed a junction with the Seventh Army Corps, Major General F. Steele, commanding. "The regiment participated in the skirmish on the 10th, 11th and 12th, at Prairie de-Ann; on the 13th, while preparing to march, was again attacked, the Frontier Division being in the rear. The enemy was repulsed, and driven from the field of action. On the 14th, company C lost nine (9) men, killed, wounded, or captured, while foraging. On the 16th the regi ment, with the main command, arrived at Camden, Arkansas. On the 17th the train left Camden for the purpose of procuring forage for the command, a portion of the detail for escort being made from the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, consisting of seventy-five (75) cavalry and the section of howitzers attached to the regi ment, under command of Lieutenant Robert Henderson, company G. On the 18th the train was attacked and captured by the pnemy, at Poison Springs, twelve miles west of Camden. In the engagement Lieutenant Robert Henderson was wounded, and captured. Private C. C. Goodman, company D, attached to the howitizers, was killed. Private H. Gable, company K, was captured, and several wounded. The detachments returned to Camden, and remained there until the 26th, when the regiment, with the command, took up its line of March for Little Rock. On the morning of the 29th,about ten o'clock, while the command was crossing the Ouchita River, the enemy attacked our rear guard, which consisted of companies C and K, Sixth Regiment. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which private E. Gray, company C, was severely wounded, and two (2) men of company K missing. On the morning of the 30th the enemy attacked our army in force, while crossing Saline River. In this engagement the regiment did not participate, two companies being occupied in guarding fordings on the Saline River, the other companies with the Cavalry Division, en route to Little Rock, where they arrived May 1st, 1864. At the crossing of the Saline River the medicine stores, tents and wagons, were burned, by order of Major Genera Steele, and unfortunately, the regimental records were ail destroyed. 142 MILITARY HISTORY OF " On the 6th of May the regiment left Little Rock, and arrived at Dardanelle on the 9th. Same day had a skirmish with a party of rebels, in which Sergeant G. P. Freeman, company A, was mortally wounded, and Sergeant Joseph Powell, severely wounded. From Dardanelle the regiment marched for Fort Smith, Arkansas, where it arrived on the 16th of May. " W. T. Campbell, "Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Sixth Kansas Cavalry." During the Camden Expedition, Colonel W. R. Judson, of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, commanded the District of the Frontier, to which he was assigned by order of Brigadier General Thayer. His command consisted in part of the Sixth Regiment, which operated in the vicinity of Fort Smith, and along the line of the Arkansas River, scouting the country from Fort Gibson, C. N., to Dardanelle, Arkansas. The portion of the regiment remaining under command of Colonel Judson during this time. suffered severely in numerous skirmishes with the enemy, Company D, Captain Goss commanding, stationed at Roseville, was attacked by a large rebel force, but after a gallant resistance the enemy was compelled to retire with considerable loss. Captain Goss lost five (5) men killed, and seyeral wounded, including himself in the latter number. On the 5th of April a scouting party of the regiment, whilst escorting Assistant Surgeon S. A. Fairchilds to Roseville, was fired upon from an ambush, and thirteen (13) of the party of *wenty-one (21) were killed, including Surgeon Fairchilds. The bodies of the victims were stripped of their clothing, and then mutillated in a most horrible and inhuman manner. After the return of that portion of the regiment which participated in the Camden Expedition, the entire regiment, except company F, which was detached as personal escort to General Thayer, was engaged in scouting the country south and west of Fort Smith. The enemy having followed the retreating column from Camden, was constantly attacking outposts and foraging parties. On the 26th of June, Sergeant S. McKibben,company L, was killed, while gallantly pursuing bushwhackers south of Fort Smith. At this time a battalion of the regiment was encamped KANSAS KEGIMENTS. 143 on Muzzard Prairie, about six miles south of Fort Smith, under command of Major Mefford. On the morning of the 27th of July, about six and a half o'clock, the battalion was surprised and attacked by a rebel force cf about two thousand (2,000) men, and after a gallant resistance, Major Mefford, Lieutenant De Friese, and one hundred and fourteen (114) men, were taken prisoners. The following is a partial report of the engagement at Muzzard Prairie, Arkansas : "Fort Smith, Ark., July 29, 1864. " Colonel W. R. Judson, Commanding First Brigade : " Sir — I have the honor to report to you that I was in command of company B, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, on the morning of the 27th inst., when the enemy made the attack on our camp, on Muzzard Prairie, and as soon as the alarm was given that the enemy was in the prairie, which was about six o'clock, A. M., I sent immediately for the herd which had been out grazing since daylight, and was about three-fourths of a mile southwest of camp. I formed my men on the right of camp, to protect my herd as it came in, and until it could be secured, but before the horses could be brought up, the enemy charged on us, which stampeded the herd, and left the men on foot to fight as best they could. We drove the enemy back, and as I had received no orders from the commanding officer, I ordered my men to fall back until they could form on the right of the other companies. When I had fallen back to the left of my company's parade ground, I came in speaking distance of Major Mefford, when I received orders to form my company on the right, to protect the camp. I immediately took the postion assigned me, with company D on my left. We held our position, repulsing three distinct charges of the enemy. At this time Usaw that Major Mefford had, with companies E and H, been driven from their position on the left of the line, and had began to fall back across the prairie. I knew that I could not hold my 'ground much longer, with what men I had; so, without receiving orders lrom Major Mefford, commenced falling back toward him. As we fell back I had several men captured by the enemy that was advancing through the timber in the center of our camp. We fought and retreated in good order, until we came within half a 144 MILITARY HISTORY OF mile of the house on the prairie, when the enemy closed in on all sides, taking many more of our men prisoners. Those that were left, continued fighting and falling back to the house. There the men that were left were overpowered and captured. Before we reached the house I received a slight wound in the right thigh. Some of my men who were first captured made their escape by hiding in the thick brush, the enemy not staying to hunt for stragglers, but left immediately after the men at the house were captured, taking with them all the men that could travel. All did well under the circumstances — it being a surprise — after driving in the pickets,the enemy was in our camp. I lost in the engagement three (3) killed, two (2) mortally wounded, five (5) severely wounded, and forty (40) men taken prisoners. Jacob Morehead, "First Lieut. Sixth Kansas Cavalry, Volunteers, " Commanding company B." KANSAS REGIMENTS. 145 Report of Killed and Wounded on July 27th, 1S64, al Muzzard Prairie, Arkansas. NAMES. Jacob Morehead, Thos. McCauley, Furtmire, Antoine, Hinton, Marion, Jackson, Edwin, McDonald, David P., Parker, John G., Parker, Edwin, Rinker, George W., Zents, Joshua B., Chas. S. Atkins, John Phillips, Bartness, Peter, Ritchie, Albert H., Thos. B. Landers, Hutchin, Joel G., Van Wormer, David, Weldon, James, Griffin, Thos. R., Jennings, Daniel, Mou nee, James S., Harris, George L., Rice, Marshall, Pawnee, Lewis, Patterson, William, CAPTURED. David Mefford, J. M. De Friese, Forty Enlisted men, Fifteen " Thirty-four " Twenty-one " Six RANK. 1st Lieut. Corp'l. Private, Serg't, a Private, tt Corp'l. Private. oo. Captain,2d Lieut B BB BBBBBBB DDDDEE EEH H H I L L H E B D EH L REMARKS. Severely wounded. Killed. Slightly wounded. Severely wounded, u a Slightly wounded. Killed. Slightly wounded. Mortally wounded. Killed. Severely wounded. Slightly wounded. Killed. Mortally wounded. Killed. Slightly wounded. Killed. a Slightly wounded. '•' Wagon Master. 146 MILITARY HISTORY OF In the meantime, a large detachment of the regiment was escorting supply trains between Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Fort Scott, Kansas. On the 21st of June Captain John Rogers, company K, was killed in a skirmish with bushwhackers, near Fort Scott. The regiment Avas engaged in performing picket and scouting duty, and almost daily encountered small parties of the enemy. September 14th, companies L and M, and detachments from other companies, formed a part of an escort to supply trains from Fort Scott to Fort Smith, which was attacked by General Gano's command. The following is an extract from Captain Ledger's statement in regard to the Cabin Creek engagement: "The regiment marched from Fort Scott, Kansas, September 14th, 1S64, arriviiig . I Cabin Creel., C. N., September 19th, where it was altacked by the (.nemy about three thousand strong, with six pieces of artillery, under command of General Gano, and after a severe struggle, were driven from the field, and were compelled' to take to the brush and retreat towards the Osage Mission, where they arrived on the 22d, nearly starved to death, having traveled seventy-five miles. All the effects of company L were lost, including the records that had been obtained since the engagement at Muzzard Prairie. Captain Duff's company (M) also lost its property entire. The detachment of the regi ment lost several killed, wounded and prisoners." On the 5th of October, 1864, all the men of the regiment whose term of service would expire prior to October 31st, 1864, by order of Brigadier General Thayer, were sent, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to be mustered out of service. On the 23d of October, while the detachments were en route ' to Leavenworth, they were attacked at Cow Creek, Missouri,and a skirmish ensued, in which Captain Dobyns, company E, privates Lewis A. McGuire, company A, and Maxwell P. Johnson, company C, were killed, and a number of men were captured. Captain Dobyns was a brave and good officer, of unexception able moral character ; kind and generous, loved and respected by all his company, and by all who knew him. He had served his country faithfully for over three years, and was returning to KANSAS REGIMENTS. 147 Kansas to be mustered out, and to the enjoyment of the blessings of that Government he had fought so faithfully to transmit to future generations. The following organizations were mustered out of service about the first of December, 1864, at Fort Leavenworth, by Lieutenant J. R. Kemble and Major W. 0. Gould, mustering officers, viz: Companies A, B, C, D, E, F and K. A detachment of the regiment at Fort Scott, under command of Lieutenant Clark, rendered signal service during the Price raid. On the 29th of December, the portion of the regiment that was yet in service marched from Fort Smith for Clarksville, Arkansas where it remained until the 16th of February, 1865, when it received orders to proceed to Little Rock, Arkansas. The frag ments of the regiment were then consolidated, pursuant to the following orders, viz ; " Headquarters Department of Arkansas, 1 "Little Rock, Ark., April 8, 1865. j [Special Orders, No. 86.] (Extract.) "V. Paragraph 9, Special Oiders No. 70, Current Series, from these Headquarters,is hereby so amended as to read : 'The original service term of companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H and K, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, Volunteers, having expired, the re-enlisted men and recruits of same will, under supervision of the Commissary of Musters, for the Department, be so disposed of, that after assigning detachment company D, thirty-two (32) men, to company I, detachment company K, thirty-eight (3S) men, to company L, and detachment company B, forty-eight (48) men, to cempany M, one new company, having an enlisted total of one hundred and six (106) enlisted men, may be formed. " The new company to be designated A, will be regarded as part of Sixth Kansas Cavalry, with officers as follows, viz : "Charles 0. Judson, Captain original company F, to be Captain. " Thomas G. Howell, First Lieutenant original company A, to be First Lieutenant. " William H. Shattuck, Second Lieutenant original company D, to be Second Lieutenant " Detachment company E, and detachment company H, will be considered as temporarily attached to company G, until that i48 MILITARY HISTORY OF company musters for discharge, when new company B will be organized and officered in orders from these Headquarters. ********* " By command of Major General J. J. Reynolds. "JOHN SEVERING, "Assistant Adjutant General" The re-enlisted men and recruits of the several companies were disposed of as exhibited by the following letter, viz : " Office Commissary of Musters, 1 "Headquarters Superintendent Yol. Eec't'g Service, " Chief Mustering and Disbursing Office, ) "Little Rock, Ark., April 8, 1865.. " To the Officer Commanding Si.rth Kansas Cavalry, Volunteers: " Pursuant to paragraph 5, S. 0 86, Current Series, from Headquarters Department, of Arkansas, the re-enlisted men and recruits of companies A, B, C, D, E, F, II and K, Sixth Kansas Cavalry Regiment, are hereby disposed of as follows, viz: "New company A — Charles 0. Judspn, Captain original company F, Captain. " Thomas G, Howell, First Lieutenant original company A, First Lieutenant. " William H. Shattuck, Second Lieutenant original company D, Second Lieutenant. "Twenty-three (23) veteran volunteers, and nineteen (19) recruits original company A, privates. "Twenty-four veteran volunteers, and eighteen (18) recruits orignal company C, privates. " Twelve (12) veteran volunteers original company F, privates. "Ten (10) recruits original company F, privates; making one hundred and six (106) enlisted total for new company, with five (5) prisoners of war, now entitled to discharge, not included. " Seven (7) veteran volunteers, and twenty-five (25) recruits, company D detachment,have been assigned to original company 1. " Three (3) veteran volunteers, and thirty-five (35) recruits, company K detachment,have been assigned to original com pany L. "Twenty-three (23) veteran volunteers, and eighteen (18) recruits, company B detachment, have been assigned to original company M, " Two (2) veteran volunteers, and eleven (l l) recruits, company E detachment, together with fourteen (14) recruits, company H detachment, have been temporarily assigned to original company G, with which they will serve until that company musters for discharge, then be embodied in new company B. " All non-commissioned officers have been assigned as private soldiers, their offices having ceased to exist same date their kAnsas Regiments. 149 original companies mustered for discharge, from which time they should only be allowed pay as private soldiers. " For the new company A, the proper number of non-com missioned officers will be appointed with rank and pay from April 1st, 1865, when reorganization of company dates. " Prisoners of war ' entitled to discharge,' will be considered as temporarily attached to that company in which their own proper detachments are embodied, and if non-commissioned officers, will retain rank and be entitled to pay as non-com missioned officers of original companies, until exchanged and returned to place where enrolled, or rejoin command for muster out. " On muster pay rolls, they will be taken up next after 'discharged,' under heading, 'prisoners of war entitled to discharge,' and be thus accounted for until they can be properly dropped. " In all cases where men ' absent sick ' are entitled to discharge, the officer in charge of the hospital to which they were sent should immediately be notified, and request discharge to be granted, as contemplated by Sec. 4, Art III., War Department, Circular 36 of 1864, and until evidence^ of their discharge shall have been received, they will be carried at foot of muster pay roll,with necessary remarks explaining their status. " When the command next musters for pay, all men borne on ' Transfer Roll ' as ' absent without leava,' will be dropped as ' deserters,' with notes as to when and where they quit camp, and letter of company to which they then belonged, " Herewith, for your information and guidance, ' Transfer Rolls,' with notes over signature of the undersigned, showing company to which the several detachments have been assigned. " Very respectfully, "Y"our obedient servant, "A. 0. VINCENT, " Major and Commissary of Musters, "Department of Kansas." In the meantime, company G was mustered out of service, but no new company formed, as contemplated in the foregoing instructions from the Commissary of Musters. About the 5th of June the battalion was ordered to proceed to Du Vall's Bluff, Arkansas, where it was joined by the prisoners of war on the 14th of the same month, who were, upon their arrival, mustered out of service. The battalion remained at the cavalry depot until the 18th of July,1865,whenitwas mustered out of service by Lieutenant W. F. Morse, Third Minnesota Infantry, and placed en route to State rendezvous. 150 MILITARY HISTORY OF The battalion left Du Vall's Bluff, Arkansas, July 27th, 1865, and arrived at Leavenworth, Kansas, August 11th, 1865, and Kmained there until the 2lst of the same month, when it received final payment and discharge. On account of the records of the regiment being destroyed, at two different times during its term of service, it is impossible to ascertain the distance marched, and many other interesting items, which should appear in the history, to make it complete. Although but few reports of engagements appear in the history, it will be seen by reference to tabular statements, contained in volume one, of Adjutant General's Report, that Kansas lost a greater number of men killed in action and died of wounds, in proportion to the number of troops furnished, than any other leyal State, the per cent being over sixty-one per thousand, whilst the Sixth lost a greater number than any other cavalry regiment of Kansas troops, its loss being nearly eighty per thousand of the whole number enlisted. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 151 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The Seventh Kansas Cavalry was organized on the 28th day of October, 1861, at Fort Leavenworth Kansas, under command of Colonel Charles R. Jennison, and was immediately ordered into the field. The regiment served during the fall and winter of 1861 and 1862 in Western Missouri, during which time it participated in many severe actions. The first engagement in which the regiment was represented was fought the 11th of November, 1861, by companies A, B and H, under command of Lieutenant Colonel D. R. Anthony, with a rebel force outnumbering his, four to one, commanded by the notorious Colonel Up. Hayes. The rebels were driven from their camp, but occupied a strong position just beyond, amongst rocks and trees, on the hills along the Little Blue River. After a des perate fight, and being unable to dislodge the enemy from his naturally strong position, Colonel Anthony caused their camp to be destroyed. Having captured all the horses of the rebel com mand, Colonel Anthony with his force retired from the field. In this engagement the three companies lost nine men killed, and thirty-two wounded. On the 31st day pf January, 1862, the regiment moved to Hum. boldt, Kansas, where it remained until March 25, 1862, when it was ordered to Lawrence, Kansas. At the latter place, Colonel C. R. Jennison resigned, and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. D. R. Anthony. On the 22d of April the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley Kansas, to outfit, and prepare for a march across the Plains to New Mexico, but upon the eve of starting from Fort Riley, May 18, 1862, the order was countermanded, and the regiment or dered to report immediately at Fort Leavenworth, preparatory to moving south. On the 27th and 28th of May, 1862, the regiment embarked on board transports at Leavenworth, and was ordered to proceed via Pittsburg Landing and report to Gen, 152 MILITARY HISTORY OF Halleck, who was then operating against Corinth, Miss. This order was changed, however, and the regiment disembarked at Columbus, Ky. It moved from this place, the 7th of June, '62, as escort to working parties who were engaged in repairing the Ohio and Mobile railroad, and finally arrived at Corinth, Miss. July 10, 1862. From thence it moved to Jacinto, Miss., where it arrived July 20, 1862; and thence to Rienzi, Miss., where it ar rived July 23, 1862. The latter place was the extreme outpost of the army of the Mississippi. Here the regiment was assigned to the First Cavalry Brigade, commanded by Colonel Philip H. Sheridan, Second Michigan Cavalry, and remained at this post until its final evacuation, September 30, 1862. During this time the men were constantly in the saddle, and engaged in many severe cavalry skirmishes. On the 17th day of July, 1862, Major Albert L. Lee was pro moted Colonel, and assumed command of the regiment Companies B and E represented the regiment at the battle of Iuka, Miss., September 18, 1862,and received special notice from General Rosecrans for bravery on the field and in the pursuit. When Van Dorn's advance upon Corinth was expected, the Seventh Kansas, with a portion of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, were ordered out, under command of Colonel A. L. Lee, on a reconnoisance, and developed the intended movement. Colonel Lee passed to the rear of the advancing rebel column, and con tinued to harrass him until the night of the 3d of October, when the Third Michigan Cavalry arrived, and the command moved around the flank of the enemy and passed into Corinth in time to take part in the final terrible battle on the 4th. On the entire pursuit from Corinth the Seventh Kansas Cavalry held the ad vance, and killed and captured a large number of the enemy. The pursuit was continued to Ripley, Miss. From thence the regiment returned to Corinth, where it re mained a few days in camp, when it joined a cavalry expedition, under command of Colonel A. L. Lee, into Alabama. The Seventh Kansas Cavalry crossed Bear Creek in the ad vance, drove Roddy's rebel command from Buzzard Roost Sta tion, and killed and captured a number of the rebels. Here the expedition was discontinued, and the command returned to Corinth, From thence it moved immediately to Grand Junction, KANSAS REGIMENTS, 153 Tennessee, where it joined General Grant's .army, which was concentrating at that place. The rebel army, under command of General Pemberton, was then encamped at Cold Water, twenty miles south toward Holly Springs. On the 8th of November a reconnoisance was made by the cavalry, under command of Colonel Lee. The Seventh Kansas Cavalry had the advance, and near Lamar met a column of rebel cavalry, about six thousand strong, under commend of General Jackson, the rebel Chief of Cavalry. After a spirited skirmish, a portion of the regiment made a flank movement and attacked the rebel flank. Company E, commanded by Captain Charles H. Gregory, by a gallant charge, stampeded the entire rebel command, who fled in the utmost confusion, leaving over twenty of his dead, and three hundred wounded and prisoners. This defeat caused the retreat of the entire rebel command beyond Holly Springs. A subsequent raid was made by Col, Lee to Holly Springs on the 28th of November. In this engagement the Seventh Kansas Cavalry had the advance, and charged into town and completely routed the rebel garrison. On the 27th of November the entire army moved forward, the Seventh Regiment occupying the extreme advance of the com mand a greater portion of the time during the campaign, and skir mished the entire way from Holly Springs, Miss. The regiment performed signal service at the Tallahatchie, and was the first to cross the river after the rebels evacuated their stronghold. The regiment led the advance into Oxford, Miss., which was gained after very severe fighting. It was the first into Water Valley, and also occupied the advance at Coffeyville, and was engaged in the hottest of that battle, where four thousand cavalry, thirty miles in advance of the infantry column, engaged ten thousand rebel infantry, and only fell back from the field when nearly sur rounded. The command brought off'all the artillery in safety, leaving none but the dead behind it. The regiment then moved back with the cavalry command to Water Valley, where it remained until December 15, 1862, when it was again ordered out in pursuit of Van Born, who was moving with a rebel column upon Holly Springs. The regiment marched day and night, but failed to reach the place in time to partici-. 154 MILITARY HISTORY OF pate in the engagement and save the place, the town havihg been captured and the Government stores destroyed the day before its arrival. The pursuit was continued into Tennessee, and Van Dorn's forces driven as far as Pontotoc, Miss., with a loss to him of^ many prisoners. The regiment returned to Holly Springs, where it remained until the 31st of December, when it moved to Mos cow, Tenn., and was stationed along the line of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, and remained guarding the road until April 14, 1863, a greater portion of the time at Germantown, Tenn. At this place, Colonel A L. Lee received notice of his promotion to Brigadier General, and took leave of the regiment, and the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. T. P. Herrick. From Germantown the regiment returned to Corinth, Miss., where it arrived on '.he I7ih of April. The following morning the regiment was ordered to jjiu a force under command of General G. M. Dodge, who was concentrating his forces at Bear Creek, Ala. On the 23d of April the army moved. On the 24th of April the regiment moved upon Tuscumbia, Ala., charged the rebel brigade under command of General Roddy, and drove him from the town. The charge was immediately followed by the advance of the cavalry, under command of Col. F. M. Cornyn, Tenth Missouri Cavalry. The enemy was overtaken several miles beyond, where the memorable cavalry battle of Leighton was fought In the meantime Roddy's command was reinforced by a por tion of Forrest's cavalry, from the north side of the river, and outnumbered Cornyn's brigade two to one. Notwithstanding the great odds with which they had to contend, the enemy was driven ten miles and thoroughly whipped. In the engagement Captain Utt, of company A, lost a leg whilst gallantly leading his company in a charge upon a rebel battery. On the following day the command moved back to Tuscumbia. On the 27th of April a second advance was made, and a heavy engagement took place at Town Creek. The enemy occupied a strong posi tion on the opposite side of the creek, but was finally driven from the field. From this place tho command moved back, and the infantry marched directly to Corinth. The cavalry turned off at Burusville and moved south, for the purpose of attracting KANSAS REGIMENTS. 155 the attention of the rebels from Colonel Grierson, who was just starting on his celebrated raid through Mississippi. After severe skirmishing a greater portion of the way, the brigade arrived at Tupelo, Miss., on the 5th of May, succeeded in driving the rebels from the town, and occupied the place. In the afternoon a force of rebel cavalry was reported advancing on the town. A por tion of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry was immediately sent out, dismounted, to meet them. As they advanced through the tim ber, they came suddenly upon the rebel line, just as it was form ing, a little beyond the opening, and immediately opened a heavy fire upon the rebel ranks, which sent them flying in great confu sion, killing and wounding a large number. The Tenth Mis souri Cavalry charged the enemy, mounted, and captured a num ber of prisoners. In the meantime, the rebel General Gholson, with four thousand militia, charged from the south, intending a surprise, but the charge was gallantly met by three companies of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and a battery of light artillery-^- howitzers — of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, and after severe fighting, succeeded in repulsing the charge of the enemy, driving him from the field, completely demoralized, with a heavy loss to the rebels in prisoners. The regiment was stationed at Corinth from the 9th of May, 1863, until the 8th of January, 1864, was almost constantly in the saddle, and participated in many severe actions. On the 11th day of June, 1863, Lieutenant Colonel Herrick was mustered as Colonel. On the 26th of May Colonel Cornyn moved with a cavalry force, consisting of the Seventh Kansas, Tenth Missouri, one battalion of the Fifteenth Illinois, and the Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry. The command crossed the Tennessee river the same night, and moved rapidly towards Florence, Ala., the Seventh Kansas taking the advance. About ten miles from Florence a rebel force was encountered, but was easily driven to the out skirts of the town, where a large rebel force was drawn up in line of battle, and a battery, posted on the hill, immediately opened a heavy fire upon the advance. After a severe engage ment, the enemy was routed, driven back through town, and the place captured. A vast quaatity of stores and ammunition were captured and destroyed. 156 MILITARY HISTORY OF The command then moved by a road to the south the same night, the Seventh regiment occupying the advance. A short distance beyond the extreme picket post, a force of rebel cavalry was encountered, and a severe skirmish ensued, which caused the rebels to fall back slowly. Severe fighting was continued until nearly morning, when the rebel force in front having been nearly all captured, the enemy ceased troubling. The command then moved direct to Hamburg, on the Tennessee river. While the command was crossing the river an attack was made on the rear, but was soon repulsed, and no further difficulty was ex perienced. On the 3 1st of May the regiment returned to Corinth, having marched night and day for six consecutive days. During the summer and fall of 1863, the regiment was en gaged in many severe skirmishes. On the 9th of July the regi ment took part in a cavalry engagement near Iuka, Miss. Cor- nyn's brigade encountered a rebel force under command of Gen. Roddy, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy with heavy loss. On the 30th of September companies A and C attacked the rear guard of a rebel force whilst crossing the Tennessee river at Swallow's Bluff, and after a spirited engagement, succeed in cap turing a number of the enemy before they could cross to the east side of the river. On the 12th of October the regiment was engaged in the bat tle of Byhalia and Wyatt, Miss., which was fought by the cavalry division under command of Colonel Hatch with a rebel force under command of General N. B. Forrest. The latter was de feated with heavy loss, and driven across the Tallahatchie river. In this engagement, Captain Amasa Hodgman, company H, was mortally wounded and captured, while gallantly leading a charge against a very strong position, and died in the hands of the ene my, October 16, 1863. On the 1st of December the regiment again engaged the rebel force under command of General Forrest at Ripley, Miss., having been sent out to retard the rebel column, then moving towards the Memphis and Charleston railroad. In this engagement, Lieutenant Colonel W. S. Jenkins was severely wounded in the head. On the 24th of December a battalion of the Seventh Kansas KANSAS REGIMENTS. 157 encountered and defeated a detachment of Forrest's command near Jack's Creek, Tenn. On the 1st ot January, 186 4,while the regiment was bivouacked near La Grange, Tenn., without any shelter to protect the men from the sleet and cold, and many of them suffering severely from frozen feet, notwithstanding the suffering, over four-fifths of the Seventh Kansas re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteers, the first to re-enlist in the District of West Tennessee. On the 18th day of January the camp was broken up at Cor inth, and the regiment ordered to Memphis, where the veterans were re-mustered, January 21, to date January 1, 1864, from whence it proceeded to Leavenworth, Kan., where it arrived on the 4th of February, and was furloughed for thirty days. Immediately after the regiment re-assembled at Leavenworth, (March 12, 1864), it was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., but upon its arrival at St. Louis, the order was changed, and it remained there until re-equipped. After having been outfitted anew, it proceeded, June 6, to Memphis, Tenn. On the 17th of June the regiment left Memphis as escort to working parties who were engaged in repairing the Memphis and Charleston railroad. On the 5th of July it moved south from La Grange in advance of General A. J. Smith's infantry column, which was advancing against the rebel force under command of Forrest. The regiment continued in the advance, (the rest of the cavalry operating on the flanks), until the arrival of the command at Pontotoc, Miss., where the rebel command under Forrest was entrenched on Cherry Creek, six miles below the town. After making some demonstrations, as if to attack, Gen. Smith, on the 12th of July, sent the cavalry in the advance, except the Seventh Kansas, which he retained as rear guard, and moved east with his command towards Tupelo. Forrest immediately followed, and pressed heavily upon the rear. The regiment was constantly engaged on the 13th from 5 o'clock, A. M. until 8 o'clock, P. M., and at times was compelled to hold in. check the entire force of the enemy. On the 14th and 15th of.July the battle of Tupelo was fought. The Seventh regiment occupied a position on the right flank, but was not heavily engaged. Immediately after the battle. Gen. Smith returned with his command to La Grange. .158 MILITARY HISTORY OF On the 16th of July the regiment, whilst acting as rear guard, had a spirited engagement with the Second Missouri (rebel) Cav alry at Ellistown, in which it lost several men. On the 1st of August, General Smith again moved against the rebel command under Forrest, in which expedition the regiment took a conspicuous part, and was engaged in all the principal actions during the campaign, including the crossing of the Tallahatchie, on the 8th of August, the capture of Oxford on the 9th, and the severe cavalry battle of Hurricane Creek, on the 1 6th of the same month. Soon after the expedition returned to Memphis, the regiment received orders to report to General Rosecrans at St. Louis, where it arrived on the 17th of September, 1864. The regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel F. M. Malone, took an active part in the campaign in Missouri against the rebel General Price, during the fall of 1864, and participated in all the principal engagements. At Independence, Mo., the regiment charged against a superior force of the enemy, and succeeded in completely routing them, and captured two pieces of artillery. After the campaign against Price, the regiment was stationed by detachments in St. Louis District, where it was employed in fighting guerrillas until the 18th of July, 1865, when it was or dered to report at Omaha City, N. T., where it arrived on the 31st of the same month, and from thence marched to Fort Kearney. The regiment, however, had scarcely reached the lat ter station, when it received orders to return to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to be mustered out of service, where it arrived on the 14th of September, 1865, and on the 29th of the same month re ceived its final discharge, after having served a term of three years and eleven months from the time of its organization until its final muster out of service. The aggregate distance marched, as shown by the records of the regiment, exclusive of the distance traveled on transports and by rail, is twelve thousand and fifty miles — a no inconsiderable journey when it will be remembered how many weary miles were traveled beneath a scorching southern sun, or through the winter's rain and sleet. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 159 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE EIGHTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. To give the history of a regiment on active duty during oiir late civil war, as it should be given, is a task to which only the genius of a Bancroft or a Prescott is equal, and the writer of this sketch is aware, even more painfully than will be those who read it, of his inabilty to convey to the public any adequate idea of the grand, heroic services rendered the country by the Eighth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Even if his pen was com petent to do this work, the brief space allotted to the annals of a regiment in this report, precludes any possibility of recording in it the detailed history of a service extending through four years and a half, and crowded so thick with events that its experience is equal to a century of ordinary peaceful. life. He had hoped to be able to compress this sketch within yet narrower limits than it occupies, but the important campaigns in which the regiment took part were so numerous, and the incidents attending them so multifarious; the country in which it operated was so vast, and its service so varied, exciting, and oftentimes so terrible, that justice to the heroic and devoted men, who, on so many red fields of battle, shed lustre on the State that sent them forth, demands something more than a mere skeleton analysis of the number of engagements in which it participated, the miles marched, aad the men killed or wounded, or died of wounds or disease; and he finds it impossible to convey a clear understand ing of the dangers, privations and toils they braved, suffered and endured, without embracing many circumstances that are of minor importance. As it is, much had to be omitted, that, if narrated, would give a better idea of the sacrifices and services of the soldiers of the Eighth,and of tho glorious recklessness,and still. more glorious faith, with which they marched, and suffered, and fought, through danger, disease and death, in the fields and camps they made historic and immortal. The organization of the Eighth Kansas Infantry was com menced in August, 186 1, and the first company (A) was mustered 160 MILITARY HISTORY OF iuto the service on the 2Sth of that month. The regiment was originally intended, and was recruited, for service in the State and along the border, as, at that period of our great national struggle, with hostile savages on our western and southern frontiers, and Missouri overrun with rebel hordes, an invasion of Kansas was supposed to be inevitable. As was the case with many other Kansas regiments, the Eighth was also a mixed organization, intended to have eight companies of infantry, and two of cavalry, such a disposition, as it was supposed, being better adapted for service against marauding bands, and for the defense of the border. The order for raising the Eighth was received late in July by Governor Charles Robinson, and recruiting officers were at once appointed. Kansas had already sent six regiments to the field, and another (the Seventh) was recruiting at the same time ; but the young State,though sadly taxed to fill these, calls,responded with enthusiasm and alacrity to this fresh demand. In September six full companies were mustered in, and in October two others were added. The Governor had appointed, as Colonel of the regiment, Major Henry W. Wessels, Sixth United States Infantry, an old and experienced officer, a graduate of the West Point Military Academy, and a soldier who had seen service iu the Florida and Mexican wars, and for many years on the Plains. Early in October he assumed command, and under his personal supervision the organization was completed. To his watchful care and intelligent instruction, during the time he remained with the regiment, much of the high reputation it afterwards won for discipline, drill and efficiency, is due. In October the headquarters of the regiment were established at Lawrence, but, owing to the exigencies of the service, it was found impossible to secure a general concentration at that point. Companies A, D, II and G, were stationed there; the others were 'scattered, at different points, over the State. In November the organization of the regiment was as follows: FIELD AND STAFF : Colonel — Henry W. Wessels, Major Sixth U. S. Infantry. Lieutenant Colonel — John A. Martin, mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, October 27th, 1861. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 161 Major — Ed. F. Schneider, mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, September 5th, 1861. Surgeon— J. B. Woodward, mustered in October 4th, 1861. Assistant Surgeon — George W. Hogeboom, mustered in Octo ber 23d, 1861. Adjutant — S. C. Russell, mustered in October 23d, 1861. Quartermaster — E. P. Bancroft, mustered in October 22d, 1 862. Sergeant-Major — Sol. R. Washer, mustered in November 14tb, 1861. Quartermaster-Sergeant — -Wm. Rosenthall, mustered in No vember 14th, 1S61. Commissary-Sergeant — V. S. Fisk, mustered in November 11th, 1861. Hospital Steward — Jas. J.Phillips, mustered in September 12th, 1861. companies: Company A. — Jas. L. Abernathy, Captain; Samuel Laighton, First Lieutenant ; John Conover, Second Lieutenant. Organized August2Sth,1861. Aggregate strength of confpany, ninety-nine. Stationed at Lawrence. Company B. — David Block, Captain; Charles Alten, First Lieutenant; Martin Mauerhan, Second Lieutenant. Organized September 3d. Aggregate strength of company, seventy-eight Sjtationed at Fort Leavenworth. Company C. — Jas. M. Graham, Captain; John G. Bechtold, First Lieutenant; Richard R. Bridgeland, Second Lieutenant. Organized September 19th. Aggregate strength of company, ninety. Stationed at Fort Riley. Company D (Cavalry.) — George F. Earle, Captain ; A. J. Pike, First Lieutenant ; A. D. Searle, Second Lieutenant. Or ganized September 13th. Aggregate strength of company, eighty-one. Stationed at LawTence. Company E. — John Greelish, Captain; Milton Rose, First Lieutenant; Daniel R. Rooks, Second Lieutenant. Organized September 16th. Aggregate strength ef company, aighty-three. Stationed at Olathe. Company F. — A. W. Williams, Captain ; S. B. Todd, First Lieutenant ; John L. Graham, Second Lieutenant Organized September 28th. Aggregate strength of company, ninety-one. Stationed at Iowa Point 162 MILITARY HISTORY 0» Company G.— -N. Harrington, Captain; Robert Flickinger, First Lieutenant; Jos. Randolph, Second Lieutenant. Organized October 2d. Aggregate strength of company, seventy-one. Stationed at Lawrence. Company H (Cavalry.) — Asaph Allen, Captain; L. T. Heri tage, First Lieutenant ; Robert Madden, Second .Lieutenant. Orgnnized October 12th. Aggregate strength of company, eighty-five. Stationed at Lawrence. Aggregate strength of the regiment November 30th, 1861, six hundred and seventy-eight On the morning of the 16th of December, companies A aud G, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Martin, struck tenls at Lawrence and marched to West Point, Missouri, where they arrived on the afternoon of the 19th, having traveled seventy miles. Colonel Wessels, with companies D and H, started for the same place on tha 22d, and reached there on the 25th. During this month the different companies of the regiment added a number of recruits to their rolls, and Second Lieutenant John Conover, having received authority, undertook the organi zation of another company (I). By the 12th he had recruited forty-four men, and was mustered in as First Lieutenant. On the 13th of December the Eighth numbered in the aggregate, seven hundred and forty officers and men. Seven men died during the years, and. one was discharged for disability. Early in January, 1862, a detachment of forty-six men, under Captain A. W. J. Brown, was transferred to the Eighth from the Sixth Kansas, and became company K. Its other officers were, First Lieutenant Wm. S. Newberry, and Second Lieutenant W. J. Larrimer. On the 7th of February, much to the regret of the officers and men, Colonel Wessels received an order to proceed to Washing ton, and assume command of his regiment in the Regular Army. He started the next day, turning over the command of tha Eighth to Lieutenant Colonel Martin. On the 15th of the same month, companies A, F and G were ordered to Fort Kearney, Nebraska, and started for that Post next morning. On the 22d, the headquarters of the regiment, with companies D, H and K were removed to Ossawatomie, Kansas. The winter spent upon the border was a very trying one. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 163 The cold was intense, and although the duties were light, the men, unused to the exposure incident to camp life, suffered severely from the inclement weather. A number of scouts were sent into Missouri, but no engagements occurred, and the monotony of the camp, unbroken by a single incident of exciting interest, became exceedingly irksome. On the 28th of February the detachments known as companies I and K Were, by order of Major General Hunter, commanding the department, consolidated as company I. Lieutenant Conover was promoted to the Captaincy. Captain Brown and Lieutenant Larrimer were mustered out. First Lieutenant Newberry retained his position, and First Lieutenant J. Milton Hadley was made Second Lieutenant. On the same day General Hunter issued ail order reorganizing a number of the Kansas regiments. Under its terms the Eighth was consolidated with a battalion raised for service in New Mexico, and Colonel R. H. Graham, of the latter, was assigned to the command. This order was received at Ossawatomie on the 1 1th of March, and the next day the companies stationed there, in accordance with instructions, broke camp and started for Fen Leavenworth. Important changes were made in the organization of the regiment by this consolidation. Companies D and H (cavalry) were transferred to the Ninth Kansas. Com panies F and I changed their lettering, so that the former became company D and the latter company F ; and three companies of Colonel Graham's battalion, afterwards known as companies H, I and K, were added to the Eighth. Surgeon Woodward and Quartermaster Bancroft were transferred to the Ninth, and 0. Chamberlain appointed Surgeon, and A. Robinson Quartermaster, in their stead. Quartermaster Sergeant Rosenthal was promoted to a Lieutenantcy in the Ninth, and John R. Corker took his place. Hospital Stewart Phillips was transferred to the Ninth, and Edwin J. Talcott appointed in his stead. The three companies added to the regiment were as follows: Company H. — Edgar P. ^Thrego, Captain ; Frank Curtis, First Lieutenant ; H. C. Blackman, Second Lieutenant. Aggre gate strength of company, ninety-one. Company I. — Henry C. Austin, Captain ; Marion Brooks, First 164 MILITARY HISTORY OF Lieutenant ; A. Graham, Second Lieutenant. Aggregate strength of company, seventy-seven. Company K.— Wm. S. Hurd, Captain ; James E. Love, First Lieutenant; Wm. H. Babcock, Second Lieutenant. Aggregate strength of company, seventy-one. Aggregate strength of the regiment after the consolidation, eight hundred and sixty-two. The regiment was then distributed as follows: Companies A, D and G were stationed at Fort Kearney, Nebraska ; companies B and F at Fort Leavenworth ; company C at Fort Riley, (Cap tain Graham commanding Post) ; companies E and K at Aubrey, Kansas, (Major Schneider commanding) ; and companies H and I at Leavenworth city, on Provost duty. Colonel Graham was detailed as Provost Marshal General of the State, by Major General Hunter, and Lieutenant Colonel Martin as Provost Marshal of Leavenworth city. No changes were made until the latter part of April, when company B relieved company II in the city, and company H was ordered to Fort Riley to relieve company C, the latter company being ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Late in May orders were received to send all troops that could be spared to Corinth, Mississippi, against which place the armies under General Halleck were operating. The expedition which had started to New Mexico, under command of General Robert B. Mitchel], was suddenly recalled, and most of the regiments comprising it were ordered to the south. On the 25th of May, at the earnest solicitation of General Mitchell, an order was issued by General Blunt (who had meantime assumed command of the department) directing the Eighth Kansas to go to Corinth, the companies then within reach to go at once; the others to follow as soon as possible. Campanies E, H and K were imme diately ordered in, and by forced marches, reached Leavenworth on the 27th. After a review of troops on the 28th, five companies of the Eighth, B, E, H, I and K, with a battalion of the Seventh Kansas, were embarked on board the steamer Emma, and at daylight next morning started down the Missouri. The partings had been said; wives, mothers, sweethearts, fathers, and all the dear friends at home, were left behind. Perhaps never more were many of these men to grasp their hands, and look KANSAS REGIMENTS. 165 into the eyes that followed them, brimming with tears. They were launching into a future dark with peril and terrible with its weight of suffering, of privations, and of toils; but they rejoiced that at last the languor of restrain was to be lifted from them, and welcomed the call which summoned them to hold, over the green dominion of treason, the flag which symbolized the nation's unity and empire. The glad picture of a country saved was imprinted upon their hearts, and lighted up their future imagination ; the old, heroic blood, inherited from a glorious ancestry of soldiers, started from its arterial centre, inspiring them with the fervor of patriotic self-sacrifice; and they gloried in the opportunity to interpose their hearts between the bullet of the traitor and the fair form of the Republic. On the trip down the river two men, Private Kech, company B, and Wrigley, company I, fell overboard and were drowned. With these exceptions, the passage was marked by no incidents, and was a very pleasant one. At daylight on the 31st the boat arrived at St. Louis, where she remained until the evening of the 1st of June. It had been expected that the troops would be sent up the Tennessee river, but at St. Louis news of the evacuation of Corinth was received, and on reaching Cairo they were ordered to proceed to Columbus, Ky., and thence, along the line of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, to Corinth. On the 2d, at about noon Columbus was reached and the troops disembarked, going into camp just outside of the abandoned rebel fortifications, on a* high, steep bluff, overlooking the river. Colonel Graham was taken sick at St. Louis, and left the regi ment at that place, turning over the command to Lieutenant Colonel Martin. He never afterwards rejoined it, as he continued sick until his death, which occurred in October of the same year. l The troops comprising General Mitchell's command, consist ing of the First, Eighth and Seventh Kansas, and Second Kan sas Battery ; the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fifteenth Wisconsin, Infantry, and a battalion of the Twenty-Second Missouri Infantry were concentrated at Columbus within a few days, and on the Sth moved southward. The Second Kansas Battery was at tached to the Eighth Kansas, by order of the General command ing. After a march of three days, passing through Clinton and 166 MILITARY HISTORY OF Moscow, Ky., we reached Union City, Tenn. Here we remained until the morning of the 16th, when we again marched; but on the following day pitched our tents to await the arrival of our commissary train. Late in the night, however, news was re ceived of an anticipated attack by the rebels on Trenton, Tenn., garrisoned by only a small force of cavalry, and Lieutenant Colonel Martin was directed to proceed to that place as rapidly as possible with the battalion of the Eighth and the Second Bat tery. At daylight the command was off, and at 3 P. M. reached Trenton, having marched twenty-four miles, ferrying across two branches of the Ohio river en route. The rebels did not make the attack, but the troops at Trenton were greatly relieved by the timely arrival of reinforcements. The Eighth remained at this place until the 26th, when the First Kansas took its place, and it marched to Humboldt, Tenn., arriving there the same day. Here it remained until the after noon of the 2d of July, when it took the cars for Corinth, reach ing that place at noon on the 3d. Reporting to Gen. Halleck, it was assigned to Gen. Jeff C. Davis' Division, Army of the Mis sissippi, and directed to report to Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, on Clear Creek, for further instructions. By that officer it was tempora rily attached to Colonel Fuller's brigade to await the arrival of General Mitchell's troops, and on the evening of the 3d,- for the first time since its organization, the Eighth Kansas pitched its tents with, and formed part of, one of the Grand Armies of the Nation. The regiment had to pass through a rigid ordeal at Corinth. The General-in-Chief had not yet learned that the war meant the destruction of slavery, and as the Kansas troops, ' in passing through Kentucky and Tennessee, had not evinced any respect for the "peculiar institution," but had both stolen and harbored slaves, General Quinby, a pro-slavery officer in command of the District through which we passed, reported the Seventh and Eighth as mutinous, undisciplined and demoralized. At one time he issued an order threatening to muster them out in case they interfered with slave property, and his partial reports preceded us, prejudicing the commanding General against the two regi ments. General Rosecrans, to his honor be it said, refused to believe the reports that we were "mutinous and demoralized " KANSAS REGIMENTS. 167 but resolved to investigate and learn the truth for himself. Ac cordingly the day after our arrival, his Inspector General, Colonel Kenneth, arrived in the camp of the Eighth to" inspect it. En tirely unexpected as this was, in ten minutes the command was ready. A very rigid examination, not only of the arms, clothing and accoutrements of the regiment, but of its personnel, was made, and when through, Colonel K., in the most complimenta ry terms, expressed his satisfaction and pleasure at the result cf his observations. The next day General Rosecrans personally complimented Lieutenant Colonel Martin upon the "discipline and drill of the men, and the perfect order in which the arms, accoutrements and clothing were kept" "No volunteer regi ment in the army," he said, "had received so favorable a report from his Inspector." The Eighth was never afterwards charged with a lack of discipline or unsoldierly conduct, and in General Rosecrans, from that day forward, it always found an earnest friend. General Mitchell reached Corinth on the afternoon of the 5th, and the other troops of his brigade arrived a few days later. A beautiful camp ground was selected, and we were soon very com fortably situated. To the Eighth the stay at this place was of great advantage. The regiment was exercised in company movements in the morning and in battalion drill every afternoon; it was associated with older troops, and profited by their expe rience, acquiring their splendid confidence and self-reliance without losing any of its own splendid discipline; it was famil iarized with the duties of outpost-guards and pickets, and thus its morale, as well, as its efficiency, was greatly improved. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 22d of July the Eighth left Corinth and proceeded to Jacinto, twelve miles south, where it was attached to the First Brigade, Ninth Division, Army of the Mississippi, General Davis commanding the Division and Gen. Mitchell the Brigade. It remained here twelve days, long enough to become acquainted with the troops with which it was thereaf ter to be associated, and to further perfect the officers and men in the routine of duties iucident to a great army. : On the 2d of August orders came from General Rosecrans di recting the regiment to proceed to Eastport, a small town then at , the head of navigation on the Tennessee river, and a large depot 168 MILITARY HISTORY OF for commissary and quartermaster's supplies. Only one compa ny of cavalry was at that time stationed there, but a superior force of rebel guerrillas had been menacing the place, and a larger garrison was deemed necessary, as the point was important as a base of supplies, and there Avere probably several million dollars worth of government goods stored in the town. At three o'clock on the morning of the 3d the regiment marched, and early in the afternoon of the fifth reached Eastport, passing through Iuka en route. On arriving, four companies were camped on the top of a hill overlooking the town and surrounding country, and inside a rough chain of breastworks which had been pre viously built. Lieutenant Colonel Martin assumed command of the post, and appointed Captain Block as Provost Marshal, that officer with his company (B) being stationed in the town, which was close to the river bank. The Eighth remained at Eastport fourteen days. During that time its scouts penetrated the country in every direction. A de tachment under Captain Austin, company I, made a scout to Chickasaw, about eight miles up the river, capturing twelve men and a large quantity of salt and flour, smuggled through our lines and intended for the rebel army. On a second visit to the place, Captain A. found a party of guerrillas engaged in rifln'g a store, but they broke for the woods as soon as discovered. Our men pursued and fired upon them, but were unable to overtake them. Lieutenant Rose, company E, made a scout across the river, and captured two guerrillas. Lieutenant Blackman, com pany H, was sent up the river to Florence, Ala., on the small steamer "Cottage," and captured a lot of stores taken from sut lers of our army by the rebels. Captain Hurd, company K, Lieutenant Keifer, company B, and Captain Greelish, company E, also made scouts into different paits of the surrounding country, and captured quantities of materials and munitions of war. The latter, while on. a trip to Florence, took prisoners a rebel Colonel and a small detachment of rebel soldiers. On the 18th we received orders to be in readiness to march next day, and that evening the First Brigade arrived in Eastport The other two Brigades came in next morning. General Davis being absent on leave, General Mitchell was in command of the Division, and Colonel Coler, Twenty-Fifth Illinois, in command KANSAS REGIMENTS. 169 of our Brigade. At noon on the 18th the Eighth crossed the Tennessee river, and marched out about a mile, camping near Waterloo, Ala. As the means of crossing were wholly inade quate, the troops of the Division did not all get over until the 22d. On the morning of the 23d, at 4 o'clock, the Division marched, traveling south, and camped at noon, near Gravelly Springs. Next day, atter a march of fifteen miles, it reached Florence, Ala. Here we learned, for the first time, our destination, and the object of this movement. While Bucll's army watched the fords of the Tennessee, from near Florence to Bridgeport, Bragg had stealthily crossed it at Harrison, above Chattanooga, and travers ing the Sequatchie Valley, was pressing hurriedly northward to wards Louisville and Cincinnati, while Kirby Smith, with another Division, pressed through Cumberland Gap towards the same ob ¦ jective points. To meet this sudden and threatening move two Divisions of the Army of the Mississippi were ordered to rein force Buell, and ours was one of those selected for this duty. At Florence, therefore, the command was stripped for the cam paign. Transportation was cut down to three wagons to a regi ment, to be used for carrying ammunition and commissary supplies; all tents, except one to each regiment, were sent across the river to Tuscumbia; all unnecessary baggage was abandoned, and for the first time, the Eighth was organized in light march ing order. At two o'clock on the morning of August 26th this terrible campaign commenced. It is impossible, in the space allotted to this report, to give any adequate description of the events that crowded it with interest, or of the hardships, toils and sufferings that attended it. The fiery southern sun beat upon the march ing column like the heat of a furnace; the dust was almost in sufferable, at times rising in such clouds that it was difficult to see three feet ahead; and water was very scarce, the only reli ance, except at long intervals, being ponds digged by the farmers of the country tor catching the rain that fell during the wet sea son. These ponds had become stagnant during the long drouth, and their surface was, in nearly all cases, covered with a foul green scum, which had to be pushed aside to get at the water. We were never supplied with more than half rations; oftentimes 170 MILITARY HISTORY OF less than that. During the latter part of the march the hard bread gave out, and flour was issued in its stead. This the men had neither the time nor the implements to bake properly ; it could only be used by making of it a dough and frying it, or by pasting it upon their ramrods and baking it over the fire. As we abandoned all large cooking utensils at Florence and none others were issued, each man was thrown upon his own resour ces to provide vessels with which to cook his food. Canteens were made to supply nearly every want. Split in two, one side formed a frying pan, and the other, perforated with small holes, upon which they rasped what corn they could pick for making meal-cake or mush. Tin cups or old fruit cans supplied the place of coffee-pot and boiler, but only once a day was coffee to be had. So the commissary department was conducted on the march. The first day out from Florence we traveled twenty-four miles, camping late in the afternoon, near the Tennessee line. The next day we camped at Lawrenceburg, Tenn., having marched twenty-one miles; the next, near Mt Pleasant, marching twenty miles; the next, near Columbia, twenty-one miles; the next, be yond Spring Hill, seventeen miles; the next, passing through Franklin at about 9 o'clock, we turned off southeast, and camped twelve miles beyond, having marched nineteen miles. The next day (September 1st) we reached Murfreesboro, nineteen miles. On the third day out from Florence our rear guard was attacked by guerrillas in pretty strong force, but they were driven off without loss. On the night of the 31st the camp was alarmed; and the men stood to arms for an hour in anticipation of an at tack, but none was made. At four o'clock on the evening of the 3d we started for Nash ville. By the direct road the distance is thirty-two miles, but the bridges over several streams were destroyed, and we were forced to travel by circuitous routes, so that the way was length ened out to thirty-nine miles. The night was very chilly, and the march a rapid one. At 2 o'clock in the morning the column was halted in line, and allowed a rest. The rail fences furnished fuel forthe bivouac fires, and in ten minutes two lines of flame blazed along the sides of the road for six miles, irradiating the heavens with an angry glare, and revealing a wild, weird scene KANSAS REGIMENTS. 171 of army life, as it flashed from the stacks of burnished arms and shone upon groups of dusty soldiers preparing for a brief and grateful repose upon the bare, chill earth, beneath the quiet stars. In three hours, however, the bugles sounded the advance, the command moved on, and at 1 1 o'clock, faint with hunger, drow ¦ sy from loss of sleep, and enervated with fatigue, the exhausted troops reached Nashville. Hundreds of strong men had fallen by the roadside, powerless to proceed, and the jaded column, usually so compact, was stretched out for miles to the rear. On this terrible liight march the Eighth acquired the name of the "grey hounds," from the solidity and rapidity of its marching- On reaching Nashville only about thirty of the regiment were absent from the ranks, while many other regiments did nothave fifty with their colors. We remained in Nashville until 4 o'clock in the afternoon of September 11th, when we again started on, and marched that night, through a fearful storm, to Edgefield Junction, ten miles. Next afternoon, at four o'clock, we moved on, passing over a spur of the Cumberland Mountains at nine, and camping at two o'clock in the morning, near Tybee Springs. At six o'clock the same morning we started again, and had reached a point near Mitch ellsville, when we were overtaken by a courier and ordered to return to Nashville. Facing about, we marched two miles and a half, and at 3 P. M. halted. Shortly afterwards the order to return was countermanded, and the troops were directed to move forward as rapidly as possible. At ten o'clock that night we were en route again; at daylight we passed through Frank lin, Tenn., and an hour afterwards halted by the roadside, where a rest of two hours was allowed. We then pushed on again, and at eleven A. M. camped about fourteen miles from Bowling Green, Ky. The march from Murfreesboro to Nashville was ex hausting, but this was even worse. It occupied forty-three hours, ar.d during that time the troops were almost wholly, deprived of food or rest, and traveled over forty-seven miles. Next morning (15th) at 2 o'clock, the Division was on the road, and at 1 P. M. went into camp about a mile north of Bow ling Green. At 6 A. M. on the 17th we again marched, leaving behind, by order of General Buell, all wagons except one to a regiment, and all clothing except that we had on. Rested and 172 MILITARY HISTORY OF refreshed by the halt of a day and a half, and inspired by the in telligence that Bragg's army was just ahead, the men were iu high spirits, enthusiastic and eager for the expected combat The whole army had been concentrated at Bowling Green, and its serried columns moved out by different roads simultaneously. We forded Big Barren Liver, and our Division moved along the Louisville pike until 10 o'clock, when it turned in the direction of Glasgow, to cut off a body of four thousand rebels reported at that place. Just after noon a drenching rain fell, and continued during the whole day. After a march of eighteen miles, we learned that the enemy had hastily retreated, and we bivouacked for the night. Our wagon had been left behind, the men were entirely out of provisions, and nearly all their blankets were in the Wagon. ( To add to our discomfort, the rain continued to pour down during the whole night. A straw stack furnished bedding to keep the troops off the ground, and a convenient rail fence paid its tribute to the cause of the Union by lighting our bivouac fires. At 4 o'clock reveille sounded, and in half an hour, soaked, dripping, hungry and tired, we were again on our way. No din ner or supper the day before ; no prospect of breakfast or dinner that day, Ave knew, as we could not reach our commissary train until evening. We satisfied the cravings of our stomachs by eating corn plucked in the fields along our route, and after a march of eighteen miles, rejoined our Corps, near Bell's Tavern* at 3 P. M. Here we found our train, and for the first time since the morning of the previous day, got a meal. At 5 o'clock next morning we moved on, and shortly after wards met the troops lately composing the garrison at Mumfords- ville, captured and paroled by Bragg two days before. We were then within seventeen miles of that town, and half of Bragg's army, with the greater part of his artillery and train, was on the south side of Green river. The passage of that stream was dif ficult, and had our army pressed directly on, the capture of a large portion of the rebel force was inevitable. But after a march of about four miles, we were halted at Prewett's Knob, and remained there all that day and the next, and until half-past four on the morning of the 21st. We then moved on, but had gone only three miles, reaching Cave City, when we were formed KANSAS REGIMENTS. 173 in line of battle, and remained until 4 in the afternoon. That day Bragg got his whole force across the river, his rear guard having' a spirited skirmish with Wood's Division, in which a number of officers and men were killed and wounded. At four that afternoon our Corps moved on, aud at 1 o'clock at night camped about a mile from Mumfordsville. Next day the army was put in motion again. Our Division crossed Green river at 12 M., and camped at 1 o'clock that night thirteen miles north. Next day we marched twenty three miles, reaching Elizabethtown, (President Lincoln's birth place), at dark. Twelve miles south, Bragg's army had turned off to the right, moving towards Bardstown, and we were marching di rectly towards the Ohio river. We reached it next day at about 9 P. M., after a hot and exhausting march of twenty-five miles, camping near Westpoint, about twenty-five miles from Louisville- Next day we marched to Greenwood, fifteen miles distant. Three times that night the Division was called up and ordered to march immediately to Louisville, but each time the order was coun termanded shortly after the wearied troops were formed in line. It was not until S o'clock in the morning that we finally started, and after having marched over six miles we reached the city, where we were paraded through all the principal streets in re view by column of companies, tired, dusty and sleepy as we were, and it was after dark when we reached our camp in the southwestern portion of the city. The cordial enthusiasm with which we were received partially recompensed us for the fatigue of this useless march. The whole loyal population turned out to welcome us ; ladies thronged the streets with baskets of pro • visions for the troops, men greeted us with hearty cheers, and the enthusiasm with which the coming of the army was hailed was unbounded. Thus temporarily ended one of the most extraordinary cam paigns of the war. Leaving Waterloo, Ala., on the 23d day of August, at noon on the 4th of September we were at Nashville, Tenn., having marched two hundred and six miles in nine marching days, or an average of twenty-two miles a day. On the 11th of September we left the latter place, and reached Louis ville, Ky., on the 26th of the same month, having traveled two hundred and eight miles in thirteen marching days, or averaging 174 MILITARY HISTORY OF sixteen miles per day. Thus in twenty-two days we marched four hundred and fourteen miles; once making thirty-nine miles in nineteen hours; on other days as little as four and five miles. There was no regularity iu our movements; sometimes we rested by day and marched by night; at others, rested at night and marched by day. We were pushed forward when we should have halted, or halted when we should have advanced ; and throughout the conduct of the march exhibited shameful mis management, or an utter disregard of either the health or com fort of the troops. The army remained at Louisville four days. During thattime large reinforcements were added to it, but they were mostly new regiments, which had not seen a day's service, and almost as little drill. The increase was therefore simply in numbers; the efficiency of the army was but little enhanced. An entire re-or ganization was also had. Three Corps were formed, commanded respectively by Major Generals McCook, Gilbert and Crittenden, and designated as the Right, Centre and Left Corps, Army of the Ohio. The Brigades and Divisions were numbered consecutive ly. Our Division was formed into three Brigades, two new regi ments being added to each of these. The Eighth Battalion formed part of the Thirty-Second Brigade, (Colonel Caldwell, Eighty-First Indiana, in temporary command), Ninth Division, (General Mitchell commanding), Centre Corps, (Major General C. C. Gilbert commanding). On the 1st of October we moved out of Louisville, Ky., taking the road to Bardstown, where the rebel army was reported to be concentrated. At dark that day, after a very tedious march, full of inexplicable delays, we reached Newburg, nine miles from the city, and went into camp, Next day we marched ten miles and the next six, camping on a branch of Salt river. The rebels had burned or destroyed all the bridges and placed obstructions in the road, so that our progress was very slow. On the 4th we marched eight miles, passing through Mt Washington, where our vanguard shelled a force of rebels out of the town. Next day the advance had a series of skirmishes with the retreating rebels, and several were killed and wounded on each side. At dark we entered Bardstown, and passing through it, camped a mile beyond the place, having marched about eleven miles, At KANSAS REGIMENTS. 175 3 o'clock next morning we moved on, and at dusk camped five miles beyond Springfield, having traveled twenty-four miles. Near the latter town the advance Division had a skirmish with the rebels, resulting in the loss of several men on our side, and a larger number to the enemy, who made quite a stubborn resist ance before giving way. At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 7th we pushed on, and shortly after noon the crash of canno.i told us there was work ahead. Our Division this day had the advance, our Brigade forming the rear of the Division. Far to the left, where McCook's Corps was, the heavy boom of artillery sounded almost continu ous, and in our own immediate front we heard the ominous thunder which presaged the coming storm. Very soon an order came to hurry up, and the troops were moved forward at double quick step. Bragg's army was deployed to the north and west of Perry ville. It had an admirable position, posted on a range of hills that commanded every approach, and protected by heavy timber, which concealed all its movements. It was also well supplied with water, while our troops suffered greatly from its want. Col. Dan McCook's Brigade having been sent to cover some hollows along Doctor's creek, where a small supply of water was found, was vigorously attacked by the enemy, and our Division was or dered to his assistance. Reaching his vicinity, the Brigades of Colonels Carlin and Post were ordered to file off in line of battle on each side of the road, and the Twenty-Filth Illinois, Eighty- First Indiana and Eighth Wisconsin Battery, of our Brigade, were halted in line with them, while the Eighth Kansas and Thirty-Fifth Illinois were hurried forward about a mile in ad. vance to a range of hills on Dan McCook's left, Privey's Fifth Wisconsin Battery being sent out with them. The regiments took position on the left of the battery, which at once opened on the rebel position. The shots told handsomely, and the rebel batteries replying were several times forced to change their loca tions to avoid the destructive effect of our shells. The rebel shots were poorly aimed. Two shells fell close to the right wing of the Eighth and burst, but did no damage; another fell directly in front of the battery, severely wounding one man. All others flew wide of the mark. This artillery duel was kept up until 176 MILITARY HISTORY OF dark, when we were recalled to the main line, and remained during the night sleeping on our arms. At daylight the next morning the fight was resumed. Four regiments of General Sheridan's Division of our Corps had been ordered to the front as skirmishers, and during the forenoon kept up a brisk fight, but the orders to our Division commanders were positive not to bring on a general engagement. On the left Gen. McCook's Corps was doing heavy fighting, as the constant roar of musketry and thunder of artillery evidenced. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon, however, before we received any orders to ad vance, and the Division was then moved into position on the right of the main road, directly in front of Perryville. Colonel Post's Brigade was shortly afterwards ordered to the assistance of McCook, while the two remaining Brigades were formed in line of battle, Colonel Carlin's in front, and ours supporting it. The Division was then moved steadily forward until it occu pied a position on the edge> of a woods near the town. In front were several open fields, and along the fence on the further side the rebel line was posted. The Fifth Minnesota Battery was placed in advance of our lines, and opened fire on the enemy. The rebel regiments shortly afterwards made a charge on it, supposing it to be weakly supported. They were permitted to approach within short range, when our troops poured into them several deadly volleys, and they fled in confusion, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. A brisk artillery duel followed this advance and repulse, and for a time the shot and shell flew thick and fast, but our forces were moved slowly and steadly forward, the rebels falling back before them. At dark Colonel Carlin entered Perryville, cap turing about two hundred prisoners and a large train loaded with ammunition. This closed the fighting of the second day on our part. We camped on the battle field, sleeping on our arms, and awaiting the events of the morrow. White and cold in their last sleep, the dead lay all around us; the moans and groans of the wound ed sounded in our ears; but worn out with fatigue, loss of sleep, and the feverish excitement of the past two days, the exhausted troops spread their blankets upon the bare ground and were soon KANSAS REGIMENTS. 177 slumbering as soundly as though reposing in their beds at home. Only the watchful sentinels and the agonized wounded remem bered that battle had been there, and that its dreadful carnage was scattered all over the so lately peaceful field. Early on the morning of the 9th we moved forward again, the Eighth Kansas supporting a battery, which shelled the woods as we advanced. The enemy's guns for a time replied, but feebly, and it soon became evident that they were retreating, with only a small rear guard to resist our advance. As we pressed on evidences of a hasty flight were manifest. Their dead and wounded were left uncared for, and the ground was covered with guns, blankets and knapsacks, indicating the confusion in which they had fled. We moved to the left, crossing the fields still strewn with the debris of battle, where McCook fought so gal lantly, and halted at Goodnight Springs, the enemy's position on the day before. Here we bivouacked. And so closed the third day of the memorable battle of Perryville. The Corps to which we were attached, with the exception of the Brigades of Colonels Post and Dan McCook, did no heavy fighting during this engagement, its commanding General, des pite the earnest appeals and advice of his subordinates, refusing to allow it to press forward. Had it been advanced, as it should have been, the destruction of the rebel army was inevitable. It enveloped the enemy's left flank, and could have crushed it like egg shell. But for several hours the troops were exposed to a heavy artillery fire ; and in this, its first experience on the battle field, the Eighth gave evidence of that sterling courage which, on future occasions, was so conspicuous. Never were men more eager to be led where the fight was raging hottest — never did men, in the face of danger, exhibit more firmness and resolve. On the night of the 10th, at about 10 o'clock, we left Good night Springs, marching during a cold, chilling rain to Nevada Station, four miles distant. Our regiment had the advance, and during the march scared out a small force of rebel cavalry, who betook themseives to hasty flight. We bivouacked at 1 o'clock, and remained there until 8 next night, when we again started on, marching in the direction of Harrodsburg until 2 o'clock in the morning. At 10, A. M., we were off again, and camped that 178 MILITARY HISTORY OF afternoon near Harrodsburg. Next morning at 6, owing, as we learned, to the fact that the enemy had made a rapid march to the southeast, we moved back on the road some three miles, until we struck the Danville pike, and down it to within a few miles of that place. At 6 on the morning of the 14th we started again, and passing through Danville, marched about twelve miles southeast, to a point near Lancaster. Here a force of the enemy was discovered, and our Division, which was in advance, was rapidly formed in line of battle, our Brigade on the left, and the others to the right of the main road. Our batteries soon opened fire on the rebels, and theirs replied briskly. From our position we could see that a large train was passing through the town, and that the enemy (evidently a strong rear guard in charge of the train) were hurrying to and fro, apparently much confused and frightened. Meantime our lines were advancing in full or der, our batteries keeping up a constant fire, and we had got within half a mile of the town, when General Mitchell received a peremptory order to withdraw his forces, and "not to bring on a general engagement." So we were moved back half a mile) and went into camp, while the enemy was allowed a good long night in which to escape. Our pickets heard their train rum bling through Lancaster until about an hour before dawn. Next morning, shortly after daylight, we advanced towards the town, the Eighth having the front of the Brigade, and the Brigade leading the Division. Company B was deployed as skirmishers, and the regiment moved rapidly forward. A por tion of the enemy's rear guard had not yet left, but upon our ap proach, hastily retreated, and being mounted, easily kept ahead. A brisk fire was maintained on both sides. We captured sever al prisoners, and on entering Lancaster were received with fran tic demonstrations of joy by the people. Discovering a force of rebels about a mile east of town, we filed rapidly through, greet ed as we advanced by the fire of a battery posted on a hill near by. Companies E and K were then thrown forward as skirmish- | ers to develop the enemy, and moved about a mile out, but the rebels retreated as fast as they advanced, and the recall was sounded. We were then ordered to move down the road to Crab Orchard, and deploying a company on either side as skirmishers, the regiment pushed on, the skirmishers, being relieved alternate- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 179 ly by other companies as we advanced. We captured on the road about a dozen prisoners, and at 3 o'clock reached Crab Orchard. In the skirmish at Lancaster some twenty of the enemy were killed and wounded, while our forces were fortunate in notlosing a man. Had we been permitted to close in on the town on the evening of our arrival in front of it, there is no doubt we would have captured a large supply train, some of the enemy's batte ries, and several hundred prisoners, as we were afterwards in formed by the citizens that the main body of the rebels had passed through during the day, and only a force of about a thou sand cavalry was with the train. We remained in camp at Crab Orchard four days. General Mitchell there received a leave of absence, and the command of the Division devolved upon General Woodruff, who had joined and been assigned to the command of our Brigade at Lancaster. On the morning of the 20th the army marched back through Lancaster and Danville towards Lebanon, which place was reached on the evening of the 22d. We remained there until the 27th, when we moved on towards Bowling Green, reaching there at noon on the 1st of November. At Bowling Green, on the day of our arrival, Lieut. Colone Martin received from the Governor a commission as Colonel of the Eighth vice Graham, deceased. Captain James L. Aberna- thy, of company A, was at the same time promoted to Lieut Colonel of the regiment. On the 3d the whole army was rejoiced to learn that Major- General Wm. S. Rosecrans had arrived, and that he had been assigned to the chief command. To the soldiers of our Division, who had served under him in the Army of the Mississippi, his presence was peculiarly gratifying, and the enthusiasm with which they hailed his coming was unbounded. Always a fa vorite General, the glory of his recent victories at Iuka and Cor inth gave a fresher and greater charm to his name, and they felt that with him there would be earnest and telling blows struck— that while he commanded the to-morrow and to-morrows which in the past had lighted so many yesterdays to fatal blunders or disheartening repulses, would no more follow in a listless inef ficiency and inglorious emptiness, while anarchy and feud were 180 MILITARY HISTORY OF wasting the substance and loyalty of the land. The Corps, too, had, at Lebanon, been relieved of Gilbert, brave and cheery Alex. McCook succeeding him in command. Thus two Gene rals, in whom the army had not the least confidence, passed out of sight and out of mind, never more to vex and dishearten the noble soldiers whose misfortune it was, for a brief time, to be subject to their orders. On the morning of the 4th of November our Corps left Bow ling Green, and early in the afternoon of the 7th reached Edge field, opposite Nashville. No incident of importance marked this march, except a skirmish with rebel cavalry near Tyrec Springs, in which five or six of the enemy were killed and wounded, and one man of the 25th Illinois, of our Brigade, wounded. We remained at Edgefield until the 4th of December, when we crossed the Tennessee river, moved through Nashville, and camped on the Franklin pike, about four miles out Here we remained until the 20th. The time spent in these camps was profitably employed in equiping the regiment anew, company, battalion and brigade drills, and in re-establishing the discipline of the troops, always impaired by long marches, and especially marred during the campaigns under Buell and Gilbert In a few weeks, however, the regiment had fully attained its accustomed excellence, and at a review of the Division by Generals Rosecrans and McCook, on the 23d of November, was highly complimented by those offi cers for the neatness of its appearance, the perfection of its evo lutions, and its fine discipline. On the 8th of December General Woodruff was assigned to another place, and the command of the Brigade devolved upon Colonel Martin, while Major Schneider assumed charge of the regiment On the 9th, in obedience to orders from Division Headquarters, the Eighth Kansas, Twenty-Fifth Illinois and Eighty-First Indiana, with a section of the Eighth Wisconsin Battery, proceeded, under command of Colonel Martin, on a re- connoisance to the front. After moving out the read to the vi cinity of the enemy's lines, four companies of the Eighth and Twenty-Fifth were deployed as skirmishers, and advanced with such impetuosity that the rebel pickets broke in confusion, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 181 abandoning many of their guns and some of their clothing in their flight. The command moved out about five miles, when, the ob ject of the reconnoisance (to ascertain what force was in our front) having been accomplished, the troops returned. On the 19th the Eighth was ordered by General Rosecrans to report to General Mitchell, who had some time before been as signed to the command of the post of Nashville, for provost duty in that city. Next day it moved to Nashville, going into camp back of the State House. Colonel Martin was appointed Provost Mar shal of the city, relieving Colonel Gillem, of the First Middle Tennessee Infantry. The close of the year found the battalion discharging the duties of provost guards in this place. During the year 1862, while the battalion, with regimental headquarters, was engaged in the operations thus narrated, the battalion in Kansas (except company G., which remained at Fort Laramie until January, 18C3) was drawn together at Fort Leav enworth. Companies A and D left Fort Kearney during the lat ter part of June, and arrived at Leavenworth early in July. Du ring the summer companies A, C and F were engaged in several expeditions after Quantrei and other guerrilla leaders. On the 18th of August companies A and F formed part of a command which had an engagement with the forces of Colonels Coffey aud Cockrill and Quantrel's band, in which the rebels were driven from the field, losing a number killed and wounded. Compa nies A and D also had a skirmish in Platte county, Missouri, with Cy. Gordon's band of bushwhackers, in which one man of Company A was wounded. At the close of the year the regiment numbered, in the aggregate, 776 men. Forty-nine deaths occurred during the year; seventy- two were discharged for disability, and fifty-nine deserted. The regiment marched 1,254 miles. In the commissioned officers of the regiment, the following changes occurred after the consolidation : Martin Mauerhan, Sec ond Lieutenant company B, resigned July 15th; First Sergeant Claudius Keifer appointed in his place, July 28th. Second Lieut. D. D. Rooks, company E, resigned July 16th; Sergeant Major Sol. R. Washer promoted to the vacancy, July 28th. Col. R. H. Graham dropped from the rolls August 14th; Lieut. Col. John A. Martin promoted Colonel November 1st; Captain James L. Aber- 182 MILITARY HISTORY OF nathy to be Lieutenant Colonel; First Lieut. Samuel Laighton to be Captain company A, and First Sergeant Rowland Risdon to be First Lieutenant company A, at the same time. Second Lieut. A. Graham, company I, dropped from the rolls August 14th; First Sprgeant Byron Slemmens promoted to his place, November 1st. Adjutant S. C. Russell resigned November 16lh; First Lieutenant .lames E. Love appointed Adjutant November 1 7th. Second Lieutenant Wm. H. Babcock promoted to be First Lieutenant company K, and First Sergeant A. J. Quinn to be Second Lieut. same company, December 1st. The new duties to which the Eighth was assigned in Nashville were delicate and important, requiring in their performance sound judgment, untiring zeal, unceasing vigilance, and the strictest dis cipline. The whole army was then encamped around the city, and although the greater portion of it soon moved to the front, a garrison of several brigades remained. But in addition to the troops stationed at the post, there was an army of civilians em ployed in the quartermaster's, commissary and ordnance depart ments, Nashville being the main depot of supplies for the army ; dozens of hospitals and camps of convalescents were located here; troops were constantly arriving and departing; the city was swarming with rebel spies; fully three-fourths of the whole popu lation sympathized with the rebellion, and thousands of desper ate and degraded characters, following in the wake of the army, made this city their temporary home. Rows were an every day occurrence, and hardly a night passed that was not stained by murder or blackened by outrage. Into this chaos of anarchy and confusion, of lawlessness and crime, of treason and rebellion, the Eighth came like an avenging angel. It had to deal with vices and abuses deeply rooted, and almost impossible to eradicate or reform. It met the emergency with daring and decision, and combining freedom with order, kept down the turbulent without unnecessarily disturbing the well affected. Subject to temptations calculated to test severely the best organized and most thoroughly trained troops, its splen did discipline was never more conspicuous than during its sojourn in this demoralized city. The martial pride of its name rose su perior to the allurements and contaminations that surrounded theifij they gloried in maintaining unspotted their reputation as KANSAS REGIMENTS. i83 dutiful, trustworthy, orderly soldiers, and proved themselves equal to the highest duties by winning at once the respect of all good citizens and the warm approval of the Generals command ing. The streets, into which, before, it had been dangerous to venture after nightfall, were kept as quiet and peaceful as those of a New England village. The theatres, which had for a long time been closed on account of the disturbances which broke out in them nightly, were permitted to re-open, and the guards of the Eighth maintained in them perfect order and decorum. The humblest of its non-commissioned officers knew no rank when in the discharge of their duty enforcing the provost regulations; its bayonets gleamed in every street and alley and flashed on every corner, and its patrols, constantly on the alert, allowed no disturbance to escape their vigilance. The city was divided into districts. Provost headquarters were in the State House. A patrol went out every two hours, made its rounds, visiting every portion of the district to which it was assigned, and remaining out until it was relieved by another. It then returned, and had a rest of four hours, there being three reliefs of the guard for every district. The men at the Capitol were considered on duty at all times, and must be ready for any emergency at a moment's warning. The regiment furnished, in addition to the provost patrols, the stationery guards at the Capitol, military headquarters, the peni tentiary, the jail, the market house and the work house. The Provost Marshal had charge of all the military prisons of the city, and the four places last named were all used for the confine ment of military offenders and prisoners of war. Some three hundred men from other regiments also reported to Col. Martin daily, for duty as guards at the commissary and quartermaster depots, the ordnance department and the prison hcspital, all in terior guards being under his control and directions. Captain Henry C. Austin, company I, was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal and Inspector of Military Prisons; Captain John F. Isom, Twenty-Fifth Illinois, was detailed as Provost Quarter master, and sometime later Captain John Conover, Eighth Kan sas, as Chief of Police. The duties of the Eighth in Nashville commenced at, a most trying period. Six days after it came into the city, the army ad- 184 MILITARY HISTORY OV vanced on Murfreesboro, and on the 28th the great battle com menced. The rebel cavalry gained the rear of our army, several of our Divisions were driven back in confusion, and hundreds of stragglers sought safety in Nashville. Within three days the patrols of the Eighth arrested over two thousand of these men, and they were at once sent back to the front. Two thousand five hundred rebel prisoners were also received within a few days after the battle, and had to be taken charge of and provided for. Within a week these were all sent to prisons in the North. During the six months the Eighth remained in the city, rebel prisoners were arriving almost daily, and had to be guarded, provided for, sent North, and reports made of their disposal ; a prison hospital was established for the reception of the sick and wounded among them; stragglers and deserters were arrested and sent to the front in squads, and the rebel sympathizers of the city were closely watched. At one time a number of rebel pris oners, some of them sick or wounded, were quartered in the houses of wealthy secessionists who had been maaifesting in tense anxiety for their comfort and well-being. This was the last of their solicitude on that score. The theatres were directed to play national airs every evening, and aid so. The circulation of rebel newspapers was suppressed. On the morning of the 22d of February companies A, C, D and F, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Abernathy, arrived in Nashville from Kansas. On the 29th of March company G ar rived, and then, for the first time since its organization, a union of all the companies of the Eighth was effected. On the 13th of April, by order of General Rosecrans, the Pro vost Marshal arrested and confined in prison about one hundred of the most prominent citizens of Nashville. Some were after wards sent north of the Ohio, some south into the rebel lines, and others of them were transferred to northern prisons for con finement during the war. This action created great excitement, as the arrests were made at different times during the day, and no one knew whose turn would come next. Consequently all of the rebel sympathizers were alarmed. The arrests were made as quietly as possible, but the order was firmly and faithfully executed. ^n the 22d of April General Mitchell issued an order that KANSAS REGIMENTS. 185 within ten days eveiy citizen of Nashville over the age of 18, male and female, should take the oath of allegiance or non- combatant's parole, and give bonds for its observance, or go south of the lines. The execution of this order was entrusted to Colonel Martin. The next day a rush to the provost office commenced. Several prominent Union citizens of the city we/e invited to assist in fixing the amount of bonds, and cheerfully gave their aid and advice. A large force of clerks was detailed to make out the papers, but it was found impossible to get through within the time prescribed, and it was extended ten days. During that period over fifteen thousand persons took the oath or parole, giving bonds in amounts ranging from $500 to $20,000 forj its faithful observance. Some two hundred, re fusing to do either, reported to go south, and Captain Conover was detailed to escort them outside our military lines. During the twenty days occupied by this work, over fifty clerks were constantly employed, and hundreds of people thronged through the Capitol from morning until night On the evening of the Sth of June orders were received direct ing the Eighth to proceed to Murfreesboro next morning and re join the Division. General Robert E. Granger, (who had some time before relieved General Mitchell), telegraphed General Rose crans urgently insisting that the regiment could not be spared, and stating that he would rather lose any two other regiments of the post garrison. The Mayor and other citizens of Nashville also telegraphed a protest, but the response was that the regiment was needed at the front, and early next morning its columns filed through the streets of the city, its band playing that splendid refrain it had long ago made familiar to Nashville ears — "John Brown." This march out of town was a triumphal ovation. Streets and side walks were crowded with citizens who had heard with regret that their favorite was ordered away, and had assembled spontaneously to bid it "good bye-" Everywhere along the route of march it was greeted with cheers, the waving of handkerchiefs, and every other demonstration of approval. It had won and kept, during its six months stay in the city, the confidence of the loyal and the respect even of the disloyal, and the commanding General and officers of the post, the Governor, the Mayor and city officials, and all classes of citizens united in 186 MILITARY HISTORY OF testifying to its uniform good conduct, soldierly bearing, and in regretting the necessity which called it to another field of duty. Colonel Martin, Captain Austin, Captain Conover, and Captain Trego were ordered to remain at Nashville for a few days to in struct their successors in the duties of their positions. On the 17th these officers, with the exception of Captain Austin, re joined the regiment at Murfreesboro. The aggregate strength of the regiment at the time it rejoined the Brigade was 700. It had recruited some forty men while in Nashville. On reaching Murfreesboro, the regiment, was at tached to the same Brigade to which it previously belonged, now numbered the Third, of tlie First Division, Twentieth Corps. Colonel Hans C. Hcg, of the Fifteenth Wisconsin, was in com mand of the Brigade. The Division and Corps commanders re mained unchanged. The Eighth remained at Murfreesboro, going through with the usual routine of picket, pelice and camp duties, until day light on the 24th of June, when the army advanced on Tullaho- raa and Shelbyville, Both of these places were strongly fortified positions. Bragg's headquarters, with 15,000 men, were at Tul- lahoma; Polk's Corps, 18,000 strong, were at Shelbyville, and Hardee's Corps, 12,000 strong, at Wartrace, between the two places, to the right of Shelbyville and front of Tullahoma. South of Murfreesboro some ten miles, and covering the objective points at which this movement was made, was a range of high hills, almost deserving the name of mountains. Over this range there were several roads, leading through Hoover's, Liberty and Guy's Gaps, and against all of these demonstrations were made, some real and others feints. The country was admirably adapted for defensive operations, the only assailable point being these nar row gorges, running tortuously through the hills, and covered on both sides with a heavy growth of timber, which served net only to conceal but to protect the enemy. Granger's Corps, with a strong force of cavalry, had started from Triune towards Shelby ville the day previous, it being Rosecrans' intention to deceive Bragg by making a feint on his left, thus leading him to concen trate there, leaving the difficult passes on his right uncovered. Against these our main force was then to be advanced, and once KANSAS REGIMENTS. 187 secured, the army was to menace the enemy's communications south of TuUahoma by moving to Manchester, and thus compel Bragg to leave his intrenched positions and give battle on ground that would not afford him the advantage of defensive works, or retreat across the Cumberland Mountains. This plan was, al though somewhat delayed by the bad condition of the roads, suc cessfully carried out in every particular, and the result was ex actly what the commanding General had hoped. The Division to which the Eighth was attached moved out about six miles on the Shelbyville pike, and then filed to the left across the country to the Wartrace road, camping that night in the vicinity of two or three dilapidated houses, called Old Mil- lersburg. Our advance was skirmishing with the enemy during the whole day, and au attack made by Johnson's Division of our Corps, on Liberty Gap, resulted in a severe fight, in which some fifty or sixty of our men were killed and wounded. This posi tion was secured, however, and firmly held. Wilder's cavalry brigade surprised the enemy at Hoover's Gap, and held the place until the infantry could come up and secure it. The enemy having thus lost two of the strongest gorges through the hills, slowly fell back towards his intrenched camps. Shortly after the army commenced its forward movement, a heavy rain set in, continuing almost incessantly during the en tire day and night. The roads became nearly impassable. Wagons stuck fast ; the artillery could only be moved forward by doubling teams, and then with the greatest difficulty, and even the move ments of the infantry were soon materially retarded by the soft, glutinous soil into which they sank almost half-knee deep at every step. The men, soaked and chilled by the rain, suffered terribly, and although we traveled only about twelve miles, the fatigue was greater than during a march of double the distance on a fair day. We expected to move on early next morning, but after day break an order was received detailing the Eighth Kansas and Thirty-Fifth Illinois as a guard for the Corps train. Rosecrans had suffered severely by cavalry attacks in his rear at Stone Riv er, and was determined on this occasion to guard against such a contingency. The wagons were parked in a ploughed field di rectly in our rear, and we had the irksome and irritating ill luck 188 MILITARY HISTORY OF of waiting all day and the next night until the whole of them could get on the road, the rain, meantime, continuing to fall without cessation. On the 2fith at 8. A. M. we aflast got off, and after a march of fr>ur mi1f>.s. passing the train on the way, joined the Brigade iu ramp, w*1 remained until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, giving the men an opportunity to cook, when we again started, and after march trig three miles went into bivouac on the Manchester road. The rain con'inued to fall, at intervals, during this day and night. In the afternoon General Carlin's Brigade of our Divis ion had a severe engagement with the enemy, in. which he lost many of his men. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 2 7th we were ready to march, but did not move until 3 in the afternoon. The heavy rains still continued, and the men were foot sore with marching through the mud, and sore in body from their cold, constant drenchings, but the sound of artillery ahead and the prospect of a fight kept their spirits up, and without a murmur they kept on. We marched, however, only four miles, going into camp on Garrison's Fork. Next morning at 8 o'clock, in the midst of the heaviest rain we had yet had, we started again. During the whole of the previous night, the rain had poured down in torrents, and the roads were, if possible, in even a worse condition than before. At noon we had marched eight miles, when, the rain having ceased, we halted to allow the men an opportunity to cook. At 3, P. M., we moved on, and at 2 o'clock at night went into camp near Manchester. In all of our past experience, rough as some of it had been, there was no march so disagreeable and ex hausting as this. The route for several miles ran up a narrow, muddy ravine, then into a dense forest, where the road led through holes knee deep, with slushy, dirty water, and crossed, every mile or so, a running stream, which generally had to be forded. The light of the moon was obscured by the clouds and the overhanging trees, and in the dense darkness we blindly groped our way, stumbling over fallen trees, rocks and stumps, wading through creeks and crossing tumble-down bridges until we reached camp. Regiments and companies were jumbled to gether in perplexing confusion; officers sought in vain for t»W KANSAS REGIMENTS. 189 men, and at last gathering together what they could find, we were shown a camping place dense with an undergrowth of brush, in the bend of a creek, and tired, hungry, soaked with rain and chilled to the very bones, all sank on the Avet ground and slept the sleep that follows perfect exhaustion. The rain continued to fall all night, but there were few who heeded it. The writer of this slept at the foot of a tree, with his saddle for a pillow, as soundly as if reposing- on feathers, and awoke in the morning to find himself in a puddle of water about three inches deep, drenched by the raiu from above and steeped in the water that covered the ground thoroughly but evenly. In the morning we learned that we were to remain here for a day or two, and although the camp was a miserable one, the prospect of a rest was as gratifying as it was unexpected. Our rations had given out at noon the day before, and we had not broken fast since. We got nothing to eat that day until three o'clock, when two of our wagons arrived and rations were issued. There have been meals more delicate and savory, but never one that tasted sweeter or was relished with greater zest than was our dinner of hard bread and salt side meat that afternoon. The rain contined to pour down at intervals during the day, but ceased just after dark. The next day was the time for regu lar bi monthly muster, and fortunately, until nearly night, was clear and warm. The regiment was mustered in the morning, and the day devoted to making out monthly rolls and letter wri ting. One of the officers of the Eighth, after completing the muster-roll of his company, endorsed the copy for the Adjutant General's office with the following amusing inscription: "I make this roll lying flat on my belly on the ground, with a rubber blanket for a desk. If I was at Washington in a comfor--' table room, supplied with a hundred dollar desk, a gold pen, black, blue, red and purple inks, the latest and best patent rulers, and plenty of ' red tape,' I could make a more artistic copy. But I have been constantly soaked with rain for seven days and nights; there isn't a bone in my body that doesn't ache; my fingers are as numb as though they were frozen, and my clothes are as stiff with Tennessee mud as my fingers are with chill. Under the circumstances this is the best I can do. If any first-class clerk in the department thinks he could do better, let him duck 190 MILITARY HISTORY OF himself in the Potomac every five minutes aud wade through mud knee deep for six days, and then try it on. If he succeeds, I will change places with him with great pleasure." His roll was a frightful mass of blots and blotches, but it was never sent back " for correction." The next day (July 1st) opened beautifully bright and warm, and the forenoon was occupied in washing and drying clothing, cleaning arms, and baking a lot of flour issued instead of hard bread. At 2 o'clock, P. M., we marched. The afternoon was excessively hot, and the sudden change made the heat more op pressive. After a rapid march of twelve miles, we entered the rebel stronghold, TuUahoma, at 12 o'clock at night. Two Divis ions were in advance of ours, but they had not discharged a gun, the rebels having beat a hasty retreat during the previous night, The'carriages of their siege guns, fired before they left, were yet burning when we entered the town. Six of these guns, with several warehouses filled with flour, meal, salt, clothing, etc., and the tents of several Brigades, left standing in their places; were captured. At 6 o'clock next morning we moved on again, marching to Elk river, nine miles and a half. Sheridan's Division, which was iu advance, had a slight skirmish with the enemy at the river, and did not get across until nearly night, so we went into bivouac. Next morning we forded the river, the water being waist deep, and after a march of four miles, fording two or three smaller streams on the way, reached Winchester, where we camped. During these two days we had frequent showers of rain, but the weather was warmer, and the clothing of the men soon dried out. We remained in camp until the morning of ihe 8th at 2 o'clock when the Eighth Kansas and Thirty-Fifth Illinois started on a scout to the Cumberland Mountains, five miles distant, in search of a force ot rebel guerrillas who had been committing many depredations. It had rained every day, at intervals, since we reached Winchester, and we marched that morning in the midst of a very heavy shower. On reaching the foot of the mountains, seven companies of the Eighth were deployed in line, the other three companies, with the Thirty-Fifth Illinois, being held in re serve, and the ascent commenced. There was no road, and KANSAS REGIMENTS. 191 hardly sheep-paths, leading to the summit, but slowly and toil somely the command made its way up, pushing through the dense growths of underbrush and climbing over the stony ledges and fallen trees scattered along the steep acclivity. Half way to the top the Thirty-Fifth was halted, and the Eighth moved on alone. In about two hours it gained the summit, and shortly afterwards captured an oid man who, by threatening, was in duced to act as pilot. A march of two miles brought the regi ment to the opposite side of the mountain, on the edge of an abrupt precipice,. and the guide informed us that the guerrilla camp was under the rocks below. Colonel Heg took two com panies and moved to the right, while Colonel Martin, with two others, moved to the left, to find passages leading down. After a toilsome descent, clinging to the brush and leaping frem roek to rock, both detachments reached the foot of the ledge and moved towards each other. Suddenly and almost simultane ously they came upon the guerrilla camp, but they had seen us just in time, and not stopping a moment, plunged down the pre cipitous sides of the mountain, without the slightest regard for their necks. A volley was fired after them and our men started in pursuit, but the recall was at once sounded, as it was seen that a chase was useless. We captured a number of horses and mules, a quantity of stones and a lot of camp plunder, and bring ing with us all that was valuable, made our way back to camp, where we arrived at three o'clock in the afternoon. Thus ended our campaign against TuUahoma and the scout succeeding it. The marches were not long, but the terrible rains and mud through which they were made, combined to render them far more exhausting than ten times the distance. During the ten days occupied in marching to Winchester, not one passed without a heavy shower, and sometimes for twenty-four hours in succession the rain fell incessantly. The clothing of the men was never thoroughly dry, and rations were at all times scanty. Many of the men wore out their shoes before they had bee.i on the march three days, and went barefoot the rest of the time But they kept up their spirits nobly, and bore their hardships and privations uncomplainingly. The glorious result of the cam paign compensated them for all. In these ten days, without a serious battle, and with a loss of less than six hundred men in 192 MILITARY HISTORY OF the whole army, Middle Tennessee was cleared of rebel soldiers, fully six hundred of the enemy were killed and wounded, sev enteen hundred were taken prisoners, and several pieces of artil lery were captured. Only the rapidity of Bragg's flight, the heavy rains and bad roads, saved him from even much greater disasters. We had a pleasant camp at Winchester, and were rejoiced to learn that we were to remain there some time. The country around the place was picturesque; the climate salubrious; the water clear, cool and abundant, and the foraging good. The duty, too, was light, the health of the command excellent, and it soon again attained the discipline and neatness of appearance for which it was justly celebrated. It had been complimented many times before, as a regiment worthy of emulation, and that those who care to read its history may know what was said of it offi cially, the following reports and orders are embodied. They are but a few of the many received during its term of service, as there was never a review or inspection held in which the regi ment, if forming a portion of the troops, was not complimented for its soldierly appearance, the perfection of its drill, and the neatness and cleanliness of its arms, accoutrements, clothing and camp. Just after reaching Winchester the following circular order was received from Department headquarters: Headqr's. Department of the Cumberland, ) Inspector General's Office, V Tullahoma, July 15, 1868. ) Colonel — I have the honor to make the following extract from the semi-monthly Inspection Report of Lieutenant Colonel H. N. Fisher, Assistant Inspector General Twentieth Army Corps: The Eighth Kansas, lately attached to the Corps, is splendidly equipped and well cared for. Its long stay in Nashville enabled it to attain a polish to a certain degree* impracticable in the field, but its example is valuable in the Corps. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. S. BENT, Captain and A. A. I. G. To Lieut. Col. Goddard, A. A. G. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 193 Headqr's. Dep't. of TnE Cumberland, } TullahoMA, July 17, 1863. j Respectfully referred to the commanding officer Eighth Kan sas Volunteers. By command of Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, WILLIAM McMICHAEL, Major and A. A. General. A short time afterwards the following circular order was seni from Corps headquarters: Headqr's. Twentieth Army Corps, \ Inspector General's Office, Winchestrr, Tenn., July 31, 1863. ) Colonel — I have the honor to call your attention to the follow ing extract from daily report of Captain H. W. Hall, A. A. I. G., Frst Division, on the condition of camps of the Third Brigade, for 22d of July, 1863: (Extract.) The camps of the Eighth Kansas and the Twenty-Fifth Illi nois are the best in the Division. All are good in this Brigade. These regiments vie with each other in excellence in every re spect, and are models worthy of imitation for any troops with which it has been my fortune to associate. The camps of the other regiments of this Brigade reflect much credit upon their Brigade and Regimental commanders, and have been repeatedly reported to me. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, HORACE N. FISHER, Lieut. Col. and A. I. General. Headqr's. Twentieth Army Corps, ) July 31, 1863. j" Respectfully referred to the commanding officer of the Third Brigade, First Division. The General commanding the Corps is pleased to have so favorable a report of the regiments of this Brigade. By command of Maj. Gen. Sheridan, G. P. THURSTON, A. A. G. and Chief of Start: To the commanding officer Eighth Kansas Infantry. While at Murfreesboro the following circular order, also from Corps headquarters, was issued : Inspector General's Office, \ Twentieth Army Corps, V Murfreesboro, June 19, 1863. J Colonel — I take great pleasure in reporting to you the follow 194 MILITARY HISTORY OF ing extract from the daily report of the Inspector of the First Di vision, especially as the same regiments attracted the nolice of their Brigade Inspector: (Extract.) The drill, military appearance and dress of the Eighth Kan sas Infantry is the best observed in the Division, and that of the Twenty-Fifth Illinois next. Respectfully submitted, H. W. HALL, Captain and Inspector First Division. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, HORACE N. FISHER, Lieut. Col. and A. I. General. G. P. Thurston, A. A. G. and Chief ot Staff. Headqr's. Twentieth Army Corps, | June 20, 1863. } Respectfully referred to Colonel Heg, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, who will have this creditable compli ment conveyed to the within mentioned regiments. By command of Maj. Gen. McCook, A. C. McCLURG, Captain and A. A General. Many other orders, alike complimentary and creditable, could be given, but these are sufficient to show the character and standing of the regiment in the opinion of superior officers. On the 17th of August the Division broke camp at Winches ter and crossing the Cumberland Mountains, reached Stevenson, Ala, on the 20th. The distance marched was but thirty-eight miles, but as the Sequatchie valley cleaves through the heart of the mountains, two ranges instead of one are to cross, and the work of transporting an army over them, with all its wagons, ar tillery, etc., is toilsome and difficult. As soon as the army was concentrated on the south side of the mountains, and sufficient supplies accumulated, Gen. Rose crans prepared to force a passage of the Tennessee river, and at 5 o'clock, P. M., on the 28th of August our Brigade moved to Caperton's ferry, reaching there at 10 that night. We were ac companied by a battalion of pioneers and a pontoon train. The pioneers were at once set to work, behind the brush that fringed the bank of the river, getting the pontoons ready for launching. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 195 lur pickets and those of the rebels on the other side held fre quent talks during the night, but advanced videttes had been stationed along the river for some time, and the enemy seemed unconscious of the fact that any considerable force had moved down, and was only awaiting the first faint glimmer of dawn in the east to swoop across the wide channel upon them. Before daylight all was in readiness Our Corps commander, General McCook, and our Division commander, General Davis, were both present to direct the movement in person. The en terprise was regarded as one of extreme peril, as it was not known what the enemy had on the other side, and if any resistance was made to our passage, the loss of life, with men crowded, as they must be, into frail boats, would be fearful. The Generals com manding were therefore anxious as to the result, and nervously paced the bank of the river, listening and watching intently for any movement on the further side. The Eighth Kansas and Fifteenth Wisconsin were selected to cross in advance. Two batteries were brought down and placed on the bank, masked by the dense foliage that overhung it, and ready shotted. The other regiments of the Brigade were placed in position, and at last the order to move was given. In a few moments the boats were launched into the stream, twenty-five or thirty men, with their officers, were crowded into each, sharp shooters were in position, oarsmen in place, and they shoved off. Every one knew that the most hazardous undertaking known in warfare — the crossing of a wide, deep river in the face of an ene my — was being attempted, but not a man quailed at the danger. Anxiously they listened for the crack of the guns that would send many a gallant soul to its Maker, but in each boat there was intense excitement and rivalry as to which should first reach the opposite shore. A few moments passed, but no shot broke the peaceful stillness of the morning air. Almost simultaneously the prows of a number of boats touched the bank. The men leaped ashore, climbed the overhanging bluff, and moved rapidly through a corn field to the edge ot a woods, where they were at once formed in line of battle. Skirmishers were thrown forward, and the advance began. The camp fires of the rebels were still burning, and half eaten ears of corn, upon which their horses had been feeding not a quarter of an hour before, strewed the ground. 196 MILITARY HISTORY OF But the enemy had fled in a panic, not even making an attempt to resist the crossing or check the advance of the enthusiastic troops. Our skirmishers caught sight of them sev eral times as we pushed forward, aud passed some shots, but this was all. In a short time we reached the foot of Sand Mountain, about two miles from the river, and made a brief halt. The Fifteenth Wisconsin was directed to remain here, and the Eighth moved on, its gallant men toiling laboriously up the steep sides, until at 10 o'clock, almost exhausted, they reached the summit, , and the regimental flag was unfurled from the top of a project ing rock. For the first time in long years the glorious Banner of the Stars waved there. The distance up the side of the moun tain to the top, by the only practicable road; is a mile and three- quarters. The Eighth remained where it first halted after reaching the summit until 5, P. M. Generals Rosecrans, Garfield and McCook, with a number of other prominent officers, visited the mountain top, and the former highly complimented the regiments thathad formed the advance for their energy and courage, while he con gratulated them upon the successful accomplishment of so des perate an enterprise without loss. The Fifteenth joined the Eighth in the afternoon, and at 5 o'clock the regiments moved out three miles, where they went into camp. The other regiments of the Brigade joined them that evening. They crossed the river as roon as the boats could return for them, and guarded the bank until a pontoon bridge could be laid down, which was done by 2 o'clock. On the 31st Generals Rosecrans and McCook issued orders com plimenting the troops of our Brigade on the promptness, cool ness and courage evinced by them in crossing the Tennessee, and thanking them for the success attending this desperate un dertaking. On the 2d of September we marched, and camped that night in Will's valley, sixteen miles south. General Stanley's cavalry Corps passed us here on the evening of the 3d. On the 4th we moved to Muston's Gap, at the foot of the Lookout range of mountains, and some twenty miles south of Chattanooga. Here we remained until the 9th, when we moved to the top of the mountain, and marched across it, thirteen miles, to Lafourche KANSAS REGIMENTS. 197 Gap, going into bivouac at 9 o'clock at night. The rebels had felled trees in the road leading down into the valley, and next morning at. daylight two companies cf the Eighth were detailed, one (company F) to make a scout, and the other (company I) to clear the road of obstructions. A few hours afterwards, however, the Brigade was orderea to join that of General Carlin, eight miles below ; the compnaies were recalled, and we marched south along the brow of the mountain, descending into the val ley thfough Standifer's Gap, late in the afternoon, and camping a few miles from Alpine, Ga. The remainder of our Corps ar rived there on the 11th. It is proper, at this time, to give a brief statement of our posi tion relative to the other Corps of the army and the enemy. While two Divisions of our Corps crossed at Carpenter's ferry, others had, within a few days, effected crossings at Bridgeport, Shell Mound and Battle Creek, and a portion of Crittenden's Corps had moved directly on Chattanooga, arriving on the heights opposite that place on the 31st of August. Thomas' Corps, after crossing, pushed over the Lookout range some fifteen miles north of McCook, descending into McLemore's Cove through Stevens' Gap These movements so alarmed Bragg, that on the 6th and 8th of September he abandoned his strong position at Chattanooga, retreating southward and concentrating around Lafayette, facing the gaps in the Pigeon range of moun tains beyond McLemore's Cove. Crittenden occupied Chatta nooga on the 9th, and from thence advanced to Ringgold, Ga. The different Corps of our army were thus occupying widely detached positions, while Bragg was rapidly gathering strength. Buckner, from East Tennessee, and a strong division of John ston's Mississippi army had already joined him ; Longstreet's Corps of Virginia veterans was hastening, by rail, to reinforce him, and every soldier employed in the rear was rushed to his assistance, Georgia militia taking their places. It took several days to develop these facts, and rapid move ments were then made to concentrate. On the afternoon of the 13th our Corps moved back to the top of the"mountain. Next day we moved across it and descended into Will's valley through Muston's* Gap, camping ^about five miles ^north of that place. It is understood that General McCook" received information, 198 MILITARY HISTORY OF which he deemed reliable, that it was impossible to join Thomas by moving directly no'th on the mountain top. But next morn ing he learned better, and we moved back that day to Muston's. On the morning of the 16th we again ascended the mountain, and marched across it to Stevens' Gap, a distance of twenty-three miles, reaching camp at 10 o'clock that night. On the 17th we moved down into the Cove. This day was spent in maneuver ing about among the hills and valleys, skirmishing, forming line of battle, advancing, countermarching, and going through all manner of evolutions, the exact purpose o( which no one seemed to know. But the enemy was in front, in strong force, and the skirmishers of the two armies kept up a running fight all day. It was 12 at night before, worn out with excitement and fatigue, we went into bivouac near Lee's Springs. Old troops, accustomed to danger, become incredulous as to its approach, and never be lieve that a battle is imminent. Hence that night our weary men grumbled more because, after reaching camp, they were com pelled to draw and distribute one hundred rounds of cartridges each, than they had at all the fatigues of the day. On the 18th we went through with the same maneuvering, changing position every hour or so, and momentarily expecting an attack. At 6, P. M., we started northeast, and after marching about four miles bivouacked in a corn field. There was heavy artillery firing during almost the whole of this day. At 8 o'clock the next morning we again moved on. Our route lay along a dusty road, where troops had bivouacked in line the night previous and fired the fences for miles. Fragments of rails were yet smouldering amid the ashes, adding to the intolerable dust dense volumes of stifling smoke. A disagreeable tramp of eight miles brought us to the widow Glenn's house, where Gen. Rosecrans' headquarters were established. Several miles to the right of the road ran Chicamauga creek, and on the march we passed a number of Brigades waiting for orders, while in front, at the fords of the creek, our artillery was keeping up a constant thunder. As we neared Rosecrans' headquarters a more terrible sound greeted our ears, the dull, heavy crashes of a dense mus ketry fire, rising and falling in sullen, resounding, deafening roars, like waves beating upon a shore. The enemy had at tacked Reynolds' and Van Cleve's Divisions with great fury, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 199 driving the latter back in disorder, and our Division came up just in time to check the impetuous advance of the rebels. We were moved rapidly nearly two miles to the left and front of wid ow Glenn's, about a mile of that distance on the double-quick, and after forming line of battle, advanced through the dense woods, "going in," as General Rosecrans after expressed it, "where the fight was hottest" Our Brigade was formed in two lines, the Eighth Kansas, Fif teenth Wisconsin and Thirty-Fifth Illinois in front; the Twenty- Fifth Illinois in rear. The Second Brigade had not yet formed, but was rapidly doing so, three regiments ot it to the right and one to the left of ours, all some sixty yards in the rear. Colonel Post's Brigade was not with the Division, being detailed as guard to the Corps train, and the two small Brigades of Gen. Carlin and Colonel Heg were all ot Gen. Davis' troops that were in ac tion during either day's engagement. After forming we were rapidly advanced through the rugged forest, but had proceeded only a few hundred yards when a ter rific volley saluted us, rapidly succeeded by another and another. The two hostile forces met without skirmishers in front, and in an instant were furiously engaged in desperate combat Our men promptly replied to the rebel fire, and at once the roar of battle became one steady, deep, jarring thunder. Our line was moved forward fimly, until it rested along the brow of a small rise of ground. The Twenty- Fifth Illinois was then ordered to a position in the front line. The crash of musketry grew denser and more terrific, and the artillery added its thunder to the fu rious raging of the battle storm. The rebels rushed forward line after line of troops, charging with desperate valor and impetuosi ty, but our men held their position firmly and defiantly, firing with such coolness and precision that at every discharge great gaps were cut in the enemy's lines, and bleeding, broken, stagger ing, they reeled before the awful hail of leaden death that greeted them. In vain they rallied and advanced again and again — they could not move our firm, unyielding lines. For half an hour this desperate struggle was thus continued. The carnage on both sides was dreadful: In that brief time over a third of our Brigade were killed and wounded, and still the frightful car nival of slaughter raged unabated. Of the the Eighth, five cap- 200 MiLiTAKV tifSToRY of tains, three lieutenants and one hundred and fifty men were ab ready struck. Our flanks, too, were exposed, and the lines were being enfiladed by a heavy fire, some of the enemy having already penetrated, on the right and left, far to our rear. The desperate valor of the troops had resisted every effort to break their line or force them back, but at last Col. Heg, seeing that disaster must follow an attempt to hold this isolated position any longer, gave an order to retire, and loading and firing as they went, our men fell back slowly about fifty yards. Here they were re-formed, and after a short halt charged the enemy with impetuous enthusiasm, driving him back until our former posi tion was almost regained. For a quarter of an hour the line was firmly held by the thrice decimated command. Bullets flew like hail stones, grape and canister, shot and shell, whistled and crashed through, and over and around the devoted ranks, but the heroism of the men rose with the terrible grandeur and des peration of the awful battle, and they stood like walls of ada mant before the fury of this storm. But no courage, however sublime; no enthusiasm, how ever magnificent ; and no discipline, however perfect, could con tinue to resist the masses of fresh troops which the enemy was constantly hurling against these two small Brigades, fighting alone in the woods, detached from other portions of the army, and already bereaved of nearly half their numbers. The Divis ion was finally ordered to fall back to a fence some distance in the rear, and facing the woods in which it had been fighting. Behind it was a wide field, and beyond this another strip of tim ber. On the edge of this several batteries were ranged, and with their aid the Division held the rebels at bay until late in the af ternoon, when Col. Bradley's Brigade, of Sheridan's Division, came up and relieved it. Our exhausted troops then fell back to the opposite woods, where a fresh supply of ammunition was ob tained, and the men had an opportunity to rest for a brief time. Bradley's troops, however, soon becoming hotly engaged, our lines were again advanced across the field, forming behind the fence they had previously occupied. Here they continued until dusk, and the firing had almost ceased, when fresh troops ar rived to relieve them, and they were withdrawn into bivouac near the battle field. The two Brigades had lost in killed and KANSAS REGIMENTS. 201 wounded over forty per cent, of all engaged. Colonel Heg, our Brigade commander, was mortally wounded about the middle of the afternoon, and the command devolved on Colonel Martin, of the Eighth. Two-t;iirds of the field officers of the Division were either killed or wounded, and over hall the line officers. When Gen. Davis reported to the commanding General that night, Gen. Rosecrans thanked him for having saved his centre from being pierced and broken and his train from capture, say ing that the Division had done hard and desperate fighting be- foie, but had excelled itself that day. It was indeed a fearful day's work. The roar ot musketry never for an instant ceased, and at times it grew so dense as to drown the crashes of the artillery. The ground was strewn with the dead and wounded, and almost every foot of the shot-torn field was red with the crimson of loyal blood. The two small Brigades of Davis' Division had fought, alone, two full Divisions of the rebel army, under the personal command of General J. B. Hood — Hood's own Division, under Law, and the Division of Gen. Bushrod Johnson. This we learned at the time from pris oners captured, and the official reports of the rebel commanders afterwards substantiated the fact. Gen. Hood was severely wounded directly in front of the Eighth Kansas, and his leg am putated on the field. At 2 o'clock next morning the remnant of the Division, now numbering less than thirteen hundred men, was moved to a po sition about a mile and a half further north, and across the Chat tanooga road. Here it remained until 12, M.. when it was again ordered into line, and moved southeast, taking a position to the right of Gen. Wood's Division, with Gen. Sheridan's in rear, but then moving towards the left Changes in the location of our troops, made during the night, had drifted the lines of the army far to the left, leaving us on the extreme right. 0* moving forward, Col. Buell's Brigade, of Gen. Wood's Di vision, was found to be directly in front of Col. Martin's and the latter Brigade was therefore ordered to move by the right flank and form in rear of Gen. Carlm's as a reserve. It had just arri ved at the place designated, when Gen. Wood received an order (as he understood it) to support Reynolds, and at once withdrew his troops from the line they occupied, moving on the double 202 MILITARY HISTORY OF quick, by the left flank, to the rear ot Brannon, then in echelon to the right and rear of Reynolds. A fearful gap was made in our lines by the withdrawal of this large Division, and Col. Martin's small Brigade, numbering little over six hundred men, was or dered to move into it, on Carhn's right. It was promptly moved as directed, and three regiments had already reached their posi tion, but the one on the left (Thirty-Fifth Illinois) was yet filing into line, when Longstreet's fresh troops charged over the rising ground in our front, four columns deep. Our men, who knew nothing of the fatal gap on their left, met this impetuous rush with determined courage, firing with such coolness and directness that the enemy's front line was almost annihilated, and broke in impotent disorder to the rear. The second line was also broken, and our troops were beginning to imagine themselves the victors, as they continued to sweep the remaining lines with a dreadful fire. Pollard, the rebel historian, in speaking of this attack of their forces, says that "the shock was terrible;" that "never did Yankees fight better than just here," and that "the Union troops stood as long as human powers of endurance could bear up against such a pressure." But just at this moment the fatal re sult of the terrible gap on our left and the short line on the right, was felt. The rebel regiments advancing on our left had pene trated through the gap in our lines far to the rear; on the right of Carlin, overlapping him some distance, they had also advanced unopposed, and now dense masses of them were pressing down on our flanks, pouring in a terrific enfilading fire. Capture, an nihilation or retreat were the only alternatives left, and the Divis ion was forced to fall back, narrowly escaping as it retreated through a shower of bullets. Sheridan's Division, further to the rear, was also struck on the flank while moving to the left, and carried back with ours. On the top of a hill just south of the Chattanooga road the command was rallied, and for a time checked the advance of the enemy. But the full consequences of the disaster that had be fallen us, resulting from that dreadful gap in our lines, were now clearly seen and comprehended. * An overwhelming force of the enemy separated us from the main body of the army. Our Di vision had lost its commander, he having, in attempting to get a battery off the field, been carried far to the right, and the com- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 203 mand of what was present of the Division devolved on the Brig ade commanders. The enemy in our front was wary of ap proaching, contenting himself with keeping up aheavy fire of artil lery. The only thing left to attempt was to get the command safely to a place from which it could reach the rest of the army. The fragments of our Division were therefore formed and marched back towards Mission Ridge, gaining large accessions to their numbers as they went. Gen. Carlin, with a portion of his Brig ade, soon joined us, and a short time after Gen. Sheridan, with a portion of his Division, came up. The latter at once assumed command, and marched the remnants of the two Divisions to a point about three miles from Rossville. To his able manage ment and perfect familiarity with the roads of that region, the troops are probably indebted for their safe extrication. We found Gen. Davis, who had come in from another direc tion, at this point, and the command having arrived at a position from which it could reach Gen. Thomas, was allowed a short rest. After a consultation, Gens. Sheridan and Davis decided to go to his support. We accordingly moved out a road leading to the southeast some two miles, and had reached the vicinity of Gen. Thomas' right, when an order was received from General Garfield, Chief of Staff, directing us to fall back to Rossville. The dusky shades of evening were just settling in the woods when we started to retrace our steps, and we had proceeded but a short distance when, at a gap in the ridge, we met a confused mass of infantry and artillery pouring out. Our command was halted to allow them to pass, and falling in their rear, moved back to Rossville, where nearly all the army had by this time been concentrated. It was 12 o'clock at night when we reached there and went into bivouac. Next morning we threw up breastworks, expecting an attack, but none was made, and that night at,12 o'clock we silently with drew to Chattanooga, reaching the outskirts of the town just at daylight. So terminated the battle of Chicamauga. This description of it, and of the part the Eighth Kansas took in it, is necessarily but an outline sketch. Although in thus writing of it, the terri ble scenes of that two day's struggle on the banks of the "Dead Man's River," come up with startling distinctness, and pass in 204 MILITARY HISTORY OF awful panorama before the vision, no pen can portray, no tongue describe, the mad excitements, the desperate struggles, the mag nificent courage, the great deeds, that sprang out of the tame level of hitherto common lives, and the dreadful carnage of this red field of battle. Many incidents, indeed, are so vividly im pressed on the mind that it can grasp and give them shape on paper. But the brief space allotted to this history will not per mit it. Instances of personal and individual heroism, as grand as any that ever adorned the page of chivalry, could be men tioned by hundreds. But no one man could see all that trans pired, and it would be invidious to mention any unless all were given that credit which is their due. It is enough to say that the Eighth nobly sustained its own reputation, and reflected immor tal honor on the State. • The names of the killed and wounded are given in the accom panying report of the Adjutant General. The Eighth went into the battle with an aggregate of four hundred and six, rank and file; it lost, in killed, wounded and missing, two hundred and forty-three, or over sixty-five per cent of its total. It left the field at dark on the second day intact so far as stragglers were concerned, but fearfully decimated by shot and shell. Lieut. Col. Abernathy's brief report of the part taken by the Eighth in this engagement is as follows: "Headqr's. Eighth Kansas Vol. Infantry, ) "Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 29, 1863. J "Captain — I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Eighth Kansas in the action of the 19th and 20th instants. I was not in command of the regiment until the evening of the 19th, when the loss of our brave Brigade com mander threw the command of the Brigade upon Col. Martin : "On the morning of the. 19th, after marching near eightmiles, most part of the way on the double quick, we were suddenly turned to the right and marched near two miles into the timber( where we formed into line of battle facing east. Soon after be ing formed in line we were ordered forward, but had advanced only about fifty yards when the enemy poured a terrible fire upon us from behind a ledge of rocks where they lay concealed. Many of the men fell the first fire, but the others, promptly re- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 205 turning the fire, pressed forward vigorously, and not only main tained their ground, but had nearly penetrated the lines of ihe enemy, wh»n our Brigade commander, seeing the terrible fire to which the line was exposed, gave the order to fall back. "Re-forming the line, we again advanced under a perfect show er of bullets, sometimes driving the enemy and in turn being driven by them, until we had fought the ground over and over again, and almost half of our number la}*- dead or wounded upon the field. "The enemy being largely reinforced, we took a position fur ther to the west, on the edge of the timber, where we resisted every effort of the enemy, and finally drove them entirely from that part of the field. We encamped with the rest of the Brigade that night close to the battle field. "Before dawn next morning we were moved into position on the road to Chattanooga, where we remained until near 12, M., when we crossed the road and took position behind a low rail fence. Scarcely had we taken our position, however, when the enemy rose up in front of us, where they had been concealed in the tall weeds, and poured upon us a heavy fire. The fire was quickly returned and with effect, whole lines of the enemy fall ing at every discharge. This continued for a short time, and the enemy was almost effectually checked in our front, when the troops upon our right and left gave way, and before I was aware of the damage, the enemy appeared in heavy force upon both flanks, when, unsupported and almost surrounded, we were com pelled to leave the field or fall into the hands of the enemy. We fell back in disorder until we reached the ground occupied by us in the morning, where our lines were re-formed. From here we were ordered to the support of the right of Gen. Thomas, but be fore reaching the field were ordered forward to this point. "There were many instances of marked personal bravery and valor displayed on the field, but all did their duty well. '•I submit a list of the killed and wounded, which speaks for itself of the severity of the combat, and the heroic bravery with which our men contested the field. The regiment entered the 206 MILITARY HISTORY OF battle with four hundred and six officers and men. Our loss, as you will perceive by the list, is two hundred and lorty-three. '•Very respectfully, "Your most obd't. serv't, "JAMES L. ABERNATHY, '•Lieut. Col. Eighth Kansas Vols., Comd'g. "To Captain John Conover, '•A. A. A. G., 3d Brig., 1st. Div., 2>ith Army Corps." Col. Martin's report, of the part taken by the Brigade in the battle of Chicamauga was as follows : Headqrs, 3d Brig., 1st Div., 20th Army Corps, ) Chattanooga, September 28. 1863. j "Captain — I have the honor to report the following account of the actions of this Brigade from the time of crossing the Ten nessee river up to the present date, including its participation in the engagements on the 1 9th and 20th instants: "As I did not assume command of the Brigade until the 19th instant, when jhe brave and gallant Colonel Heg was mortally wounded, and as Capt Henry Hauff, A. A. A. G of the Brigade, was killed, and none of the official records of headquarters are in my possession, the report of our movements prior to the 19th may contain inaccuracies of memory, which the General commanding will readily "correct. "On the 2Sth of August, ultimo, the Brigade was ordered to march from Stevenson, Ala., and at 5, P. M., started, reaching the banks of the Tennessee at 11, P. M We bivouacked for the night, and at daylight next morning were ordered to cross the Tennessee river in pontoon bant out from the Brigade during the time we occupied the mountain, one under Lieutenant Colonel Aber- nathy, Eighth Kansas, penetrating to within a few miles of Tren ton, Ga., discovering a large force of the enemy. "On the 2d inst. we marched sixteen miles to Will's Valley; on the 4th marched five miles to Winston's ; on the 9th ascended the mountain and marched across fourteen miles, bivouacking at the entrance of Lafourche Gap, leading to Broomtown ; on the 10th marched south along the mountain, descending into the val ley through Standifer's Gap, and bivouacked near Alpine; on the 14th crossed over the mountain back to Lord's farm; on the 15th marched back to Winston's ; on the 16th marched over the mountains to Stevens' Gap ; on the ,17th marched to Lee's Springs; on the ISth marched four miles north on the Chatta nooga road. "On the 19th instant wemarched at 8 o'cleck,and at half-past 1 1 reached a point near General Rosecrans' headquarters. The Brigade filed through the woods to the right, and after marching about a mile was rapidly formed in line of battle, the Fifteenth Wisconsin, Eighth Kansas and Thirty-Fifth Illinois being in line, and the Twenty-Fifth Illinois, a reserve, directly in our rear. We then moved a mile to the right ; then, by the left flank, forward in line. We had not advanced more than a hun dred yards when the enemy, concealed in the timber and behind fallen logs, opened a destructive fire on us. The men replied with promptness and effect, and pushed forward vigorously. The fire at this time became deafening. The Twenty-Fifth Illi nois was ordered into line, and came up gallantly. The stream of wounded to the rear was unusually large. Still the Brigade 208 MILITARY HISTORY OF held its ground, cheered on by the gallant but unfortunate Col. Heg, who was everywhere present, careless of danger. The ene my was constantly reinforced, and at last flanked us on the left, pouring in a deadly fire down our lines. Colonel Heg gave the order to fall back, and the men slowly retreated, taking shelter behind trees, firing at the advancing enemy, and stubbornly con testing every inch of ground. Fifty yards to the rear they were again formed and again advanced, almost regaining their origi nal ground but were again compelled to fall back by overpow ering numbers. Again and again they formed and advanced, vmly to be driven back. Almost half the Brigade was killed and wounded, but the remainder, falling back to a fence a short dis tance to the rear, held the enemy in check until reinforcements came up and relieved them, when they fell back across an open field, taking position in the edge of a forest behind a log barri cade. What remained of the Brigade I here re-formed with the assistance of Captain Morrison, A. A. G. of the Division, and again advanced across the field, taking our old position behind the fence, and remaining there until nearly dusk, when the am munition of the men being almost exhausted, we withdrew to the barricade in the edge of the woods again. Just at dusk we were withdrawn, by order of General Davis, and went into bivouac. "During the night of the 19th the Brigade changed its loca tion, crossing the Chattanooga road and occupying a strong po sition on a ridge in the woods north of the road. Our ammuni tion was replenished to ninety rounds. At noon we received an order to support General Wood on the right. We advanced across the road again, formed in line of battle, and were then ad vanced to near a small barricade on the edge of the woods, front ing on an open field. Finding the barricade occupied by our troops, the Brigade moved by the right flank to the rear of Gen. Carlin's Brigade, and was ordered to lie down in a small ravine. The order had hardly been executed, when I received an order to move back by the left flank and take a position on the left of Gen. Carlin's Brigade, the troops that occupied that position having been moved away to the left. I directed the movement, passing Gen. Carlin's position, and moving by the right flank forward to the breastworks. The three regiments on the right of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 209 the Brigade reached the barricade, but the Thirty-Fifth Illinois, the regiment on the left of the line, had not reached its position, when the enemy rose up from the tall weeds in front and ad vanced on us four columns deep, pouring in a destructive fire. The left flank of the Brigade was entirely exposed, as the troops that had occupied that position had moved so far to the left as to be out of sight, and we were soon flanked and exposed to a de structive enfilading fire. The enemy in front was terribly pun ished as they came up. Our men fired coolly from behind the barricade, and with terrible effect. The Brigade held the posi tion until the enemy had mounted the barricade, when, flanked on the left, and overpowered by overwhelming numbers in the front, they fell back in confusion, partially rallying about two hundred yards in the rear, but finding all supports gone, and the line on the left in disorder, breaking again. On the brow of the hill in the woods they again rallied and formed in line, leaving the field in rear of Gen. Sheridan's Division, which had been partially rallied at the same point. "I enclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded and missing of the Brigade during the two day's engagement. By far the larger number were lost the first day, our loss on the 20th being light On the second day we had hardly six hundred men left in the Brigade when we were thrown into the fight. These were opposed by at least two full Divisions of the enemy's army. The list accompanying shows the loss to have been fully sixty per cent, of those engaged, and amply attests the courage, stub bornness and determination with which the troops fought. "Where all behaved so gallantly, it would be invidious to mention individuals as particularly conspicuous in their actions. The vacant ranks, eloquent with heroic memories of the dead, speak for our absent comrades. The living, who fought by their side during the terrible storm of the two day's conflict, have again established the invincible courage of the defenders of the Union. "The effective fighting force of the Brigade when it went into the engagement of the 19th instant was as follows, viz: 310 MILITART HTSTORY OF Twenty-Fifth 111. Vol. Infantry Fifteenth Wis. Vol. Infantry Eighth Kansas Vol. Infantry Thirty-Fifth 111. Vol. Infantry Total - 78 1140 1218 The loss of the Brigade during the two day's engagement was as follows, viz : o W o 3 > ?ti 3 ^sr cm -t * ~> ™ 0<5 co fD (7) -i s & to OP 3 |3i 3 H- p f o f* s ? CD CI C/5 3 17 320 337 19 157 176 24 382 406 18 281 299 O o O H H H o 3 O o S3 2. O 3^ W 5" C3 CD CD P- 3^ O a, S CD p.& CD 3 S w' IS- > oq CD erg <^3 o CD P-8 ¦P c?0)02 Pj CD3 CD3 sa<-.CD 0 n 1 10 160 23 205 2. 6 4 3 47 49 111 3 9 0 41 170 20 243 S 5 0 14 125 13 160 Twenty-Fifth Illinois, Fifteenth Wisconsin, Eighth Kansas, Thirty- Fifth Illinois, Total, 8 31 5 68 502 105 719 "Since the battles on the 19th and 20th the Brigade has been largely recruited by returned convalescents, and by two full com panies of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, which joined us on the 21st from detached service at Island No. 10. Many of the men slightly wounded have bravely returned to duty, consid erably augmenting our force. "I am, Captain, "Very respectfully, "Your most obd't serv't, "JOHN A. MARTIN, "Col. Comd'g Third Brigade. "Capt. T. W. Morrison, "A. A. G. 1st Division, 20th Army Corps." The army, as before stated, reached Chattanooga at daylight on the morning of the 22d of September. Of the forty-eight KANSAS REGIMENTS. 811 thusand men who, on the 19th and 20th, had maintained the unequal combat with ninety-two thousand veterans — the flower of the rebel armies of both the East and the West — eighteen thousand had dyed the field of Chicamauga with their heroic blood, and but thirty thousand men were left to hold the great objective point of our campaign. Bragg had lost in the battle fuily twenty-five thousand of his troops, but he still had a largely preponderating force, flushed with what they believed to be vic tory, and eager to make it complete by our capture or annihila tion. With this overpowering army he at once almost surround ed Chattanooga. His right rested on the Tennessee river, north east of the town, his lines running from thence up the valley in front of Mission Ridge to the southwest, crossing below Chatta nooga creek, on the south, to Lookout mountain, running over its point, and his. left resting on the Tennessee in the Wau- hatchie valley. At the time our army entered Chattanooga in the grey of that chill September morning, but little had been done to prepare it for defence. There were only two or three unfinished forts on the east and south of the town. The Army of the Cumberland was therefore at once set to work throwing up fortifications. Our lines formed a half-circle, with the 21st Corps resting its left on the Tennessee, the 14th Corps in the eentre, and the 20th Corps on the right, its right also resting on the banks of the Tennes see. Gen Davis' Division, to which the Eighth was attached, was on the extreme left of the 20th Corps, and fronted south to wards the Chattanooga valley and Lookout mountain. Since daylight on the 19th we had hardly known what it was to rest. On arriving at the town we were given two hours to sleep, cook and eat, and our Brigade was then detailed for picket duty occupying a line running along the irregular banks of Chattanoo ga creek. During the morning we threw up a light line of rifle pits, half of the men working while the other half watched. At noon we were relieved from this duty by Colonel Post's Brigade, and returned to the main lines. An hour was given the worn and tired men in which to rest, and then they went to work to construct a heavy line of breastworks along their front. Until 12 o'clock that night this labor was continued, the men working with that energy which is stimulated by the presence of terrible 218 MILITARY HISTORY OS danger, and when at last orders were given to cease, and that half of the command might sleep at one time, those whose turn it was to rest sank on the cold, damp ground, and in a moment were adrift in that dull, heavy and dreamless slumber which perfect exhaustion produces. So the siege of Chattanooga was inaugurated, and so, far a long time it continued. As one line of fortifications was com pleted another was commenced, and forts, redoubts and curtains were laid off and begun. The work and rest was more regular as the defences advanced to completion ; we had the tours of duty divided into so many hours, and details relieved each other in rotation. But the labor never ceased, and to add to the se verity of this hardship the weather turned bad ; the humid clouds dropped low and flooded the flat, marshy ground where we camped with their contents ; the winds came colder and colder with the breath of approaching winter, and the ill-clad men, with clothing almost constantly soaked with the rain, and shivering with cold that chilled almost to the bone, huddled, when re lieved from duty, around the smouldering fires, or busied them selves in constructing'tittle huts of the boards they could gather from the debris of the wrecked houses and dismantled fields. Rations, too, grew scarce. The depot was nearly bare, and the sturdy mules of the army were dying by scores from want of food and the overtasking work of drawing loads of commissary goods from Stevenson — our nearest base of supplies — sixty miles away, and over two ranges of the Cumberland Mountains. Gen. Rosecrans issued an order cutting down the rations to one-third the usual amount, and prohibiting the sale to officers, no matter what their rank, of more than was issued to the private soldier. So to the horrors of bitter cold and scanty clothing, of hard work and almost constant showers, of danger and ever anxious watch fulness, was added the startling terror of want and the near ap proach of grim and gaunt starvation. Cattle, almost dead from lack of food were killed and their flesh doled out in stinted quan tities; the hungry and tired men haunted the slaughter houses in crowds, and snatched eagerly for the hoofs, tails, heads and entrails of the animals that were butchered, cooking and eating with avidity garbage they would before have shrunk from with disgust The writer one day saw a commissary train, whiob. KANSAS REGIMENT*. v 213 had just arrived from Stevenson, and was unloading at the depot, surrounded by several hundred half famished soldiers, who eager ly snatched at and struggled for the crumbs of crackers that fell into the rbad from broken boxes as they were being carried into the storehouse. Behind our camp was a park ot artillery Horses, and over them a guard had to be stationed to keep the half starved men from taking the poor rations of corn doled out to the almost famished animals. The writer has seen soldiers during that siege eagerly picking up the few grains of corn that had been spilled by the horses from their troughs, and trampled in the mud and filth under foot. One of the regiments of our Brigade caught, killed and ate a dog which wandered into the camp. So the long, cold, cheerless, labor-burdened days dragged slowly on. A week after we reached the town the rebels opened a fierce artillery fire on our camps, commencing at daylight. The heights of Lookout and Mission Ridge and the valley of the Chattanooga thundered with the startling crashes of the great guns. The angry cannonading was kept up until late in the night, and repeated, day after day, for some time. The men, thus accustomed to it, soon grew to regard it with indifference, and worked on the fortifications,built their shanties, cooked their scanty meals, or crowded on top of the breastworks to watch the flash and smoke of the enemy's guns or the effect of our answer ing shots, with that reckless abandon and cool defiance of dan ger which only those who have long looked death in the face can feeL Instead of dispiriting, it kept them in better cheer. A bad shot from the enemy's batteries provoked shouts of derision, and an unlucky duck of the head at the whiz of a far off shell was saluted with running commentaries of that keen ridicule which veteran soldiers use with such saucy and yet good humored severity. This unfailing good humor in the midst of such gloomy sur roundings, was one of the most wonderful of the many strange things connected with that memorable siege. These men had lost all regular sleep for weeks, were living on one-third rations, and were surrounded by dangers of the most disheartening kind, but they never for a moment seemed to lose faith in ultimate success, never doubted the justice of their cause, never lost heart to laugh, or joke, or shout j or sing. Their rough jokes and odd 314 MILITARY HI1T0SY OV conceits were irresistible ; their pungent criticisms of men and movements were singularly clear and just; and their sparkling retorts, quaint sayings, and grotesque comparisons would have done no discredit to the pages of "Punch." By the 3d of October the breastworks were so far completed as to justify a partial cessation of the exhausting labor before be stowed on them, and thereafter details were made from regiments alternately to work on the forts in the town and its suburbs. It was still no lazy and listless inactivity, but it was luxurious ease when compared with the terrible duties of the past Our picket duty was done by Brigades, two of the Divisions being in the second line ot fortifications, the other in the first, and they alternately re lieved each other every four days, thus giving to each eight days in the second line, where such ceaseless vigilance had not to be maintained, and four days in the first line, where half of the men and officers must be awake at all hours, day or night, and none of them were allowed at any moment, asleep or awake, to take off their cartridge belt and box. The Brigade on the outer lines had also to furnish two regiments for picket guards, and on this duty no rest was allowed during the twenty-four hours. The two Brigades in the second line of defences furnished the work ing details, comprising about half their effective force each day. On the 2d of October the besieged army was rejoiced to learn that the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps of the Potomac army had arrived at Bridgeport, twenty-three miles below. On the 6th of the same month Gens. McCook and Crittenden were relieved of their commands, and an entire re-organization of the army was announced, the three Corps being consolidated into two — the Fourth and Fourteenth — the former being placed under the com mand of General Gordon Granger, and the latter under General George H. Thomas. Previous to this time, each Brigade had been composed of from four to five regiments ; after the consoli dation they consisted of from eight to ten. Col. Martin's Brig ade was consolidated with Gen. Willich's, of the same Corps, and the new Brigade was afterwards known as the First, of the Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, the Division being commanded by Brig. Gen. Thos. J. Wood. The position of nearly all the troops Was changed by this consolidation, but of course slowly, and it KANSAS REGIMENTS. 215 was not until the 20th that we were relieved and joined our new Brigade on the extreme left of the line, about a mile and a half or more from our old location. We now fronted Orchard Knob and Mission Ridge, our line resting against Fort Wood, the lar gest and most important fortification in Chattanooga. On the same day that we changed camp Gen. Rosecrans was superse ded in command of the Army of the Cumberland by General Thomas, and on the 23d General Grant arrived in Chattanooga and assumed command of all the forces in the Department On the night of the 26th General Hazen's Brigade, of our Di vision, floated down the Tennessee in pontoon boats and effected a landing at Brown's ferry, just below the spur of Lookout Moun tain, holding the point until assistance came to them, and Hook er's forces were established in the Waiihatchie valley. The opening of a new route via Brown's ferry so improved the facili ties for supplying the army that on the 12th of November the rations were increased from one-third to two-thirds. This in crease was a gratifying, one, as the men were gradually but sure ly failing strength and health for want of adequate food. There after, though supplies were not abundant, they were sufficient. General Sherman reached Chattanooga on the 15th, and his army arrived on the 21st, going into camp on the north side of the Tennessee. Rumors that an attack would soon be made on the rebel positions at once became prevalent On the 23d of November the Eighth Kansas went on picket duty at daylight, relieving the Thirty-Fifth Illinois. The picket line of the regiment covered the front of the Brigade, and ran along the embankment of the Atlantic and Western railroad from north to south. The morning passed in dull monotony, only the usual relieving of sentinels every two hours breaking the sluggish duty of waiting and watching. But just at noon a staff officer of General Willich's came out bringing intelligence that a strong reconnoisance was to be at once made to develop the for ces of the enemy in our front; that our Division, with that of General Sheridan, would move out and form line before the breastworks, and that at the sound of the bugle the picket line of the Eighth was to be advanced as rapidly as possible, its right flank directed On Orchard Knob, a small circular mound some three- quarters of a mile distant. The instructions were also to 216 MILITARY HISTORY OF take Orchard Knob and the line of breastworks running over it, which was the first one of the rebel defences, if possible ; if this could not be done with our force, to await the arrival of the main line of battle. While the troops of the two Divisions were forming in front of the breastworks, a fresh supply of ammunition was hastily issued to the Eighth, and the picket reserves were doubled on the ad vanced skirmish lines. A moment later and the Brigade bugle sounded -'Forward!" the regimental bugles answered it, swelling its clear, startling notes into the full volume of war's most stirring music, and the first movement towards raising the siege of Chat tanooga was commenced. Over the embankment and across an open field our brave boys poured with irresistible enthusiasm. The rebel rifles rang out clear and sharp, and the "ping" of their leaden messengers greeted the blue-coated column with their de fiance and defence. They were answered with a cheer and a volley as our men rushed on. The field was crossed, the woods beyond reached, and then for a moment a stubborn struggle en sued, and a deafening crash and roar followed, as the rebels strove to check this impetuous charge. But Kansas led the van that day, and the fighting blood of the old Eighth was at fever heat. The rebel horde could no more stem the torrent that struck them than they could check a bursting billow with a feather. Our men dashed forward right on to their line so fiercely and rapidly that one-half of them were captured, and the rest broke in wild confusion to the rear. A quick race through the woods ensued, and meantime the heavy guns of Fort Wood let loose their thun ders ; the ugly whiz of their shells as they sped on towards Mis sion Ridge was answered by the still uglier whiz of those from the enemy, tearing and crashing through the forest overhead and around. But the fleeing rebels never stopped until they reached their reserves behind the line of. entrenchments running over Orchard Knob. Here another struggle, came ; fierce volleys poured out, and a louder and denser crash and roar rose up, but with a ringing cheer our boys rushed on like a furious flood ; again the rebel line faltered, broke and fled, and Orchard Knob was ours. Never stopping, our men pushed on until they had driven the enemy fully a hundred yards beyond, and beneath the shelter of their second line of breastworks. Our skirmish KANSAS REGIMENTS. 217 line was then established, and the Brigade coming up, formed in position behind the captured works. The position gained was an important one, and its loss was severely felt by the enemy. Orders were at once issued to hold it at all hazards. It was in fair range of the batteries on Mission Ridge, as well as those in the valley, and the enemy at once opened upon it a most terrible artillery fire. The Eighth was re lieved on the skirmish line shortly after the successful termina tion of its brilliant advance, and returned to the main lines at Orchard Knob. Furious was the fire now poured upon this po sition. Solid shot and shell thundered on to it and over it, knocking the stones in every direction, and making the boughs of the trees around it fly as before the breath of a hurricane. From the front, and from far up and down the valley, the great guns vomited forth their fury. The men, however, had nothing to do but to keep under cover as much as possible, and so, lying on the ground behind the works, or hugging closely the trunks of trees, they waited until this iron hail had slacked in its furi ous peltings. It lasted but an hour or so, and fortunately the loss, terrible as was the fire, was slight, only five or six men in the Brigade being killed or wounded. That night the command worked until about 1 o'clock com pleting a formidable line of breastworks, and placing a strong abattis in front of them. A battery was also brought out and placed on the Knob. The picket line was strengthened, and half the men were allowed to sleep. All were aroused half an hour before daybreak and stood to arms, to guard against attack. The morning dawned cold, dark and cheerless. At intervals during the day a drizzling, chilling rain fell, and the troops hud dled around their half smothered fires, shivering with cold. The enemy kept up an irregular cannonading during the day, adding to the dreariness of the surroundings. It now became evident that Orchard Knob was to become the centre of operations. From its top a full view of the whole length of Mission Ridge and the valley in its front was obtained, and far off to the right and rear was Lookout Mountain, also plainly in sight Early in the morning the headquarters of Gen erals Grant and Thomas were established on the Knob. A sig nal station was also established behind it, from which messages 218 MILITARY HISTORY OF could be exchanged with nearly all parts of our lines. And on that small mound were gathered, at intervals during the day, the men whose directions guided the movements of the great armies of the Union. Howard, Hooker, Sheridan, Wood, Schurz, Wil- lich, Hazen, Harker, Granger, Palmer, Baird, and many other General Officers, whose deeds have made their names immortal, were there during the day. Sherman, Davis and others were off to the right. At dawn that morning Sherman crossed 8,000 men to the south side of the Tennessee in pontoon boats, and occupied the detached hills on the left of Mission Ridge. In the afternoon Hooker, with the Twelfth Corps, a Division of the^ Sixteenth, and another of the Fourth Corps, assaulted and carried the ene my's position on Lookout Mountain. The conflict was plainly seen from Orchard Knob, and was watched with the most in tense interest until the clouds that enveloped the summit of the mountain swept down and hid the combatants from sight. Another night came on, and slowly wore away its chilly, dis mal hours. Camp fires would have been comfortable, but they would also have afforded the enemy excellent marks, and they were prohibited. So the men shivered with the chill until dawn. The occasional whiz of a shell from Mission Ridge, and the usual rattle of skirmishing, alone disturbed the stillness of the quiet night. At daylight it was discovered that the enemy had removed all his artillery to the summit of the Ridge, leaving only infantry below. They had also materially strengthened their entrench ments on the hill. Early in the morning Sherman's forces as saulted the enemy's right on Mission Ridge, and a fierce battle ensued, lasting until noon ; but our troops were repulsed with severe loss, although they gained some important positions and advantages. In front of our lines the Ridge, running parallel with them, was of nearly equal hight for a long distance. Small promon tories, however, jutted out into the valley at irregular intervals. On these points and in their centre the rebel batteries were post ed. Between our position and the Ridge was, first, a dense wood covering a broken country; then a wide, open field, and then came a slight, abrupt rise of ground, on the top of which was a KANSAS REGIMENTS. 219 strong line of earthworks. Behind this was a plateau, probably a hundred yards wide, on which, until after our first advance, the rebel camps had been located. Beyond this the Ridge rose, ragged, broken and steep, to the hight of nearly five hundred feet, its summit crowned by a line of entrenchments. From our own works to the top of the hill, every inch of ground could be cov ered with the converging fires of dozens of batteries, and from the edge of the forest in our front every foot of the way was within fair range of the more destructive muskets. At about 2 o'clock General Grant ordered General Thomas to advance his lines, and the troops were immediately formed in front of the breastworks. vOur Division was directly before Or chard Knob, and our Brigade occupied the centre of the Division which was formed in two* lines. The definite instructions were that the six pieces of artillery on Pilot Knob would be fired in quick, regular succession, and at the sound of the sixth gun the whole army was to advance. At last the expected signal came. Simultaneous and clear followed the orders of the regimental commanders — "Forward, guide centre, march !" and the lines moved off. A few moments passed in silence. Then, threugh the branches of the leafless trees, we saw a bright flame leap out and a dull grey smoke curl up all along the summit of the Ridge; a crash like a thousand thunder claps greeted us ; solid shot went screaming through the timber, and hurtling shells exploded above and around the lines, sending their scattered fragments shrieking through the air like a legion of demons. Without an order the line broke into a double quick — brave fellows, they knew the work before them was quick success or sure destruction. The rebel pickets, too, opened fire, but the puny crackle of their muskets was drowned in the terrific thunder of the heavier guns. Our men did not even an swer their fire by a single shot, but with arms trailing or on the right shoulder pressed onward, leaping over the fallen timber and brooks and crowding through the briars and brush that lined the way, until they burst like a thunderbolt out of the woods and into the open field. Then from the whole line there rose a loud, hearty, ringing cheer, and on they swept. In the field the columns were caught in the fiercer fire and leaden shet from the rebel line at the foot of the hill, and soon in the 220 MILITARY HISTORY OF still deadlier volume of musketry from its summit But there was not a waver or a pause in the stern advance nor a straggler from it. In a few moments our men were nearly across the field. There was a break in the grey lines behind the rebel works ; a few rushed to the rear, and with frantic eagerness be gan to climb the slope ; but nearly all, throwing down their mus kets, and holding up their hands in token of surrender, leaped to our side of the entrenchments and cowered behind them, for the hail of bullets now rained down from the hill was as deadly to them as to us. The first line was won, but behind it there was not room for both forces, and seeing this Adjutant Washer, of the Eighth, dragged one of the prisoners from his place and ordered the whole of them to the rear. "You have been trying to get there long enough," he said, "anfl now charge on Chatta nooga !" Off the fellows scampered towards the lines we had left behind. We had no directions to go beyond this line of works, and a brief halt was ordered ; but it was instantly seen by every soldier in the ranks that no line could live there, raked from every di rection as it was by both artillery and infantry. Almost simul taneously several regiments moved forward towards the hill, and as if animated by a common impulse, all followed. Grim and silent, with compressed lips and eyes fixed on the goal before them, they breasted the fiery sleet of battle and commenced the steep ascent. From behind the rifle pits on the summit shot and shell rained down upon them in a ceaseless torrent, and the roar of the contest grew deafening. Owing to the nature of the ground all regular formations of lines were soon lost. Great masses of m i, who had crowded together in the places easiest of ascent, W' e climbing the steep at intervals and vieing in their efforts to be .st. Regiments were so intermingled that their or ganization r d unity soon disappeared,, though the greater por tion of eac" clustered around their battle flags, and these were in every ca? ihead. Gradually these < -roups took the form of a wedge or tri gle, the apex being the ;mental battle flag. The progress wa; ecersarily slow. Ab», iie summit of the hill was one she -.: .-,. t me and smoke, ;'i ne awful explosions of artillery and urn .-,..- ry made the earth fairly tremble. Below, the columns of dark blue, with the old banner of beauty and ot KANSAS REGIMENTS. 221 glory leading them on, were mounting up with leaning forms, each eager with desperate resolution to be first. Cannon shot tore through their ranks ; musket balls were rapidly and fearfully decimating them ; behind them, the dead and wounded lay thick as autumn leaves ; before them, death Was reveling in a whirl wind of carnage ; but the lava-flood of battle pouring down upon them no more checked the grand advance than if it had been the softest rain of summer. The writer saw a rebel column charge over a field at Chicamauga with desperate bravery and in the face of a deadly fire, but the men came on with faces averted and arms thrown before their heads, as when men protect themselves from the peltings of a hail storm. But at Mission Ridge our men looked death squarely in the face without a waver. Their eyes were fixed steadily on the blazing heights, and they moved for ward with a courage as cool and devoted as it was sublime. Our Brigade went up in the centre of one of the half-circular bends of the Ridge. On the right of us Hazen's men breasted a point ; to the left Beatty also had a headland. Between an Ohio regiment of Hazen's Brigade, and one or two of ours that had their jjags well ahead, there sprang up a fierce rivalry as to which should be first planted on the rebel lines. At last but;; a dozen yards separated the line of grey and the columns of blue, while the flags of the Eighth Kansas, Sixth and Forty-Ninth Ohio and several other regiments were but a few yards from the red clay banks that were belching forth streams of fire and sulphurous smoke. With a wild cheer and a madder rush our men dashed forward, and for a few moments a sharp, desperate, almost hand- to-hand fight with bayonet and ball ensued. Before this resist less assault the rebel line was lifted as by a whirlwind, and borne backward, shattered, bleeding and confused. In quick succes sion half a dozen Union battle flags were planted upon the works, and in a moment more the foemen were hurrying down the hill on the opposite side and off into the woods beyond. Our men were about starting in pursuit, as, in the excitement of the mo ment, no one had observed how the attack on either side was progressing, but they were quickly reminded of it by the ugly whiz of cannon balls coming from the left and passing directly down our lines. The men were rapidly formed, and we. were 222 MILITARY HISTORY OF preparing to move down the breastworks to the left, while Ha zen's men did the same on the right, when suddenly the whole rebel line gave way. Then followed a scene of tumult and con fusion which baffles description. Grey clad men rushed wildly down the hill and into the woods, tossing away knapsacks, mus kets and blankets as they ran. Batteries galloped back along the narrow, winding roads with reckless speed, and officers, fran tic with rage, rushed from one panic-stricken group to another, shouting and cursing as they, strove to check the headlong flight But all in vain. Our men pursued the fugitives with an eager ness only equaled by their own to escape; the horses of the ar tillery were shot as they ran ; squads of rebels were headed off and brought back as prisoners, and in ten minutes all that re mained of the defiant rebel army that had so long besieged Chat tanooga was captured guns, disarmed prisoners, moaning wound ed, ghastly dead, and scattered, demoralized fqgitives. Mission Ridge was ours, and the victory brought all the results of perfect triumph. Over the hills to far away Knoxville, where Burnside was suffering as we had suffered, the route was clear ; and forty pieces of artillery, many thousands of small arms, and large num bers of prisoners were the substantial results of the fight. The Eighth Kansas captured four pieces of artillery,-five hundred stand of small arms, and more prisoners than it had men in its ranks. The regiment also claims to have planted upon the rebel breastworks the first Union colors that waved there. So, after running through a period of two months and five days, ended the terrible siege of Chattanooga, The march from our lines at Orchard Knob to the summit of Mission Ridge occu pied just one hour and fifteen minutes. Colonel Martin's official report of the part taken by the Eighth in this engagement was as follows: "Headqr's. Eighth Kansas Vol. Infantry, ) "Chattanooga, Nov. 27, 1863. j "Captain — I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry in the late battles : "On the morning of the 23d instant the regiment was ordered on picket duty, and was on the outer lines when, at noon, orders KANSAS REGIMENTS. 223 for the advance were received. The Brigade shortly afterwards marched out and formed in rear of the picket station. I was di rected by General Willich to strengthen my outpost picket line by doubling fhe picket reserves on it, and then to move forward rapidly until I reached the enemy's first line of entrenchments. This was immediately done, and at the signal the line advanced. We at first met with a stubborn resistance, but we pressed for ward with sueh impetuosity that the enemy broke, and we drove them nearly a mile and a quarter, passing their first line of works at Orchard Knob before they could wholly recover from their confusion. Our skirmishers passed on over a hundred yards be yond this line, the Brigade occupying the enemy's works. Our loss in this day's fight was but three men wounded. We cap tured some forty prisoners and wounded about a dozen of the enemy. "During the night of the 23d and until noon on the 25th we remained at this line, strengthening it by various additions. Shortly after noon on the 25th we were ordered to advance on the enemy's position at the foot of Mission Ridge, and moved out of our works, forming in the second line of battle. We then advanced steadily in line through the woods and across the open field in front of the enemy's entrenchments at the foot of the hill, subjected during the whole time to a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's batteries, and as soon as we reached the open field, to a destructive musketry fire. Reaching the first line of works, we halted to rest our men for a few moments, and then again ad vanced through a terrible storm of artillery and musketry to the foot of the hill and up it as rapidly as possible. The crest of the Ridge at the point where we moved up was formed like a horse shoe, we advancing in the interior, while the enemy's batteries and infantry on the right and left, as well as in the centre, poured upon us a most terrific fire. But the men never faltered or wa vered, although from the nature of the ground regiments were mingled one with another, and company organizations could not possibly be preserved. Each man struggled to be first on top, and officers and men of the regiment, without a single exception, exhibited the highest courage and the most devoted gallantry in this fearful charge. The enemy held their ground until we were 224 MILITARY HISTORY OF less than a dozen yards from their breastworks, when they broke in wild confusion and fled in panic down the hill on the oppo site side. A portion of our men pursued them for nearly a mile, capturing and hauling back several pieces of artillery and cais sons which the enemy were trying to run off. "We occupied the summit of Mission Ridge until the night of the 26th, when we were ordered to return to camp at this place. "Our loss was one commissioned officer wounded and three en listed men killed and thirty-one wounded. The regiment went into the battle with an aggregate effective force of two hundred and seventeen men and officers. "Where all behaved with such conspicuous courage, it is dif ficult to make distinctions, but I cannot forbear mentioning my Adjutant, Lieut. Sol. R Washer. Wounded at Chicamauga, and not yet recovered from the effects of this wound, and suffering from a severe sprain of the ankle, which prevented his walking, he mounted his horse and rode through the whole battle, always foremost in danger. Maj. Ed. F. Schneider also left a sick bed to go to the battle field. The line officers present, Capt Jas. M Graham, company C, Capt. John Conover, company F, Capt. Robert Flickinger, company G, Capt. Samuel Laighton, compa ny A, Lieut. Marion Brooks, commanding company I, Lieut. Wm. S. Babcock, commanding company K, Lieut. William S. Newberry, commanding company H, and Lieut. Rowland Ris- don, commanding company E, all behaved with marked gal lantry and courage. Sergeant William Melchert, commanding company B, and Sergeant Thomas Adamson, commanding com pany D, should also be mentioned for conspicuous gallantry and courage. "I send accompanying a list of killed and wounded. "I have the honor to be, Captain, "Very respectfully, "Your most obedient serv't, "JNO. A. MARTIN, "Col. 8th Kan. Vol. Inft'y., Comd'g. "Capt Carl- Schmidt, "A. A. G., 1st Brig., 3d Div., 4th Corps." KANSAS REGIMENTS. 225 The Eighth was specially complimented by Gens. Willich and Wood for its action in this engagement, as well as by dis interested spectators who witnessed the battle. The corraspon- dent of the Cincinnati Commercial thus speaks of the first day's advance : "Wood moved with a part of Hazen's Brigade on the right, and Willich's on the left, Gen. Sam. Beatty being in reserve. The Eighth Kansas did the skirmishing for the entire line, and did it in the usual admirable style of that fine regiment. The enemy was of course encountered before the first hundred rods was traversed, and the whole of Wood's front became immedi ately engaged. He pushed forward rapidly, driving the enemy before him into their rifle pits." The special correspondent of the New York Tribune, who wit nessed the assault on Mission Ridge from the summit of Orchard Knob, in the course of his description says : "The distance between the rifle pits and our skirmishers was probably not to exceed three hundred yards. In less than ten minutes the rebels began to leave and climb the abrupt slope of the hill, in desperate eagerness to gain the main line — Hardee's Corps — on the top. Cheer on cheer now go up from the attack ing columns, and a galling fire is poured in on the fleeing rebels. But not all escape, for so sudden was the advance that many prisoners were taken in the pits. Notwithstanding the order was to halt at the rifle pits, in the eagerness of the pursuit it seems to be forgotten, and the chase is kept up with vigor. In the cen tre, where Wood's Division is advancing, some of his men are already half way up the rugged steep. The elevation is almost five hundreed feet. Glancing up and down the ridge's slope you see a score of battle flags, some further advanced than others ; one or two so far ahead of the supports, save a few impetuous spirits who seem determined to scale the hights first, that the at tempt seems mere hardihood. From the crest of the Ridge the rebel artillery now belch forth more furiously than ever, and rain the iron hail on the masses below. And yet there is no waver ing or the sign of it. Cheer on cheer roll in waves up and down the advancing line. The right, the centre, the left now go for ward in order to support those who seem to have pushed too 226 MILITARY HISTORY OF daringly to the assault, in the determination to be first to make the ascent where the foe was in force. The battle flags are now seen everywhere, and those that have been carried with so much daring almost to the crest now receive salvos of cheers. In the centre the Sixth Ohio, Hazen's Brigade, Wood's Division, has from the first been ahead, the object of special interest, and those who have watched their progress, while they have admired their bravery, have almost regretted their impetuosity ; for it can scarcely be otherwise than they will be hurled back by an over whelming force the moment they reach the summit. To the left of this regiment is the Eighth Kansas, sharp competitors in the race, whose colors have been carried so defiantly ahead. Vol leys of musketry are poured down on the column of attack, which makes no reply but right on." We remained in our camps at Chattanooga until 3, P. M., on Saturday, when our Corps moved out, en route to Knoxville, to relieve Burnside. The line of march lay through Harrisonville, Decatur, Sweet Water, Morgantown and Maysville, to Knoxville, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles. We reached the lat - ter place at noon on the 7th of December. The winter march was a very severe and trying one. The weather was exceedingly cold, and the men were inadequately supplied with clothing or blankets. Their shoes were almost worn out, and the rough, hard-frozen roads bruised and tore their feet as they progressed^ leaving many a blood stain in their tracks. The troops lived on the country, as only three day's rations were supplied on leaving • Chattanooga. Forage details were sent out every day, scouring the country for miles on_each side of the route, and bringing in whatever they could find — flour, meal, live stock, vegetables, &c. Although at times our meals were scant, the fare was a decided improvement on the living at Chattanooga, and all relished the change. We remained in camp south of Knoxville until the 16th of December, when we crossed the Tennessee river, marched through the city, and to Bladn's X Roads, about fourteen miles northeast. While the command lay at Knoxville the regiment was on sev eral scouts and foraging expeditions, once penetrating nearly to the North Carolina line. On Christmas day we moved four miles to Strawberry Plains, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 227 at the junction of the Holston and French Broad Rivers, and here the regiment was at the close of the year 1863. During the year the following changes occurred in the regimental and com pany organizations : Lieutenant Colonel James L. Abernathy resigned November 8, 1863. Major Ed. F. Schneider promoted to Lieutenant Col. and Captain James M. Graham to Major, December 22, 1863. Second Lieutenant Sol. R. Washer, company E, promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, July 16. John Paulson appoint ed Chaplain July 4. Samuel E. Beach appointed Assistant Sur geon May 25; died of disease at Chattanooga, November 4. Geo. W. Hogeboom, Assistant Surgeon, discharged to accept pro motion, May 24. Adjutant Washer wounded at Chicamauga, September 20. Aggregate strength of the regiment, December 31, 1863, five hundred and eighty-three. Present for duty, one hundred and ninety-nine. Ninety-eight men died of wounds or disease du ring the year, and sixty-eight were discharged for disability. Company A — No changes in officers. Second Lieutenant Seth Foot wounded at Mission Ridge. Company B — Captain David Block resigned May 13 ; Firs1 Lieutenant Alten resigned May 26. Second Lieut. Claudius Keifer promoted to Captain May 14, and Sergeant Major Z. Burkhardt promoted to Second Lieutenant same day. Lieut. Burkhardt promoted to First Lieutenant and First Sergeant Wm. Backer to Second Lieutenant, May 29. Captain Keifer severely wounded at Chicamauga. First Lieutenant Burkhardt mortally wounded and taken.prisoner at Chicamauga ; died at Atlanta, Ga., October 28. Second Lieutenant William Backer deserted in September. Company C — Captain Graham promoted Major December 20- First Lieutenant John G. Bechtold resigned June 3. Second Lieutenant R. R. Bridgeland promoted to First Lieutenant^and Corporal Wm. Becker to Second Lieutenant, June 20. Lieut. Becker died ©f disease at Nashville, Nov. 21, 1863. Company D — Captain A. W. Williams dropped from the rolls in January. First Lieutenant S. B. Todd promoted Captain April 20, and resigned September 15, 1863. Second Lieutenant John L, Graham promoted te First Lieutenant April 30, and to 228 MILITARY HISTORY OF Captain September 15; killed in battle at Chicamauga, Septem ber 19. First Sergeant Philip Rockefeller promoted to Second Lieutenant April 20, to First Lieutenant September 15. and to Captain November 4. Commissary Sergeant V. S. Fisk promo ted to First Lieutenant November 4. Company E — Captain John Greelish severely wounded at the battle of Chicamauga. Second Lieutenant Sol. R. Washer pro moted First Lieutenant and Adjutant July 16. Company F — Second Lieutenant J. Milton Hadley discharged to accept promotion in August. First Sergeant A. E. Beardsley promoted Second Lieutenant August 19. Severely wounded at Chicamauga, September 20. Company G — Captain N. Harrington and Second Lieutenant Joseph Randolph resigned September. First Lieutenant Robert Flickinger promoted Captain, and First Sergeant David Baker promoted First Lieutenant, September 10. Lieut Baker sevjere- ly wounded at Chicamauga, September 19. Company H — Captain Edgar P. Trego killed at Chicamauga, September 1 9. First Lieutenant Frank Curtis wounded at Chica mauga, September 20. Company I — Captain Henry C. Austin severely wounded at Chicamauga, September 19. Second Lieutenant Byron Slem- mens wounded same day. Company K — Captain William E. Hurd resigned July 16. First Lieutenant and Adjutant James E. Love promoted Captain Jitiv 16. Captain Love severely wounded and taken prisoner at Chicamauga, September 19. The winter spent in East Tennessee was a very severe one- The cold was intense, and the army was but illy equipped. Long use had almost worn out the shelter tents of the men, and their clothing was in tatters. Of blankets, there was scarcely one for every two soldiers ; their shoes were nearly all soleless, and their heads were covered with the ghosts of what had once been hats, some destitute of tops, some without rims. At an inspection held at Strawberry Plains it was found that only about thirty men of the Eighth had shirts — constant use for months had worn out the others. Yet they were never despondent. They mads the best of everything, and joked about their condition- when they could not mend it. They constructed "nests" of Qedar KANSAS REGIMENTS. 229 boughs, weaving the branches so closely aud thickly that Un wind could hardly penetrate them ; they built primitive cabins of logs, thatched with beef hides, and adorned with mud chim neys; they burrowed in the ground like rabbits. Danger could not daunt them nor could hunger — they had faced unflinchingly the storms of battle and bore unmurmuringly the privations of siege; now snow and sleet and rain alternated day after clay, chilling their bodies to the very bones, but never the generous ardor of their souls. The suffering that was incident to this winter's campaign cannot be described, but the rudest and coarsest soldier in the ranks seemed to feel a solemn pride in the fact that they formed part of the Grand Army which held in its hands the destinies of the great Republic, and they rose to the glory of the epoch in which they lived. In their country's ser vice danger was laughed at, privation was welcomed, and suf fering was accepted with cheerful resignation. The more they braved and endured, the nearer and dearer the Nation and its flag seemed to be to their hearts. The duties of this camp were not light. All the mechanics of the regiment were detailed to assist in the construction of a bridge over the Holston, aud the services of a large number of laborers were also required- Almost daily, too, scouts and fora ging parties were sent out, making long, cold and wearying marches through all parts of the country. About this time the order for the organization of veteran regi ments was issued, and the old soldiers were again appealed to to give three years more to their country. There was no hot en thusiasm to impel them to this step, as when they first enlisted, nor did they take it, as then, unconscious of the terrors and vi cissitudes inevitable to a soldier's life. They had learned what war was on fields where the heavens were blackened and the earth shook with the mad wrestle of contending armies ; they knew that it was no holiday parade, glaring with lace and tinsel and bright with trappings, but a hard, stern, painful struggle, ter rible in its grim realities. But with a heroic self-sacrifice, that seems more than human, and has no parallel in all the records of the world, these men responded with cheerful alacrity to this fresh appeal to their patriotism, and devoted themselves anew to the deprivations and hardships of camp and march and to the 230 MILITARY HISTORY OF possibility of disaster and death. On the 4lh of January, two days after the order was read to them, four-fifths of all the mem bers of the Eighth then present re-enlisted as veteran volunteers. A cause which, in the immediate presence of such adverse circum stances, could command such unfaltering devotion, needed no other prophecy of triumph, and the soldiers who thus grandly dedica ted their lives to their country, need no eulogy. Their action surpasses eloquence. On the 9th, Gen. wood having received a leave of absence, Gen. Willich assumed command of the Division, and the com mand of the Brigade devolved upon Col. Martin. Lieut. Col. Schneider being absent on leave, Maj. Graham assumed charge of the regiment. On the 19th the army moved toward Dandridge, our Brigade having the advance, and reached that place at 12, M., next day. On the 16th our outpost cavalry pickets were attacked by Long- street, and there was heavy skirmishing during the whole day. The Brigade stood to arms iu the evening in expectation of bat tle, but none resulted. At noon next day the fighting was resumed, the enemy slowly but steadily driving back our cavalry, until, at evening, his lines were not more than a mile and a half from the infantry forces. Our troops were several times drawn up in order of battle, in readiness for the contingency of attack, but the enemy seemed to content himself with pushing back the cavalry to within striking distance. Early in the evening Gen. Parke (who was in command of the "Forces in the Field," Gen. Foster being sick at Knoxville) called a Council of War, and to the as tonishment of every one, finally ordered a retreat that night. What we ever came to Dandridge for was an enigma, but this movement was incredible. Our Division, however, was ordered to cover the retreat, and our Brigade was detailed as rear guard. Long and full of anxiety were the hours that night, as we wait ed and watched while the other troops got off, and day was breaking in the east before all were fairly on the road and orders camejhat our Brigade could follow. The Eighth had gone on outpost picket duty with the Fif teenth Wisconsin at about 12 o'clock at night, relieving some regi ments of Gen. Sheridan's Division. They were at once ordered in? and on their arrival the Brigade moved on, taking its position Kansas Regiments. 231 in the rear of the army. The night had been clear and cold, 'but just as we started a drizzling, chilling rain commenced fall ing, continuing during the whole of the day. The position of rear guard to a retreating army, although the post of honor and of danger, is a most disagreeable one. The anxiety wears worse than the excitement of battle. On this oc casion it was peculiarly annoying. The rain soon told on the yielding, sticky soil, rendering the. road almost impassable. A large train had been placed in the rear of all the troops except two Brigades of our Division, and Gen. Hazen's Brigade had to be deployed alongside of it to keep the wagons, which stuck fast every few rods, out of the mud. We had not progressed more than three miles when the enemy's cavalry appeared in sight. A small force of cavalry, sent to report to Col. Martin and act as rear vedettes, proved worthless, as it was constantly crowding on to the infantry, and reporting the enemy preparing for a charge when he was warily keeping his distance. They were finally sent to the flanks of the column, and two companies of the 89th Illinois took their place. We moved so slowly that at noon we had not traveled ever six miles. By this time a large cavalry force had concentrated in our rear and seemed preparing for an attack. Two regiments were rapidly formed in line, one on each side of the road, but the enemy, seeing these dispositions for battle, contented himself with firing a few volleys at long range, and halted where he was. After waiting a short time the Brigade moved on. The enemy continued to hover in our rear until 4 o'clock, when he disap peared. At night we went into bivouac some six miles from Strawberry Plains, having made one of the most disagreeable of marches. The evening turned clear and cold ; our bivouac fires were lighted, the scanty meal eaten, pickets put out, and the ex hausted troops were soon asleep. We awoke in the morning to find about four inches of snow on our blankets. The command was so completely worn out with the fatigues of the previous day, that few knew of the snow fall until the bugle aroused them at daylight. The snow formed a warm covering keeping out the wind, and we slept as soundly as though in a comfortable room, wrapped up in quilts and blankets. We started on early next morning, Gen. Hazen's Brigade re- 232 MILITARY HISTORY OF lieving us as rear guard. Near camp we found an artillery cais son, abandoned by some Division ahead, and, determined that nothing should fall into the hands of the enemy, the men at tached ropes to it and hauled it to Strawberry Plains. This day's march was hardly less disagreeable than the one preceding it, The snow melted early in the morning, and the roads were exceedingly slushy and muddy. We crossed the bridge at the Plains about noon, and marched to Flat Creek, three miles be yond, where we camped for the night. Next day, to the great joy of the command, a lot of new clothing and an abundant sup ply of shoes, sent forward from Knoxville, were received. They were distributed during the forenoon, and late in the afternoon we marched, but traveled only about four miles that evening. Next day we were en route at 7, A. M. This morning dawned clear and beautiful, the air just cool enough to make marching pleasant, and the men, now well supplied with clothing, were in high spirits. We reached Knoxville before noon, and passing through the city, crossed the river and went into camp in a fine woods about two miles out on the Savierville road. We re mained here during the whole of the next day, receiving another supply of clothing and blankets, so that the troops were abun dantly provided for. On the 23d we started, early in the morn ing, for Maysville, under orders to go into winter quarters at that place. After a march of eleven miles we camped. That evening an order was received directing the Eighth Kansas to proceed te Chattanooga, there to be mustered-in as veterans and return home on furlough. It was joyous news, and was received with tumultuous enthusiasm by the men. Next morning, just after daylight, having bid good-bye to the old and dear companions ot many marches and dangers, the 8th, with banners flying and band playing, moved out of camp, amid the cheers and "God-speeds" of the other regiments, home ward bound. It reached Knoxville at 1 o'clock, and early in the evening went into camp five miles beyond. Next day it traveled twenty-three miles, bivouacking at Wood's Hill ; and the next, at 2 o'clock, reached Kingston. As no rations could be supplied to last us while marching to Chattanooga, it was determined to await here the arrival of a boat, and Lieutenant Fisk, Acting Q. M., was sent to Loudon to secure an order for transportation. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 233 He returned the next evening, and before daylight on the 2Sth we were embarked on the "Lookout" and steaming down the Tennessee. We reached Chattanooga on the morning of the 29th at 10 o'clock, and went into camp on the banks of the riv er south of town. A number of our officers and men wounded at Chicamauga rejoined us here. The work of making out enlistment papers, muster rolls, &c, was at once commenced, and on the 8th of February Capt Wells, Commissary of Musters, mustered in two hundred and five men of the Eighth as veteran volunteers. The rolls were approved next day, and on the 11th the regiment was paid in full to the date of its re-enlistment, including bounties due. On the 13th we received marching orders for home, with transportation on the cars to Nashville, and next morning started, reaching Nashville at ten and a half o'clock that niglit. The men were comfortably quartered in barracks, and for the first time for nearly two years slept with a roof over their heads. The following day the regiment was visited by hundreds of its old friends, and the citizens generally took pleasure in wel coming it back. The managers of- the theatre extended it a complimentary invitation to attend the performance that evening in a body,and reserved seats for the whole command. We drew new clothing for the men that day, the officers were paid off on the 16th, and next morning the regiment embarked on thesteam- er "Hawkeye" for St. Louis. On the night of the 18th it reached Cairo, and finding the river, so full of ice that it was impossible for the boat to proceed, the command had to take the cars. At noon on the 19th we got off, and at daylight next morning reached St. Louis. Here we found our old commander, Gen. Rosecrans, and re ceived an invitation to accompany him to Alton to attend the Sanitary Fair then in progress there, on Washington's birth day. The invitation was accepted, and the regiment embarked on a splendid steamer, acting as the General's special escort. On ar riving at Alton it was received and handsomely entertained by the Tenth Kansas, then on duty at that post. Next morning it returned to St Louis, where the citizens gave it a fine reception and dinner at Turner's Hall. The same evening the regiment took the cars, and on the morning of the 25th reached Atchison, 234 MILITARY HISTORY OF Kansas. A magnificent reception was given it in that ctty. The streets were adorned with flags, cannon were fired and bells rung, and a large concourse of people assembled to welcome and greet the command. An eloquent reception speech was made by Judge Horton and briefly responded to by Co). Martin, after which a sumptuous dinner was provided. The regiment was generously entertained until the next morning, when it took the cars and proceeded to Fort Leavenworth. On the Monday following the Eighth had another splendid reception at Leaven worth City, the militia of the town, the post garrison at the Fort, and thousands of people taking part in it Hon. Thos. P. Fen- Ion delivered a beautiful reception speech, and a bountiful din ner was spread in Turner's Hall. On the 1st of March the command received a furlough for thirty-five days, and officers and men quickly and quietly dis persed to their respective homes. On the 5th of April nearly all the men had re-assembled, and the commanding officer reported to the Provost Marshal General for orders. On the 12th the regiment was instructed to proceed to Chattanooga, and transportation was at once applied for, but we were delayed until the 20th awaiting the arrival of a boat. That day the command embarked on the "Jennie Dean," and on the evening of the 24th reached St Louis. Next morning it was transferred to the steamer "Sunshine," and on the evening of the 28th reached Nashville. There it received orders from Maj. Gen. Sherman to escort a pontoon train to the front, and on the afternoon of the 1st of May left the city, marching out about five miles. Next day it marched sixteen miles ; the next passed through Murfreesboro and camped eight miles beyond, having traveled nineteen miles, and the next it reached Shelbyville, sev enteen miles. At 7, A. M., on the 5th it left Shelbyville, and at noon on the 7th reached TuUahoma, where it was compelled to remain during the whole of the next day and repair the wagons of the train. Early on the morning of the Sth the regiment moved on, and on the evening of the 10th reached Cowan at the foot of the Cumberland mountains. The roads were bad and the train a heavy one, so that we were much delayed by its slow movements. On the llth we commenced the ascent of the mountain. A KANSAS REGIMENTS. 235 heavy rain had fallen during the night, adding greatly to the dif ficulty ot moving the wagons up the precipitous roads. The dis tance to the summit is only a mile and a half, but the road steep, winding and narrow, was now slippery as glass, and it was im possible for the mules to draw the wagons. Long ropes were consequently attached, and the men slowly and laboriously dragged them up the mountain sides. As there were some fifty wagons in the train, this task was difficult and exhausting, but it was completed just after dark, and the regiment camped di rectly over the great railroad tunnel. The descent was even a more difficult undertaking than the ascent. Next morning (12th) at daylight it commenced. The distance to Tantalon, the first station on the east of the moun tains, is only about eight miles, but we were until noon on the 14th in reaching that place. The road was the worst that could be imagined, and our men had to repair or corduroy nearly every foot of it. At times it was so precipitous that the wagons had to be let down as they were before dragged up, with long ropes at tached, by which the men held back. When we reached Tan talon there was scarcely a wagon that did not heed repairs, either the#wheeis, tongues or reaches being broken. We were conse quently compelled to remain at this place repairing damages until the 16th. On the afternoon of that day we started on, and on the 17th reached Stevenson ; on the 18th Bridgeport; on the 19th camped five miles beyond Shell Mound ; on the 20th beyond Raccoon range, and on the 21st, at 3, P. M., reached Chattanoo ga. Here we received orders to thoroughly repair the train and bring it through to the front. We remained, at Chattanooga until the 9th of June, awaiting the completion of this work. During that time opportunity was afforded to visit the battle fields of Chicamauga and Mission Ridge. We had watched the hights of the latter so long during the siege, that every outline of it was familiar. It looked as of old, only that hostile bayonets no longer gleamed in the sunshine along its winding roads and foot paths, and hostile guns no more awakened the slumbering echoes of the peaceful valley beneath it. But of the fields of Chicamauga and their surroundings we knew little. Only amid the wild excitement of battle had we 236 MILITARY HISTORY OF ever seen them, and such opportunities of inspection are not fa vorable. We now re-visited this ground, made truly sacred soil by the loyal blood which crimsoned it on those September days. Where the Eighth fought we found the whitened skeletons of its glorious dead lying on the spots where treason's bullets struck them down, covered with a few loose stones, the only sepulchre that rebel barbarity provided. About twenty-five bodies were identified by peculiarities of form or remnants of clothing, and some by surviving comrades who knew the places where their companions fell. Details were sent out and the remains of all were carefully collected and brought to Chattanooga, where they were interred in the National Cemetery. The graves of all rec ognized were marked. The field of Chicamauga seen at this time was horrible to look upon. Foemen were sleeping their last sleep peacefully side by side, but the rebels were all decently buried, while the Union dead were nearly all unsepulchred. The ground was strewn thick with the mounds of earth covering the forms of the one and the heaps of stones piled above the lemains of the other. Every tree and shrub in that part of the woods where the Eighth fought during the first day was cut by bullets, or torn by caiwion balls, and it seemed a miracle that any one could have come out of that fearful fire unharmed. In the trunk of one small tree, not as large around as a man's body, the writer counted the marks of thirty musket balls, and there were few that were not as badly perforated. In front of the regiment's first line of battle was a heavy line of breastworks, constructed of the trunks of trees, and concealed by an abattis of branches. When this was built we could not tell, but if before the battle, it was a great advantage I if during the night that succeeded it, it furnished conclusive evi dence that the rebels were whipped the first day, and thought only of defence. On the 9th of June the regiment, in compliance with orders received that day, started to rejoin the Brigade, but had proceed ed only about eight miles, when it was overtaken by a courier and ordered to await the arrival of the pontoon train and escort it safely through to the front. The train overtook it on the eve ning of the 10th, and next morning at daylight it was again on the way. That evening it camped beyond Ringgold, Ga, ; on KANSAS REGIMENTS. 237 the 12th reached Dalton; on the 13th Resaca; on the 14th Adairsville; on the 15th Kingston; on the 16th Cartersville, and early on the morning of the 17th Etowah Bridge. Orders re ceived af. Cartersville directed us to report at Etowah to Colonel Buell, commanding Pioneer Brigade, and we found him await ing us. On the afternoon of our arrival we moved on, camping that night on the top of Alatoona Mountain, near the station of the same name. Next morning we were en route at daylight. Just after starting a heavy rain set in, continuing during the whole day. The mountain road soon became exceedingly bad, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that any progress was made. The wagons stuck fast, and it was impossible for the mules to pull them. The men were compelled to aid jn drag ging them along, and even theu so slow was the progress that it was nearly dark when we reached a point only two miles be yond Alatoona. Here we received an order from Gen. Sherman, forwarded by courier from Etowah, directing us to remain with the train at the bridge until further instructions were sent. It should have; reached us the day before, and as we had gone so far, and over the worst part of the road, the quartermaster in charge of the train was sent to Big Shanty, General Sherman's Headquarters, to Report our situation and ask further orders. He returned next evening at dusk, with instructions directing that the train be turned over to Col. Buell, and that the Regi ment return to Etowah without delay. We started back early next morning, and reached our destination before noon. This sudden change was based on information received that a Divis ion of rebel cavalry had been ordered to destroy the important bridge over the Etowah. The Regiment remained at Etowah until the 26th, occupying the time in constructing a strong line of breastworks and making a number of scouts into the surrrounding country. On the afternoon of the 26th. we received orders to at once rejoin our Brigade, and within an hour were on our way. That night at ten o'clock Ave bivouaced beyond Alatoona; next day,march- ing through Ackworth and Big Shanty, we camped three miles beyond the latter place, and Saturday morning, at eight o'clock, reached our Brigade in front of Kennesaw Mountain. The Regiment was greeted with warm enthusiasm, and most 13S MILITARY HISTORY OF cordially Avelcomed. Gen. Willich had been Avounded at Resaca, and the Brigade was then commanded by Col. Wm. H. Gibson, 49thOhio. Next morning, (29th) it went on picket duty, relieving the 32d Indiana. We found the hostile lines very close, and both our own forces and the rebels stongly entrenched behind form idable earthworks. Firing was constant, and hardly a moment passed that a shell did not scream along OA^erhead or a vagrant Minnie Avhistle by. Every day several men of the Brigade Avere wounded, and as the enemy had lately taken to night attacks, not one came Avithout bringing an alarm. During the time the army remained in this position the Eighth Avent on outpost duty every alternate day. It was singularly fortunate in not losing a man, although many had escapes so narrow that they seemed miraculous. On the 2d of July, Gen. Sherman, deeming the enemy's lines too strong to carry without a great and unnecessary loss of life, determined to flank him out of his position, andjthe Army of the Tennessee commenced a movement from the- Extreme left, passing in rear of our army, to the extreme rifiht./\Our Corps Avas directed to extend its lines so as to coverJRs far as possible, the Avorks left vacant by McPherson's cqjlumns, and in this movement the position of our Brigade was changed,; after dark that night, to a place about a mile and a half further to the left, near the extreme left flank of our army. Next morning at day light it was discovered that the enemy, alarmed at the movement threatening his left flank and communications, had hastily abandoned his strong position at Kennesaw, and fled. Our Brigade skirmishers, on moving fonvard, went unopposed into his works, capturing nearly two hundred stragglers. The army was at once put in motion soutlrward, and passing through Marietta at about ten o'clock, moved to a puint known as Smyrna Camp-Ground, where it was discovered that Johnston had made a halt behind another strong line of earthworks. Stanley's and Newton's Divisions, of our Corps, did very heavy skirmishing all day, but our Division Avas not engaged. We went into bivouac at five P. M., and remained stationary until one P. M. next day, when, under a brisk skirmish fire, we were put into position on the extreme left of the army, and feANSAS REGIMENTS! 239 threw up, in about an hour, a strong line of earthworks', front ing the enemy. The Division lost a number of men that day, but the Eighth, although on the front line, sustained a loss of only one officer (Capt Austin, Co. I,) who had incautiously ventured far to the left and front, alone, and was captured. During the night of the 4th of July the rebels again fell back, and at daylight in the morning we started in pursuit Gen. Hazen's Brigade had the advance, and did some sharp skirmish ing, losing a number of men, but driving the enemy before them to the banks of the Chattahoochie river, near Vining's Station. The Eighth Avent on picket duty shortly after striking the river, but did not establish the line until after dark, when, in the face of a furious fire from the opposite bank, our men digged a line of rifle-pits along the Northern shore, and as soon as they were occupied" opened a rapid and steady Are. This was kept up constantly until dark next evening, when the Regiment was relieved. We remained in c/mp at this point until the 10th, Avhen we moved, in the midst of a drenching rain, to a position five miles further up the rivei. At ten o'clock on the 12th we marched doAvn the riyer about two miles, to Power's Ferry, where the Pioneer Brigade Avas engaged in putting in a pontoon bridge. It Avas comjpfeted in a few hours, and we crossed to the south bank, moving out about a mile and a half. There we threAV up a line of breastworks, but next morning left them and marched about two! miles to the front and right, where we constructed another strong\line of entrenchments. The right of the Regi ment was here resting on a hill just above the Chattahoochie, and running thence East. Lt.-Col. Schneider had resigned Avhile the Regiment lay at Chattanooga, and at this camp Maj. Jas. M. Graham received a commission and was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel. On the 17th at daylight our Division moved South, along the banks of the river, to cover the crossing of the 14th and 20th Corps at a point opposite our old camp ground near Vining's. Companies F and I Avere on the skirmish line during the day, and did some brisk skirmishing, capturing several prisoners. On reaching the designated point our lines were established, and in 240 MILITARY HISTORY OF less than an hour we completed a very strong line of entrnch- ments in an impregnable position. A pontoon bridge was put down ^about the middle of the afternoon, and as soon as the 14th Corps crossed we were relieved, and returned to our camp. Next day the army moved Southward, and that night our Division bivouaced at Bulkhead, six miles out. There was considerable skirmishing during the day. At five o'clock next morning Ave again marched, leaving behind blankets, knapsacks and shelter-tents, and soon reached a point near Peach Tree Creek. The enemy had a formidable line of rifle-pits construct ed along the south bank of the creek, and was evidently resolved to make an effort to hold them. Our skirmish line was cautiously advanced until it occupied a position close to the creek, when it opened upon the enemy such a brisk fire that they could hardly show a head above their works. Several batteries were also brought down, and opened a vigorous fire. After a careful reconnoisance Gen. Wood directed the skirm ishers to make a crossing, if possible, and our Brigade, with Beatty's, Avas moved down to their support. The skirmish line Avas doubled, and at the signal, dashed forward, fording the creek in the face of the enemy's fire, and obtaining a position under the bank, where they were, in a great measbfe, sheltered, and from whence they opened so hot a fire that in a few moments they abandoned their Avorks and fled to the rear, taking shelter in their main lines. The two Brigades were all at once moved across the creek, and to the broAV of the hill just above it, Avhere they built a strong line of breastworks, finishing them so as to afford good protection in about twenty minutes. In this short but spirited engagement, a rebel Lieutenant- Cole nel, two Captains, two Lieutenants and about forty enlisted men were captured, and a number killed and wounded. Our Brigade lost two men killed and fifteen Avounded ; the Eighth lost two men Avounded. We occupied this position until dark, Avorking on the entrenchments all the time. We were then relieved by Hazen's Brigade, and returned to our camp at Bulk head. At five on the morning of the 20th Ave marched south-east KANSAS REGIMENTS. 241 about two miles, relieving Stanley's Division with our Brigade, and occupying a line of breastworks built by it. To do this the men were deployed in single file, and our line was consequently very weak. The firing between the pickets was kept up all day, and balls were constantly flying through camp. 'About noon a furious assault Avas made by Hood on the 14th and 20th Corps, his main attack being hurled against the position our Brigade had captured on the previous evening. He was repulsed with great slaughter, and that night abandoned his entrenchments south of Peach Tree Creek," falling back to another line about three or four miles from Atlanta. Our pickets discovered at daylight, that the enemy had gone, and we at once moved for- Avaid, crowding the rebels back until they could go no further Avithout an attack in force. Our lines were then established, and heavy breastAvorks thrown up. The Eighth had three men wounded during the operations of this day. At twelve that night Capt. Brooks, who had charge of the pickets of the Eighth, reported that he believed the enemy Avas again falling back, and was instructed to at once advance his lines and ascertain. He moved forward and occupied their Avorks without opposition, remaining there until morning. The Division then started on, and at nine A. M. struck the enemy's main lines in front of Atlanta. In the midst of a terrible artil lery fire of shell, shot, grape and cannister, Ave were advanced to Avithin five hundred yards of the enemy's works, and one hundred yards from their picket pits, Avhere Ave constructed a strong line of breastworks, completing them so as to afford fair protection from musketry fire within fifteen minutes. Our men had, by this time, become so skillful in the building of defensive Avorks that the celerity with which they would complete a line was wonderful. The Regiment lost, during the day, three men wounded. For thirty-three days Ave occupied this position, and during that time there was hardly a moment's cessation to the firing, nor an hour when danger was not hovering, like a sombre cloud, over our lines. Day and night musket balls were flying in eveiy direction through our camp, and artillery Avas thundering in our ears. The awful [crash of bursting shell and the ugly Avhiz of solid shot, tearing through the dense wood and strip- 242 MILITARY HISTORY OF ping great boughs from the trees as though they Avere thistle down, made our waking hours one constant peril, and robbed even the darkness of its solemn silence and sleep of its grateful and refreshing repose. Men were killed and wounded on the picket-lines and in camp ; while cooking their meals at noonday and when asleep in their shelter-tents at midnight. The dark angel of death brooded over this place of slaughter like a terrible fate, his Avings never lifting their shadoAv — his wrath ever eager for blood. For six days the fire of the enemy Avas particularly severe. The line of the Eighth ran East and West Directly on its right flank was an open field, stretching back about tAvo hundred yards to the rear and about fifty to the front. On moving into position the troops on our right found this field so hot that they did not attempt to cross it, but established their skirmish line on the edge of the woods just back of it Consequently the 89th Illinois and 15th Wisconsin, originally placed in reserve in rear of the Brigade, had to be moved into position forming a right angle with the right flank of the Eighth, running directly back until they connected with the East and West line of Newton's Division. Until the 28th the lines remained thus, and the enemy's pickets, running along the edge of the woods facing the field on our right and not fifty yards distant, enfiladed the camp of the Eighth with a constant fire, at such short range that exposure above the breastworks was exceedingly hazardous. This finally became unendurable, and as the troops of the Divis ion on our right would not relieve us by advancing their lines and driving the enemy from their rifle-pits it was resolved to dislodge the rebels by an advance of our own men. On the 28th, therefore, the picket-line Avas strongly reinforced, and several companies of the Eighth and the 89th Illinois moved up a ravine on our right, under cover of the woods, and forcing the enemy from their picket-pits at that point, moved to the West, skirmishing their whole line for some distance, driving them back in confusion, and making prisoners of a number. Our men held the line, after taking it, until dark, Avhen the troops on our right were ordered to relieve us. The Eighth lost three men Avounded in this advance. This important change gave us relief from the terrible and KANSAS REGIMENTS. 243 close enfilading fire to Avhich we had before been subjected, and although musket balls continued to fly through the camp at all hours they were aimed at random and from a much greater dis tance, so that our men were far more secure. But the fierce artillery fire continued as annoying as at first On the 3d of August our Division was ordered to make a feint, along its whole front, on the enemy's lines, as it was sup posed (the Armies of the Tennessee and of the Ohio having moved from the left to the right, leaving our Corps on the extreme left of the army.) that Hood might have greatly weak ened his forces here, in order to meet this threatening movement of Howard and Schofield. Our pickets were strongly re-en forced, and at the sound of the bugle moved forAvard with impetuous enthusiasm, capturing the enemy's rifle pits, with nearly all their occupants. Capt. Kiefer, of the Eighth, mis taking the orders, and supposing an attack on the enemy's main lines Avas intended, rushed his pickets far in advance, approach ing to within eight yards of the strong and almost impregnable fortifications around Atlanta, and only retreating Avhen, after receiving tAvo severe Avounds, ©ne in the leg and another in the arm, he found that the troops on the right and left had halted at the enemy's picket line. The Regiment had one man killed and five Avounded, in addition to Capt Kiefer, during this advance. From this time until the 25th of August the position remained unchanged. The terrible monotony of artillery and musketry firing continued, on both sides, with unabated severity, but the rebel lines had been driven back so far that their small arms, although sometimes annoying, were much less dangerous. The days were crowded with anxiety, and the nights afforded no relief. During the whole seige one-third of all the officers and men in the main lines were constantly on the alert, with arms in hand and accoutrements slung, ready to meet an attack, and the picket details were very heavy. The weather was intensely hot ; the camp, despite all exertions to prevent it, became filthy ; and sickness soon began its ravages among the troops, worn out by hard duty and increasing vigilance, debilitated by poor fare, and suffering from the combined effects of the fervid Southern heat and the foul atmosphere in which they lived. 244 .MILITARY HISTORY OF They hailed with delight, therefore, the order for the move ment to flank Atlanta, and on the night of the 25th of August, at 10 o'clock, Avere quietly Avithdrawn from the works, moving to the rear of the 20th Corps, and about a mile to the right* The pickets Avere left in their places until about 1 o'clock, when they noiselessly followed, and rejoined their commands. Early next morning the enemy discovered the change, and opened a heavy artillery fire on the works North of town, evidently sup posing that our troops had moved that way. Our Corps lay in line of battle, facing east, for two hours, and then moved in a southwestern direction, bivouacking that night about thirteen miles from the old camp. Next day it moved southeast about eight miles, to a place some six miles from Eastpoint, skirmish ing with the enemy all day. That evening the command threw up a line of defensive works, but early next morning moved again, marching south three or four miles, when it struck the Montgomery Railroad, tat Red Oak Station, and completely destroyed it for ten miles. The 29th was spent in maneuvering about, within a radius of six , miles, and on the 30th the Corps moved about nine miles in a southeasterly direction, bivouacking near Shiloh Church. The Eighth went on picket duty in the evening, and during the Avhole night rebel columns were moving along its front, southward, and about two miles distant- On the 31st the Regiment moved, in advance of the column, to the Macon Railroad, and the work of destroying this road Avas commenced. While this was going on a train of cars from Atlanta came down, but discovered our troops soon enough to reverse the engine and get back to the town. Next morning our Corps moved along the railroad towards Jonesboro, near which place Hardee's command was strongly entrenched. The army at once commenced closing around the rebels, and at 4 o'clock the 14th Corps charged their works, capturing a number of guns and prisoners. The Eighth Kansas was, during the afternoon, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, without an oppor tunity of returning it, as the Regiment was in the second line of the Brigade, in an open field, Avhere the men were compelled to lie flat on the ground, for several hours, as the only protection from the fire that swept over them. During the succeeding night, at about 12 o'clock, the sound KANSAS REGIMENTS. 245 of heavy and ominous explosions far to the north, aroused the whole army, and lighted up the heavens Avith great brilliancy. It afterwards proved that Hood, outgeneraled by this flank attack, Avas blowing up his magazines, burning his stores, mills, machine shops, and cars, and escaping southeast Avith the troops that had remained at Atlanta. On the morning of the 2d, our command entered Jonesboro and pushed southward seven miles, to a point near Lovejoy's Station. There it again struck the enemy, strongly entrenched on the ridge of a pine forest, his flanks well protected by Flint . river and Walnut creek. Our lines closed in on him, and were formed in readiness to charge the works, when, owing to the failure of other portions of the line to get into position, the attack was deferred. That night our forces threw up a strong- line of breastworks, which they occupied until the 5th, under a heavy fire both night and day, and constantly on guard to repel attack or ready for an advance. Seven men of the Eighth Avere killed and wounded during the 3d and 4th. On the morning of the 5th the whole army started back to Atlanta, entering the place on the 8th, with bands playing and colors flying, and amid the cheers and rejoicings of the soldiers who had at last Avon the right to rest, after so long and arduous a campaign, by the capture of the point they had set out for months before. Thus terminated the operations against Atlanta. The Eighth Kansas was, from the 28th of June until the 5th of September, a period of sixty-nine days, under fire for sixty-three days and forty-four nights. It built, during that time, two thousand six hundred and eighty yards of breastworks, and rifle pits Avithout number. During the thirty-three days it lay in front of Atlanta, its men fired away one hundred and twenty thousand rounds of cartridges. Its loss, out of a total effective force of about tAvo hundred and twenty-five men, was one officer wounded and one captured, and eight enlisted men killed and thirty wounded. Aggregate loss during the campaign, 2 commissioned officers and 38 enlisted men. The army, after reaching Atlanta, was camped in line from Decatur to Eastpoint. Our Brigade had a very pleasant and beautiful location at a point about four miles east of the city, 246 MILITARY HISTWRY OF near McPherson's battle ground of the 22d of July. Hood was near Rough and Ready, some twenty-five miles south. The duties in this camp were light, and the repose and quiet alter the fatigues and excitements of the past two months and a half was very grateful to the troops. The army was soon again in excel lent condition. New clothing Avas rapidly fonvarded, full rations were issued, and opportunity was afforded for drill. Lieutenant Colonel Graham resigned on the 25th of Septem ber, and (Colonel Martin having some two Aveeks previous as sumed command of the Brigade) the command of the Eighth de volved on Major John Conover. Captain Austin, avIio had been raptured at Smyrna Camp Ground, Avas exchanged and rejoined the regiment at Atlanta. The quiet of our camp was rudely broken on the night of the 2d of October by an order to march at daylight on the following morning. It took us entirely by surmise; as, although vague rumors of intended movements of the enemy to our rear had bet-n floating through the armv for several days, Ave had given them not much credence. But we were off at the appointed hour, and passing through Atlanta, moved north towards the Chattahoochie, leaving us no longer in doubt as to our destina tion. The Avhole army, Avith the exception of the 20th Corps, Avhich Avas left to garrison Atlanta, Avas in motion. At noon we took dinner on the banks of the Chattahoochie, near Vining's, and at 4, P. M., Avent into camp behind the old rebel works at Smyrna Camp Ground, twenty-one miles from our camp in the morning. At daybreak next day moved on, and at 3, P. M., reached the old rebel line at Kennesaw Mountain, where we camped. We arrived there just in time to see from the summit of the mountain the rebel army engaged in destroying the rail road from Big Shanty, seven miles north, to Ackworth. Gen. Sherman arrived simultaneously with our Corps, Avhich had the advance of the army. Next morning at about 8 o'clock Ave moved on, marching in a northwest direct ion to Pine Top, where, at 2, P. M., we went into cam p. During the forenoon the rebels made a furious as sault on Alatoona Pass, but were repulsed with great slaughter, and our signal offi cers reported them in the evening retreating KANSAS REGIMENTS. 247 rapidly toAvards the soutlvwest. During the night it rained in torrents, and continued Avith few intervals during the two suc ceeding days, rendering any movement of our trains and artillery almost impossible. We therefore remained at Pine Top until 2, P. M., of the 8th, when Ave marched to Ackworth, about nine miles. We remained there until the 10th, at 2, P. M., when we again moved on, passing over the Alatoona range, crossing the EtoAvah at our old camp ground, and bivouacking near Carters ville, sixteen miles distant, at about 10 o'clock at night. Next day we marched to a point three miles beyond Kingston, and on the next to Rome, twenty-three miles southwest, reaching camp at 12 o'clock at night. This march was a very hard one. The day Avas cold and disagreeable, a drizzling rain falling during several hours, and the delays were exceedingly annoying, the trains and artillery sticking fast in sloughs every few moments. The men were utterly exhausted when we reached camp. We remained at Rome until 2, P. M., next day, when reports Avere received that the enemy had attacked Resaca, and was in strong force north of that place. We marched at once, our Corps in advance, and going thirteen miles north, camped at 10, P. M. Before daylight next morning we were off again, and passing through Resaca, we camped at 3, P. M., four miles north of the place, having marched twenty-four miles. The rebel attack on the town was apparently a feint to mask their movements, and under cover of it they had totally destroyed the railroad to Tun nel Hill, capturing the garrisons at Tilton and Dalton. At 8 o'clocK next morning (15th) we were off, moving north west Leaving Dalton to our right, Ave faced directly towards Rocky Face Ridge, a precipitous range of hills running south from near Ringgold, and only passable through gaps at wide in tervals. These the enemy held in strong force. The Army of the Tennessee moved into position opposite Snake Creek Gap, the 14th Corps opposite Dug Gap, and our Corps fronted the hights between the two. At 12, M., Gen. Sherman directed a movement to force a passage over the hills. The 14th Corps was suddenly withdrawn and joined ours, and the two, without a single piece of artillery, moved directly up the precipitous hill side, taking the enemy by surprise and forcing him to hastily 248 MILITARY HISTORY Ot evacuate the Gaps he held and fall back, to prevent our troops trom closing in on his rear. The movement Avas executed with out the loss of a single man, as the enemy, never dreaming of such an attack, had no troops on the hill. When this advance was commenced, Col. Martin was detailed by Maj. Gen. Stanley to take charge of all the artillery and Avag- ons of the Corps, and escort them back to Resaca, covering the movement Avith his Brigade. Accordingly the trains Avere moved out, the artillery following, and the infantry bringing up therear. At 9 o'clock that night we reached and took position behind the old rebel line of fortifications. A large force of rebel cavalry was several miles, on the same side of the Ridge, but they gave us no trouble, as was apprehended. Next morning Ave moved through Snake Creek Gap, and at 9 o'clock that night joined our Corps near VillanoAV, having marched tAventy miles. We remained at VillanoAV until the morning of the 18th, when Ave marched through Frick's Gap and thence southward, traveling twenty-three miles that day, and going into camp at 7, P. M. On starting, orders were issued that the army must live on the country, and from that time, for several weeks, we foraged for supplies. On the 11th Ave marched nine miles to Summerville, and the next day twenty miles to Gaylesville, A'a. Here we remained until the 27th, when our Corps marched to Alpine, Ga., seven teen miles distant. Next day we marched to Lafayette, twenty- one miles, and • the next day to Rossville, near Chattanooga, twenty-four miles. At daylight on the 30th we marched into Chattanooga, where our Division took the cars and proceeded to Athens, Ala., which place we reached at 6, A. M., on the 31st, The same afternoon, at 2 o'clock, we started northward and marched thirteen miles. Next morning, at 4 o'clock, we were again on the way, and at 4, P. M., reached Pulaski, Tennessee, having marched tAventy-five miles, fording Elk river on the route. While at Gaylesville Maj. Conover was promoted to be Lieut. Colonel vice Graham, and Captain Henry C. Austin to be Major vice Conover. On reaching Pulaski the Division was placed in position to the the Avest of the town, and after a rest of two or three days com- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 249 menced the construction of a formidable line of forts and breast works, which were completed on the 10th. On the 17th of November Colonel Martin was mustered out on expiration of term of service, having served three years and twenty-one days. He bid farewell to the Regiment and Brigade next day, and left for the North on the morning of the 18tb. Thereafter the Eighth was under the command of Lieut. Col. Conover. He was afterwards commissioned as Colonel by the Governor, but the regiment was below the minimum number required to allow an officer of that rank, and he could not be mustered in. Nothing of importance occurred during the time the regiment remained at Pulaski. The defensive works Avere soon comple ted, and the men made as comfortable as circumstances would permit. The camp Avas a pleasant one, and the rest grateful and refreshing. On the 23d of November the army received orders to march. Hood had, some days previously, crossed the Tennessee near Florence, Ala., and was then at Laurenceburg, fifteen miles west of Pulaski, advancing towards Nashville via Columbia. The two armies were about equally distant (twenty-tour miles) from the latter place. At 2, P M., the command got off, and after a march of thirteen miles bivouacked for the night. At daylight next day it was on the road, and at 11 o'clock reached Colum bia, just one hour in advance of the enemy, who was traveling on a parallel road. The troops were at once formed in line of battle to repulse attack, but the rebel General, although he took up a position during the afternoon, made no further demonstra tion. Next morning, however, he drove in the pickets on one portion of the lines, and a lively skirmish fight was kept up for an hour or so, but no general engagement ensued. That night our troops constructed a strong line of works on the south side of Duck river, and these were occupied until the night of the 27th, when the army crossed to the north side of the river, and another line of works was thrown up. These Avere occu pied until the night of the 29th. During the previous night the enemy threAv a pontoon bridge across Duck river, four miles from our left flank, and on the morning of the 29th moved a column toAvards Spring Hill, seek- 250 MILITARY HISTORY OF ing to gain the rear of our army and cut it off from Nashville. He still, however, kept a strong foice in our front, compelling our lines to hold fast Avhere they Avere until dark. One Division under command of Gen. Stanley Avas, however, moved to Spring Hill, accompanied by all the surplus artillery of the Corps. It reached its destination about noon, and moved east two milesj Avhere it struck and checked the head ot the enemy's column. To this bold movement the forces remaining at Columbia are probably indebted for their safety, and Nashville for an escape from rebel occupation. At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 30th the troops were put in motion. Wood's Division, to which the Eighth was attached, covered the rear. This march Avas one of singular delicacy and danger. The enemy had hy this time crossed the greater part of his forces to the north side of the river, and were camped within one mile of Spring Hill, and nine miles north of Columbia. At this point our troops moved on the pike for a full mile, with in six hundred yards of their camps. Their bivouac fires were burning brightly, and it Avas evident that they did not suspect that the hated Yankees were even then silently slipping out of the trap so cleverly prepared to catch them. Their astonish ment next morning must have been intense. At about 3 o'clock, A. M., the command reached Spring Hill? and halted until daylight to allow the wagon train to get on the road. It then moved on, and at noon arrived at Franklin. As Wood's Division had been covering the retreat on the march to this point, it was ordered to the north side of the town as a re serve. Hardly had it reached this position, Avhen the enemy as saulted the Union lines south of the town with the greatest fury and impetuosity. A desperate and terrible battle ensued, but the rebels Avere repulsed in every assault, and finally withdrew. Before daylight next morning (December 1st) the army Avasere route towards Nashville, Wood's Division again covering the rear. At 3, P. M., it reached that city, having marched eighteen miles. The enemy did not seriously trouble the column during this movement. He had been so severely punished on the pre vious day that his approaches were wary and hesitating. On the night of the 1st the troops were quietly formed about Nashville. The Eighth Kansas occupied a position on the grounds KANSAS REGIMENTS. 25 1 knoAvn as the Acklin place, and was the second regiment lo the left of the Hillsboro pike. Strong defensive Avorks Avere at once erected, and there seemed to be a chance that the enemy would attack them — a prospect that delighted the men, who had built dozens of lines of breastworks, and charged many built and de fended by the enemy, but had never had an opportunity to fight behind their own. By the 4th Hood had his forces fairly in position, and began to feel the lines for Aveak places and to gain advantageous ground. Picket firing Avas kept up constantly, day and night, at a dis tance of not over two hundred yards, but the enemy did notmake any serious assault. So affairs continued until the 15th. On the previous night orders were received that an advance Avould be made on the enemy's position next day in force, and at daylight all was in readiness. At about 10 o'clock, A. M., the Brigade to which the Eighth was attached charged the enemy's works on Montgome ry Hill. This position, about three hundred yards distant from our advanced lines, Avas considered the strongest on the enemy's front. The space intervening between it and our pickets was covered Avith a thick undergroAvth of honey locusts, which ma terially impeded the movements of troops, but the men advanced in fine order and with splendid enthusiasm, and although greeted with a terrific fire of musketry and artillery, carried the enemy's works in less than ten minutes. The Brigade commander gave to the Eighth the credit of being the first regiment to enter the rebel works. Its loss, considering the nature of the ground and the sweeping fire of the enemy, was slight, but one man being killed and two wounded. The regiment captured in this charge forty prisoners. Our forces remained on Montgomery Hill about two hours, and then, as the right of the Division wheeled to the left, con formed to its movement, which brought the Brigade near the enemy's second line of breastworks. The Avhole army Avas then executing a grand left wheel movement. At this juncture a Brigade to the right, which had been lying down, rose and made a feint of advancing, when Lieut. Col. Conover, taking it for a genuine start, and not wishing to be behind, ordered the Eighth tp pharge. The men greeted the order with a cheer, and moved 252 MILITARY HISTORY OF forward with that splendid courage which always distinguished them. Although the enemy poured into their advancing line a rapid and heavy fire, it reached Avithout serious loss, a piece of ground about two hundred yards to the front of the Brigade. A few moments later the Brigade charged, and the Eighth, having the advantage of its previous start, was again the first regiment in the enemy's works, the rebels breaking in wild confusion before its impetuous and irresistible charge. It pursued the enemy for nearly half a mile, capturing ninety prisoners. Its successful charge also compelled the abandonment of a battery ot brass field pieces, which fell into the hands of our forces. The other troops of the Division halted in the captured works, to which the Eighth shortly afterwards returned. The command bivouacked there for the night. The Eighth lost seven men wounded in this charge. At daylight next morning (December 16th) preparations tor another advance were made. Early in the morning a heavy rain commenced, and cold, drenching showers made the operations of the day exceedingly disagreeable. The army was this day ma king a grand right Avheel. At about 11, A. M., brisk skirmish ing commenced, and at 12 the Brigade struck the enemy's main works, located on a range of hills four miles south of Nashville. The position of the Eighth Kansas was on the Franklin pike, near the Four Mile House. From noon until 3 o'clock the mus ketry and artillery fire was very heavy, but the troops were kept under cover as much as possible. At 3, P. M., Colonel Post's Brigade was ordered to charge Overton Hill, and Col. Streight's Brigade was ordered to support it in this movement. Every thing being in readiness the column, seven lines deep, two regi ments front, charged the enemy's position. The Eighth was on the right of the fourth line. In this formation the troops moved down the left side of the pike on the rebels, who were posted behind high breastworks, crowned with head logs, and protected in front by a dense abattis. In a few moments the charging column was enveloped in a terrific fire of musketry, grape and canister. The roar of the battle was deafening, and for fifteen minutes the bullets rained upon the devoted men with such fury that it seemed impossible for any one to escape. Col. Post, who commanded the column, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 253 was severely wounded early in the fight, and the first line, which he led, was broken. The horses of Col. Conover and Adjutant Washer, of the Eighth, Avere shot under them. The second? third and fourth lines, advancing to where the first had broken, got into confusion among the fallen timber and abattis and hud dled together. It was noAV seen that in this situation the ene my's strong, almost impregnable position could not be carried? and Lieut. Col. Conover asked permission of Lieut. Col. Wil liams, commanding the fourth line, to retire his regiment and reform it The order was given, when the whole force fell back, moving in comparatively good order to a point a short distance in the rear. The troops were then immediately reformed and at once ordered to charge the enemy's Avorks again. At this mo ment, however, the rebel position to the right Avas carried, and his whole line broke in confusion. The Brigade joined in the pursuit, following the retreating foe to Brentwood, Avhere night overtook it, and the troops Avent into bivouac in a cotton field ankle deep with rain. The Eighth Kansas lost in the charge on Overton's Hill two commissioned officers Avounded and nine en listed men killed and nineteen Avounded. Its total loss in the two days battle was two commissioned officers wounded and ten enlisted men killed and twenty-eight Avounded. Its total ef fective force engaged was only one hundred and forty. During the desperate charge on Overton's Hill, the colorbearer of the Eighth, Sergeant John Binger, planted his flag on a ledge of rocks far in advance of the lines. The ground all about him was cut with shot and shell, his colors were riddled, and his clothing torn with bullets. Of the five Corporals of the color guard, one, Simeon Shafer, was killed, and two, William Spen cer and Lewis V. Bryan, were Avounded, the latter in three pla ces ; but they kept the flag of the regiment blazing in the fore front of this awful battle storm, defying danger and death, until peremptorily ordered to fall back. First Sergeant Harrison Jones, company F, was slightly Avounded and taken prisoner, but when the enemy gave way he escaped, and with Corporal William K. Greenwood, company C, who had remained on the skirmish line, made prisoners twenty-three rebels and brought them in. Cor poral Henry D. Ellison, company H, also remained on the skir mish line, and with one man of the 15th Ohio captured and 254 MILITARY HISTORY OF brought in three commissioned officers and eighty-three enlisted men of the rebel army as prisoners. There were many other in stances of personal heroism exhibited by officers and men, but it Avould occupy too much space to detail them all. Let it suffice to say that in this battle the Eighth nobly sustained the reputa tion it had gloriously Avon. The battle of Nashville utterly destroyed Hood's army. All that was left of it Avas totally demoralized and scattered in almost every direction. Broken in spirit and bankrupt in fortune, its pride humbled, its morale destroyed, nearly all of its artillery captured, one-third ot its soldiers taken prisoners, its falling back was not a retreat, it Avas a panic ; not a march, but a route. The rebel Army of the West was by this one terrible blow ground to atoms, dishearted, crushed. Not alone its haughty and reckless leader, but its equally proud and desperate men went down, never to rise again, before the legions of the Union. Lieut Col. Conover's official report of the part taken by the Eighth Kansas in this engagement is as follows. " Headquarters Eighth Kansas Vet. Vol. Inf., ) "near Huntsville, Ala. Jan. 7th, 1865. } " Sir — I have the honor to report the part my Regiment took in the recent campaign against the enemy under Gen. Hood. '•On the morning of December 15th, 1864, we were under arms in our line of Avorks in front of Nashville, and east of the Hillsboro pike, until 9, A. M., when I moved out and formed the Regiment in line of battle in front of the works, conforming to the movement of the line on my right. Remained in this position until 10 o'clock, A. M., when, according to orders, I ordered Capt. Balderston, with thirty men, to form skirmish line and cover the front of the Regiment All being in readiness Ave advanced Avith the line to charge the enemy's works on Montgomery Hill, which Ave took. We re-formed in the cap tured works ; lay in this position until 3 o'clock, P. M., when> by conforming to the movements on our right, we gradually approached to within four hundred yards of the rebel second line. We lay in this position, under a brisk fire, about thirty minutes, until the forces some distance on our right (beyond the hill on the Hillsboro pike) started the rebels from their works, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 255 At this instant the left of the Second Brigade, which Avas on our right, made a feint to charge. We, taking it as real, charg ed doAvn the slope, through a heavy fire, to a ravine equi-distant between our position and the enemy's line. Being the only Regiment in the advance position, we lay doAvn, and took cover about three minutes from the storm of musketry aimed at us. As soon as there Avas a lull in the enemy's fire, we arose and charged their works, Avhich we carried, capturing about ninety prisoners, Avho immediately threw doAvn their arms. We pressed on beyond the Avorks of the retreating enemy to a ravine about four hundred yards distant, from which place we kept up a fire on them as they ascended the opposite slope. Here Major DaAvson, of the Corps staff, ordered me to fall back, and take a position in line Avith the Brigade. No troops either on our right or left, Avere in the works as soon as my Regiment, excepting those on the hill far to our right. We lost this day one killed and nine wounded. " December 16th my Regiment Avas in the second line of the Brigade. Moved, at about 8 o'clock, A. M., into line of battle two miles down the Franklin pika, confronting the enemy on Overton Hill. Lay in this position untill 3 o'clock, P. M., when the Second Brigade was ordered to charge the Hill, and our Brigade to be the supporting column. The Brigade being formed in three lines, the 89th Illinois and Eighth Kansas com posed the second line, with the Eighth Kansas on the right. We charged in this formation, and pressed on until within forty yards of the enemy's works, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery. Here the troops of both Brigades were mingled together. After remaining in this position about ten minutes, I received orders to withdraw, which I did, and re-formed in front of our works. I lost, in this charge, nine killed and twenty-one wounded. "After re-forming we again advanced on the enemy, (Avho were being flnnked on the right of us,) when his lines gave way. We pursued until after dark, and bivouacked near Brent- Avood Hills. " Since that time the Regiment has been with the Brigade, in 256 MILITARY HISTORY OF the marches and operations of the campaign, but has borne no particular or distinct part. " I am, Sir, very respectfully, " Your mo. ob't servant, "JOHN CONOVER, "Lt-Col. Eighth Kansas Infantry, Com'd'g. " To Lieut. W. McGrath, A. A. A. G., " 1st Brig., 3d Div., 4th A. C." Col. Streight, commanding the Brigade, speahs as follows of the operations connected Avith the engagement: * * * « The next morning everything was in readiness, in accordance Avith instructions, but we did not receive orders to move until about 10 o'clock A. M., when the Brigade Avas moved over the works and formed immediately in front of its old position in the following order : The 8th Kansas Vols, on the right, 51st Indiana Vols, in the center, and the 15th Ohio Vols, on the left; the 49th Ohio Vols, and the 89th Illinois Vols, formed in double column at half distance, composed the second line. We remained in this position about one hour, Avhen I received orders to move fonvard on the left and in con junction with the Second Brigade and charge the enemy's Avorks on Montgomery Hill. Our advance was sharply con tested at first, but the impetuosity of the men seemed almost uncontrollable, and soon all firing ceased on our side, and the only unsettled question for the time seemed to be who, among our officers and men, should reach the works first, which I believe was settled in favor of the Eighth Kansas boys, though the boys of the 51st were but a few seconds later, nor was the second line much behind; and I am not certain but that many of those Avho belonged in the second line had reached and formed a part of the advance by the time the works were carried. The enemy fled in confusion, the 51st Indiana Vols. and the Eighth Kansas Vols., and portions of the Regiments, pressing on for about three hundred yards, capturing many prisoners and small arms. " My position being the extreme left of our attacking column, it was necessary to look well to my left flank ; consequently, I ordered the 15th Ohio to take a position to the left and rear of our lines. I Avas soon ordered into position near the Montgom KANSAS REGIMENTS. 267 ery House, my left to the rear, where Ave constructed temporary Avorks to protect the command; and about 3, P. M., I received orders to advance upon the second line of the enemy's Avorks. The Brigade was promptly put in motion, conforming to the movements of troops on my right, and amid a most galling fire from both our left flank and front, carried the works in double quick time, capturing a large number of prisoners and small arms. Here again the Eighth Kansas Avas successful in reach ing the works in advance of any other portion of my Brigade, though all pressed forward as fast as possible, and I can only attribute the advantage gained to the superior fleetness of the men ! " The pursuit of Hood's beaten and demoralized fugitives Avas continued to the Tennessee river. The Aveather, during the whole time, was terrible. Rain, snow and hail, thaAving and freezing, alternated day after day, and the roads Avere, at times, almost impassable. The progress of the army, under such cir cumstances, Avas necessarily sIoav. On the 17th it reached Franklin ; on the 18th, bivouacked three miles south of Spring Hill; on the 19th, at Rutherford's Creek; and on the 20th reached Duck river, opposite Columbia. OAving to delay in the arrival of the pontoon train, the army Avas not able to effect a crossing until the evening of the 22d. This halt gave Hood an opportunity to somewhat reorganize his scattered forces, and to gain a long distance on his pursuers. So far as the infantry was concerned it virtually ended the chase, but the army, after cross ing, still moved on slowly until the 29th, when it reached a place on the Alabama barrens called Lexington. There orders were received to proceed to Huntsville, Ala., and go into camp. On the 31st the column started, making, that day, a most disa greeable march of sixteen miles, through mud and snoAV, across creeks, ravines and hills, and camping, late at night, on Sugar creek. January 1st it moved three miles, to Elk river, where a bridge had to be built. This Avas done next day, and on the morning of the 3d the army crossed the stream, marching to Athens, Ala., a distance of twelve miles. Next day it traveled nineteen miles, and on the 5th Avent into camp five miles out of Huntsville, on the Whitesburg pike. Here, for the first time since the 15th of December, the troops had an opportunity to 258 MILITARY HISTORY OF rest. This winter campaign, with its attendant hardships, pri vations, dangers and fatigues, was one of the most severe and trying ones in which the Regiment ever participated. During the year 1864 the folloAving changes occurred in the Regimental and Company organizations : Assistant Surgeon, John Butterbaugh, resigned March 4th ; Edwin J. Talcott, Hos pital SteAvard, promoted to be Assistant Surgeon, May 1st; Lt.- Col. Ed. F. Schneider, resigned, June 11th; Maj. Jas. M. Gra ham, promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, June 26th ; Capt. John Conover, Co. F, promoted to be Major, August 23d ; Lt-Col. Jas. M. Graham, resigned, September 23d; Surgeon 0. Chamberlain, resigned, September 22d ; Major John Conover, promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, October 21st; Capt. Henry C. Austin, Co. E, promoted to be Major, October 21st; N. C. Clark, appointed Surgeon, November 14th ; Col. John A. Martin, mustered out, November 6th, — expiration of service. Co. A. — Commissary Sergeant Eli Balderston, promoted 1st Lieutenant, July ] st ; 2d Lieut. Seth Foot, died of disease, May 14th; 1st Lieut. RoAvland Risdon, resigned, April 13th; Capt. Samuel Laighton, resigned, Nov. 27th ; 1st Lieut. Eli Balderston, promoted Captain Co. G, Oct. 12th ; 1st Sergt. Ferd. A. Berger, promoted 1st Lieut. Co. A, Oct. 21st Lieut. Berger severely wounded at Nashville. Co. B. — Capt. Claudius Kiefer, severely wounded in arm and thigh in front of Atlanta, Aug. 4th ; Sergeant August Schultz, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Feb. 3d. Co. C. — 1st Lieut. Richard R. Bridgeland, promoted Captain, March 8th ; 1st Sergt. Geo. H. Robb, promoted 1st Lieutenant, April 17th ; Capt. R. R. Bridgeland, resigned, Oct. 12th. Co. D. — Capt. Philip Rockefeller, resigned, Aug. 13th. Co. E. — Capt John Greelish, resigned, June 6th ; Capt. Henry C. Austin, transferred from Co. I, and promoted Major, Oct 21st; 1st Lieut. Milton Rose, mustered out, Dec. 5th ; Quartermaster Sergeant Elisha D. Rose, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Dec. 6th. Co. F. — Capt. John Conover, promoted Major, Aug. 23d; 1st Lieut Wm. S. NeAvberry, resigned, April 2@th ; 1st Sergeant Jas. A. Neff, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Aug. 23d. Co. G. — Capt. Robt. Flickinger, resigned, April 4th; 1st Lieut. Eli Balderston, Co. A, promoted Capt. Co. G,Oct 12th. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 259 Co. H. — 1st Lieut Frank Curtis, discharged for discharged for disability, July 6th; 1st Sergt. Samuel R. Stanley, promoted 1st Lieutenant, July 7th; promoted Captain, Sept. 1st; 1st Sergt. Adam Cosner, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Sept. 1st. Co. I. — Capt. Henry C. Austin, transferred to Co. E, July 4th ; 1st Lieut. Marion Brooks, promoted Captain, Sept. 16th; Sergt, Chas. SlaAvson, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Oct. 21st Co. K. — 1st Lieut Wm. H. Babcock resigned, June 28th; 1st Sergt. Jacob Neuffer, promoted 1st Lieutenant, Aug. 30th ; 2d Lieut. A. J. Quinn, discharged for disability, Dec. 28th ; Lieut. Neuffer, slightly wounded at Nashville. The Regiment remained in camp near Huntsville during the month of January. Nothing of importance occurred during that time ; the duties ot the camp Avere light, the men made themselves as comfortable as Avas possible, and the health of the command was good. On the 1st of February orders were received, quite unexpectedly, to move into Huntsville. Arriving there, the Division took the cars and proceeded to Nashville. where it arrived at 8, A. M., on the 2d. The Eighth moved out near its old camp on Montgomery Hill, Avhere it remained until the 6th. It Avas then, with the Division, ordered to return to camp at Huntsville. Proceeding to that place by cars, it re mained- there until the 15th of March. The command was then sent, by train, to Knoxville, East Tennessee, and thence to Bull's Gap, moving slowly from one station to another, repairing the railroad and building bridges as it went. Reaching Bull's Gap, it remained ten davs, and then moved to Greenville, where it arrived on the 4th of April. While in camp here intelligence of the surrender of Lee and the assassination of President Lin coln Avas received. The former was celebrated with the wildest demonstrations of enthusiasm. Alas ! Iioav soon came the sad iicavs turning this joy into grief and this enthusiastic rejoicing into mourning, as the Avires flashed over the land that saddest message they ever conveyed — -' Abraham Lincoln is assassina ted !" And surely none mourned this great National calamity with more profound sorrow than did the soldieis of the Eighth Kansas. On the 22d of April the Corps was ordered to return to Nash ville, and, marching to Bull's Gap, there took the cars. On the 260 MILITARY HISTORY OF 19th it reached Nashville, and went into camp about five miles from the city. Here it remained until the 13th of June, when it was ordered to Texas. The other Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, the 14th and 20th, were mustered out ; the war had ended; and the men of the 4th Corps generally felt that their further detention in the service was a violation of their terms of enlistment. This feeling was so strong that it resulted in open mutiny in many regiments — in wholesale desertions from others. But the sterling discipline and splendid martial pride of the Eighth Kansas rose superior to the feeling of out rage, and the dissatisfaction of its men, although strong and deep, never found expression in an unsoldierly act They obey ed the orders they received, it not Avith cheerful alacrity, with promptness and manly resignation. On the morning of the 15th the Corps broke camp at Nashville, going by rail to Johnson- ville, on the Tennessee river, where it Avas embarked on boats, and on the 29th reached New Orleans. The troops were camp ed at Chalmethe, below the city, until the 6th of July, when they were embarked oh gulf steamers and started for Indianola. The Brigade to which the Eighth was attached arrived off Indianola on the 8th, and on the 9th disembarked. Thence it marched to Green Lake, twenty-three miles distant, starting at about 7 o'clock in the evening. This march was a terrible one, The route lay over a marshy ground, into which the men sunk shoe-top deep at every step, but the water Avas alkali, poisonous and unfit to drink. The heat was intense, inducing thirst which emptied the canteens, filled before starting, before the col umn had progressed ten miles. They could not be re-filled. Water Avas all around, but, like the Ancient mariner, the men had " not a drop to drink." Parched with almost intolerable thirst; assaulted by legions of mosquitoes, with which the air was dense, and against the smarting bites of which there was no protection ; their feet soaked in alkali water at every step — thus this awful night march was made. When the head of the column reached Green Lake, men who had fallen exhausted and fainting on the road were stretched out for ten miles back, and water had to be sent to them in wagons before they could proceed. The Brigade remained at Green Lake until the 10th of August KANSAS REGIMENTS. 261 The men amused themselves during this stay by hunting alli gators, Avith which the lake is thickly populated. On the 10th the command broke camp and started for San Antonio, a distance^ of one hundred and fifty miles. On the 21st it arrived on the banks of the Salado, five miles from San Antonio, and on the 23d the Eighth Kansas moved into the toAvn, where it was placed on Provost duty, Lieut. Col. Conover being detailed as Provost Marshal. It continued in this place, discharging these duties, until the 29tb of November, Avhen it was formally mustered out of service and ordered to report to the Chief Mustering Officer at Fort Leavenworth for final discharge. On the 30th it left San Antonio; on the 17th of December it reached Indians la; on the 18th it embarked on a steamer for New Orleans, where it arrived on the 24th, and on the 26th took a boat for Kansas. On the 5th of January, 1866, the regiment arrived at Atchison, Avhere it received a fine ovation and was most hospitably enter tained by the citizens. Arches, elegantly festooned and decora ted, and inscribed with the names of the battles in which the regiment had participated, were thrown across the principal streets ; houses were decorated with evergreens and mottoes of welcome and compliment, and a formal reception Avas given at Price's Hall, where Judge Horton made an eloquent welcoming speech, to Avhich Chaplain Paulson, of the Eighth, replied. The men Avere entertained until next day, when the regiment left for Fort Leavenworth. On the 9th of January the muster-out rolls were handed to the Chief Commissary of Musters, the officers and men were paid off to that time, and the Eighth Regiment Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry Avas formally discharged from the service of the United States. It had served four years, four months, and eleven days. The records of the State Adjutant General and the roster accompanying the Report gives the date of its muster-out as November 28th and 29th, 1865, at San Antonio, Texas. This is incorrect, as it was only provis ionally mustered out at that place and ordered to Fort Leaven worth for final discharge. This it received on the 9th of Janua ry, 1866. The regiment was the last of the Kansas troops to be discharged, although one of the first in the field. It numbered, when discharged, nineteen commissioned officers and one hun- 262 MILITARY HISTORY OF dred and seventy-seven enlisted men, or a total of one hundred and ninety-six. During the year 1865 the following changes occurred in the regimental and company organizations : Assistant Surgeon Edwin J. Talcot resigned February 15th. First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster Alfred Robin son dropped from rolls April 2d — supposed to have been mus tered out Avhile absent from the regiment on expiration of ser vice. First Lieutenant Adam Cosner, company H. appointed R. Q. M. September 15th. Company C — First Lieutenant George H. Robb promoted to Captain March 1st. Company D — First Lieutenant V. S. Fisk mustered out Janu ary 27th, on expiration of term of service. First Sergeant Thos. Adamson promoted First Lieutenant September 2d. Company F — Second Lieutenant A. Earl Beardsley promoted Captain January 10th. Captain A. Earl Beardsley dismissed the service July 24th, for absence without leave. Company H— First Lieutenant Adam Cosner appointed R. Q. M. September 15th. Company I — second Lieutenant Byron Slemmens resigned July 17th. Company K — Captain James E. Love mustered out May 15th, on expiration of term of service. Captain Love Avas wounded and taken prisoner at Chicamauga and held until the winter of 1864-5, when he escaped from Columbia, S. C, arriving within the Union lines in East Tennessee early in March, 1865. The following officers were mustered out with the regirnenton its final discharge: Lieutenant Colonel — John Conover. Major — Henry C. Austin. Adjutant — -Sol. R. Washer. Regimental Q. M. — Adam Cosner. Surgeon — N. C. Clark. Chaplain — John Paulson. Sergeant Major — David P. Trimble. Q. M Sergeant — Thomas Lane. Commissary Sergeant — Hemy M. Hurd. Hospital Steward — George E. Wright KANSAS REGIMENTS. 263 Principal Musicians — Leo W. Rich and Jacob Keuck. Company A — First Lieutenant Ferd. A. Berger and eight en listed men. Company B — Captain C. Kiefer, First Lieutenant Aug. Schultz, and twenty-two enlisted men. Company C — Captain George H. Robb and ten enlisted men. Company D — First Lieutenant Thomas Adamson and nine teen enlisted men. Company E — First Lieutenant Elisha D. Rose and sixteen en listed men. Company F — First Lieutenant James A. Neff' and twenty- three enlisted men. Company G — Captain Eli Balderston, First Lieutenant Baker, and seventeen enlisted men. Company H — Captain Samuel R. Stanley and eighteen enlist ed men. Company I — Captain Marion Brooks, First Lieutenant Charles SlaAvson, and twenty-four enlisted men. Company K — First Lieutenant Jacob Neiffer and fourteen en listed men. Nearly, if not all, the First Lieutenants had commissions as Captains, where vacancies existed, but their companies were so reduced that officers of that rank were not allowed. Lieut. Col. Conover had a commission as Colonel, Major Austin as Lieut. Colonel, and Adjutant Washer as Major, but the regiment was so far below the minimum number that they could not be muster ed into their places* Of the officers of the Eighth, Colonel John A Martin was bre veted Brigadier General, Lieutenant Colonel Conover as Colonel, Major Austin as Lieutenant Colonel, and Adjutant Washer as Captain and Major, by the President and confirmed by the Uni ted States Senate. Thus terminated the military history of the Eighth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Its career, commencing at a very early period of our great civil war, and ending long after the last hostile shot had been fired, the last rebel flag lowered, and the last rebel soldier had surrendered, was conspicuous always for the loftiest and most sublime courage, the most unselfish and 264 MILITARY HISTORY 0* sublime patriotism, and a martial pride and discipline that nd extreme of privation or plenty, of camp monotony or the fatigues of the march, of life in garrison or in the field, could ever destroy. Tried by campaigns croAvded thick Avith hard ships and suffering ; tried in the demoralizing atmosphere of a large city ; tried in battles where the earth was crimsoned with its blood, and half of its heroic men Avere killed or wounded ; tried by siege, and the near presence of grim and gaunt starva tion — its steadfast patriotism, its constant order, its unfaltering courage, and its sturdy endurance were equal to every emer gency. During its term of service the Eighth traveled ten thousand seven hundred and fifty miles. It participated in fifteen battles and eighteen skirmishes. It lost in battle, three commissioned officers and sixty-two enlisted men killed ; thirteen commission-. ed officers and two hundred and fifty-nine enlisted men wound ed; and one commissioned officer and twenty enlisted men missing; or a total of sixty-four killed, two hundred and seven- ty-tAVo wounded and twenty-one missing, and an aggregate of three hundred and fifty-eight killed, wounded and missing. Of the missing nearly all were killed, and of the wounded nearly one-third died of their wounds. The regiment was at no time much over the minimum stand ard. Its largest aggregate Avas in March, 1862, when its rollsex- hibited a total strength of eight hundred and seventy-seven offi cers and men. Its largest aggregate for duty was at about the same time, when there Avere six hundred and fifty-six present. The regiment had three regimental flags. Under the first, Avhich it carried until it returned to the State on veteran furlough, it marched three thousand, six hundred and eighty-one miles, and lost three commissioned officers and forty-four enlisted men killed, ten commissioned officers and two huiadred and one enlisted men wounded, and twenty enlisted men missing. Under the second flag, carried until after the battle of Nashville, it marched two thousand, six hundred and sixty miles, and lost three com missioned officers Avounded and one captured, and eighteen en listed men killed and fifty-eight Avounded. Under its third flag KANSAS REGIMENTS. 265 it traveled four thousand, four hundred and nine miles, but 'sus tained no loss. In the losses here given some five men killed and seventeen wounded in slight skirmishes, or by guerrillas while on scouting or foraging expeditions, are not included. These would swell the aggregate loss of the regiment to three hundred and seventy, or over fifty per cent of the greatest number it ever had present for duty. The largest loss the Eighth sustained in a single en gagement was at Chicamauga, where, out of a total of four hun dred and six present, its killed, wounded and missing numbered two hundred and forty-three officers and men, or about sixty-five per cent of all engaged. There were in the regiment, from the date of its organization until its muster-out, one thousand and eighty-one officers and men. On the 1st of June, 1865, a report (the latest in possession of the writer) was made out, showing the losses from all causes. It foots up as follows : Aggregate mustered out by expiration of service, 187; officers resigned, 26; aggregate discharged for disa bility from wounds or disease, 178; discharged by order of the War Department, 20 ; officers died of disease, 3 ; enlisted men died of disease, 92 ; aggregate killed or died of wounds received in battle, 117; transferred to other commands, 68; dropped as missing, 5 ; discharged by sentence of General Court Martial, 4 ; deserted and not apprehended, 114. Total loss from all causes, 814. Aggregate strength at that time, 267. The total loss by death up to that time was 212, and the loss by discharge because of disability from wounds or disease, 178, or a total loss by death or disability of 390. These figures are in themselves a history, eloquent though sad. But suggestive as they are, they can only vaguely typify the great deeds and grand events with which the service of the Eighth Kansas is indissolubly associated. Few regiments in the army embraced in their operations so vast and varied a scope of country ; none were actors in a drama more exciting and roman tic than that which crowded its whole career with thrilling in terest. The gleam of its bayonets was seen from Fort Laramie, Nebraska, to the Rio Grande ; its banners fluttered in the sun light from Kansas to the North Carolina line ; the crack of its 266 MILITARY HISTORY OF rifles startled the echoes in the valley of the Platte and along the hillsides of the Tennessee and the Chattahoochie, and the tramp of its soldiers resounded in the dusty highways of twelve differ ent States. It studied geography as the surveyors do, by per sonal inspection of country. It learned military engineering by practical experience in bridging rivers, constructing roads over mountain ranges and through impassable swamps, and erecting earthworks under the enemy's fire. It marched barefoot over frozen roads in winter, and bareheaded beneath a burning sun in summer. It shot antelope and buffalo on the Plains, and alliga tors in the swamps of Texas. It hunted guerrillas in Missouri, combatted Longstreet's Virginia veterans at Chicamauga, stormed the blazing hights of Mission Ridge, fought a continuous battle from Kennesaw Mountain to Atlanta, and broke through Hood's lines at the battle Avhich annihilated the rebel army of the West. At Nashville it did duty in white gloves, and at Knoxville it was shirtless, shoeless, hatless, and in rags. It knew how to garrison a post or charge a line of entrenchments. At Fort Leavenworth it vied with the oldest and best trained soldiers of the regular ar my in the perfection of its disciplne and drill, and in Georgia it "lived on the country" Avith Sherman's bummers. It convoyed trains over mountains and across rivers through a country swarm ing with foes ; it built railroads and destroyed them ; it slept without tents in the snows of winter and the rains of spring time; it bore hunger without murmuring, it faced pestilence without blanching, and it braved bullets without fear. But if the writer lingers, as he is tempted to do, over this re trospect of recollections that can never be effaced, he will trans cend the limit prescribed. He cannot, however, lay down his pen, nor bring this sketch to a close, without recording a tribute to the unflinching patriotism, the patient, calm endurance, and the magnificent courage of the private soldiers who followed the flag of the Eighth through the long years of its arduous service. They represented nearly every branch of mechanical, agricultu ral and literary pursuits, and were men of many and widely dif ferent chaiacters. They grew to be reckless, as do those whose lives are long familiar with danger. In their protracted absence from the purifying influence of society, many of them forgot its KANSAS REGIMENTS. 267 most Avholesome restraints ; they were not free from those petty infirmities of temper and those graver errors of conduct and gross solecisms to which soldiers are prone. But they were inspired by a unity of spirit, a pure devotion to the cause of their country, a persistence against all obstacles, and a patience under all suffer ings, that made their hitherto common lives glorious and grand. Their faults and failings Avere redeemed by noble disinterested ness, high resolve, untiring energy, and the most exalted courage. They might violate the strict letter of religious teachings, but they Avere never inspired by hypocrisy, nor selfishness, nor cow ardice, and the homely truths of patriotism, honor and generosity they had learned by heart and daily exemplified. Their rough ness and violence was tempered by discipline and never failing good humor. War Avas to them no holiday parade, but a hard strengthening of Avill and nerve against the sternest vicissitudes of fortune, and fearfully earnest men they grew to be. No dan ger could dampen their ardor, no repulse could shaKe their confi dent hope, no toil or suffering could for a moment perplex or ob scure their faithful loyalty. Not nobler was the impulse which inspired our forefathers Avhen Washington sent out his calls for men ; not grander the spirit which moved the ragged Provincials around the camp fires of Valley Forge, than was that which thrilled their hearts with undying fire and nerved their arms with unconquerable strength. They suffered, but they never knew what it was to Avhine ; they kneAv how to die, but never to des pair or yield. Their spirits seemed to rise to the greatness of the events surrounding them. They recognized no will but duty ; they loved their country with a deep, abiding affection ; they dreamed of no delight but her service; they asked no reward but her triumph. In her cause hardships were welcome ; for her flag dangers were laughed at ; to save her life the humblest and the roughest of them Avould have cheerfully given his own. They rejected Avith contempt every idea that despaired cf final victory, and scouted at every suggestion of peace Avithout union or tran quility, without a Avholesome punishment for out-breaking trea son and a stern vindication of offended law. Their patriotism Avas passionate veneration of the Republic; they loved its flag, and followed and upheld it Avith an eagerness and earnestness which had in it no vulgarity or common affection, and could not 268 MILITARY HISTORY OF be simulated. With what exact discipline, with what dauntless courage, with what patient devotion, with what forgetfulness of the dearest home ties, Avith what confident hope and tenacious persistence the soldiers of this regiment marched and bivouacked, suffered and dared, through summer's heat and winter's cold, on the battle field and in the besieged city, in the face of hunger and pestilence, no one who was not with them can ever know, forthe wildest license of language cannot describe it. Their toils and privations, their trials and dangers, have long since been over. " They need no praise whose deeds are eulogy," and this tribute can add nothing to the splendor of their achiev- ments. But the writer feels that it is due, and he could not close this sketch of the regiment's history without recording an ex pression of his admiration for the services of the men who served in its ranks. With loving gratitude he Avrites, remembering with pride every soldier who followed its flag during the events which make its career a cherished glory, never to fade from the [recol lections of the loyal people or perish from the best and noblest records of the State. KANSAS REGIMENTS, 269 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE NINTH KANSAS VOL. CAVALRY. The organization of this regiment was completed by consoli dating "independent battalions" arid squadrons and detachments originally intended for other organizations. The permanent or ganization Avas effected March 27th, 1862, in accordance with the following extract from General Orders from Headquarters State of Kansas: [General Orders No. 1.] (Extract.) I. In accordance with the request of the Major General com manding the Department of the Mississippi, the Kansas volunteer regiments will be consolidated and organized as follows : JJS JjC JJ< 5fi 3jfi yfi 5JI IX. The Ninth Regiment Cavalry will be organized as fol lows: FIELD AND STAFF : Colonel — Edward Lynde. Lieutenant Colonel — C. S. Clarke. 1st Major — E. P. Bancroft. 2d Major — J. M. Pomeroy. Surgeon — H. G. Bostwick. Adjutant . Quartermaster — A. G. Carpenter. The organization of D company, Eighth Regiment Kansas Vol unteers, which afterward formed a part of the Ninth Cavalry in its permanent organization, was commenced September 13th? 1861. The men were mustered in by detachments, and the or ganization of the company completed October 24th, 1861. At the final organization of the regiment this company was desig nated A company, with an aggregate of eighty-one men — Capt, George F. Earl; First Lieut., Joshua A. Pike; Second Lieuten ant, Albert D. Searle. The organization of H company, Eighth regiment Kansas vol unteers, was commenced September 21st, 1861. This company was also mustered into the United States service by detachments, and its organization completed on the 20th of November, 1861. 270 MILITARY HISTORY OF At the completion of the regimental organization this company Avas designated B company, Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Avith an aggregate of ninety men. Asaph Allen, of LaAvrence, was mustered in as First Lieutenant of the company on the 12th of October, and on the 20th of November as Captain of said com pany. Lemuel T. Heritage, of Emporia, First Lieutenant vice Allen, and Robert Madden, of Emporia, Second Lieutenant The organization of I company, Third Regiment Kansas Volunteers was completed July 24th, 1861, and regularly mustered' into the United States service. At the time of the organization of the Ninth Regiment Kansa Volun teer Cavalry, March 27th, 1862, this company Avas designated C company, with an aggregate of ninety-four men. John E. Stew- ait was mustered in as Captain July 24th, 1861, John BoAvles as First Lieutenant, and W. J. Buchanan as Second Lieutenant, all of Lawrence. The organization of D company, 1st Battalion Kansas Cavalry, was commenced October 19th, 1861, and the company organiza tion completed January 16th, 1862, at which date the company Avas mustered into the United States service. The muster-out rolls of D company shoAv Charles F. Coleman as having been mustered in as Captain on the 19th of October. 1861 ; Anderson C. Smith as First Lieutenant, and Avery T. Spencer as Second Lieutenant, all of Geneva, Kansas. This company, when merged into the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, consisted of eighty-three men. E company was organized at the same date, as part of the same battalion, with Captain Henry Flesher, First Lieutenant Claudius M. Meek, and Second Lieutenant Jesse Parsons, all of Iola, Allen county, Kansas. A majority of the enlisted men, sixty-eight in number, are from the same place. The organization of F company was commenced Oct. 19th, 1861. This company Avas recruited for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the south and southAvest frontier against the merciless savages and inhuman bushAvhackers that Avere infesting that por tion of Kansas. They had already sacked and robbed the town of Humboldt, and killed or carried away many of the best citi zens and settlers in that vicinity. Enraged at the outrages al ready committed, and continually expecting a repetition of these crimes, the people rallied, old and young, for the protection of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 271 their homes. The company Avent into winter quarters at Iola, where it performed all the duties required of regular soldiers — scouting, picketing and patroling the country for many miles around. They performed this duty throughout that long and cold winter, furnishing their own subsistence, munitions and ac coutrements. They continued their outposts and scouting par ties when so destitute of everything necessary for such service that those going on duty borrowed clothing, &c, from those in camp. Notwithstanding the difficulties and embarrassments in their way they continued the organization, and rendered most effective service in the protection of that portion of Kansas. January 16th, 1862, the company, numbering eighty-one men, Avas regularly mustered into the United States service, with Cap tain Benjamin F. Goss, First Lieutenant Isaac W. Dow, both of Neosho Falls, and Second Lieutenant Henry H. Opdyke, of Leroy. On the 27th of March, 18 62, this company was desig nated F company, Ninth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The organization of — company, 1st Battalion Kansas Caval ry, Avas commenced September 9th, 1861. The organization was completed January 16th, 1862, by the muster into the Uni ted States service of eighty-one enlisted men, with Captain Wil- loughby Doudna, muster to date December 17th, 1861 ; First Lieutenant Lewis C. Thompson, muster to date October 15th, 1861, and Second Lieutenant John N. Walkup, muster to date same as First Lieutenant Thompson. This company, at the time of consolidation, was designated G company, Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. The organization of — company, 1st Battalion Kansas Caval ry, was commenced October 22d, 1861, and mustered into the United States service January 16th, 1862, with Captain Thomas P. Killen, muster to date January 2d, 1862; First Lieutenant James W. Christian, muster to date January 2d, 1862, and Sec ond Lieutenant H. N. F. Reed same date. At the date of con solidation into the Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, the compa ny numbered seventy-seven men, and was designated H compa ny. It was recruited in the Neosho Valley. The squadron designated company I in the organization of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, was recruited in the fall of 1861 and 272 MILITARY HISTORY OF the spring of 1862. First Lieutenant MatheAV Cowley and a large portion of the men composing the company were mustered into service March 6th, 1862. Second Lieutenant Albert S. W. Knapper was mustered to date November 6th, 1861. The com pany numbered fifty-two men at the time of the regimental or ganization of the Ninth Cavalry. May 28th, 1862, the organi zation of the company was completed, and Horatio N. F. Reed, of Central City, mustered in as Captain. K company was organized and mustered into the United States service July 11th. 1862 — Thomas M. Bowen Captain; J. D. Wells First Lieutenant, and Francis N. Sales Second Lieut This company was mostly recruited in Marshall and Washing ton counties, Kansas. Recruiting for L company commenced March 2d, 1863. On the 2d of May First Lieut. John I. Delashmutt and fifty-three men were mustered in. Second Lieutenant Charles C. Southard was mustered August 15th, 1863, and the company organization completed September 21st, by the muster-in of First Lieutenant James L. Arnold vice Delashmutt, promoted Captain. The organization of M company was commenced June 11th, and completed August 21st, 1863 — Captain, Wm. W. P. McCon nell; First Lieutenant, Stephen L. Kenyon ; Second Lieutenant, John L. Price. This company was mostly recruited in the Ne osho Valley. At the time of the consolidation and organization of the de tachments of the 1st Battalion Kansas Cavalry, of the Third Kansas Volunteers, and of the Eighth Kansas Volunteers into the companies forming the first nine companies of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, they were at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Soon after the organization of the regiment, in 1862, companies A, B, C, G and I were detached by Special Orders No. 43 of Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt, dated Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, June 10th, 1862, and scattered from the Missouri River to the Rocky Moun tains. Company B was stationed in the mountains, fifty miles north of Denver City, Colorado, and directed to build what Avas afterwards known as Fort Halleck. Company A Avas sent on es cort duty to Fort Unio n, New Mexico. Company G was sent to Fort Lyon, Colorado. Company I was sent to Fort Laramie, and company C to Fort Riley, Kansas. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 273 Four companies of the regiment — D, E, F and H — under the command of Major Bancroft, of the Ninth, participated in the fight known as the " Locust Grove Affair," in the Cherokee Na tion. This was among the first engagements in which any of the regiment participated. The result, though not of very great significance, reflected credit on the troops engaged — marching all night, surprising the enemy at break ot day, capturing over forty prisoners, together with all their camp and garrison equi page — thus giving an earnest of what might be expected of them. The same portion of the regiment, under Col. Lynde, in the month of August, 1862, were engaged in the running fight and skirmish with the rebel General Coffey, which continued for eight consecutive days and nights, during which time the troops were kept in their saddles, dismounting only long enough to feed themselves and horses. In this affair their endurance was more fully tested than their courage. , In the fall of '62 the regiment (except those companies out on the Plains) under Gen. Solomon, marched to Sarcoxie, Mo., thus confronting the rebel command under Gens. Cooper and Rains. In this position, it was a foregone conclusion that an engage ment of some kind must ensue, and the Ninth Avas destined to be the chief actors in bringing it on. About the last of Septem ber Col. Lynde was ordered to make a reconnoisance of the ene my's position and force at or near NeAvtonia. This was done, and the following day an engagement took place, in which the Ninth played an honorable and conspicuous part, although its conduct was by a few aspersed, prompted to it by malice or jealousy. Early in the morning Lieut. Col. Jacobbi, of the 9th Wis., with a part of that regiment and two guns of the 2d Ohio battery, be gan the attack. At 9 o'clock Col. Lynde appeared on the field and took command, bringing with him four squadrons of his own regiment, together with a section of mountain howitzers at tached to the regiment Disposing of this limited force to the best advantage, the attack was pressed with all of the energy and courage possible. The enemy fought obstinately, fortified be hind stone walls, in a large stone barn, and in several brick houses. Still, despite this advantage in position, and their large superiority in numbers, they were gradually being dislodged and 274 MILITARY HISTORY OF driven, when a vedette came in announcing a heavy rebel col umn rapidly approaching from the direction of Granby. This being a dangerous flank movement, and the rebels already great ly outnumbering our force, a hasty retreat was the only course left To do this and save the infantry and artillery, was the no light task demanded of the cavalry, especially as the retreat had to be conducted over a mile and a half of prairie. By repeated charges and the most stubborn resistance on either flank, the rebels were so far checked as to enable all of the artillery and a portion of the infantry to escape. All that cavalry could do was done, and that their valor was felt by the enemy the number of their slain will attest. Added to the discouraging features of this fight should be the fact, that these companies of the Ninth Kan sas were without carbines and but poorly armed with revolvers. Their ranks were decimated; they fought until they were literally crowded from the field, finally gathering all that could be saved from a defeat Four days after this the rebels were driven from Newtonia southAvard, the Union troops pressing them gradually toward the Arkansas river. During the time intervening between the New tonia affair and the fights of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, the regiment was actively engaged in escorting paymasters to Fort Scott and supply trains back to the army, together with the re sponsible duties of scouting and feeling of the enemy in the im mediate front. The accuracy of its reports and the fidelity with which it accomplished its scouting missions, frequently elicited the public and private approval of the General commanding. In the Cane Hill fight but two companies of the Ninth took any part During the night preceding the battle of Prairie Grove the Ninth, along with the balance of the cavalry, were put in posi tion near Cane Hill, and were awaiting the approach of the ene my, when it Avas discovered • that they were maneuvering for a more advantageous battle field, and were pressing our left flank. A countermarch was immediately ordered, and the cavalry fell back to Rhea's Mills, where the supply and ammunition train was corralled. Gen. Herron with his command having come up, encountered the enemy on the Fayetteville road, and opened the engagement KANSAS REGIMENTS. 275 at once. Gen. Blunt, hearing the cannonading, moved to the scene of action with all of his infantry and artillery, leaving the cavalry in charge of the wagon train and supplies. One compa. ny of the 9th (D) had, during the morning, been engaged with the enemy's advance guard, and during the battle occupied an advanced position and rendered efficient service in hovering and fighting on the enemy's flanks. During the night succeeding the fight Col. Lynde was ordered to convey the train of Avagons loaded with ammunition and quartermaster stores to Fayetteville. One day's fight convinced the rebel General Hindman that his most prudent and wise policy was to place as much distance be tween his army and the Union army as possible, and thus ter minated the battle of Prairie Grove. While the cavalry cannot demand for itself the same meed of glory that justly belongs to the other two arms of the service, it may, without immodesty, claim a share. It did what soldiers are expected to do : it obeyed orders. In the raid on Van Buren the 9th took an active part. It was in the rear of Gen. Blunt's command, and was among the first to enter the town, having successfully driven a rebel force which had been resisting its advance. To it was also confided the trust of clearing the town of stragglers and bringing up the rear of the column when the army returned to Rhea's Mills. This raid may be considered as the closing aggressive movement of the Army of the Frontier. Col. Lynde, with his regiment, in February, 1863, was ordered to Fort Scott as a convoy to an immense supply train, accompa nying which were a great number of refugee wagons. It is no idle responsibility to safely conduct a train several miles ir. length through a hostile and dangerous country. It requires indefati gable care, energy and Avatchfulness. Of the many hundred thousand dollars' worth of army stores and provisions which have been, entrusted to the protection of this regiment, not one dollar's worth has been captured or wrenched from it by guerrilla band or rebel force. The frequent and desperate raids made by the bushwhackers of Western Missouri on the border counties of Kansas, rendered it necessary that troops should be stationed along the borders so 276 MILITARY HISTORY OF as to guard against the recurrence of such depredations. Ac cordingly the 9th was assigned to this field of operation in March, 1863. Among their first encounters with the bushwhackers may be mentioned the sanguinary skirmish one mile south of West- port, on the 17th of June, 1863. Gen. Thos. Ewing had just taken command of the District fo the Border, and being informed that the guerrillas under Todd and Parker intended a raid on Kansas City, he ordered to the latter place Maj. L. K. Thacher, with three companies of the 9th. This officer was in command at Paola, from which station he marched to Aubrey, taking with him A company of the 9th. At the latter place he added to his command a part of K company, under Captain Pike, the balance being out on a scout with E company, under Captain Flesher. Sending orders for Captain Flesher to join him at Kansas City, with his own company and all that he had of K company, Maj. Thacher moved on to Kan sas City, where he reported to Gen. Ewing, who ordered his command into camp, which was hardly accomplished when a courier announced that the guerrillas had ambushed and routed the force under Captain Flesher en route for Kansas City. Gen. Ewing immediately ordered Maj. Thacher with his command back to the assistance of Captain Flesher. Passing through Westport, and southward a half mile, he met wagons bringing in the dead, victims of the fight From citizens along with these wagons, the particulars of the ambuscade and the direction taken by the bushwhackers after the fight was ascertained. The most intense darkness had by this time set in, and it became necessary to ad vance cautiously. Reaching the scene of the disaster, several of the soldiers Avho had been dismounted in the fight, and had es caped in the woods, came to the command, from whom it was made certain that a part of the guerrillas, bent on booty, had taken a souiruvard course down the State line; the balance had retreated towards the hills of the Sniabar. Hoping to overtake the band Avhich had gone down the State line, the troops pur sued in that direction, striking the guerrilla trail the next morn ing near Indian Creek, and promptly following it through a de vious course into the dense woods and underbrush along ravines, until finally the enemy was discovered in camp, reposing after their terrible fatigue. A charge was immediately made. Anum- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 277 ber of the guerrillas were killed, and all their horses, equipments and arms were captured, together Avith all they had captured in the fight on the previous day, thus inflicting on them a loss, though not equal to ours, still one which they severely felt. The ambuscade of Capt. Flesher's command was of such a nature as to wholly exculpate that officer, whose reputation for vigilance, sagacity and courage was beyond question in his own regiment, where he was best known. Marching but a few hours behind Maj. Thacher, and having approached to within less than a mile of a military station, a concealed enemy was little sus pected, still the location and surroundings were of the most fa vorable character for a surprise — a stone fence on either side of the road, along which Avas thick underbrush and foliage. Be. hind these stone walls in the woods lay the bushwhackers await ing the approach of the Union soldiers, and as soon as they came within range of their guns, like a thunderclap from a cloudless sky, came a volley of bullets from a quarter least looked for. A portion of the guerrillas remaining mounted were so concealed as to be ready to follow up the first volley with a charge, which gave Capt Flesher no time to form his command or rally from the shock. Hedged in on both sides by stone walls, it was not until he had fallen back a half mile, and had experienced his greatest less, that he was able to get his men in hand, so as to make a successful resistance. Up to this time it was a hand to hand fight, each soldier being compelled to act on his own re sponsibility, but having passed beyond the stone walls to the first open space, Capt. Flesher rallied his men and in turn repulsed the guerrillas, killing and wounding a number. His command behaved Avith the utmost coolness, and recovering from their tem porary confusion, they disputed the ground as well as the place would admit One of the guerrillas in this skirmish afterwards remarked that he " never saw better fighting than that which Avas done by Capt. Flesher and some of his men." This affair gave the 9th a foretaste of the ferocity of the foe they had to deal with. The appeals of our wounded were only met by an additional bullet. All of our dead were found to have been shot through the head and heart, thus exhibiting the fiend ish and atrocious character of these bushwhackers. During the summer the regiment was stationed at different 278 MILITARY HISTORY OF points along the border. Col. Lynde, with Headquarters, most of the time at Trading Post ; Lieut. Col. Clarke, Avith E and G companies, at Harrisonville ; Capt. Pike, with K company, at Aubrey; Capt. Coleman, with D company, at Pleasant Hill, and Maj. Thacher, Avith A and H, at Westport From these several stations the detachments operated against the guerrillas; in fact, the whole summer was consumed in almost continual skirmishing, Capt. Coleman, with D company, had repeated encounters with them, in which he habitually proved himself an overmatch for them, either in sagacity, bra very or daring. Capt. Coleman had no superior in this kind of service, and the service no more efficient officer in finding, rout ing and killing bushwhackers. He could " beat them at their own game." This company killed at least one bushwhacker for every man in the company. Company C returned and joined the regiment at Trading Post, Linn county, Kansas, in the month of . This company, under command of Lieut. Philbrick, at Cabin Creek, July 2d, iS63, participated in the engagement against Gen. Cooper, who, with 2,200 men, met a Government train taking supplies to the destitute command of Col. Phillips at Fort Gibson, C. N., and made a most formidable resistance to the passage of the Federal troops at Cabin Creek. The 1st Regt. Kan. Col'd. Troops waded the stream chin deep, and after gaining a position on the south bank, engaged and routed the enemy, when company C charged into and through the rebel line, inflicting severe loss upon the enemy, and then holding them in 'check until the infantry again rushed upon them and compelled them to break in confusion and seek safety in flight, when C company continued the work of routing, killing and capturing the enemy until they had inflicted a loss upon him equal to the entire number of the company, with a loss of only two killed and but few Avounded. The Quantrell raid on Lawrence took place in the month of August, and nearly every squadron of the 9th participated in his pursuit. Capt. Coleman, with D company, and Capt. Pike, with K company, were the first on his trail. They struck his rear guard, as he Avas retreating southward from Lawrence, near Brooklyn, and hung on his rear and flank, fighting him until his band had scattered among the forests and their haunts in Mis- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 279 souri. Lieut. Col. Clarke, with E, G and F companies, encoun tered them as they passed the State line into Missouri, and did such execution as the nature of the retreat would admit. Maj. Thacher, with A and L companies of the 9th, and one squadron of the 11th Kansas, marched from Westport and joined in the pur suit near Grand River. His command killed several of the raid ers and recaptured some of the property plundered from Lawrence. The fiends who perpetrated this atrocious massacre, although seeming to have every accident in their favor, and profiting by an unheard of audacity, still did not escape unpunished. From the time they left Lawrence until they finally found safety in their forest fastnesses, our troops attacked them at every opportu nity, so that in the aggregate a large number of them Avere made to " bite the dust" Never were soldiers summoned to fight a more bloodthirsty or cruel foe. No quarters were expected on either side. " No Prisoners!" was the war cry by both parties, a policy inaugurated by the guerrilla leaders, and, as a sequence, no prisoners were taken either to Federal or Rebel head quarters. This service, from the spring of 1863 to the close of the war in this part of Missouri, was of the most inhuman and barba rous character ever known to a civilized people. The soldiers constituting the large armies were indeed fortunate in compari son with the 9th and other troops deiailed on this fearful duty of fighting bushwhackers. Were the former killed in battle and left in the hands of the enemy, an honorable burial and unmu- tilated body was at least awarded them ; were they wounded, medical aid and some care was bestowed on them, and if, unhap pily, they were captured, the prospect of an exchange of prison ers was ever before them. Contrast this treatment with the un fortunate fate of the Union soldiers on the border. In the hands of the guerrillas, if killed, their poor, inanimate bodies were out raged and disfigured ; if wounded, their pain and misery Avas augmented by such torture as malignant ingenuity could devise ; and if, perchance, by some strange freak of generosity, or through mistake, they were made prisoners, it proved only an additional calamity, for after undergoing brutal insults, they were invaria bly butchered in such manner as the dark and savage caprice of 280 MILITARY HISTORY OF their captors might suggest One more chapter terminates the record of this regiment on the border, and this was their partici pation in the expulsion of Shelby and his raiders from Missouri. Several weeks after the LaAvrence masssacre, Quantrell col lected his bands of bushwhackers and moved out of the State in a southwest course towards Texas. About the same time Gen. Ewing received word that the rebel General Shelby had entered the State from the south and was moving towards his District, committing devastation and threatening to enter Kansas ; where upon he mustered all the available troops under his control and hovered along the eastern line of his District, anticipating the movements of the invaders. Meanwhile Gen. Brown, command ing the District east of Gen. Ewing's, had, with the troops under him, engaged the rebels near Marshall and successfully repulsed them, cutting their force in two, so that in their retreat one por tion of the rebels moved off in the direction of Tipton, while the main command, under Shelby and Coffey, retreated toward War- rensburg and the District of the Border. Gen. Ewing, Avith his troops, struck their trail about four hours after they had passed a point not far southwest of Warrensburg. Pressing his cavalry furiously along, together with two sections of mountain howitzers, the rebel rear guard was encountered just at evening, posted on a hill skirted Avith timber and dense underbrush. The 9th Kan sas, under Lieut. Col. Clarke and Maj. Thacher, were ordered forward and directed to dislodge them from their position. Dis mounting and advancing on foo t, they drove the rebels from their first position and again charged them in their second ; but so ef fectually were they concealed, that our men had advanced to within close range, and had received their first volley, before they were fully aware of their proximity. But without hesita tion they rushed forward with an impetuosity that SAvept the rebels from their stronghold. No more resistance was met until the command reached Carthage. Before arriving there, how ever, Col. Lynde, with several companies of the 9th Kansas, joined Gen. Ewing's force. This officer had been ordered to guard the southeastern border of Kansas, so that a sudden incursion could not be made in that direction without some dispute. The invaders having passed the point of danger, Col. Lynde marched rapidly to Reub's Point, where he awaited the arrival of the KANSAS REGIMENTS. 281 Federal troops. Gen. Ewing's command approached Carthage at daybreak, where the rebels had camped and Avere trying to rally their wasting strength. Captain Earle, with A company of the 9th, led the charge into the town, capturing their outposts and subsequently a large number of prisoners. Shelby, with his ja ded crew, made but a faint resistance, but continued his rapid retreat. The pursuit Avas not relaxed until near Neosho, when it was deemed imprudent and useless to follow further with the main command. Maj. Thacher, with Captain Earle and forty men of A company, were, however, ordered to follow and open up communications with Gen. McNeil, Avho, it was supposed, was pressing down from the Springfield District This small force ot the 9th pursued the retreating rebels out of Missouri into Arkansas, over one hundred and fifty miles south of Neosho, en countering numerous bands of guerrillas, vanquishing all oppo sition, until they found the rebels had crossed the Boston Moun tains, when they returned, overtaking Gen. Ewing's command at Fort Scott The 9th Kansas, in this exhausting cha-se, were severely tried. For twenty-six days, and a large portion of every night, were they in the saddle, ready to march, forage or fight. The men could endure more than their horses. Many of the cavalrymen walked more miles than they rode, so as to husband the strength of the animals on which they so implicitly relied in the hour of need. The regiment, by detachments, returned to their several sta tions, where they remained until March, 1864, when, by a Spec ial Order from Gen. Schofield, all Kansas troops in Western Mis souri were ordered over the line into Kansas. Previous to this, however, Col. Lynde, wishing to get his regiment together and to be connected with a larger army, and engaged in a warfare where the foe had at least some honor, instead of the brutal and unnatural service of hunting and fighticg bushwhackers, (a feel. ing to which the entire regiment responded,) had made applica tion to the War Department to have his regiment sent either to the Army of the Cumberland or to Gen. Steele, then preparing to co-operate with Gen. Banks in his Red River Expedition. To the latter Department the regiment was assigned, and accordingly 282 MILITARY HISTORY OF in March they rendezvoused at Lawrence, preparatory to join ing that army. Since the organization of the regiment, at no one time before had it been assembled together, so that for both officers and men there Avas a reasonable assurance that in the future their efforts would be consolidated, and that they should act as one body with one purpose. The regiment numbered 1,200 men at this time. On the 3d of April the regiment began its march for Little Rock, Arkansas, via Harrisonville, Clinton and Springfield. From the latter place southward their route led them through a coun try scoured by both armies, destitute of meat and of nearly every thing which horses or mules could eat. A small supply of corn was taken from Springfield, but utterly insufficient to meet the wants of a command traversing a region of three hundred miles> mountainous and barren, save here and there a small flat made at the confluence of mountain streams. Every day foraging par ties were sent out to glean whatever of roughness or grain might have escaped the rapacity of preceding troops. But despite the most untiring industry and sagacity, the horses and mules be came nearly famished, daily growing thin and weak, until finally many were unable to go farther, and were left on the road to shift for themseles or to die. During one night the mules ate off seventeen wagon tongues to which they had been tied, so keenly were they pinched with hunger. And to add to the dis tress of the regiment, it became water-bound at a place on King's River, and was detained there two days. At Springfield Col. Lynde received orders to report at Fort Smith instead of Little Rock, the original destination. Having crossed the Boston Mountains and the Arkansas River at Ozark, the regiment marched to Fort Smith, on the south side thereof. Arriving there, orders were found directing the regiment to report at once at Little Rock, and without halting long enough to rest or recruit, it recrossed the river at Van Buren, passed down the north side as far as Clarksville, when it was again met with im perative orders from Gen. Steele to return to Fort Smith by forced marches, as that place was in imminent danger. Lieut. Colonel Clarke, picking the most able of men and horses, promptly com plied with the order, halting en route only long enough to feed KANSAS REGIMENTS. 283 the animals, accomplishing the distance of one hundred and fifty miles in fifty-four hours. At Van Buren nothing but a flat boat was at hand to ferry the command over ; and as delay was dan gerous, Col. Clarke ordered the saddles and equipments to be transferred in the boat and the horses to be driven in and forced to SAvim across, Avhich was successfully accomplished without casualty, and the command enabled to report without much de lay to the commanding officer at Fort Smith. The enemy threat ening the Fort having declined an attack, the regiment was or dered into camp on Hazzard Prairie, Avhere it remained until July. F company was stationed at Van Buren May 23d, and did some very efficient and successful service in scouting and patroling the country. On the 25th of June Lieut I. W. Dow, with but four men, chased and killed the rebel Col. Faith, of an Arkansas regiment, and captured his horse and accoutrements, when with in rifle range of his command, and escaped without loss. June 30th, Lieut. Opdyke, Avith a small foraging party, was attacked at midnight by a force double their own number, and despite the confusion of the midnight attack, they successfully repulsed them, with a loss of one Sergeant killed and one Corporal wounded. During our stay here Col. Lynde was in command of the Cavalry Brigade, and the regiment did the most arduous duty, scouting and skirmishing. Maj. Doudna, with four companies, made a scout and foraging expedition on the north side of the river, gath ering a large amount of corn for the Fort, capturing a number of prisoners, and killing eight or ten ot the enemy, among whom was a rebel Lieut. Col., bearing dispatches of importance to the guer rillas operating in Northern Arkansas and Missouri. Lieut. Col. Clarke, with five companies of the 9th and four of the 6th Kansas, Avas ordered to penetrate southward as far as Dallas, to ascertain the intention and force of the enemy. Near Quito he encountered a rebel command, which he vigorously charged, putting them to flight, capturing twenty or thirty pris oners, from whom he obtained the desired information, and then returned to camp, having accomplished the object of his scout. Another important raid was made by Maj, Thacher, Avith four companies of the 9th, four of the 6th, three of the 14th Kansas, and three Pf the 4th. Arkansas Infantry, to a locality knpwn as. 284 MILITARY HISTORY OY Lane's Bottom, doAvn the river about one hundred miles below Fort Smith. The march most of the distance was accomplished during the night time, so as to effect a surprise of a rebel force reported camped at that place. A deserter having carried infor mation ahead, this part of the programme failed. Nevertheless the expedition accomplished all that was expected of it. It had several skirmishes Avith the rebels, killing twelve, among whom was a Maj. PitsAVorth, a wealthy rebel of this locality, who had been very vindictive and abusive to all the Union men of this region. July 2d the regiment took up its line of march for Little Rock once again, where it arrived July 14th, and went into camp on the north side of the river. Here the men suffered intensely from impure water and excessive heat, but there was no respite from active duty for them. The repulse of Gen. Banks, and consequently of Steele, af forded the rebels the opportunity of detaching large bands of cav alry to harrass and destroy the communications to Little Rock. Among the more enterprising of the rebel Generals assigned to this service Avere Shelby, Marmaduke and Fagan. Against the troops of each of these leaders the 9th was often pitted. Majors Pomeroy and Doudna made an expedition towards White River, in which expedition they did good service, routing and dispersing the rebels operating in that section, and this gave some security to the small posts acting as defense to the railroad running from Duvall's Bluff to Little Rock. In August, from information derived from«scouts, it was known that rebel conscripting parties were scouring the country between the railroad and the Arkansas River, impressing all who were able to bear arms. Gen. Steele ordered a detachment of soldiers from the 9th Kansas, under Maj. Thacher, to proceed to the vi cinity of Clear Lake, and liberate that region from the presence of the conscriptors. By a rapid movement this command was enabled to completely surprise their chief rendezvous, routing Col. Lightfoot's command, taking some prisoners, destroying a large amount of commissary stores, and effectually defeating the conscripting movement in that section. In the meantime the rebel General Shelby had succeeded in passing north of the Little Rock railroad, and had for a long time KANSAS REGIMENTS. 285 baffled all efforts to dislodge him from his strongholds on White River, from Avhich, Avith fearful rapidity, he would dart down on the railroad when and where he Avas least expected, commit im mense damage and then retreat as suddenly as he came. An expedition Avas fitted out, (of which the 9th was a part), under Lieutenant Colonel Clarke, and ordered to pursue him after one of these characteristic raids, in which he had destroyed a large amount of hay and haying implements, had captured nearly a whole regiment of infantry and burned their quarters. FolloAving swiftly after them, Col. Clarke's command struck Shel by's rear guard north of Brownsville, and immediately began to press them. A runningfight was kept up until they reached Bull Bayou, where the rebels made a stand. Availing themselves of the strong position afforded by the stream and surroundings, they made a desperate attempt to effectually resist any further advance of the Federal troops. Two battalions of the 9th were dismount ed and ordered to make the charge, Maj. Pomeroy leading one, and Maj. Thacher the other. The former received the first and most fatal volley, but Avithout faltering, it rushed across the stream and up the bank, pouring a steady fire into the enemy, who soon broke and fled. The other battalion, crossing the bridge, and charging impetuously on the left, were equally tri umphant The Union loss Avas very heavy, and the rebel loss still larger. The pursut was kept up for twenty miles, until Shel by's force was so effectually scattered and punished as to insure thereafter safety and security tc the communications between Duvall's Bluff and Little Rock. When Price crossed the Arkansas river en route for his fa mous raid into Missouri, the 9th was sent to annoy and act as a corps of observation, Price keeping his command so consolida ted as to leave no opportunity to attack him in detail. In September Capt Coleman made a briliant scout south of Little Rock, in which he achieved a victory over a rebel com mand three times his number. Shortly after, Lieut. Dow, of F company, also made a scout south from Little Rock, in which he and his command won distinction. They fought a rebel force largely their superiors in numbers, which had ambushed them, and after a short but sharp encounter put them to flight, leaving thirty of their men dead on the field. This may be said to wind 286 MILITARY HISTORY OF up the active and important service of the regiment There are a vast number of heroic deeds of officers and privates, which must necessarily go down to future generations along with the endless unwritten history of the war. Owing to the fact that the companies composing the regiment Avere, soon after the regimental organization, so widely scattered, and on account of the nature and character of the duty they were called upon to perform, it is impossible to give in detail, an ac count of each battle and skirmish in which each part Avas en gaged. It is unquestionably true, however, that the duty they were called on to perform was of the most dangerous and ardu ous kind, and required the most vigilant care and sound judgment on the part of each officer and man. Had the regiment, been from its organization, kept together and assigned a place where distinction Avas awarded for valiant and faithful service, it would, undoubtedly have carved out for itself a record Avhich would have added still additional lustre to the already enviable fame which justly belongs to it, as well as to the other heroic regiments sent forth by the State of Kansas. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 287 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE TENTH KANSAS VOL. INFANTRY. By turning to the history of the 3d and 4th regiments, we find that they, with a few men from the Fifth, marched to Paola, Kansas, and, under orders from the War Department, were con solidated, which formed the regiment bearing the number at the head of this history. This regiment (the 10th) ought, in reality, to have been num bered the 3d ; and had the Governor of our State contended with Gen. Hunter, who acted for the General Government in the con solidation of these regiments, no doubt such number would have been given the 10th. A short time previous to the consolidation of these regiments at Paola, W. F. Cloud, Major 2d Kansas Cavalry, was appointed Colonel of the 10th ; H. H. Williams, late Major 3d regiment, Lieut Colonel ; Major 0. B. Gunn, late 4th regiment, Major ; First Lieut, and Adjutant C. B. Zulaskey, late Adjutant 3d regi ment, Adjutant, and John G. Haskell, late Regimental Quarter master 3d regiment, Regimental Quartermaster. No Surgeon was assign ed to the regiment, as Drs. Scott and Newman both claimed the place ; and they both being friends of the Governor, he declined to interfere,and Surgeon Bailey, of the 1st, took charge ot the regimental sick until his transfer, which took place soon — May 2d, 1862. About the time of the consolidation, as will be seen by refer ence to the history of the Fourth, Col. Weer, Lieut. Col. Burris, Adjutant Phillips and Surgeon Scott, all late of the 4th, by con testing their so-called muster out before the War Department, were retained in their respective ranks in the 10th Regiment, this decision being grounded on the fact that they were the old est officers, and hence should have been transferred with the 4th to the 10th in their several positions, instead of being mustered out, as was claimed by Gen. Hunter, the commander of the De partment, and Charles Robinson, the Governor of the State. So this muster was set aside, and these officers held their positions. 288 MILITARY HISTORY OF At the time the regiment was consolidated at Paola, April 3d, 1862, the organization stood as follows : Colonel— W. F. Cloud. Lieut. Colonel— H. H. Williams. Major— 0. B. Gunn. Adjutant — C. B. Zulaskey. Regimental Q. M — John G. Haskell. Surgeon in charge of Regiment — Mahlon Bailey. Surgeons contesting the position — John W. Scott and Albert Newman. NeAV Chaplain elected at the time of consolidation — John H. Drummond. A full non-commissioned staff was appointed. Their names and the names of all the enlisted men will be found in the regi mental roster. Company A — Captain, Josiah E. Hayes ; 1st Lieut, Thos. E. Milhoan ; 2d Lieut, Fernando H. Burris. Company B — Captain, Matthew Quigg; 1st Lieut, Seth M. Tucken ; 2d Lieut, David Whittaker. Company C — Captain, John Foreman ; 1st Lieut, Joseph K. Hudson ; 2d Lieut, Isaac M. Ruth. Company D — Capt, Eli Snyder; 1st Lieut., Geo. D. Brooke; 2d Lieut, Frederick A. Smalley. Company E — Capt, John F. Broadhead ; 1st Lieut, David Schoen ; 2d Lieut, Wm. B. Keith. Company F — Capt, John J. Boyd; 1st Lieut, Nathan Price; 2d Lieut, Cyrus Leland, Jr. Company G — Capt., Jas. M. Harvey ; 1st Lieut, Jas. H. Har ris ; 2d Lieut, Josephus D. Warner. Company H — Napoleon B. Blanton ; 1 st Lieut, Saml. J. Stew art ; 2d Lieut, James H. Signor. Company I — Capt, Charles P. Twiss; 1st Lieut, William C. Jones ; 2d Lieut, J. Finn Hill. Company K — Capt, Greenville Watson ; 1st Lieut, Jerome T. Kelley ; 2d Lieut, Horace G. Loring. The regiment was about eight hundred strong, and from the fact that it was made up of men who had been in the service, and of organizations that had been in the field sufficiently long to have all the men culled out of them that were notable-bodied KANSAS REGIMENTS. 289 and sound enough to stand a soldier's hardships, it was, perhaps, composed of the best material, physically, of any regiment that ever went from the State. This will be noticed by referring to the rolls from month to month, on which is shown but very little sickness, and but few deaths from disease for the next year or two. Here at Paola, Lieut. F. H. Burris resigned April 16th, 1862, and on the 24th of May following, Sergeant William B. Stone was promoted to 2d Lieut, vice Burris, resigned. Immediately after the organization of the regiment, it was marched to Fort Scott — still under the command of Col. Cloud. Arriving there, they went into camp, aAvaiting further orders. Charles S. Hills was mustered as a Captain in this regiment, through some mistake, on the 11th of May, 1862, there being no vacancy. On the 5th of May, Major 0. B. Gunn resigned. On the 27th of May, 1862, Captain Eli Snyder resigned, and on the 15th of June following, there being now a vacancy, Capt. Hills was made Captain of company D vice Snyder, resigned. After remaining at Fort Scott a short time, four companies were ordered to report to Col. Doubleday, 2d Ohio Cavalry, and under Captain Foreman, marched Avith that officer's commando'' an expedition into the Indian country, for the purpose of attack ing a force under the notorious Col. Waitie, of the 1st Cherokee Rebel Regiment. The command Avas all cavalry and artillery, with the exception of the four companies of the 10th. Colonel Doubleday marched his command thirty miles a day, compel ling the infantry to keep pace with the cavalry and artillery. This, too, in a burning sun, tried the metal of the infantry, but they were not the men to be outdone in marching, though they had to contend with cavalry, and arrived before the rebel chief tain's camp, some one hundred and twenty miles beloAV Fort Scott, at the same time with the cavalry, ready and willing to at tack the enemy. On the 2d of May, Mahlon Bailey resigned, though he, in fact, never was the Surgeon of the Regiment. Soon after this, P. G. Parker, of the 6th Kansas, was transferred to the 10th, as Assistant Surgeon. About the 1st of June, 1862, Col. William Weer, Lieut. Col. Burris, Adjutant James A. Phillips, and Surgeon John W. Scott 37 290 MILITARY HISTORY OF arrived at Fort Scott, and assumed their places in the regiment, per order of » the War Department, of Avhich mention has been made. Col. Cloud Avas transferred to the 2d Kansas Cavalry. H. H. Williams resumed his place as Major, now vacated by the resignation of Gunn, and Adjutant Zulaskey gave up his position, the decision of the War Department holding him to have been, out of the service from the time of his muster-out in the 3d. On the 11th of June, 1862, Lieut. John G. Haskell, Regimen tal Q. M., was promoted to Captain and A. Q. M., United States Army. On the 12th of June, 1862, Capt. Hayes, company A, resigned, and en the 23d of the same month, 1st Lieut. Thomas E. Milhoan Avas promoted Captain vice Hayes, resigned. Col. Weer was immediately placed in command of the expedi tion, then ready to march into the Indian Territory ; Lieut. Col. Burris was assigned to the command at Fort Leavenworth ; Maj. Williams took command of the regiment, and 1st Lieut and Ad jutant James A. Phillips was detached on the staff of Col. Weer, as Acting Assistant Adjt Gen., Lieut Leland acting as Adjutant of the regiment. On the 13th of June the regiment, under command of Captain Twigg, Major Williams being absent with leave, marched from Fort Scott to the Osage Mission, for the purpose of forming part of the column of the Indian Expedition ; from the Mission to Humboldt, where they remained a few days ; then, with four companies of the 9th, the Indian regiments, and 1st Kansas Bat tery, marched doAvn the Neosho River, and thence across the country to Baxter's Springs, where they joined Solomon's Brig ade. Remained at Baxter's Springs about a Aveek, when they marched to Cowskin Prairie, for the purpose of attacking Waitie, who had again assembled his forces in that neighborhood, the advance Brigade of Col. Solomon skirmishing with the enemy, but failing to bring on a general engagement, the rebels being badly frightened, and fleeing south in great confusion. The 10th folloAved, but being infantry, were unable to come up. Re mained at Cowskin Prairie a few days, and then marched south Avith Weer's Division in the direction of the rebel Clarkson's camp, hoping to be able to surprise that precious cut-throat and his ragamuffins. When within about thirty miles of the ene- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 291 my's camp, Col. Weer detailed two companies of the 9th Kan sas, the 1st Indian a nd part of the 2d and 6th, and one hundred men of the 10th, under Capt. Quigg, and marched all night, ar riving before the rebel camp about sunrise on the morning of July 3d, 1S62. The enemy's camp was sitated on a hill, the ascent being steep and rocky, and the only practicable road being a narrow track leading up on the south side. Weer, however, determined to throw his forces around the hill in order to capture the enemy if possible. The tAvo companies of the 9th were moved to the northeast side, the Indians to the south and southeast, and the infantry of the 10th, supporting a section of the 1st Kansas Bat tery, Avas ordered, after the artillery was found not to be of much service, owing to the abrupt rising of the ground, to fix bayonets and charge upon the enemy's camp from the west These dis positions were hastily made. The attacking column coming from the west, the 9th and Indians being mounted, swept around on each side of the hill, driving the pickets, and then charged up the hights, Avhile the command of the 10th, leaving a few In dians to support the artillery, charged up the western side of the hights, almost completely enveloping the enemy's camp. Had it not been for the extremely rnggged condition of the ground, and the density of the woods on two sides of the hights, the whole rebel command, amounting to about seven hundred strong, must have been captured. At the first dash, the enemy fired one round, and then broke in hopeless confusion over the tAvo rough sides of the hill above spoken of. But they did not all make good their retreat. Some sixty or seventy were killed and Avounded, mostly killed, the loyal Indians having but little quarter for their rebel brethren, and one hundred and fifty-five, including Col. Clarkson, their leader, taken prisoners, besides a very large amount of camp and garrison equipage. Our loss in this affair was light, the 10th having but few men Avounded. After the engagement the command fell back to Wolf Creek, where the detachments of the 10th rejoined their regiment, go ing into camp for a few days, then marching with Weer's Divis ion towards Fort Gibson, then held by the rebel Gen. Cooper with 5,000 men. The command marched to Flat Rock Creek, eighteen miles from Gibson, Cooper retreating across the Arkan- 292 MILITARY HISTORY OF sas River as the Division approached. At this camp, Captain Foreman, of C company, Avas promoted to Major 3d Indian Reg iment, Indian Brigade. The regiment lay at Flat Rock a short time, all the while ex pecting to be led across the Arkansas River to attack Cooper, but were disappointed, as the sequel will show. On the 18th of July, 1862, Captain Charles P. TAviss, Co. I, resigned, and on the 25th of the same month, 1st Lieut Wm. C. Jones was mustered as Captain of Co. I vice Twiss, resigned, and also on the same day, J. Finn Hill promoted from 2d to 1st Lieut. vice Jones, promoted. Lieut Pope, of this Co., who had been mustered out Avhen the old 3d was re-organized, was assigned as 2d Lieut. Co. I vice Hill, promoted. On the 1st of August. 2d Lieut. H. G. Loring was promoted to 1st Lieut, vice Fleming, mustered out, and on the same day Ser geant Major Sherrin was promoted to 2d Lieut of company K vice Loring promoted. The regiment kept falling back from camp to camp until it reached Fort Scott, on the 15th day of August, where itremained a short time, when Gen. Blunt took command of the Division? and Col. Weer, of the 10th, was assigned to the command of the 2d Brigade, the 10th forming part of that Brigade under the new organization of the Division. On the 1 1th day of August, 1862, Capt John J. Boyd, of Co. F, resigned. On the 26th of the same month, Stephen J. Willis was mustered 1st Lieut, of Co. A vice Milhoan, promoted, and on the 13th of the same month, Quartermaster Sergeant A. J. Lloyd was promoted Regimental Quartermaster vice Haskell, promoted. On the 27th day of August, the 10th, forming part of the 2d Brigade, Frontier Division, marched into Missouri to assist in checking the advance of the rebel force then moving through the western part of that State, under Cols. Coffey and Cockrell. After having traversed a good portion of the western part of the State marching from tAvo to three hundred miles, part of the time on foot, and part of the time jolted in six mule wagons, the pursuit was abandoned. The rebel chieftains, after marching as far north as Lone Jack, retreated to the hills of Southwestern Mis souri and Arkansas, where, being reinforced, the 10th had to KANSAS REGIMENTS. 293 wait for the Division to concentrate, before giving battle to these great Missouri horse racers and horse thieves. September 1st, 2d Lieut. Fred. A. Smalley was promoted 1st Lieut. Company D, and Sergeant R. W. Wood promoted to 2d Lieut vice Smalley, promoted. September 10th, 1862, Henry H. Tuttle was appointed Assist ant Surgeon, and immediately transferred to the Indian Brigade for duty. On the 15th of September, 1st Lieut. Nathan Price, Co. F, Avas promoted to Captain vice Boyd, resigned, and 2d Lieut. Cyrus Leland, same company, same date, was promoted to 1st Lieut. vice Price, promoted. Soon after this celebrated chase after Col. Coffey, the Division of General Blunt, then under command of General Solomon, met the rebels under Gen. Rains and Cols. Coffey and Cooper, who had come to bay, after receiving heavy reinforcements, at New tonia, Mo., on the day of September. The 10th participa ted in the fight at this point, receiving, however, very little darn- age, though they stood under the fire of the enemy's artillery for several hours, but his aim being bad and the distance great, they came off with but few men hurt. This fight Avas conducted by Solomon, Avho had been promoted Brigadier General, and Avith his usual caution, he positively refused to permit the line to ad vance, and was particularly severe on the 10th, threatening them with dire vengeance if theydared to move forward from the line of battle he had established, a mile and a half away from the enemy. The regiment was compelled to stand idly by and see the enemy hold undisputed possession of the field, when they knew that with the other portions of their Brigade, they could have com pletely routed his forces. The regiment now fell back to Sar- coxie, eighteen miles north, waiting with the Division for rein forcements, or rather for Gen. Blunt, who soon arrived and re stored confidence among the troops, and especially in the 10th, they having great faith in his good sense and sagacity. In the meantime the enemy were rapidly reinforced. However, Gen. Schofield having arrived with two additional Divisions, the army at once moved back to Newtonia, where they quickly routed the enemy, driving him towards the Arkansas line. The 10th was 294 MILITARY HISTORY OF but slightly engaged, as the enemy was routed before they could get up, but folloAved him for fifteen or twenty miles, unable to overtake him, however, as all his forces were mounted, and, in addition, pretty badly frightened. Soon after this the regiment marched on the road to Pea Ridge, Arkansas, at which point they arrived about the 12th of October, after having made several halts on the way. All this time the enemy were immediately in their front, but Avere constantly being pressed back by the Army of the Frontier, of which this regiment now formed a part Arriving at Pea Ridge, they were allowed to rest for a short time, Avhile the cavalry Avere endeavoring to find out what had become of the enemy. On the return of the cavalry, it was ascertained that the rebels had divided their forces, part going in the direction of Huntsville and Fayetteville, Avhile another por tion, about five thousand strong, had moved west, in the direc tion of the Indian Territory. Those moving to the west Gen. Schofield ordered Gen. Blunt to follow Avith the 1st Division, which was cut loose from the main Army of the Frontier. The 10th remained with the 1st Division, and marched with it, on the 20th of October, to Bentonville, Arkansas ; but the enemy had moved a short time in advance of our arrival, and although we had marched all night, were allowed only sufficient time to cook breakfast, when we Avere again ordered forward, march ing all day the 21stand all night, but to be disappointed the next morning, when, arriving within six or seven miles of the battle ground, to hear the roar of the artillery, and Ave not on hand to take a part. Every nerve Avas strained to the utmost to reach the field in time to take an active part, but we were too late to par ticipate in the fight to any considerable degree. On the 28th of October, John Bryan, Sergeant Co. F, was pro moted to 2d Lieut, same Co. vice Leland, promoted. After remaining in the vicinity of Old Fort Wayne, C. N., at Avhich point the fight last spoken of took place, Ave marched to Camp Bowen, on the head waters of White River. During the time of the stay at this camp, Cos. A and B Avere detached and ordered to take possession of some flouring mills in the vicinity of Fayetteville, which they did, driving the enemy therefrom, but were compelled to abandon their camp on the approach of a large body of the enemy's cavalry, slipping through his lines in KANSAS REGIMENTS. 295 the darkness of the night, and rejoining their regiment at Camp Bab cock on thehead waters of the Grand Saline, where it had already ar rived on the 10th of November. Co. F was ordered out from this camp to Hilderbrand's Mills, C. N., but were driven in after having remained a short time by a body of rebel cavalry, show ing the enemy to be strong and on the watch. Consequently the regiment remained together after that, Avhile in that country, it being thought too dangerous to risk single companies far away from the Division. On the morning of the 27th of November, the regiment broke camp and marched with the 1st Division on Cane Hill, in Wash ington county, Arkansas, where fully eight thousand cavalry, with eight pieces of artillery, under the rebel Gen. Marmaduke, were encamped. In fact, this force Avas the advance of General Hindman's army, thrown out to dispute the advance of our forces. The men all knew full well that though their march had been but lightly contested through South Western Missouri and Ar kansas, that from that time forward they would have something else to do besides driving back pickets. So, when they made this march, the chances were that on the morrow their thanks giving dinner would be composed of lead, with sabres thrown in to help digestion. But these men were only too glad to have a chance at the common foe, alike to good government and hu manity. We marched all day and till late in the night of the 27th ; slept a few hours and resumed the march at daylight on the morning of the 28th. When within two or three miles of Cane Hill, our ears were greeted with the sound of the guns of the 2d Indiana Battery. Pushing forward at a double quick, we arrived just in time to help drive the enemy from his position around the College, which he had stubbornly maintained against the cavalry and artillery; but when the long line of gleaming bayonets of the 10th, 11th and 13th Kansas, and the 9th Wis consin flashed upon his sight, and when the musket balls began to whistle about his ears, he quickly gave up the contest at that point and retreated down the road, hotly pursued by the 2d and 3d Brigades, the 10th leading, and being entitled to the road, fol lowed close upon his heels, giving him no time to reform until he had passed through the town, which is a scattering village of Iavo or three miles in extent On the rising ground at the south 296 MILITARY HISTORY OF end of the village, the enemy again drew in line of battle, but the 2d Brigade moved up the road, the 10th leading the advance, the solid ranks and determined tread of the infantry again fright ened this chivalric cavalry, and they scampered off before the men could get even a single shot. Again the enemy retreated to the mountains, four miles south of the village, where he made a strong stand, holding the cavalry and artillery in check, but breaking on the first charge of the infantry. The enemy made two more stands, from Avhich he was quickly driven, and then, being thoroughly discouraged, fell back rapidly down the valley of Cove Creek to join Hindman's army. The last charge com pletely routed him, hurling him back over the Boston Moun tains, and pursuing him until darkness put an end to the battle. It does not necessarily belong to this history, but it is perhaps well to say here, that no more brilliant engagement was fought in the West, and the 10th had the pride of having another name in scribed on the folds of its banners, especially as it will be re membered that the enemy was full eight thousand strong, while the Union forces numbered only four thousand, and not over two thousand of these were actually engaged. Gen. Blunt's official report will show the number of casualties. The regiment went into camp at Cane Hill, but was suffered to remain quiet only a short time. It soon became apparent that Gen. Hindman's whole army was advancing. Our cavalry were constantly skirmishing with his advance, which moved up slowly, but with that steadiness and force which showed that there was something besides cavalry pushing the advance. Our cavalry contested every inch of the ground, while the infantry, the 10th included, were ordered out at short notice several times, in an ticipation of a general engagement. This, however, was not brought on until the 7th of December, although a part of the 2d and 11th Kansas were hotly pressed on the 6th, but held their ground. On the morning of the 7th the 10th was ordered out . on the Van Buren road to assist in checking the rebel advance and to support the 2d and 11th, then pressed by an overwhelming force of the enemy's cavalry. Scarcely had the regiment gone into line of battle at the far end of the village of Cane Hill, and had just began to move to the support of the forces engaged, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 297 when the startling intelligence reached them that Gen. Hindman, with his whole force, with the exception cf his cavalry at the mountain, by a night march, had passed up on the east, by what is known as the " Wire Road," completely flanking the 1st Division, and sandwiching himself between this Division and the other two Divisions of the Army of the Frontier, rapidly marching to its support. A retrograde movement was immedi ately made, the 10th, with the 1st Division, marching back by way of Rhea's Mills, taking a circuitous route, to reach General Herron's command, (the 2d and 3d Divisions), he being hotly engaged. Hindman, after having placed his army in the direct road leading from Cane Hill to Heiron's command, turned upon the latter for the purpose of crushing him before the 1st Division could come up. To reach Herron's command, the regiment had by the circuitous route indicated to march eighteen miles, which they made most of the way on the double-quick. Guided by the roar of Herron's artillery, they marched straight from Rhea's Mills to the right of his line of battle, where they immediately became engaged, opening the battle so far as the 1st Division was concerned. For the part the regiment took in this engagement, the follow ing Report of Maj. Williams, is here inserted and made part of this history: Headqr's. 10th Kansas Vol. 1nfantrat, ) Rhea's Mills, Washington Co., Ark., v December 10, 18G2. ) Lieutenant — I have the honor to submit the folloAving Report of the part taken by the 10th Regiment Kansas Volunteers in the battle of Prairie Grove, Sunday the 7th instant: The regiment entered the Grove on the enemy's left, by order of Col. Wm. Weer, commanding the 2d Brigade, about 3 o'clock, P. M. Upon entering the timber, which Avas very dense, I or dered Co. B, Captain Quigg, to deploy as skirmishers to find the enemy. They had but justformed, and the skirmishers advanced thirty yards, before the enemy opened on us, and the regiment was engaged under a terrific fire, which lasted for half an hour, when, by order of Gen. Blunt, I withdrew the regiment to the open ground adjoining the timber ; but after a few moments re- 38 298 MILITARY HISTORY QF spite, we moved again to the front, about thirty yards in advance of our former position, obliqueing our line of battle to the right, as the rebels had moved a large force to their left, extending far beyond our right. Our line -at this time was in a hollow or de pression in the ground, and the command by lying down, es caped most of the leaden hail which was hurled at them, by more than three times their number, for one hour and a half, exposed to a deadly fire during that time from the front and both flanks. It seems almost a miracle that the command Avas not annihi lated. About sunset the rebels charged Avith two regiments upon and turned our right flank, and I ordered the regiment to retreat which they did in good style, to the open ground in our rear. In the meantime, the 1st Kansas Battery, Lieut Tenney command ing, which was in our rear, opened upon the rebels obliquely across our right with canister, which checked the force of rebels extending beyond our right and sent them in disorder to the brush. The 10th then formed on the right of the Battery, when the rebels commenced playing upon us with a battery of artillery which they had planted on their extreme right, but it was quickly silenced by a feAv well-directed shots from Tenney's 1st Kansas Battery. By this time, it being quite dark, both parties ceased firing, and the engagement was ended. Lieut Phillips, Regimental Adjutant, and all the officers of the line present, behaved with gallantry and attended to their duties Avith promptness and decision. The non-commissioned officers and privates, also, with a Arery few exceptions, behaved nobly, and obeyed every command promptly and with a coolness wor thy of veterans. The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the regi ment during the action : Company A — Captain Milhoan commanding — forty-one in action. WOUNDED : 1st Lieut. Stephen J. Willis, hip, severely. Corporal T. B. Davis, thigh, severely. " Guy R. Butler, knee, slightly. " W. A. Simmons, arm, slightly. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 299 Private James W. Talbott, face, slightly. " David L. Bretsinger, face, slightly. E. C. Wager, face, slightly. Company B — Capt Quigg commanding — thirty-nine men in action. killed : Private Joshua Taylor. wounded : Private Andrew Frueling, severely. " John Pfahl, knee, severely. Charles Pringle, shoulder, severely. '• John M. Knight, neck, slightly. " Garrett A. Lenarts, breast, slightly. Wm. Walker, head, slightly. " Geo. W. Childers, ankle, slightly. " John Cook, leg, severely. Musician Christopher Trew, side, slightly. Company C — Capt. Brooks commanding — thirty-eight men in action. wounded : Private Christian Barhan, head, severely. " Samuel Strong, thigh, severely. John W. Wilhite, hip, slightly. Company D — Captain Hills commanding — forty-four men in action. wounded : Sergeant Elisha L. Main, face, slightly. Private Wm. Butner, lungs, mortally. Francis M Canfield, neck and shoulder, severely. " John W. Priddy, side, slightly. Company E — Capt. Broadhead commanding — fifty-three men in action. killed : Private Chas. D. Rice. , wounded : 1st Lieut David Schoen, arm, mortally. Sergeant John W. Flora, foot, severely. 300 MILITARY HISTORY OF Sergeant E. E. Oakley, shoulder, severely. Corporal C. E. Hearkins, arm, severely. " N. G. Barker, side, slightly. Private James Putnam, foot, slightly. " W. Baldwin, arm, slightly. " James Harden, shoulder, severely. " W. B. McClure, both arms, severely. " W. P. Ramsey, arm, severely. " B. Yates, hand, slightly. " J. Williams, head, slightly. D. H. Wheeler, wrist, severely. Company F — 1st Lieut. Cyrus Leland, Jr., commanding — for ty-seven men in action. wounded : 1st Lieut. Cyrus Leland, Jr., shoulder, slightly. 2d " John Bryan, side, slightly. Sergeant EdAvard Hoverson, 'eg, severely. Private E. J. B. Jones, arm, severely. Thomas P. Case, arm, slightly. Wm. C. Searcy, face, severely. Johm McTomny, arm., severely. Company G — Captain Harvey commanding — thirty-tour men in action. wounded : Sergeant Gregor Wohhvend, shoulder, slightly. Corporal Solomon Hastings, side, severely. " W. C. Harris, elb6w, slightly. Private John W. Burris, breast, slightly. " R. F. Young, leg, slightly. Company H— Captain Blanton commanding — twenty four men in action. killed : Private John W. Beck. wounded : Corporal C. G. Tait, arm, slightly. Private Judson Allen, shoulder, slightly. Thos. R. Buxton, thigh and leg, severely. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 301 Private Wm. M. Brady, leg, severely. " Alvin Briggs, head, slightly. " Wm. J. Brooks, knee, slightly. " Gordon Neeland, hip, slightly. " Wm. H. Patterson, neck, slightly. Company K — Lieut Sherrin commanding — forty-seven men in action. KILLED : Private Wiliam C. Calvin. " William C. Wilson. avounded : Corporal Austin George, leg, severely. Private A. Hammon, face, slightly. " John D. McCollough, arm, slightly. " Elisha Perkins, hip, slightly. "¦ Stephen Parsons, arm, severely. Ernest Schuman, head, severely. Company I Avas on detached service and not in the action. Total engaged, 387. Killed, 6. Wounded, 67. I have the honor to be, Your most obd't. serv't, (Signed.) H. H. WILLIAMS, Maj. Comd'g. 10th Kansas Vols, Lieut. J. K. Hudson, A. A. A. General, 2d Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Frontier. Considering the numerical strength of the regiment, the loss in killed and Avounded sIioavs considerable — about twenty-three per cent. This was the oldest regiment in the army, and of course was entitled to the post of danger; and it would seem that their se- selection proved sagacious in this respect, as the number of their casualties attest. The loss in killed on the field is not so great, but quite a number died afterwards of wounds received, among them Lieut. Schoen, who was one of the best officers in the regi ment. Lieut. Schoen was a German. When he came to this country, like all intelligent men of his section, he espoused the 302 MILITARY HISTORY OF cause of freedom. He was a good hater of the oligarchy of the South and their principles, and Avhen the war broke out he was one of the first to offer his services to the country of his adoption. He, with the ten or twelve others, whose death can be traced to the bloody day of Prairie Grove, sleeps in his last resting place. The shrill notes of "the bugle will no longer call them to duty. Their homes are in the narrow trench on the far-off rocky hills of Prairie Grove, but their memory, while it saddens, is still cher ished by the recollection of their;prowess on the battle field, and their sterling good'qualities of citizenship. Rest in peace. This battle of Prairie Grove was one of the hardest fought bat tles of the Avar, and when we consider the disparity in numbers, the Union army numbering only twelve thousand, while the enemy, according to Gen. Hindman's report, was twenty-eight thousand strong, with thirty pieces of artillery ; and considering that the enemy retreated 'during the n ight, leaving his dead and wounded on the field, showing his overwhelming defeat, speaks well for the courage and fighting qualities of the army. Con spicuous among these brave men and trained regiments was the 10th Kansas, and they will be pardoned, at least by soldiers, if they do, Avith a little honest pride, cite prominently to their friends in Kansas^.the part they performed in the battle of Prairie Grove, and the writer of this^narrative will be pardoned if he has traveled out of the direct history of the regiment, for the only possible way to show the deeds of this organization is to explain the surrounding circumstances, which consists mostly in the movements of the Division and Brigade of which it formed an integral part, and its history cannot be intelligently explained Avithout this circumlocution. After the battle of Piairie Grove, which was fought on the 7th day of December, 1862, the regiment marched back to Cane Hill, where it Avent into camp and remained until the 27 th of Decem ber. About this time the General commanding received news that Hindman had left a large portion of his army on the north side of the Arkansas River, at Van Buren, forty miles distant. The order was given to the 10th to march at daylight on the morning of the 27th. This was a very severe march, the infantry traveling tAventy-five miles on the first day, wading Cove Creek some twenty or twenty-five times, some of the time the water KANSAS REGIMENTS. 303 striking them to the waist, and this, too, in mid-winter. The other infantry regiments lost quite a number of men from this terrible exposure, whilst the 10th lost none from its effects, proving what Avas claimed in the early part of this history, that they were men of the very best physical constitutions. On the 28th of De cember the regiment arrived before Van Buren, and supported the 1st Kansas Battery while it shelled the enemy from his cov ert on the bank of the river. This dash on Van Buren gave the finishing touch to Hindman's army, he being driven across the river after an obstinate fight, Avith the loss of several killed and wounded, and three or four hundred prisoners captured. On the 29th, the 10th fell back with the Army of the Fron tier to Fayetteville. After remaining there a short time, they marched to Elm Springs, twelve miles north, and again went into camp, Avith the prospect of remaining some time. This de lusion, however, was quickly dispelled. After the repulse of the rebels at Van Buren, Marmaduke, Avith about six thousand cavalry, crossed back over the Arkansas River at Spadra Bluffs, near Clarksville, and marched, by way of Yell- ville, Arkansas, and Forsythe, Mo., to Springfield, Mo., and was well up to that town before Gen. Schofield (noAV the commander of the Frontier Army, and whose forces lay around Fayetteville and Huntsville) knew anything of the trick that he Avas playing. There being but a small force at Springfield, General Schofield ordered a Brigade of Cavalry and the 10th Kansas to make a forced march to that point, to relieve the garrison and raise the siege. Amid blinding snow and hail they marched north towards the belea guered town, making thirty-five miles a day, and actually break ing down the horses of a goodly number of the cavalry. On the approach of this force, Marmaduke raised the siege and struck off in an easterly direction. The Brigade of which the 10th formed a part followed and overtook the enemy at Sand Springs, thirty miles from Sprinfifield, when they easily drove him, he in his hurry running right into the command of Gen. Warren, who hurled him back into Arkansas much more rapidly than he had advanced. Thus the 10th was among the last who assisted in driving this bold raider from the Union lines, and deserves credit for its extraordinary marching, which conduced to the hurling of the enemy against Gen. Warren's command, giving that officer the 304 MILITARY HISTORY OF opportunity to give him the finishing stroke for that campaign. The 10th, after the routing of Marmaduke, marched back to Springfield, Avherefthey went into camp, and remained there until the 27th of February, 1863. During the time of the stay of the regiment at Springfield, Capt. Blanton resigned, February 2d, 1863, and was then mustered into the Veteran Reserve Corps. On the 15th of February, 1st Lieut. S. J. Stewart Avas promoted to Captain of Co. H vice Blanton, resigned ; and at the same date 2d Lieut Jas. H. Signor Avas promoted to 1st Lieut, vice Stewart promoted. On the 27th, we marched to a camp eight miles north of Mount Vernon, Avhere Ave halted for quite a period. On the 1st of March, 1863, 2d LieutAVilliam B. Keith was pro moted 1st Lieut. Co. E vice Schoen, deceased. On the 4th of the same month, 1st Sergt Levi Kittenhousravas promoted 2d Lieut Co. H vice Signor promoted ; and on the 10th, 1st Sergt. John E. Thorp was promoted to 2d Lieut, to fill a long standing va cancy. We remained in camp at the last nanied place until the 15th of March, when we marched to the White river country to check the advance of the enemy's cavalry, which \had rallied under Gen. Shelby, and were advancing on Forsythe, a village in Taney county. On the approach of our forces, now "under Col. Weer, the enemy tell back to his fastness in the White Rryer hills, and the regiment Avas saved the necessity of following any further in that direction. March 23d, 1863, Captain Greenville Watson, company K, resigned. It having been found that the enemy Avere in check by a por tion of the command, the 10th, along Avith two other Kansas regiments, Avas ordered to the vicinity of Fort Scott, that they might furlough a part of their men, giving them an opportunity to pay a short visit to their homes, and seek the rest they so much needed. So they marched to Avithin a few miles of the Kansas line, where they Avent into camp about the 1st of April, and a portion of the men were sent home for tAventy days. On the 3d of April, 1863, 1st Lieut Horace G. Loring, Co. K was promoted Captain, and on the same day, 2d Lieut John KANSAS REGIMENTS. 305 John Sherrin Avas promoted to 1st Liutenant vice Loring, pro moted. Also on the same day, Thos. McGannon was mustered as 2d Lieutenant Co. K vice Sherrin, promoted. On the 21st of April, 1st Lieut, and Adjutant Jas. A. Phillips Avas mustered out to accept promotion in the 1st Regiment, In dian Brigade, and was mustered on the 10th of July, 1863, as Major of that regiment. On the 23d of the same month, Sergeant Gregor Wohlwend was promoted to 2d Lieutenant vice Warner, resigned. On the 27th of April the regiment marched to Rolla, arriving there in due time, and was for a time incorporated in the army under General Herron, which Avas made up of the old Armv of the Frontier and several regiments from St Louis. On the 9th of May, Surgeon John W. Scott resigned. On the 29th of the same month, 1st Sergeant Solomon Smith, Co. E, 'was promoted to 2d Lieutenant vice Keith, promoted. On the same day, sd Lieut Thos McGannon Avas promoted to 1st Lieut and Adjutant of the regiment, and on the day foilcAving (the 3d) 1st Sergeant George W. May, same company, was promoted 2d Lieutenant vice McGannon, promoted. The regiment, trom the time of its arrival at Rolla until its de parture, was detailed on Provost duty, Capt Hill, Co. D, Provost Marshal of the town. On the 4th of June, 1863, the regiment received orders to pro ceed to St Louis, where it arrived, by rail, on the 8th of the same month. It was ordered east, to Indiana, to intercept the rebel Gen. Morgan; who was then making his celebrated raid on the north side of the Ohio. By the time of its arrival at Indianapolis, it was found that sufficient troops were in pursuit to deal with Morgan, provided they could come up with him. The regiment returned to St. Louis, Avhere it arrived on the 18th day of July, 1863. During the time it was in Indiana, Co. I Avas detached, and doing duty as Provost guard at St. Louis. In the month of August, the regiment moved by rail to Kansas City, Avhere Co. I rejoined it. During the time of the stay of the regiment at Kansas City, Co. K Avas detached in the month of September and sent to Topeka, Kansas, where it remained until November, when it marched to Fort Scott, Kansas. 39 306 MILITARY HISTORY OF On the 18th of September, J. Finn Hill, 1st Lieut. Co. I, Avas promoted to Major of the 14th Kansas Volvnteer Cavalry. In September, the regiment marched into the Sni Hills in pur suit of the guerrilla Quantrell, and his band of cut-throats. The pursuit, however, was unsuccessful, Quantrell and the main part of his command having, soon after his murderous raid on Law rence, marched south into the Indian Territory and Texas, elu ding the trap that was so well set by the 10th for him. The regiment remained on duty in and around Kansas City until January, 1864. On the 10th of November, 1863, Wm. B. Stone, 2d Lieut Co. A, Avas promoted to 1st Lieut, vice Willis, mustered out. On the 1st day of January, 1864, the regiment marched for Warrensburg, Mo., from which place they took rail for St. Louis. Arriving at the last named place, they Avere ordered to Alton, 111., to take charge of the military prison at that place. There is not much to record of the regiment while it lay at Alton. One company Avas detailed to take charge of a number of prisoners and transfer them to Fort Lafayette. It was a regu lar and monotonous routine of duty, little calculated to satisfy the martial ardor of the men, nor Avas it conducive to their health, as the rosters at that place show. Here the small pox, in its most severe form, attacked the regiment, and quite a number of the men died with the disease. On the 10th of March, 1864, 2d Lieut Gregor Wohl wend died with consumption. May 5th, 1864, the regiment was ordered to St. Louis, and ar rived the same day, when it was detailed as Provost guard of the city. On the 7th of June, 1864, Assistant Surgeon Henry H. Tuttle was promoted Surgeon vice Scott, resigned. In the month of July, Col. Wm. Weer was arrested and tried under various charges and specifications, and was finally dis honorably dismissedthe service. It is due to the memory of Col. Weer to say that the sentence of the court was, a year after wards, set aside. In the month of August, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth for the purpose of being mustered out of ser- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 307 vice, and after its arrival at that point was mustered out in the following order by 1st Lieut. J. R. Kemble, 3d U. S. Cavalry, mustering officer : Field and Staff , August 20, 1864. Lieut. Col. John T. Burris commanding. Company A, August 19, 1864. Captain Thomas E. Milhoan commanding regiment. Company C, August 20, 1864. Is Lieut. James H. Harris commanding. Company D, August 19,1864. 2d Lieut Levi Rittenhouse commanding. Company E, August 18, 1864. Captain John F. Broadhead commanding. Company F, August 19, 1864. Captain Nathan Price com manding. Company G, August 19, 1864. Captain James M. Harvey commanding. Company H, August 19,1864. Captain Samuel J. Stewart commanding. Company I, August 19, 1864. 1st Lieut. Seth M. Tucker commanding. Company K, Augusi 19, 1864. Captain Horace G. Loring commanding. Second Lieut. David Whittaker, at the time of the muster-out of his company was absent on detached service with an Exami ning Board at St Louis, which was convened per Special Orders, No. 358, from War Department, series of 1863, and was relieved from duty with the Board August 18, 1864, " his term of service having expired," which is all that is on file in relation to his muster-out of service. It will be seen that at the time of the muster-out of service at Fort Leavenworth, some of the companies were under the com mand of Lieutenants, and they from other companies. This is explained by the fact that the proper officers for the command of these companies, and other officers not mustered out at that time, 308 MILITARY HISTORY OF were already incorporated and mustered into the veteran organi zation, consisting of four companies made up out of the 10th under the folloAving order, to-Avit : Headqr's. Department of the Missouri, 1 St. Louis, Mo., August 15, 1864. j [Special Orders, No. 225.] ******* XIV. The reorganization of the veterans and recruits of the 10th Kansas Infantry, contemplated in Par. 3, Special Orders, No. 220, current series, from these Headquarters, having been per fected, the folloAvingis announced as the new organization of the regiment: The re-enlisted veterans of Cos. C, E, F, A and K, consolida ted Avith the recruits of Co. F, Avill form Co. A, to be officered as follows : Captain, Chas. S. Hills; Capt Co. D. 1st Lieut, Cyrus Leland, Jr., 1st Lieut Co. F. 2d Lieut, Robt. W. Wood, 2d Lieut. Co. D. The re-enlisted veterans of Cos. A, B, G and I, consolidated Avith the recruits of Co. I, will form Co. B, to be officered as follows : Captain, Wm. C. Jones, Capt. Co, I. 1st Lieut, John E. Thorp. 1st Lieut. Co. I. 2d Lieut, John Bryan, 2d Lieut. Co. F. The recruits of Cos. A, B, C, D, G and K will form Co. C, to be officered as follows: Captain, Geo. 0. Brook, Capt. Co. C. 1st Lieut, Wm. B. Stone, 1st Lieut. Co. A. 2d Lieut, Geo. W. May, 2d Lieut Co. K. The recruits of Companies E and H — forty-six men — will form Co. D, to be commanded by 1st Lieut F. A. Smalley, 1st Lieut Co. D. There being no Assistant Surgeon with the regiment, Surgeon H. D. Tuttle is retained in service and assigned to duty Avith the veteran regiment. Maj. H. H. Williams, 10th Kansas Infantry, is assigned to the command of the regiment. By command of Maj. Gen. Rosecrans. (Signed.) FRANK ENO, Assistant Adjutant General. The 10th Kansas Veteran Infantry was organized from the veterans and recruits of the 10th Kansas Volunteer Infantry on the 15lh day of August, 1864, pursuar.t to the above order, and composed of four Cos., viz : New Co. A, new Co, B, new Co. C KANSAS REGIMENTS. 309 and new Co. D. The regiment was commanded by Maj. Hemy H. Williams from its organization until the last of August, 1864, when he was detached and placed on duty in charge of Schofield Barracks, St. Louis, transferring the command of the regiment to 1st Lieut. F. A. Smalley, Co. D. October 20th, 1864, the regiment left St Louis, by rail, and ar rived at Pilot Knob, Mo. Upon its arrival at the latter place — October 24, '64 — Capt. George D. Brooke, Co. C, relieved Lieut Smalley in command. On the 2d day of November the regiment returned, striking the railroad above Franklin, and from there, by rail, to St. Louis, where they were assigned quarters at Benton Barracks, and re mained until November 7th, -1864, when they embarked on a transport and proceeded down the Mississippi and up the Ohio, to Paducah, Ky., arriving there November 12th, 1864. Here Captain Brooke was relieved in command by Captain William C. Jones, Co. B. ' The regiment remained in camp until Nov. 23d, when it re- embarked on transport and proceeded up the Cumberland river, arriving at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 28th, where it was immedi ately transferred to the cars and hurried off to Columbia, Tenn., at which place it arrived the next day, and was temporarily as signed to the 4th Army Corps, Gen. Stanley commanding. On the 28th and 29th of the same month, it fell back before the ad vancing army of Gen Hood to Spring Hill, a distance of eleven miles. Hood still kept advanciug, steadily pushing back the Union forces, and it was evident that something must be done to check his advance, or he Avould soon be in possession of Nashville. On the 30th, the regiment fell back to Franklin, Tenn. and engaged in the battle at that point. It is to be regretted that no official report of the part taken by the 10th in this battle is where it can be obtained; enough, hoAvever, is known by the writer of this article, who has had frequent conversations with Capt. Jones, the commander of the regiment at the time, to know that it performed an honorable part, losing quite a number of men, Avhich are not and cannot be accounted for in the schedule of the losses of regi ments in the Adjutant General's office. 310 MILITARY HISTORY OF December 1st the regiment fell back towards Nashville. On this retreat of Gen. Schofield, the 10th Kansas Avas one ot the regiments that covered the retreat, and were constantly skirmish ing with Hood's advance until Ave arrived in the vicinity of Nashville, where it commenced throwing up works for the de fense of the city. On the 8th of Dec, the regiment Avas trans ferred to the 17th Army Corps, Avhich Avas afterwards designated "Detachment Army of the Tennessee," changed to 16th Army Corps. The regiment remained in the main works and rifle pits, en gaged in continuous picket firing with the enemy until Dec. 16th, when they were deployed in front of the main line as Brigade skirmishers in the eventful assault of that day, joining the as saulting column in time for the final charge that routed and nearly destroyed Hood's veteran army. The following is the report of the part taken by the regiment in the battle ot Nashville: Headqr's. 10th Kansas Vrteran Infantry, \ 2d Brig., 2d Div., Det. Army of the Tenn., [• December 20, 1864. ) Lieutenant — I have the honor to report the part taken by the 10th Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the battle of Nash ville, Dec. 15th and 16th, 1864 : On the evening of the 24th instant, I received orders from Brigade Headquarters to move the following morning, at six o'clock, wiith three days' rations in haversacks and one blanket to the man. The command was immediately put in readiness to move in compliance therewith. At a few minutes after six o'clock on the morning of the 15th instant, I received orders from Lieut. W. G. Donnan, A. A. A. G., to move my command to the skirmish line, and relieAre the three companies then on that duty. I at once moved to the front and relieved them as directed, pla cing thirty men on the right under Lieut. Geo. W. May, and fifty more of Co. B on the left, under command of Lieut. J. E. Thorpe, holding in reserve Co. A, numbering seventy-seven men, twenty of Co. B and eight of Co. C, all under the command of Captain Geo. D. Brooke. At 9, A. M., I received orders from Lieut. Eis- enhart, A. D, C, to advance my line as soon as the skirmishers KANSAS REGIMENTS. 311 of the Brigade on my right came to the line. I ordered my line fonvard, moving to the front, without opposition, for about one hundred yards, when we came Avithin range of the enemy's skir mishers, which, for a moment, checked the advance of my line, but soon the men found shelter behind fences and logs and quickly dislodged the enemy's skirmishers from their entrenched position. My line then advanced, driving them back to their re serve, and to Avithin four hundred yards of their main works, Avhere we were again checked. I accordingly ordered the line re-enforced by thirty men, under command of Lieut John Bryan, which being thus strengthened advanced, driving the rebel skir mishers into their line of entrenchments, which being reached, his main line opened Avith canister, grape and musketry upon us. I then ordered the line re-enforced by seventy-five men of Co. A, under command of Lieut. R. W. Wood. As soon as the line was strengthened, the men found shelter behind trees and stumps, about two hundred yards from the enemy's line of works, so that they had perfect range upon that portion of his works in my front, completely silencing his battery which had given me so much trouble. I held this position until 4, P. M., when the main line came up. I then then drew off my skirmishers and joined my Brigade, which I found about three-fourths of a mile to my left. My loss was nineteen wounded. Surgeon H. D. Tuttle was ordered by the Brigade Surgeon, in the morning, to go to the front with a train of ambulances. On the morning of the 16th, I Avas ordered by Lieut. Wm. G. Donning, A. A. A. G., to form my command fifty paces in rear of the Brigade. When the advance was ordered, I moved the 10th Kansas in obedience to the above instructions, until the Brigade was halted under the shelter of a hill from the enemy's artillery. I then moved my command to within ten yards of the rear of the Brigade, where we lay under fire of the enemy's guns until 4 o'clock, when the charge Avas ordered, when the men sprang to their feet and advanced on a double-quick, until the enemy's parapets were scaled, following the routed foe to the foot of the mountains, about three-fourths of a mile in rear of his works. My loss was five men wounded. 312 MILITARY HISTORY OF Lieut. F. A. Smalley deserves great credit for his services and encouragement to the men. Respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) W. C. JONES, Captain Comd'g. Regt. Lieut W. G. Donnon, A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 2d Div., 16th A. C. Official: John E. Thorpe, Lieut, and Act'g. Adjutant. It will be seen by this report that the utmost faith was placed in this little handful of veterans, giving them the skirmish line to bring on the battle in front of the 2d Brigade. On the day following the battle (the 17th) the regiment engaged in the charge that completely scattered the remnant of the enemy, and sent him in the utmost confusion towards the Tennessee River, folloAving his Cavalry and infantry stragglers as fast as the condition of the roads would permit. The regiment reached Rutherford, Tenn., December 21st. Capt Chas. S. Hills, Co. D., having been relieved from duty in St. Louis, Mo., reached and assumed command of the regiment on the 21st On the following day the regiment moved to Co lumbia, Tenn., thence to Linneville, and thence to Pulaski, same State, reaching the latter place Dec. 27th, 1864. On the 29th day of December, the resignation of 1st Lieut Cy rus Leland, Jr., Co. A, was accepted, per Special Orders, No. 360, from Headquarters Department of the Missouri, series of 1864. At Pulaski the regiment left the main road and marched in a southwesterly direction, passing through Lawrenceburg, War- rensburg and Glendale, the command arriving at Clifton, on the Tennessee River — a distance from Nashville of one hundred and twenty miles — on the 2d of January, 1865. The march from Nashville to Clifton was one of the most se vere of the war. The roads were in the worst possible condition, and not a day passed without heavy, drenching rains, slept or snow. Every tent, blanket, and many of the great coats of the men were left in she ditches at Nashville. One-half of the com mand had worn out their shoes, and were compelled to march KANSAS REGIMENTS. 313 the last sixty miles literally barefooted, two days of the march the snoAV and sharp sleet being six inches deep. Yet not a man murmured during the entire march, and more strange still, none were sick. January 3d, the regiment remained in camp. On the next day (the 4th) it embarked on transports and proceeded up the Ten nessee River to Eastport, Miss., which place was reached Janua ry 7th, Avhere it went into camp. On the 9th of January, the regiment made a reconnoissance to Iuka, Miss., a distance of 10 miles, skirmishing Avith Forest's cavalry the greater portion of the Avay, and returned to camp the same day. January 20th, 1865, 1st Lieut. Fred A. Smalley, new Co. D, was mustered out of service by reason of having served three years. On the 22d of January, the regiment crossed the river at Cum berland and marched to Waterloo, Ala., a distance of six miles, Avhere it remained on outpost duty until February Sth. On the 25th of January, 1865, 2d Lieut. Robert W.Wood, new Co. A, was mustered as 1st Lieut, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Leland. On the 8th of February, the regiment embarked on the steamer Tarascon and proceeded with the fleet to Paducah, Ky., thence to Cairo, 111., where it arrived Febuary 10th, and thence to Vicks burg, Miss., reaching the latter place February 14th. Here it disembarked and went into camp in rear of the city, where it re mained until February 19th. It then re embarked and pro ceeded doAvn the river, passing Natchez on the 20th and arriving at New Orleans, La., February 21st, going into camp at Chal- mette, six miles below the city, where they remained until March 7th, 1865. In the meantime, Maj. H. H. Williams, on or about the 23d day of February, 1865, Avas mustered out per Special Orders, No. , series of 1865, Headquarters Department of the Missouri, he having been on detached service in that Department from the time he was relieved from duty Avith the 10th — August 16th, 1864. On the 1st day of March, 1865, Capt. Chas. S. Hills, new Co. A, was mustered as Lieut. Colonel vice Williams, mustered out. About the time that Maj. Williams was mustered out, forty- 40 314 MILITARY HISTORY OF seven drafted men and substitutes were assigned to Co. D, filling it to the dimensions of a company, which entitled the Battalion to a Lieutenant Colonel, and gave Capt. Hills the position. Soon after Hills' promotion, 1st Lieut Robert W. Wood was mustered in as Captain of Co. A vice Hills, promoted, and 1st Sergeant Porter M. Phillips Avas mustered as 1st Lieutenant of Co. A vice Wood, promoted. On the 7th, the command embarked on the steamer Empire City, passed down the river to the Gulf, and arrived at Fort Gaines, Ala., on the 8th of March. Here the regiment disem barked and Avent into camp on Dauphine Island, where it re mained until March 19th, Avhen it embarked on the gunboat Ni- anza, No. 42, and remained on board, anchored in Mobile Bay, until the morning of the 20th, when it joined the Corps fleet and proceeded up the Bay to the mouth of Fish River, and up that stream to Donnelly's Mills, a distance of forty-five miles from Fort Morgan. Here the regiment Avent into camp and threw up a line of earthworks, where it remained awaiting the arrival of the 1 3th Army Corps until March 25th, when they struck camp and marched seven miles through the sAvamps. On the 26th of March, the regiment was deployed as skirmishers in front of the entire army, and drove the enemy's outpost of six hundred cavalry eleven miles into their main works at Spanish Fort, with a loss of only two men wounded. March 27th, the 2d Division, including this regiment, was thrown around in the direction of Fort Blakely, and eight miles from that place, where the Division threw up strong earthworks and remained holding that point. April 1st, 1865, 2d Lieut. Geo. W. May, Co. C, was transferred to Co. D vice Smalley, mustered out. • On the 2d day of April, 1865, the regiment was again deployed as skirmishers in front of the Division, and skirmished eight miles through swamps to the right of Fort Blakely, and formed a junction with Gen. Steele, then marching in from Pensacola, Fla. On the 3d day of April, we invested Fort Blakely, threw up works, and commenced the siege, which continued with constant firing until April 9th, when the regiment Avas deployed from the rifle pits as skirmishers in front of the entire Brigade, who charged from the main works, and unaided by the main line, captured the entire line of the enemy's works in front of the Brigade. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 315 The following is the official report of the part taken by the 10th Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the action at Fort Blakely, Alabama: Headq'rs. Batt. 10th Kan. Vet. Vol. Infantry, \ Fort Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865. j Adjutant General of the State of Kansas : Sir — I have the honor to make the following report of the part in which the troops under my command participated in the assault on the enemy's works in rear of Fort Blakely, Ala.: At 10 o'clock, A. M., on the 9th of April, 1865, 1 received or ders from Brig. Gen. Gilbert, commanding Brigade, to hold my regiment in readiness to move at a moment's notice, which or der Avas at once transmitted to Co. commanders. At 1 o'clock, P. M., I received orders to move immediately to the outer line of works and relieve the picket then occupying them. A detail of fifty men under Lieut. Bryan were then already on the reserve skirmish line, and twenty-five men of the command were absent from camp Avith a working party. At 2, P. M., I occupied the outer picket line, relieving the old picket, and at 3, P. M., Lieut, Bryan reported to me Avith the picket reserve of fifty men. At 3:30, P. M., I was further strengthened by twenty-eight men, under 2d Lieut. U. S. Sims, Co. B, 27th IoAva, which completed the skirmish line in front of the entire Brigade, consisting of one hundred and forty-eight men, in the following order: Right wing, detachment Co. B, 27th Iowa and Co. B, 10th Kansas, under Capt. W. C. Jones of the latter, with Lieuts. U. S. Sims, 27th Iowa, and John Bryan, 10th Kansas, subordinate. Left wing, Cos. C and D, 10th Kansas, under Capt. Geo. D, Bro'oke Avith Lieut. George W. May, subordinate. Center, Co. D, 10th Kansas, under Capt. R. W. Wood, Avith Lieut. P. M. Phillips, subordinate. At 4, P. M, Gen. Gilbert notified me that the advance on the rebel works Avould be made at 5 o'clock, commencing on the left and continuing through the line, each man following the one on his left, my left immediately following the right of the 3d Brig ade skirmishers ; that I should advance my line with my right retired and drive the enemy's pickets from their pits, draw the fire of his main line, and ascertain his strength as well as his 316 MILITARY HISTORY OF weak point, and in the event that he should open on the line Avith spirit and expose it to too hot a fire, I should take advan tage of Avhatever cover the fallen timber and irregular ground of fered, and lie doAvn and await the arrival of the main line. At 5:30, P. M, the movement commenced as directed. The men leaping over our entrenchments, advanced on a run to the enemy's first line of rifle pits, which were abandoned without much resistance, as also Avas the second line. While descending the slope to the ravine which lay in my front, the enemy opened with a galling fire of artillery and musketry, using shell, spheri cal case, canister and grape, which induced me to look for shel ter in the ravine, in accordance Avith previous instructions, but which, on reaching, I found to be enfiladed, and affording no shelter whatever. For this reason no halt was ordered, our safety depending on breaking through the main works on my left, it possible ; if not, then at any point, take him on the flank and double him up. On gaining the high ground beyond the ravine, the firing became more rapid, and had it been well directed, would have been very destructive. No one in the line returned the fire, but each devoted his whole energy to reach the works as soon as possible. Climbing over fallen trees with scarce an effort, they cleared each line of abattis at a single leap, and scarcely noticing the ditch, mounted the parapets or poured through the embrasures at the recoil of the guns, which their last discharge had opened for them, and their line was broken. Turning the left of my line (which, after entering the Fort, had become a column) to the right, and being joined by those who had climbed the parapets, it swept doAvn on their flank with fixed bayonets with scarcely any opposition, the men throAving down their guns and surrendering, and officers waving white handker chiefs and delivering up their SAVords. Here, for the first time, I discovered that the left of the skirmishers of the Division of the 13th Corps did not conneet with my right, but had made an in terval of some eighty yards, and having a greater distance to pass over than my line, had not yet reached the works. Fearing that the enemy's line in their front, with those who had escaped from my column, might discover our weakness and give us trouble if allowed to concentrate, I pushed on down the line so that he might not have time to recover from his panic, when I found KANSAS REGIMENTS. 317 that m$r right had already captured the men and guns at the cen ter fort and the infantry support on the right, most of the left having been down the ravine to the rear, for the time escaped capture. A portion of the 13th Corps having now arrived, and all resistance being at an end and prisoners secure, I halted my command, reformed it, and rested the men until I received orders to join the Brigade. The distance from my right, Avhere it left the picket line, to Avhere it struck the enemy's works, was five hundred and fifty yards, and the length of Avorks captured five hundred and sixty yards. I am unable to give the exact number or rank of the prisoners captured by my command, as the suc cess of the assault depended upon its being rapidly followed up after the line was broken, and leaving the prisoners and trophies in other hands, which was done. I cannot, hoAvever, do justice to my command in fixing the number of prisoners captured by them at less than eight hundred, being one entire Brigade and two batteries, eight hundred stand of small arms and accoutre ments, and nine pieces of artillery, as follows : One 30 pdr. Par rot! gun, carriage and limber Avith chest; two 7 inch siege guns with carriages, and 6 field pieces with limbers. Below I give a list of casualties in the 10th Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry: COMPANY A KILLED : Sergeant George Dalton. Corporal John Buxton. Private Andrew Wilton. " William Agnew. wounded : Private B. F. Reed, severely. " W. R. Dykes, slightly. " S. Fraut, " COMPANY B KILLED: Corporal John W. Thompson. Private William Priddy. wounded : Lieut. John Bryan, thigh, severely. Prrivate Simpson B. Plummer, severely. " Moses Manser, shoulder, severely. 318 MILITARY HISTORY OF Private John Jellison, left arm, slightly. company c — wounded : Private Louis L. Lyle, thigh, severely. " Henry B. Newsom. hand, severely. " Robert Carter, right side, severely. " Isaac Nimmo, ankle, slightly. Total casualties in the regiment, 17. 27TH IOWA INFANTRY. Wounded — Sergeant J. Jackson, face and right shoulder se verely. The conduct of both officers and men during the assault and after the Avorks Avere carried, was most exceptionable, all seemed to know what was to be done, and vied with each other in doing it first. Not a man faltered or deemed himself incompetent to accomplish the task. To Lieut. John E. Thorpe, Acting Adjutant 10th Kansas Vet eran Volunteers, I am indebted for the general direction of the colors, and his efficient services in conveying orders under the most difficult circumstances. Of each officer Avhose name ap pears above I wish to make special mention for the cool and sys tematic manner with which they executed my orders and han dled their men ; to them I am greatly indebted. To each soldier I owe much for the success of the assault, and did space permit, would mention each by name Each officer is specially recom mended for promotion. Respectfully, Your most obd't. serv't, CHARLES S. HILLS, Lieut Col. Comd'g. Reg't It is due to this regiment that the following extract from the report of Gen. Gilbert, the commander of the Brigade in which it served at the battle of Fort Blakely, be inserted in this history : * * * * a The 10th KansaS) a little band of heroes, rushed forward as into the jaws of death, with a determination to conquer or die. * * * Too much praise cannot be be- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 319 stowed upon them. I am at a loss for words to express my ad miration of them and their gallant officers, and when I say that Lieut Col. Hills is worthy to command such men, language is exhausted in his praise." Such are some of the testimonials from brave and gallant offi cers under whom the 10th served. Its conduct could not but call out the praise of the gallant Gilbert The fact is, that this regi ment actually captured Fort Blakely, taking four times their number prisoners, and capturing nine pieces of artillery. Such heroism, croAvned with such results, is of rare occurrence, and it is doubtful Avhether the annals of the late war will show an act equal to it. Alone in the great army around Mobile, not another regiment from their own home, (Kansas), to assist them in main taining the fair name of their State, it devolved on the little band of the 10th veterans to see that the name of the Kansas soldiery was not tarnished by their neglect, and to extort their individu ality, so to speak, from that strange army. This they did; being, after the battle of Blakely, the favorite regiment of their Corps. The regiment remained in the captured Fort until April 13th, when the Corps, including the 10th, marched to Montgomery, Ala., via Greenville, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles, reaching Montgomery April 25th, where the regiment remained, performing duty as Provost guard at Corps Headquarters, and garrison at the post of Greenville, Ala., in the District of Mont gomery, with headquarters at the latter place, until August, '65. In the meantime, 2d Lieut. John Bryan died, May 14th '65, at New Orleans, La., of wounds received at Fort Blakely, Ala., April 9th, '65, and 1st Sergeant Wm. M. Wicks was mustered as 2d Lieut shortly afterwards vice Bryan, deceased. June 16th, '65, Capt. Geo. D. Brooke, Co. C, was mustered out of service by reason of expiration of term of service. July 1st, '65, 1st Ser geant Henry Banblets was mustered as 2d Lieut, to fill the va cancy occasioned by the promotion of Wood. On the 30th of August, '65, all armed resistance to the Gov ernment of the United States having ceased, the Corps to which the regiment belonged was discontinued, and many of the troops, including the three years men, not veterans, were mustered out, while the remainder, including the 10th Kansas Veterans, were 320 MILITARY HISTORY OF distributed through the southern and central portions of Alabama, as garrisons to the cities and towns, and affording protection, in the absence of civil law, to all classes, and also assisting the agents of the Treasury Department in securing to the Govern ment all property Avhich fell into its hands by the surrender of the rebel armies. The regiment was engaged in this duty until August 30th, when the Government having declared by orders from the War Department that their services Avere no longer re quired, they Avere mustered out of the service at Montgomery, Ala., and ordered to proceed to Fort Leavenworth, and there re port to the chief mustering officer of the State for final payment and discharge. In compliance with this order, the regiment started, " homeward bound," September 2d, 1865, and arrived at Fort LeavenAvorth, Kansas, on the 13th of the same month, where it remained until September 20th, 1865, Avhen it was dis charged and payment received. From the organization of this veteran regiment to the date of its leaving the service, officers and men throughout performed their various duties well and faithfully, whether in camp, on the long and tiresome march, in the skirmish, or on the battle field. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them for the true patriotism, fidelity and gallantry which they displayed on all occasions. In Avriting this history, the promotion of enlisted men, except in their own regiment, and their history, has not nor cannot be written without making this narrative too lengthy. Not but what they are entitled to the same consideration as the officers, but for reason of the possibility, as before mentioned, of running this document to too great a length. A more brave, patriotic and intelligent set of men were never mustered into the United States service — a better record was never made by the men of any regiment. From the time of their first fight at Big Dry Wood until, with gleaming bayonets, they scaled the rough parapets at Fort Blakely, no act of cow ardice or lack of patriotism tarnished their fair name. Their dead sleep on the wooded hills of Prairie Grove, on the plains around Nashville, and in the morasses of Mobile— their maimed and Avounded are in all our villages, but the memory of KANSAS REGIMENTS. 321 heroic deeds and lofty fidelity to principle still lives in the hearts of a grateful people, and the records of the office of the Adjutant General will hand down to a just and appreciative posterity their history without spot or blemish. 41 322 MILITARY HISTORY OF MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ELEVENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The Eleventh Regiment of Kansas Volunteers Avas raised in response to the call of the President of July , 1862 — follow ing the reverses of McClellan before Richmond — for 300,000 vol- unteers for " three years or during the war." The quota of Kan sas, under this call, was three regiments of infantiy. Contrary to usage, Hon. J. H. Lane, one of the Senators from Kansas, was authorized by the War Department to recruit this quota, and, under certain restrictions, to officer the troops Avhen mustered into service. The authority of the Governor of the State was en tirely ignored. On the 6th of August, Gen. Lane authorized Hon. Thomas Ewing, Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, to recruit one regiment of infantry in the counties of Leavenworth, Jefferson, Jackson, Shawnee, Waubaunsee, Pottawattomie, Ri ley, Davis, Morris, Lyon, Greenwood, Franklin and Anderson — comprising nearly one-third of the State — delegating him lull power to organize and officer the regiment when recruited. Judge Ewing at once established a regimental rendezvous near Fort Leavenworth, christening it Camp Lyon, appointed one or more active and energetic recruiting officers for each county of his District, and aided their efforts by a thorough canvass in person, speaking in nearly every county of the District, and in many at several different places. It Avas a time of great gloom and despondency. The State had already furnished ten regiments to the Union army from its sparse population. The foot-loose men were all gone. There remained only the men of families, farmers and m echanics, all poor and mostly but just fairly getting firm foothold in the State of their adoption. Several of the counties of the District were but recently organ ized? and all, but one, were thinly populated. The whole State Avas yet suffering from the effects of the Border War preceding her admission into the Union, and the more recent drouth and KANSAS REGIMENTS. 323 famine of 1860, which latter had lost to the State one-third of its total population and a greater proportion of its wealth. Threat ened Avith invasion from their old enemies, the Border Ruffians of Missouri, the disloyal Indians of the Cherokee and Creek na tions on the southern border, and by the wild Indians of the Plains from the Avest, the people of Kansas felt that to defend their OAvn soil Avould be the full measure of all just claims the Government could have upon them. The quota assigned under the last call for troops Avas felt to be onerous and unjust, and the opinion was very generally expressed by prominent men of the State that it could not be raised by voluntary enlistments. But the instincts of patriotism[prevailed. The crisis Avas everywhere regarded as the most imminent that had been presented during the war. The Union Avas especially dear to Kansas, who had just entered it, after a long struggle and through much tribula tion. The enemies of the Union were those who had oppressed Kansas and opposed her admission. The full quota was not only raised in an unprecedentedly short space of time, but the stimu lus given to recruiting furnished hundreds of recruits to the old regiments. The first recruit for the 11th was enlisted on the 8th of August, on the 29th Co. A was mustered in, one hundred strong, and two days later Avas followed by Co. B. On the 14th of September the last company was filled and mustered and the regimental or ganization completed. Many of the men were enlisted one hun dred and fifty miles from the rendezvous, and yet suchjwas the rapidity in recruiting, the promptness in forwarding recruits to the regimental rendezvous, the admirable forethought which per vaded arrangements at headquarters and the superintendence of Judge E\ving, that the entire regiment was recruited, organized, mounted and equipped for active service in less than a 'month after recruiting began — the quickest work of the kind ever done in Kansas. The company officers were chosen by the enlisted men of the respective companies, and the field officers by the company offi cers. Judge Ewing was unanimously chosen Colonel, Captain Thomas Moonlight, Lieutenant Colonel, and P. B. Plumb, Cap tain Co. C, Major. The regimental staff was appointed by Col. Ewing, as follows: John Williams, Adjutant; J. R. McClure, 324 MILITARY HISTORY OF Quartermaster; J. W. Hogeboom, Surgeon; R. M. Ainsworth and J. D. Adams, Assistant Surgeons. The first company offi cers were as follows : Company A — Capt, Lyman Scott, Jr. ; 1st Lieut., Jno. Owens ; 2d do., Henry E. Palmer. Company B — Capt, Martin Anderson ; 1st Lieut, Smith 2d do., Louis F. Green. Company C — Capt., P. B. Plumb, (succeeded on the 25th of September by Lemuel T. Heritage); 1st Lieut, Henry Pearce ; 2d do., Wm. V. Phillips. Company D — Capt, Jerome Kunkel ; 1st Lieut, Elias Gibbs; 2d do., Peleg Thomas. Company E — Capt, Edmund G. Ross ; 1st Lieut, Chas Drake ; 2d do., Nathan P. Gregg. Company F — Capt., Jacob G. Rees ; 1st Lieut, Jno. G. Lind say; 2d do., Geo. W. Simons. Company G — Capt., Nathaniel A. Adams; 1st Lieut, Gren ville L. Gove ; 2d do., Alfred C. Pierce. Company H — Capt, Joel Huntoon; 1st Lieut, Harrison Han nahs ; 2d do., John W. Ridgway. Company I — Capt, Lewis D. Joy ; 1st Lieut, Josiah B. McAfee; 2d do., Wm. Y. Drew. Company K — Capt., John M. Allen ; 1st Lieut., Josiah M. Hubbard ; 2d do., Henry C. Haas. Of the officers of the regiment, a number had previously served in the Union army. Lieut. Col. Moonlight had served as Cap tain of artillery and A. A. G. ; Quartermaster McClure as Captain in the 2d Kansas ; 2d Lieut. H. E. Palmer as Corporal in Moon light's Rattery ; 1st Lieut. Smith in the Army of the Potomac; 2d Lieut. L. F. Green as Chaplain of Col. Nugent's regiment ; Capt. Heritage as 1st Lieut in the 9th Kansas Cavalry ; Lieuts. Pearce and Phillips as Corporals in the 2d Kansas ; Lieut. Elias Gibbs as private in the 2d Kansas ; Lieut. N. P. Gregg as private in the 2d Kansas ; Lieut. Lindsay as Lieut, in the 2d Kansas ; Lieut G. L. Gove as Corporal in the 6th Kansas Cavalry; Lieut J. W. Ridgway as private in the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, and Lieut Wm. Y. Drew as Corporal in the 2d Kansas. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 325 All the officers of the regiment, save Lieut. Col. Moonlight and Surgeons Hogeboom and Ainsworth, had actively participated in recruiting the regiment. Col. Moonlight had been a soldier in the regular army, had served Avith distinction as commander of a battery in 1861, and was now A A. G. on the staff of General Blunt, commanding Department of Kansas. He was regarded as one of the most accomplished soldiers in the West, and was chosen to the position of second in command that the regiment might have the advantage of his military experience. The regiment lay in camp waiting for Enfield rifles and the promised advanced pay and bounty, Avhich had been applied for by the proper officers, when an order came from Gen. Blunt, im mediately following the second battle of Newtonia, to proceed forthAvith by forced marches to join the Army of the Frontier, then pursuing the rebels soutrnvard. Neither money or arms had yet arrived. A large majority of the regiment consisted of married men Avhose families sorely needed the advance pay and bounty. Anangements Avere therefore made by Col. Ewing with bankers in Leavenworth City to furnish the necessary means for the payment of the men. The only infantry arms at Fort Leav enworth were a lot of Fremont's Prussian Muskets, manufactured in 1818, of antique pattern, extra large calibre, and one-fourth heavier than either the Enfield or Springfield musket. These were hastily draAvn andissued,and on the 4th of October, twenty days after its organization, the Eleventh Regiment, with eager steps, started on its first campaign. The march to Fort Scott, one hundred and twenty-five miles, was made in five days, where the regiment lay until the after noon of the 15th, waiting for supplies and an ammunition train designed for Gen. Blunt. Leaving Fort Scott, accompanied by a section of Blair's Battery, and having in charge the ammunition train, the regiment proceeded, by way of Dry Wood, Preston? Carthage, Newtonia, Stony Comfort and Keetsville, Mo., to Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the locality of Gen. Curtis' celebrated battle with the rebels under Price and Van Dorn, where the Army of the Frontier had been consolidated under Gen. Schofield, arriving on the 19th. The regiment was reviewed on its arrival by Gen. Schofield, hospitably dined by the 10th Kansas, assigned to Gen. 326 MILITARY HISTORY OF Blunt's Division — the 1st — and by him assigned to the 3d Brig ade, commanded by Col. Cloud, of the 2d Kansas Cavalry. The march had been forced, and one that tried the men more than any subsequent one they ever made; but there was no rest in store for them iioav. Gen. Blunt believed in night marches and surprises. The night of the 20th, the 1st Division marched to Bentonville, and the next night to the vicinity of Old Fort Wayne, C. N., Avhere General Cooper lay with a force of three thousand men, preparing for a raid on Fort Scott General Blunt attacked at daylight Avith his cavalry advance, and so complete was the surprise that a handful of cavalry routed the Avhole force and captured four pieces of artillery. The principal charge was led by Capt. Crawford, of the 2d Kansas, subsequently Governor of the State. The 1 1th had the infantry advance, and double quicked six miles to be in time. The men, in their eagerness to be on hand, threAv away overcoats and everything that impeded their movements, but arrived on the field only in time to see the enemy's rear disappear, pursued by the cavalry. The month next succeeding Avas spent in comparative idleness. From Fort Wayne the Division moved to Little Osage, 6 miles south of Bentonville, Avhere Cos. D and E of the 11th, under the command of Maj. Plumb, Avere detailed on a foraging expedition to BroAvn's Mill, ten miles south, charged with the duty of run ning the mill and foraging the surrounding country, for the pur pose of replenishing the exhausted commissariat of the Division. This duty occupied about two weeks time, was thoroughly per formed, and further resulted in the destruction of large stores of rebel leather, intended for Hindman's shoeless army, and in the exodus of a large party of Unionists — black and white — to Kan sas, transportation being furnished by their secesh neighbors. On the 14th of November, the Division moved southward to Flint Creek, near the west line of Arkansas, Avhere it lay for a couple of weeks, almost without rations, waiting for the arrival of com missary supplies from Fort Scott. The night of the 27th the supplies were received, three days' bread and meat issued and placed in haversacks, eighty rounds of ammunition put in the boxes and knapsacks, and early next morning the whole dispo sable force moved, without transportation, for Cane Hill, forty miles south, where the rebel GeneralMarmadukelay with a force KANSAS REGIMENTS. 327 of six thousand cavalry and a battery of artillery. The march was accomplished and the attack made at 1 1 o'clock the next day, the 11th leading the infantry advance. After a short re sistance, the enemy retreated fromt he town, but made a desperate stand on the east of the Boston Mountains, four miles to the south, from Avhich he Avas duly driven after stubborn fighting, which continued for six miles through the forests and ravines of the mountains to the junction of the Fayetteville and Cane Hill roads, where the action Avas closed at nightfall by a brilliant charge of the 6th Kansas Cavalry, led by Lieut. Col. Jewell, who was mortally wounded, leaving the enemy in full retreat for the Arkansas River. The victory Avas both bloody and decisive, but only a foretaste of Avhatwas in store. The 11th deserved and re ceived the enconiums of the commanding General for its veteran like behavior in the action. The army returned to Cane Hill next morning and Avent into camp while the transportation was brought up from Flint Creek. At Cane Hill a printing office had been found and pitched into the street by the rear guard. When the 11th returned to town, the type was scattered about in the most incomprehensible "pi," and trampled under foot by cavalry, artillery and infantry. The 11th had its share of printers, and under the direction of Major Plumb and Capt. Ross, both old typos, the pi was gathered up, assorted and the first number of a neAvspaper printed bearing the suggestive title of " Buck & Ball." It Avas intended to issue on Saturday, the 6th, and in due time the outside, being of that date and mainly filled Avith a diary of the marches and operations generally of the 11th to that time, was printed. The inside was all up, being largely composed of an account of the battle of Cane Hill, with, of course, the usual digs at the fugacious "rebs," but not worked off, when all operations of that character were sum marily suspended by the approach of the enemy, and the prepa rations for battle. Sunday morning, the 7th, as the rear guard of the 1 1th passed through town, on its Avay to meet Hindman at Prairie Grove, the officer in charge put the printed sheets into an ambulance, where they remained until after the great battle and the return of the regiment to Cane Hill, when they were taken out, the office again picked out of "pi," and the inside 328 MILITARY HISTORY OF printed, containing accounts of both battles and bearing date the 15th, eight days later than the date on the outside. The Division had hardly got comfortably in camp at Cane Hill before word Avas brought that Gen. Hindman was crossing his infantry to the north side of the Arkansas River to join the cav alry under Marmaduke for an offensive movement. The 2d and 3d Divisions were over one hundred miles to the rear ; the 1st Division consisted of barely five thousand men, all told, of which over one thousand were Indians, and only about tAvo thousand were infantry; while the joint forces ot Hindman and Marma duke Avere over twenty-five thousand, of Avhich all but five thousand Avere infantry, newly armed with Enfield riflles. Gen. Blunt having despatched for the 2d and 3d Divisions, deter mined to aAvait their arrival where he then was, though the ene my had but one-half the distance to march that his reinforce ments had. Saturday morning, the 6th of December, at daylight, the picket at the junction of the Cane Hill and Fayetteville roads, six miles from the former place, Avere driven in, and during the day skirmishing between the cavalry advance of the enemy and - our pickets Avas continued until near night, when, the picket having been reinforced by Co. H of the 11th, a desperate strug gle took place for the possession of the summit of the mountain Avhich the rebels had surrendered so unwillingly at the battle of Cane Hill. The overwhelming numbers of the rebels finally prevailed, and darkness put an end to the contest. The conduct of Co. H, in this struggle was the theme of enconium through^ out the Division. While it lost largely in its brave but vain en deavor to hold ground against greatly superior numbers, the loss of the enemy was afterwards ascertained to have been more than tour times greater. Saturday night the rebels passed a strong column of infantry up the Fayetteville road, and by the time the movement was dis covered, Hindman's whole force was practically in Gen. Blunt's rear, and had encountered the 2d and 3d Divisions under Gen, Herron, on their Avay to reinforce Gen. Blunt, at the crossing of the Little Illinois, twelve miles northeast of Cane Hill. At 10 o'clock Sunday morning, Gen. Blunt began falling back from Cane Hill to join Gen. Herron, and at half-past 2 the Di vision arrived on the battle field, where for nearly five hours Gen. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 329 Herron, with an available force of scarce five thousand men, had been contending, with varying success, against a force outnum bering his three to one, and constantly increasing. The last five miles of the march of Gen. Blunt's Division was made to the music of the raging battle and at double-quick, the regiments vieing with each other for the honor of being the first to get into the fight. The 1 1th had the infantry advance and held it through the race, though close croAvded by the 10th, which finally came first under fire, owing to its position on the extreme right, being farther advanced Avhen the line of battle was formed. „ It was a critical moment for Gen. Herron ; he had been fight ing against large odds, and the battle, for an hour, had gone sorely against him. The remainder of Gen. Hindman's infantry had just arrived, and these, numbering about ten thousand, with Mar maduke's cavalry, were moving west to throw themselves upon Herron's right flank. It was at this juncture that the first Divis ion arrived on the field, and forming on the right of Herron's line, but with an interval between of three, or four hundred yards, met the onset of the fresh rebel force. The main portion of Gen. Blunt's line was formed in a thick woods, at the foot of a slight ascent, the left extending into an open field, Avhere were Rabb's and Hopkins' batteries, supported only by the left Aving of the 11th and a feAv dismounted men of the 2d Kansas Cavalry. The two wings of the 11th were separated by an interval of about two hundred yards, the right being in the woods, under the direct command of Col. Ewing, and the left in the field, under command of Lieut. Col. Moonlight. The enemy's skirmishers were speedily driven back over the rise, and the whole line ad vanced about half way up the ascent, when they Avere ordered to fix bayonets for a charge as soon as the crest should be reached. The men had been ordered to lie down, to await further develop ments of the enemy's position and numbers, and just as the or der for a further advance had been given, the rebels, who had been concealed in the thick woods beyond, charged over the brow of the hill, massed four ranks deep. They were received with a valley which checked their advance temporarily. ¦ A terrible struggle ensued. The weight of numbers was with the rebels, three to one. To counterbalance this, our artillery was superior in weight of metal and in the manner in which it was served. 42 330 MILITARY HISTORY OF Our line was gradually forced back, and though sometimes bro ken was afterwards re-formed, to a line of fence skirting the woods, where the last desperate stand was made just before night fall, and the position held by a few resolute men, until the rebels gave up the contest and fell back under cover of the darkness- Several times the rebels essayed the capture of our batteries in the open field, but were as often driven back with terrible slaugh ter. Gen. Hindman's order for the battle directed that the cav alry be posted in the rear of the infantry to act as file closers, with instructions to shoot all stragglers, and so all day the sur ging mass of rebel infantry was croAvded forward Avith desperate vehemence and recklessness, Avith certain death behind if they quailed, and incited by the hope of revenge and plunder in case of victory. The 11th came off the battle field Avith ranks thinned but un broken, having fired the last shot of the contest, under orders from Gen. Blunt to form a new line of battle in the rear of the position where the last victorious stand was made, and where the broken and scattered fragments of the Division had been gathered. The action was not regarded as decisive, and all night preparations were going on for the encounter that Avas expected on the mor row. The supply and baggage trains were all sent from Rhea's Mills to our rear at Fayetteville, and the guard, consisting of the 9th Wisconsin Infantry, part of the 6th and 9th Cavalry, and 3d Indian, were added to the forces on the field. Provisions and ammunition Avere brought up and distributed, and every prepa ration made for a more desperate contest than that which had just closed. About daylight a message came from Gen. Hindman to Gen. Blunt, under cover of flag of truce, asking for a personal interview, and shortly after daylight an interview was had, which, of course, suspended for the time being the operations of our army, which was to have attacked at that hour. The interview was soon discovered to be a mere ruse to gain time, the rebels having evacuated their position seemingly early in the night, and now being miles away. Gen. Hindman stipulated for two hours' truce to get away himself, which Gen. Blunt granted. The Union loss in killed and wounded was about twelve hun dred, of which the 11th had its full share, and from among the best and bravest in its ranks. That of the rebels Avas about two KANSAS REGIMENTS. 331 thousand, five hundred, of which all the dead and two-thirds of the Avounded, fell into our hands. By agreement between Gens. Blunt and Hindman, the battle was named Prairie Grove. It was one of the bloodiest and by far the most decisive of the bat tles fought in Arkansas during the Avar, and was equivalent to a rout in its effect upon Hindman's army, as not less than three thousand of his men deserted after the battle, and found their Avay within our lines, or escaped beyond them to their homes in Missouri, and never after, during the Avar, did the rebels have an army of all arms north of the Arkansas River. The official reports of Cols. Ewing and Moonlight of the part taken in the battle by the 11th, and furnished to General Blunt, were inadvertently omitted from the regimental books. An ex tract from Gen. Blunt's report of the battle is, hoAvever, herewith appended, which shows the estimation of the service of the regi ment in the mind of the General commanding. A couple of days after the battle the regiment, along with a ma jor portion of the Division, returned to its old camping ground at Cane Hill, Avhere it remained until the 27th, when it went with the army to Van Buren, on the Arkansas River, fifty miles south, in search of the rebels. No transportation was taken, and each man carried six days' cooked rations and his blankets. The first tAventy miles of the march Avas through a gorge of the Boston Mountains, known as the Cove Creek road, crossed and recrossed by a sAvift mountain stream over forty times, through which the men Avaded heavily laden, often swept from their feet and losing rations and blankets, until far into the night Many died from the effects of this exposure, and the remembrance of it is still in the bones of many more. Hindman had prudently put the Arkansas River between him and danger, leaving only a regiment of cavalry on the north side, which was surprised and annihilated. There was some artillery fighting across the river, four steamboats loaded with stores and rebel sick and Avounded were captured and destroyed, the pris oners being paroled, and after unavailing attempts to get Hind man within striking distance, on the 31st the army started on its return, accompanied by about five hundred contrabands and a few Union refugees. The transportation was joined at Rhea's Mills, where Gen. Schofield relieved Gen. Blunt, and the army 332 MILITARY HISTORY OF marched to Elm Springs, twelve miles northwest of Fayetteville, Avhere it lay about two weeks, Avhen another forward movementwas inaugurated, this time against Little Rock via Batesville ; but the first thirty miles only Avere marched, when Gen. Curtis ordered a return to the vicinity of Springfield, Mo., to remain until spring. The roads Avere horrible, snow and rain alternating every day, the streams swollen, and weather bitterly cold. White River, the most considerable stream in northern Arkansas, was to be crossed, and it Avas very high and the current rapid. There were neither bridges, ferries or pontoon trains. While the Division com mander was exhausting his ingenuity in fruitless expedients, Col Ewing made a detail of competent men from the 11th, procured lumber and a cable chain from a neighboring mill, and in ten hours time built a first class ferry boat, that took the army over swiftly and without loss. The first halt was made at Crane Creek, thirty miles south of Springfield. Here the measles broke out in camp Avith great violence, causing many deaths. Sick ness of all kinds was very prevalent. The locality came to be spoken of in the regiment as " The Valley of the Shadow of Death." About the middle of February a move was made to a point fifty miles west of Springfield, in Lawrence county, which is commonly knoAvn as Camp Solomon. On the 16th of March a dispatch was received from Washington announcing the ap pointment of Col. Ewing as Brigadier General, which caused great rejoicing, the Colonel being very popular with the regi ment On the recommendation of Gen. EAving, the Regimental Adjutant, Lieut Williams, was soon after appointed Captain and A. A. G. On the 17th, the Division started for Forsythe, reported belea guered by the enemy ; but on reaching James River, it was as certained to be a false report, and in pursuance of a previous or der of Gen. Schofield, all the Kansas troops of the Division Avere ordered to march to the vicinity of Fort Scott for the purpose of being furloughed. On the 27th the major portion were sent to the localities where recruited under charge of company officers, with orders to report back at the expiration of thirty days. At the expiration of this leave, the regiment marched from Fort Scott to Salem Mo., and joined the remainder of the Army of the Frontier, Gen. Ewing having been assigned to the com- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 333 mand of the First Division. This arrangement, however, lasted but a few days. The infantry and artillery of the 2d and 3d Di visions Avere sent to reinforce , Gen. Grant at Vicksburg, the cav alry mostly Avent to the vicinity of Cape Girardeau, to look after Marmaduke, and Avhat Avas left of the 1st Division was marched to Rolla, thence to be scattered widely and known to each other no more. Gen. EAving Avas sent to command the District of the Border, headquarters at Kansas City, including SouthAvestern Missouri and most of Kansas, the location of the principal guer rilla disturbances, and thence, soon after, Aventthe 11th, arriving in Kansas City about the 20th of April. The regiment had uoav been in service about nine months, and its ranks Avere sadly thinned, having lost over three hundred men and being reduced below the minimum number. The authority of appointment in the regiment having been previously relinquished by the War Department, on the promo- tion'of Col. Ewing, Lieut. Col. Moonlight had been promoted to be Colonel, Maj. Plumb to be Lieut. Colonel, and Capt. Ander son, of Co. B, to be Major ; but owing to the regiment being be low the minimum, these officers could not muster. Soon after its arrival at Kansas City the regiment was mount ed by order of Gen. Schofield, and in August, on recommenda tion of Gens. Ewing and Schofield, it was changed from infantry to cavalry, Avith authority to recruit two new companies. The regiment had by this time been recruited above the minimum strength of infantry, but the change to cavalry prevented the mus ter of other field officers except a Major. Capt. Anderson was mustered as Major, and R. J. Harper, of Co. G, as Lieut, and Commissary. The order mounting the regiment, and the subsequent one changing it to cavalry, were both intended by Gen. Schofield as complimentary, and a reward for service theretofore rendered, the change being earnestly desired by nearly the entire regiment. Renewed efforts were noAV made to fill all the old companies to the cavalry maximum and recruit the two new companies, as required by the War Department, which were not, however, wholly successful until the following spring. MeanAvhile the regiment was doing the arduous and danger ous, but thankless duties of the Border service — scattered a com- 334 MILITARY HISTORY OF pany or two in a place, escorting trains, policing the country, hunting bushwhackers, a service more than any other calculated to stimulate individualism among the soldiers and destroy disci pline, calling for rare watchfulness, constant exposure, self-reli ance, and personal daring, Avith no reward save the conscious ness of duty faithfully done. Until the men became acquainted with the country and the, to them, neAV mode of warfare, and skilled in the mounted service, the bushwhackers "held their own;" but finally the tables were turned. The bushwhackers no longer had a monopoly of way side and creek crossings, am bushes and stealthy night marches and surprises of camps; the country became too hot for them, and in September Quantrell fled with his forces to Texas. The experience necessary for vic tory was dearly bought, being paid for with the lives of many brave and good men ; but once gained, its effect was never lost. Quarter Avas neither given or asked on either side, Avhich made all the contests of the most sanguinary character. Notwithstanding the constant temptation, the men never fell into excess, and in the substantial elements of discipline, the character of the regiment Avas as well, maintained during its bor der service as before. In the latter part of September the rebel General Shelby made a cavalry raid into Central Missouri, Avhich caused a temporary concentration of the available troops in the District of the Border for his pursuit and expulsion. Most of the 11th participated in this campaign to its close. A threatened rebel raid from the Cherokee country by Stand Waitie, in December, caused Gen. Ewing to send a portion of the 1 1th, under command of Maj. Plumb, to the southern border of Kansas, Avhich remained, scouting, escorting trains to Fort Gib son, etc., until the following August, when the companies were returned for service to the eastern border of the State. During the winter and early spring, Sergeants Henry Booth, Jacob Van Antwerp and William Booth, of Co. G, recruited a company of men in the vicinity of Fort Riley, which was mus tered as Co. L of the 11th, with these gentlemen as Captain and 1st and 2d Lieutenants, respectively. During the same time, Capt. E. G. Ross, of Co. E, stationed at LaAvrence, recruited one KANSAS REGIMENTS. 335 full company and fifty additional men for the old companies, which raised them above the cavalry minimum. This company was mustered as Co. M, with 2d Lieut. Nathan P. Gregg, of Co. E, as Captain, and Sergeants Joseph Green and Henry C. Lind say, of the same company, as 1st and 2d Lieutenants, respectively. The regimental organization Avas now completed by the commis sion and muster ot Lieut Col. Moonlight as Colonel, Maj. Plumb as Lieutenant Colonel, and Oapts. E. G. Ross, of Co. E, and N. A. Adams, of Co. G, as Majors. The regiment, now over twelve hundred strong, was all sta tioned in Kansas. Co. L Avas engaged in the Indian service, headquarters at Fort Riley ; Co. G was body guard for Gen. Cur tis, commanding Department of Kansas, headquarters at Fort Leavenworth. This company was said to be the best drilled and disciplined of any company on duty in the Department Cos. C and F were stationed on the southern border, and the remaining companies were stationed along the eastern border and at LaAv rence, under command of Col. Moonlight, Avho also commanded a sub-District, headquarters at Paola. The service was so well performed that there were no invasions ot Kansas during the en tire summer, though the guerrillas were in usual force over the line in Missouri and in the Indian Territory. The part taken by the 11th in what is popularly knoAvn as the " Price Raid," is well set forth in Col. Moonlight's report as com mander of tne 2d Brigade, Army of the Border, and only an out line will be here added. With the remaining available troops of the Department of Kan sas, ten companies of the 11th rendezvoused at Hickman's Mills on the 12th of October, 1864. Co. L remained at its station on the frontier, and Co. G, though on duty in the campaign as body guard to Gen. Curtis, as scouts, messengers, and at the battle of Little Blue as support to a howitzer battery, did not report to regimental headquarters. Col. Moonlight having been assigned to the command of the 2d Brigade, composed in part of the 11th, Lieut. Col. Plumb commanded the regiment. Majs. Anderson and Ross each commanded a battalion. Maj. Adams was on detached service as Inspector of the Northern District of Kansas. In all the marches and battles of the eventful campaign that 336 MILITARY HISTORY OF followed, the 11th bore prominent and honorable part. It had the advance of Gen. Blunt's forces in the dash on Lexington. Cos. A, B and F occupied advanced positions on the line of rebel approach to the city, and held them until surrounded, and then fought their way out and rejoined the command after they had been given up as entirely lost The regiment alone covered the perilous retreat of the army from Lexington on the 19th of Oc tober, in a series of desperate contests Avith overAvhelming num. bers in a manner to fully accomplish the object aimed at and to Avin the special commendation of the cemmander-in-chief. Be ing left alone to guard the crossings of the Little Blue, while the main force fell back to Independence, two days after the fight at Lexington, it had the honor of opening the battle to Avhich that stream gives its name, and which, though temporarily a victory for Price, Avas so dearly bought in the losses from his ranks as well as the delay occasioned him, as to be really a bad defeat. The infantry experience of the regiment proved of great service in this battle, as the men were dismounted and fought on foot nearly the entire day. Cos. B and I charged over a stone wall, behina Avhich a superior force of the rebels had entrenched them selves, killing and capturing nearly the whole lot. Co. M, now under fire for the second time, bore itself Avorthy the old-time repu tation of the regiment, standing at the head in the number of its killed and Avounded, among the latter its Captain. Co. E had in charge a battery of four howitzers, which were served in a gal lant manner and with great effect. Co. H held an important ford, singly and alone, until late in the day, saving much to our right flank, which it thus covered. Co. A made a brilliant charge, unmounted, doAvn a narrow lane early in the action, clearing it of rebels, and helping Co. F to obtain an advanced position, which it reached under a galling fire. Cos. C, D and K held the centre and Avere last off the field. Finally, when the retreat was ordered, the regiment was again assigned the duty of covering the rear, which it did with its usual fidelity and success, enabling the army to place itself in a place of safety behind the line of the Big Blue. The continual assignment of the regiment to the most difficult and dangerous duty in the advance in offensive movements, and to the rear in retreat, showed the reliance which was KANSAS REGIMENTS. 337 placed upon it The battle of Little Blue, though a loss of ground, was really a victory in the detention of the rebels a whole day, which enabled Pleasanton to strike their rear. The Union forces in this battle did not exceed twenty-five hundred, while the reb els numbered twelve thousand, all of whom came into action be fore its close. The next day the regiment participated in the battle of Big Blue, including the cavalry charge which drove the rebels over the Kansas line, one battalion breaking into fragments and put ting to rout Jackman's whole brigade of rebels. The next day (Sunday) in the beginning of the battle of Westport,the regiment achieved a brilliant success, Avhich it was prevented from follow ing up by an order from Gen. Curtis to fall back. The day, how ever, was one of victory, and the rebel retreat southward down the State line began. Col. Moonlight was then sent to hover on their flank and prevent their entering Kansas. The rebels were encountered at Cold Water Grove, at Mound City, and at Fort Lincoln, and his marauders kept from their work of devastation in the State they so bitterly hated. In the pursuit which followed from Fort Scott the 11th par ticipated to the last, and after the rebels had been driven across the Arkansas River, instead of returning with the remainder of the troops to their stations, were sent to Fort Smith, from whence they returned to Kansas, arriving at Paola December 12th, just two months after the beginning of the campaign. The hardships of the latter part of the campaign were its chief features. The men were thinly clad, and the weather became very cold and stormy. The regiment had no transportation, and so insufficient were the provisions for subsistence, that for two entire days the men had nothing but coffee and bacon, and the three following nothing but coffee, and that in scant supply. The country furnished no forage, and the horses were constantly giv ing out, so that by the time the regiment arrived at Paola, the loss was over tAVO-thirds the whole number, and not one was fit to be ridden. For four hundred miles the regiment repealed the experience of its early infantry service. Soon after the return to Paola, Col. Moonlight was assigned to duty as commander of the District of Colorado. Lieut. Colonel Plumb took his place as commander of the sub-District of Paola; 43 338 MILITARY HISTORY OF but the change was hardly made, Avhen the regiment was ordered to Fort Riley to outfit and recruit, preparatory to service on the Plains against the Indians. At Fort Riley Co. D joined the regiment for the first time- The company was composed of excellent material and was finely disciplined and equipped. It had done good service on the Plains, and it was no fault either of commander or men that it had not taken part in the late campaign against the rebels. Early in February Cos. C and E were ordered to Fort Larned. It was then the intention that the whole regiment should soon folloAV, to make a campaign against the Indians on the Smoky Hill. But a change of Department commanders brought a change of plan, and on the 20th of February the remaining nine compa nies started for Fort Kearney, under orders to report to Brig. Gen Mitchell, commanding the Northern District of the Plains. Nearly one-third of the regiment were still dismounted, and fully one-half not properly clothed, owing to the lack of supplies at Fort Riley. Fort Kearney is distant two hundred miles from Riley, and the march Avas accomplished in twelve days, the command arri ving on the 4th of March. No previous experience of cold and exposure equalled that of the regiment on this march, which, se vere as it was, proved only a slight foretaste of what was still be fore them. Violent storms of either snow or rain prevailed con stantly. Large numbers of the men were on foot, and the greater share were insufficiently clothed. Many were badly frozen, and it sometimes happened that the footmen became lost from the command during the severe snow storms that obscured the heavens and drifted the roads, and were only found and saved from freezing to death by details sent out from camp as soon as their absence was knoAvn. The great severity of the weather may be better understood when it is stated that a regiment of cavalry ordered from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearney at the same time the llth was ordered from Fort Riley, found it im possible to march after the first two or three days out, and lay by for over a month in Northern Kansas and Southern Nebras ka — in fact, until the llth had arrived at the foot of the moun tains, five hundred miles beyond Fort Kearney — before its com mander considered it safe to venture to resume his march. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 339 Recent high waters had swept away the bridges which the Government had, a few years previously, built over most of the intervening streams. As the Avaters were still high, these bridges were nearly all to be rebuilt, which, however, in the hands of the competent and willing men always to be found in the ranks of the llth, was comparatively a small job. At Fort Kearney only a two day's halt was allowed — one for shoeing horses and drawing supplies, and one for inspection. The inspection was made by the District Inspector, in the pres-: ence of Gen. R. B. Mitchell, the District commander. Notwith standing the unfavorable circumstances, the regiment appeared to good advantage, and wa*s highly complimented by both the in specting officer and Gen. Mitchell. Fort Laramie, four hundred miles northwest of Fort Kearney, Avas the objective point from Avhence an early spring campaign was to be prosecuted against the Sioux Indians on Powder Riv er, two hundred and fifty miles still further to the northwest. The weather continued very severe, and the exposure and hard ships of the march were aggravated by the lack of fire wood, there being but two points on the route from Kearney to Lara mie where supplies could be had. The main reliance Avas tfpon the willows, no larger than a man's thumb, that grew on the islands of the Platte River, and even these could not always be had. At the Sioux Agency, thirty miles below Laramie, the regiment was stopped by an order from Gen. Conner, who had relieved Gen. Mitchell in command of the District, to halt and await further orders. The men, with that readiness of resource that always distin guishes old campaigners, set about making themselves comforta ble. The tough alkali sod of the Platte bottom was formed into houses and stables with marvelous rapidity, and in two days' time a city sprang up which, if Avithout architectural pretensions, Avas yet laid out with Avide streets and commendable regularity, and answered the purpose of comfort. About the time this work was fairly completed, orders were received to proceed to Fort Lara mie and report for duty to Col. Baumer, 1st Nebraska, command ing Post The regiment arrived at Fort Laramie April 9th, and there re ceived news of the first successes around Petersburg via Over- 340 MILITARY HISTORY OF land Telegraph, Avhich caused great rejoicing. No halt was made, orders being to proceed at once to Platte Bridge, one hundred and thirty miles west, and from that point as headquarters, make such disposition of the companies as would best serve to protect the telegraph, obtain information of the Indians, and prevent their crossing the Platte and going south. Although the spring Avas now avpII advanced, there were no to kens of it in air or landscape. The Laramie Mountains to the left were covered with snow, to Avhich more Avas being added by storms every few days. At Deer Creek, thirty miles from Platte Bridge, Major Adams was left with companies D and L. Co. I, Capt. Greer, was sent to Sweet Water , station, fifty miles west, and shortly after Co. H, Lieut. BodAvell, was added. Regimental headquarters were established about six miles from Platte Bridge, near the moun tains, on account of its convenience to wood. But twenty days' rations of corn could be drawn at Laramie, and this, we soon found, was to be the total supply for the sum mer. The grass had not yet started — even that of the previous year's growth, scant, and also dried and almost worthless, was often covered with snow. The horses soon became weak and unserviceable, and many of them died. There was shameful lack in every department, not only for the necessaries of a cam paign, but for troops in camp or garrison. Neither quartermas ter, commissary or Ordnance supplies could be had in anything like needed quantities for even a single regiment, and of ammu nition suitable for the carbines carried by the 1 1th, not a cartridge was to be had short of Fort Leavenworth, one thousand miles distant. The telegraph route from Laramie to South Pass, nearly three hundred miles, was garrisoned by three companies of the llth Ohio Cavalry, in detachments of from ten to fifty, according to the exposed condition of the place, and from thirty to fifty miles distant from each other. The men had been almost wholly dis mounted, as the effect of the various raids of Indians upon the route. A few days after the arrival of the regiment at Platte Bridge, a dispatch was received from Capt Marshall, commanding at La Bouter, half way between Laramie and Platte Bridge, stating KANSAS REGIMENTS. 341 that the Indians had just stampeded the remainder of his horses from under the very eyes of the garrison, and asking that a force might be sent in pursuit. Maj. Adams was accordingly dis patched from Deer Creek with detachments of Cos. D and L, in all about thirty men, to endeavor to intercept the Indians in their northward flight Avith the stock. Night overtook the Major in a range of barren sand bills, far distant from timber or water. The horses Avere picketed to sage bushes, or held by their lariats by the men, whom the Major, in what was thought an excess of caution, required to lie down in line upon their arms, and under minute instructions as to their duties in case of a night attack. Pickets were placed on each side of the camping place, about six rods distant The camp was in a hollow, and so surrounded by ravines that there was but one approach to it over level ground, and that so narrow and winding that one not familiar with the epcact lay of the land, could not find it in the night. About nine o'clock, and Avhen all but the sentinels were fast asleep, the sound of approaching horsemen Avas heard. Soon the pickets saAv against the horizon from their lower station a swiftly moving mass coming over the level approach straight for camp. When within a few rods they fired, and the Indians, disconcerted, turned, and instead of dashing through the camp, as was their evident intention, dashed along its front, shooting into it with fire arms, but receiving a hot welcome from the now aroused men. The whole affair did not last over three minutes, from the time Avhen the Indians were first seen to that when they disappeared in the darkness In the morning eight Indian horses were found, most of them with bloody trappings, but not an Indian, nor did the Major succeed in again getting sight of one on his scout. This affair was worth much to the men, who, mainly ignorant by ex perience of the Indian character, could hardly be brought to con sider the savages as foemen worthy of their steel, or of, any con sideration Avhatever. Sentinels, herders and scouting parties were always thereafter on the quivive, and to the watchfulness thus engendered, may be largely attributed the fact that during over four months operations among the Indians, there were but nine hor ses taken from the regiment by the favorite Indian method of. stampeding, and they by a superior force at a remote stage station. 342 MILITARY HISTORY OF From this time forward the Indians fairly swarmed along the telegraph line, Scouting and hunting parties encountered them and vedettes and herders of the stock Avere kept constantly on the alert. Skirmishes Avere frequent, and several most sanguinary encounters took place. Generally the advantage Avas with " the boys," and never Avere they driven from the field. The telegraph line Avas kept up and in Avorking order, notAvithstanding the ef forts of the Indians to interrupt its operations by cutting the wires, and capture and destroy the stations. On the 8th of May, Col. Moonlight, now in command of the Fort Laramie sub-District, took the available force of the regiment and made an extended scout to the foot of the Powder River Mountains and the vicinity of Wind River, under the guidance of the famous scout, Bridger. On the llth of June, Gen. Conner telegraphed Col. Plumb that the Indians had collected in large numbers on the overland stage line, captured and burned several stage stations and almost wholly interrupted travel on the route, and directing him to take Cos. A, B, F, L and M of the llth and proceed to Fort Hal leck, one hundred and twenty miles distant from Fort Laramiej and re-open and protect the route, and secure the safe and speedy transmission of the mails, and afford all possible protection to emigrant and other travel. These troops arrived at Fort Halleck on the 24th of June, and were at once disposed along the line from Camp Collins, Colorado, to Green River, a distance of about four hundred miles, relieving the Colorado and Ohio troops there tofore on duty. For a distance of about two hundred miles every hoof of stage stock had been driven off by the Indians and not replaced by the stage company. Cavalry horses were substituted. The dangers of the route were such that most of the drivers de serted it, and men were taken from the ranks to fill their places. The Indians were almost constantly on the road, and oftentimes in very large numbers. Large escorts were impossible, as, owing to the distance to be covered and the small number of the troops, ten men Avas the maximum number for each stage station. The coaches were therefore often run in the night. Through all these difficulties and hazards the coaches were regularly driven through. Passengers shunned the line, drivers and agents deserted it, and U, S, mails filled the coaches, U. S, soldiers sat on the driver's KANSAS REGIMENTS. 343 box, and drove U. S. cavalry horses, and thus the overland com munication between the East and the West was kept up. Oc casionally the Indians attacked the coaches, but they were as often driven off, This service lasted until the 13th of August, when the llth was relieved from duty and ordered to Fort Leav enworth for muster out of service. On the telegraph route matters progressed much as usual until late in July. Col. Moonlight had been mustered out of service and succeeded in command at Fort Laramie by Gen. Henry. The muster out of the llth commenced in June, and about twenty men of Co. G, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, were dis charged, when the further muster ouf was stopped by orders from the War Department. Under the operation of the first order, Col. Moonlight and Adjutant Taber were mustered out When, hoAvever, the order was suspended, and it became apparent that the regiment was to remain longer in the service, Gov. Crawford proceeded to fill the vacancies by commissioning Lieut. Colonel Plumb as Colonel, Major Anderson as Lieutenant Colonel, Capt. Allen, of Co. K, as Major, and Sergeant Major I. H. Isbell as Ad jutant. These officers were not, however, mustered in their new rank, owing to the renewal of the order for muster out, which took effect just as the companies reached Fort Leavenworth, and under the operation of which the last company was mustered out on the 20th of September. Maj. Anderson commanded the companies of the llth remain ing on the telegraph line, with headquarters at Platte Bridge. Co. I Avas stationed at the same place, and for several days pre vious to the 21st of July had been camped in the Platte bottom, near the telegraph station, which Avas composed of several log buildings, forming three sides of a square, and a stockade, cover ing stabling for about fifty horses, forming the other. The eve ning of the 21st, the Indians made their appearance in consid erable force near the station and stampeded some cattle. A por tion of Co. I under Capt Greer pursued, and a fight ensued, in which the Indians were whipped, and left their dead on the field. At the same time the telegraph wires were cut both sides of the station. Lieut. G. M. Walker, Acting Adjutant, was sent out Avith a party to endeavor to repair the line in the direction of Fort Laramie, so that communication could be had Avith Dear Creek 344 MILITARY HISTORY OF station, thirty miles distant, where Co. K was stationed ; but be fore he arrived at the break, he Avas attacked by an overwhelm ing force of Indians and compelled to retreat to the station, with the loss of one man killed and several wounded. Private Baker, Co. K, in this encounter, Avas thrust nearly through the body with a bayonet used as a lance by an Indian, the bayonet re maining in the wound. A comrade pulled it out with great ef fort, and Baker lives to tell the tale, and carry his wounded body behind a plow in the Cottonwood Valley The garrison at the Bridge consisted of about seventy men of Co. I of the llth, tAventy men of the llth Ohio, under Lieuts. Bretner and Collins, and the non-commissioned staff and band of the llth, in all about one hundred and ten men. Of these about eighty were armed Avith carbines, and of the remainder about one-half had no arms and the others only revolvers. Owing to the criminal negligence either of the Department commander or of the Ord nance Department, ammunition suitable for the carbines had never been within reach since the llth had left Fort Riley, and so noAV the little garrison at Platte Bridge was provided with less than twenty rounds of cartridges per man. About midnight, a small party of the llth Ohio came in from Sweet Water station, fifty miles west, having seen no Indians. They reported having passed a party of the llth in camp at Willow Springs, halfway to SAveet Water. This was a train escort of twenty-four men of Cos. D and H, under command of Sergeant Custard of the latter company, who had been up as far as South Pass with supplies for the various stations, and were now returning. Next morning at daylight the Indians showed themselves on the various hills surrounding the station, but not in considerable numbers, yet sufficient, taken in connection with the possibilities of a larger force concealed, to induce great caution on the part of the commander of the station. Anxious watch was kept Avest- ward for a sight of Sergeant Custard's party. About 10 o'clock it came in view, on a high hill about six miles distant, and the howitzer was fired to warn them of danger, of which it seemed apparent that they had as yet no conception. The Indians seemed to discover the party at the same time with the garrison, and immediately turned their attention that way. At this, Maj. Andwson ordered Lieut Collins, with about thirty of the best KANSAS REGIMENTS. 345 mounted and armed men of the llth, to go to the assistance of the coming detachment. Lieut Collins crossed the bridge, moved out rapidly through the bottom and to the first range of bluffs on the road, probably half a mile from the station, the In dians giving way before him and making no demonstrations. Suddenly, from the ravines, from the timber of the Platte, and from behind every knoll, there sprang into full view two thousand Indians, avIio had thus lain in wait for a demonstration from the garrison, and charged as if Avith one impulse upon Lieut. Col lins' party. The Indians, coming from every side, were exposed to their own fire, and so forebore the use of bow or fire arm, and relied mainly upon spears, tomahawks and sabres. After the first discharge of carbines, which Avas with deadly effect, the sol- dieTs relied Avholly upon their revolvers, as there Avas neither time or opportunity for reloading. The party had faced towards the station when the impossibility of proceeding further became apparent. The Indians, anxious for their prey, and confident in overwhelming numbers, rushed towards the common centre in such a manner as to partially impede their bloody purposes. So intermingled did the combatants become that it Avas impossible for the garrison to distinguish friend from foe, and Maj. Ander- son dared not open with the howitzer upon the heterogeneous mass that surged towards the station ; but he sent all the availa ble force across the bridge, to aid his struggling comrades. This diversion served to enable Lieut. Collins' party to cut their way through and rejoin their comrades. Just as they were emerging from the crowd of their enemies, Lieut. Collins' horse became unmanageable, carried his rider far into the mass of surrounding Indians, and nothing but his body, horribly mutilated, was ever afterwards seen. The loss in Lieut. Collins' parly Avas but five men killed and one severely wounded. The escape of the re mainder was miraculous. Not a man expected to get out alive, and their comrades at the station gave up all hope of saving them. As soon as this affair was over, the Indians turned their whole attention to Sergeant Custard's party. When the Sergeant first saw the Indians he was near the river, and at first felt confident that he could make the station in spite of them. To this end he put out flankers from his small party, but these were speedily 44 346 MILITARY HISTORY OF driven in, and when the Indians appeared in such large numbers as to render further progress impossible, the Sergeant directed the coralling of the wagons in a position for defense. At this time the Indians made a rush from all sides upon the party, cutting off four men from the advance, and preventing the Sergeant from getting his wagons into position for defense. The men Avho were cut off rode into the Platte river with the purpose of crossing, which three of them accomplished, and reached the station in safety during the following night. The other was killed when about half way across the stream. Prevented by the sudden and oveiwhelming attack of the Indians from getting the wagons into a position for defense, Custard's men sheltered themselves behind their horses, (Avhich were soon shot doAvn), and the irregularities of the ground, which favored them. By their great courage and presence of mind the Indians Avere prevented from the anticipa ted effect of their sudden charge, and were held in check and compelled to resort to other means of approach. The men Avere well armed and supplied with an abundance of cartridges, all in the company to which they belonged having been given to them on starting on their journey, and were veterans who had faced death on too many battle fields to be frightened at it in whatever terrible guise it might come. The fight, Avhich commenced at ten o'clock in the morning, ended at four. For six hours twenty men had held at bay one hundred times their number of desper ate savages, who paid the penalty of their victory with a heavy loss. The men must have fought with wonderful skill as well as resolution. The Indians carried logs and rocks to the vicinity and rolled them forward, thus making a moveable breastwork, from behind which they plied their deadly Aveapons, Not a man of Cus tard's party was left to tell the tale, and not one of their bodies were even recognized, the Indians having knocked them to pieces and carried away many of the fragments. The fighting could be seen from the station, but only its outlines could be deter mined. Details were gathered from the three men who escaped, from the evidences left on the ground, and from the Indians themselves, who told the squaw of a Frenchman named Redhan, whom they captured a few days after at Rock Creek, twenty miles below Fort Halleck, of their numbers, the time of the fight, of the terrible resistance, and their large excess of losses over that KANSAS REGIMENTS. 347 of the whites. The Indians also threw away the scalps taken in the fight, which Avere afterwards picked up on the ground of the battle. This is said to be evidence that they lost more lives than they had taken. During the night of the 22d,Maj. Anderson succeeded in hiring two half breed scouts at the station to take a message to Captain Allen at Deer Creek, thirty miles below. They reached Deer Creek in safety next morning, and Capt. Allen at once put his company in motion for Platte Bridge, but on his arrival, about noon, not an Indian Avas to be seen. The mutilated bodies and fragments of bodies were gathered together and buried with mili tary honors in one grave. A few days afterwards all the companies of the llth on the lelegraph line were relieved by detachments of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, and proceeded to Fort Leavenworth for muster out. The llth was the most truly Kansan in its composition of any of the regiments the Spartan State furnished to the Union Army. In iis original organization there Avasnota single refugee or non resident in its ranks. Every member of the regiment was a bona fide citizen of Kansas. Neither were they recruited from the rabble of cities or the floating population of toAvns. The only considerable place in all the District in which the regiment was raised Avas LeavenAVorth, Avhich furnished a bare half dozen recruits. The farms and shops furnished the major portion of the men, Avho thus represented the best portion of Kansas popu lation — what there was of stability, order, virtue, and love of free dom. As the service then rendered Avas in obedience to the im pulses of patriotism and the convictions of duty, so those servi ces were untarnished by acts of lawlessness. A strong esprit du corps pervaded the regiment during the Avhole of its service, which prevented many of those excesses Avhich at times stained the fair fame of our arms. The discipline which was main tained throughout, though strict, was not the result of fear or the exercise of brute force ; but came largely from the steady char acter and sober habits of the men, and their intelligent apprecia - tion of the needs of the service. Degrading punishments were never necessary and never inflicted. No regiment of men yield ed more cheerful obedience to all orders, or were more respectful to the authority of its officers. And this was equally true under 34S MILITARY HISTORY OF all circumstances — as Avell in the scattered and isolated service along the Border and on the Plains among the Indians, as in the Brigade or Division. The intelligence and capacity of the rank and file of the llth is largely attested by the fact of the great number of promotions therefrom into other regiments, where, without exception, they rendered acceptable service, and in many cases received addi tional promotion as reward for gallant, efficient and soldierly conduct. Although this narrative is written by one who was with the regiment from the commencement to the close of its splendid ca reer, yet the writer is painfully conscious that it lacks much, very much, of conveying a proper and complete idea of the regiment and of the value and character of the services it rendered to the cause of Freedom and Union during its three years service. Written Avhol- lyfrom memory, in the absence of records, there may be errors of dates and also of more important facts stated; and the errors of omis sion, Avhich have been inevitable from the hasty and fugitive manner in Avhich ithasbeenAvritten,will,doubtlessexceedallothers. What ever its failures, they should not be attributed to a lack of apprecia tion of, or indifference towards, the subject The duty of record ing the character and services of his associates in the regiment, though shunned on account of a feeling of inability to properly perform it, has, nevertheless, been gratefully performed. I love to think of them, from the time they were called from their homes, widely scattered from the eastern border of our State to the remotest verge of the settlements, to the time when the regimental organization was dissolved at the close of the war to meet no more, with the great mass of them, in that intimate association produced by dangerous and honorable service in the sacred cause of our country. Of the two thousand regiments in the Union army from the commencement to the close of the war I venture to say that not one was composed of men more brave, honest or true to the cause of Freedom and the Nation. When they enlisted, their counties had been already stripped of all foot-loose men — of all who could reasonably be called upon to go to the field — and nothing but the imminent peril of the Re public, and the instant necessity for more men in its defense, could have justified them in forsaking their dependent families, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 349 FeAv men Avould have made such sacrifices as they did for the country, and few in the populous States east of the Mississippi were called on to make such. The prompt organization of the regiment, its rapid and painful marches, and its successful en counters Avith the enemy have been feebly set forth in these pages but no history Avill record the heroic struggles of the men at the re cruiting stations on the praries, Avhen they resolved to leave their ill-provided families for the hazards of three years of distant ser vice. No exposure on picket, no toil on march, no danger in battle, ever tried their manhood like the first struggle of enlistment. When I compare their service and sacrifice Avith thousands of others who left well-provided families and received high recom pense in pay and honors, I feel how partial is the distribution of human favors, and hoAv the great reAvards for patriotic effort must at last be dispensed by Him Avho alone knows all the sacrifices and motiAres of men. EKTEACTS FROM THE REPORT OF MAJ. GEN. JAMES G. BLUNT OF THE BATTLE OF PRAIRIE GROVE, DECEMBER Its, 1862. * * * " Observing that the enemy had now thrown a large force upon my center and right, I directed the infantry of the 1st Division to enter the woods and engage them, Avhich or. der was executed with promptness, Col. Weer leading the 10th and 13th Kansas regiments of his Brigade upon the right; a portion of the Kansas 2d, dismounted, under command of Capt. S. J. Crawford, the right wing of the Kansas llth, under Colonel Ewing, and the 1st Indian, under Col; Wattles, upon the left ; the 20th Iowa advancing upon the left of the Indians; the left wing of the Kansas llth, under Lieut. Col. Moonlight, sup porting Rabb's and Hopkins' batteries. * * * "While this attempt was being made to charge my artillery on the right, the same demonstration Avas made upon Rabb's and Hopkins' batteries, the enemy following up my infantry as they retired from the Avoods, and Avith a shout rushed out from under cover ot the trees, when the two batteries, sup ported by the infantry of the llth Regiment, belched forth a per fect storm of canister, producing immense slaughter in their ranks, and compelling them again to retire. * * * « As the immediate commander of the 1 st Division, I 350 MILITARY HISTORY OF deem it but justice to say of CoL Wm. Weer, commanding the 2d Brigade, that he behaved throughout with great gallantry, lead ing his men into the thickest of the fight. The same is true of Col. BoAven and Maj. H. H. Williams,commanding regiments in the same Brigade. Capt. S. J. CraAvford, of the 2d Kansas, who commanded a battalion of that regiment that fought on foot, dis played great gallantry, as did also the lamented Capt. A. P. Rus sell, who fell mortally wounded. Col. Thos. Ewing, Lieut. Col. Moonlight and Maj. Plumb, of the llth Kansas, gave evidence of their high qualities as gallant officers." COL. MOONLIGHT'S REPORT OF THE PART TAKEN BY THE 11th KANSAS CAVALRY IN THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864 AGAINST THE REBEL GEN. PRICE. Headquarters 2d Brig., 1st Div., Army nr thi1: Border, / Paoi.a, Ks., December 15, 1864. \ " Captain — I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command during the late campaign against the rebel General Price: "On the 15th of October, 1864, at Hickman's Mills, Mo., the 2d Brigade was organized as follows : The 1 1th Kansas Cavalry, Cos. L and M sth Kansas Cavalry, and Cos. A and D 16th Kan sas Cavalry. Four mountain howitzers were in the llth, manned by Co. E. On the 16th the Brigade Avas marched into Missouri, in company with the 1st Brigade, (all under command of Major General Blunt), in search of Price's army. After having gone in a southeasterly direction as far as Holden, Mo., on the Warrens- burg road, our course Avas changed to Lexington, Mo., which was captured by the 2d Brigade on the 18th. Co. B of the llth Kan sas had the advance, and skirmished with some bushwhack ers in the streets killing and wounding several and capturing some prisoners. Our camp Avas formed near the College, and it fell to the lot of the 2d Brigade to picket the roads leading south, on which Price was advancing. Capt. Green, Co. B, llth Kan sas Cavalry, commanded the picket on the Warrensburg road, composed of his own company and Co. A, of the 16th. Capt. Palmer, Co. A, llth Kansas Cav., commanded the picket on the Do ver road, composed of his oavii Co, and Co. F, of the llth. I am particular in mentioning these facts, because much credit is due these companies for maintaining their positions and holding the rebel advance in check as long as they did. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 351 " When, at the battle of Lexington on the 19th, retreat was or dered, the 2d Brigade was in the advance and a portion of it dis mounted, so that it fell to our lot to cover the retreat To enable the Division to move out, it became necessary to face the enemy Avith every man and every weapon. The hoAvitzers here did good service, but on leaving the field the tongue of one of the pieces got broken, so that it was necessary to lash the limber and piece to other pieces in order to save them, which was done in the very face ot the enemy and under his fire. The enemy per sistently folloAved us for several miles, and long after dark we Avere compelled to fight him on every piece of ground favorable for making a stand. The enemy outnumbered us more than ten to one, so that they were enabled to flank us as well as press us in the rear, thereby making our position a Avarm one and giv ing us lively work. Every officer and soldier did well and nobly under the most trying of all positions. The retreat Avas continued all night until 2, A. M., next morning. On the same day the Di vision took up position on the west bank of Little Blue, eight miles from Independence, and in the afternoon the 2d Brigade was left alone to watch the enemy, fight him at the crossings, and burn the bridge. It is proper to state here that the two com panies of the 5th Kansas Cavalry were not with the Brigade, as they had been left on the borders of Kansas to watch the guer rillas, and when the balance of the Division was withdrawn from the Little Blue, the tAvo companies of the 16th Kansas also went, leaving me only ten companies of the llth Kansas Cavalry — Co. G of that regiment being escort for Maj. Gen. Curtis, and Co. L at Fort Riley. My force being reduced, and the stream being fordable at almost any point, it was no easy matter to hold an enemy so numerous and active, all being cavalry. Maj. An derson, of the llth, Avith two companies, had command of the bridge, which he set on fire and held until it was fairly burning, after Avhich he fell back on the hill and joined the command, who then opened on the enemy. Capt. Greer, Co. I, had been sta tioned at a ford about one mile below the bridge, with instruc tions to hold the enemy as long as possible. He retired without firing a shot, but claims that it was not possible to do otherwise, as the enemy were crossing at all points. Being thus menaced on all sides, and the object for which I was Wt accomplished, the 352 MILITARY HISTORY OF command slowly fell back about two miles, fighting. A favora ble piece of ground here presenting itself, a new line of battle Avas formed on the left of the Independence road, and we slowly began to drive the enemy back over the ground again, dismount ing every man for the purpose of shelter behind stone Avails, fen ces and houses, some of which Avere then held by the enemy, who, after a vigorous assault, Avere dislodged, thus affording us an ad vantage Avhich accounts for the tew killed and wounded on our side, compared with the enemy, who suffered terribly. The llth here behaved like old veterans, and gave reneAved proof of their fighting qualities, driving an enemy greatly superior in numbers to the very ground occupied in the morning. By this time Gen. Blunt had come up, and other troops were being thrown in on the right to my support. About two hundred of the 16th K. V. C, under Lieut. Col. Walker, of that regiment, reported to me> and did splendid service on the left. Maj. Hunt, 15th Kansas Cavalry, Chief of Artillery for the Department of Kansas, reported about this time with some mountain howitzers, and rendered such services as only a brave and gallant officer can render. We thus held the enemy back for hours, a great portion of the time Avithout ammunition, supplying its place with lusty and defiant cheers. It became necessary to withdraw the command a short distance and take up a new position, as the enemy, ten t> one, were flanking us in perfect safety. Shortly after gaining the neAV position, I received orders to withdraAv my men and mount. The first movement had to be accomplished in the very face of the enemy, and giving up to them a line of stone walls, rendered this movement a dangerous one ; and had it not been for the com mand, already referred to, under Lieut. Col. Walker, opening a flank fire by my direction, I question much if the retreat would not have been a fatal one ; but yet it had to be done, as the am munition train by some mistake was away in the rear, Avhen I joined it and supplied my command anew. By this time the en tire command had fallen back, and the 2d Brigade, as ordered, had formed a new line of battle on the east side of Independence. About this time, Capt. Huntoon with his company (H) of the llth, joined the command. The Captain had by my orders, the day previous, been sent up the Little Blue about four miles to guard a ford and check the enemy, which he did in his usual KANSAS REGIMENTS. 353 gallaut style, never abandoning his position though pressed, in a manner isolated, and knoAving we were being driven back on his left. The covering of the retreat from this point was given the 2d Brigade, and to Cos. B and H Avas the work assigned under my CAvn supervision. The enemy Avas held for some time at bay ; a skirmish was kept up in the streets of Independence and as far as the railroad bridge, Avhere the enemy abandoned the pursuit It Avas then dark. We arrived in camp on Big Blue about midnight, where the entire force was concentrated. Through out the entire engagement on Little blue, I Avas ably assisted by the field officers of the llth, viz: Lieut. Col. Plumb, Majs. An derson and Ross, (the latter had tAvo horses shot under him), as also my Adjutant, Lieut Taber, together Avith those already men tioned of other regiments. The entire command behaved with the utmost coolness and gallantry — commanding officers of com panies vieing with each other in the discharge of their duties. I regret to say that in this engagement Capt N. P. Gregg, Co. M, llth Kansas Cavalry, received a severe gun shot wound in the right arm, which is likely to disable him for life. The Captain is one of the best officers in the service, and it is to be hoped that he will yet be spared for future fields of operation. At Big Blue, on the 23d, the 2d Brigade was ordered to hold Simmons' ford and report the movements of the enemy. None coming, and the 1st Brigade at Bryan's ford retreating, the 2d Brigade, in double quick, whipped round by Westport and met the enemy on the State line, checked his advance into Kansas, and by the setting of the sun drove him back over into Missouri. The fight continued until dark, after which the pursuit was abandoned, and my command moved up to Shawnee Mission for the purpose of procuring forage and rations. It is but just to say that the 2d Brigade had been so actively engaged for several days that little or no rations had been procured. Yet all were eager for the fight, and determined that Price could only invade Kansas when the little band no longer existed. The battle of the Line, or the Big Blue, as it is called, Avas a very pretty one, and satisfied my mind that the enemy's cavalry was no match for ours on the Prairie. In this fight Co, G, of the llth, escort i 45 354 MILITARY HISTORY OF for Maj. Gen. Curtis, joined my command and participated in the fight, as also the howitzers mentioned as commanded by Major Hunt on Little Blue. A militia force — I think of Johnson coun ty — under Lieut. Col. Johnson, Avas also present. Another militia force camped Avith the brigade that night, but I have forgotten Avhat regiment. Several prisoners Avere captured during tne en gagement, and properly fonvarded to the headquarters of Major Gen. Curtis. Early on the morning of the 24th, I received or ders to supply my command with ammunition and take the right of the line of battle about to be formed a little south of Westport This Avas promptly done, and in front of the 2d Brigade the ene my were driven back for over a mile, after a stubborn resistance. The command on the left had fallen back, so that I was not sup ported in that direction, allowing the enemy to come up on my flank and deliver a raking fire. To meet this fire and preserve order, it Avas necessary to Avheel two squadrons to the left, which Avas done in fine style by Cos. A and I of the llth. (Lieut. Drew commanded Co. I after the battle of Little Blue.) My com mand fell back in good order, handsomely protected on the right flank by Lieut. Col. Woodworth, 12th Kansas State Militia, who reported to me that morning with a part of the regiment. Col. Woodworth is deserving of much praise for dashing on the ene my's flank of skirmishers in the manner in which he did. After falling back to Westport, I received orders from Gen. Blunt to pass round the right flank of the enemy and keep in between him and Kansas, which order Avas faithfully carried out, and while our forces from Westport Avere putting Price to rout, the 2d Brig ade Avhipped in on the right flank in hot pursuit of that portion invading Kansas. At Little Santa Fe my advance — Co. H of the llth — struck the rear of the enemy and drove him out of Kansas. This was gallantly done, and saved that portion of the State from the flames. The command pushed on that night to Aubrey» where a few hours rest Avas obtained and forage procured. Early the next morning we again marched for Coldwater Grove, where we struck the centre of the enemy, skirmished a while, and held him in check as long as possible. Seeing from the route the enemy was taking that he must necessarily camp about the Tra- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 355 ding Post, and that Mound City was in danger of being destroyed, I pushed on, marching all night, a distance of sixty-five miles, arriving there at 2, A. M., on the 25th. Early in the morning the enemy made his appearance, and was quickly driven back and the town saved. About this time I received an order from Gen. Blunt to make for Fort Scott and hold it at all hazards, so that no time was lost, after procuring rations for my starving command, in striking for that place. At Fort Lincoln the ene my had possession and disputea our passage. After vainly try ing to dislodge him, I moved off by the right flank, leaving a battalion to engage his attention until the command crossed the stream above. Arrived at Fort Scott about 4, P. M. Found the, place in the most intense excitement. The same evening Gens. Curtis;and Blunt arrived, and the next morning we again started in pursuit. I would here state that near Coldwater Grove, I was joined by the Lyon county Militia, under Col. Mitchell, who ac companied me all the way to Fort Scott, doing excellent service, performing the night march and bearing up under the many tri als incident to a camp life with commendable fortitude. Nothing of importance occurred in the pursuit until the 28th when Gen. Blunt overtook the enemy at Newtonia, Mo., and drove him from his position. The 2d Brigade was deprived of the pleasure of participating in this fight, as instructions had been received to await rations, then forty-eight hours due. At Newtonia, on the 31st, after returning from Neosho, the Brigade was joined by Co. L of the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Capt Young commanding, who Avas appointed A. A. Q. M and A. C, S. for the Brigade, Avhich position he still retains. Nofhings-of importance transpired during the remainder of the pursuit via Cassville, Keatsville, Elkhorn, Bentonville, Elm Springs, Fayetteville, Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Dutchtown and to the Arkansas River, half Avay between Forts Gibson and Smith. On November 9th, after the pursuit had been abandoned and the Division broken up, the 2d Brigade marched for Fort Smith with Gen. Blunt Remained at Fort Smith, aAvaiting forage and rations, until the 19th, when the march was taken up for this place. Arrived at Fort Gibson on the 23d ; remained 356 MILITARY HISTORY OF one day to feed hay ; marched for Fort Scott ; met on the south bank of the Neosho a large supply train going south ; stayed with it one day, as reports had been received that the rebel Gens Cooper and Gano had crossed the Arkansas River for the pur pose of capturing it ; sent out Maj. Ross with every horse able to walk to reconnoitre ; found no enemy and returned ; marched the folloAving day, via Catholic Mission, for Neosho bottoms ; ar rived at Fort Scott December 7th ; remained two days to recruit animals; arrived at Paola December 12th, having been absent exactly two months. During one-half of this time not more than one-fourth forage could be obtained, so that with the continuous and rapid marching a very great many horses have been aban doned, as well as a great many killed in battle. In conclusion, I desire to call the attention of the Department commander to the uniform gallantry and efficiency of the follow ing named officers, who came prominently under my immediate observation, and Avho behaved themselves throughout the entire campaign in a manner worthy of special mention, viz : Lieut Col. P. B. Plumb and Majs. Anderson and Ross, pattailion com manders of the llth Kansas Cavalry ; Surgeon R. M. Ainsworth and Assistant Surgeon J. D. Adams, llth Kansas Cavalry, in charge of Medical Department, and Capt Young, 5th Kansas Cavalry, A. A Q. M. and A C. S. from the time he joined the command. The campaign was an unusually severe one, marching day and night, with often little or no rations. Yet every officer and soldier bore up under the difficulties and hardships without even murmuring, ever prompt and obedient. To Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant Ira I. Taber, my A. A. A. General, I am specially indebted for his zeal, activity and vigilance, and I earnestly recommend him for promotion in the Adjutant Gener al's Department. I cannot close Avithout mentioning the follow ing named enlisted men, to whom special praise is due for their services on the battle field as aids. I had none other nor could I have had better, viz: Sergeant Major I. H. Isbell, Quartermas ter Sergeant W. H. Cowen and Chief Bugler N. D. Horton, all KANSAS REGIMENTS. 357 of the llth Kansas Cavalry. These non-commissioned officers well merit promotion. I had forgotten to mention that Lieut. W. F. Goble, 5th Kansas Cavalry, served in the Brigade as Bat talion Adjutant from the beginning for Col. Plumb, and is re ported by him as being an officer of uniform good conduct and high standing. The following is a list of the casualties during the campaign : ELEVENTH KANSAS CAVALRY. COMPANY A. Killed — Privates, 4. Wounded — 4. Missing — 1 Sergeant and 2 Privates. COMPANY B. Killed — 1 Sergeant and 1 Private. COMPANY D. Killed — 2 Privates. Wounded — 3 Privates. COMPANY F. Killed— I Private. Wounded — 1 Private. COMPANY H. Wounded — 1 Officer and 1 Private. COMPANY I. Killed — 1 Private. Wounded — 2 Corporals and 6 Privates. COMPANY K. Wounded — 2 Corporals and 3 Privates. COMPANY M. Killed — 1 Corporal and 3 Privates. Wounded — 1 Officer, 1 Corporal and 5 Privates. (Signed.) T. MOONLIGHT, Col. llth Kan. Cavalry, Comd'g. Capt. Geo. S. Hampton, Assistant Adjutant General. 358 MILITARY HISTORY OF (BY TELEGRHPH FROM FORT LARAMIE, 3d SEPT., 1865.) To Lieut. Col. Plumb, Fort Kearney : You are about to leave this District, and before you do so, these Headquarters desire to thank you for the energy and ability you have always manifested in the discharge of your duties. Less than this could not well be said and do justice to you. By command of Brig. Gen. Conner. GEO. F. PRICE, Captain and Ass't Adj't. Gen'l. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 359 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE TWELFTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. The Twelfth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was raised in response to a call of the President of the United States, dated July , ..S62. for 300,000 volunteers for "three years, unless sooner discharged." The quota of Kansas under this call Avas three regiments of in fantry. Hon. James H. Lane, then U. S. Senator from Kansas was authorized by the War Department to recruit this quota of troops, and, under certain restrictions, to officer the same when mustered into the United States service, thereby taking from the Governor of the State the right to commission the officers, and ignoring his authority. In the month of August, 1862, Charles W. Adams, of Law rence, Avas authorized to recruit a regiment of infantry in the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin, Coffey, Allen, Linn and Bourbon. Within six Aveeks after the authority for recruiting was given, the regiment had more than the minimum number of men in readiness to take the field. The regiment rendezvoused and Avas mustered into service at Paola, Kansas, in the month of September, 1862. On the 7th day of September, 1862, while Co. H was being re cruited in Johnson county, Quantrell's guerrilla band surprised the toAvn of Olathe, sacked the place, and murdered five unarmed men of that company. In the month of October, Cos. A and I were ordered to the town of Olathe, Kansas, and Cos. G and K were ordered to Mound City, Kansas. The regiment was divided and detachments stationed at dif ferent points along the line between Kansas and Missouri, as follows : Paola, Olathe, Wyandotte, Shawnee, Mound City, Tra ding Post, Fort Scott, Leavenworth and Fort Riley, performing various kinds of service, mainly escorting forage trains, and oc casionally pursuing guerrilla bands, which so numerously in fested the borders. One company — H — was stationed at Fort 360 MILITARY HISTORY OF Larned, Kansas. These posts were guarded by the 12th Regi ment alternately, and also occupying Kansas City, Westport and Hickman's Mills, Mo., constantly scouting and marching from place to place, collecting forage and protecting the loyal people on the border of Missouri and the whole State of Kansas from the. ravages of merciless busliAvhackers and thieves. On the Sth of October, 1863, a detachment participated in an engagement at Baxter's Springs, in Avhich company B lost one man killed — Private John T. Moore. The £8th of October, 1863, Cos. B, E and F Avere ordered to escort a supply train via Fort Gibson to Fort Smith, Ark., where they arrived November 17, 1863. In the month of November, Cos. A, C, D, G, I and K concen trated at Fort Scott, Kansas, preparatory to starting to Fort Smith, (Co H still remaining on the Plains at Fort Larned), and on the 13th day of December they started. The march was executed through rain, snoAv and mud, a distance of two hundred and ten miles, in fifteen days. In the month of February, 1864, Co. H joined the regiment at Fort Smith, Ark., and remained on duty with it at that place, performing escort duty almost constantly with forage trains. On the 23d of March the regiment marched with the 2d Brig ade, Frontier Division, 7th Army Corps, from Fort SAvith on the Camden Expedition, and on the 9th of April, the Division, com manded by Brig. Gen. J. M. Thayer, joined the portion of the 7th Corps that marched from Little Rock, under command of Maj. Gen. Steele, at Little Missouri River, having been on a forced march from the time it left Fort Smith. The roads were in an almost impassable condition, on account of the snow and heavy rains which had fallen during the Avinter and early part of the spring. On the llth of April the entire ar my moved forward about five miles to Prairie de Anne. On the 12th, the enemy not giving any evidence of battle, the regiment moved with the main command across the prairie in the direc tion of Camden, marched into the timber about three miles be. yond Moscow, and encamped for the night, where it remained until the next day about noon. The' train, in the meantime, had been laboring to cross the Terre Nor Swamp, and had so far succeeded that orders were given to " sling knapsacks," when KANSAS REGIMENTS. 361 suddenly rapid firing was heard in the rear. The regiment fell into line with all despatch, and was ordered to reinforce the troops engaged. The enemy kept falling back gradually for about five miles, and finally ceased firing and withdreAv. The regiment then resumed its march, and entered the Terre Nor Swamp, and darkness overtaking it, the night was passed there. The regiment proceeded Avith the command to Camden, Ark., without further interruption, Avhere it arrived on the 16th of April, and remained there until the 26th, when, upon learning the enemy had been largely reinforced by the rebel Gen. Kirby Smith, who had just returned with his command from the cam paign against Gen. Banks, and having but two or three days ra tions, the army could no longer hold its position, and on the 26th the town was evacuated. In the meantime, on the 18th of April, a detachment of the Frontier Division, under command of Col. J. M. Williams, was attacked at Poison Springs, on a foraging expedition, by an over whelming rebel force, and after a very severe engagement, and considerable loss in " killed and wounded, Col. Williams' com mand being short of ammunition, the train was abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy. On the evening of the 29th of April, the army reached Jenkins' ferry or crossing on the Saline River. As the command approached the river, the rear was at tacked by the enemy Avith artillery. At the same time a violent rain commenced falling, Avhich continued until the next day, in a very short time making the roads impassable for trains. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy renewed the attack in force, and the battle continued with great fury until 2 o'clock, P. M., when the enemy withdrew his forces from the field. After repel- ing the enemy, the command succeeded in crossing the Saline River that afternoon, and as it was entirely destitute of rations, it was compelled to march with the greatest haste possible in the direction of Little Rock, and encamped for the night five miles from the battle field. On the following morning the march was resumed, after burn ing nearly all the baggage and clothing. The men, Avorn down by excessive fatigue, were no longer able to carry blankets or 46 362 MILITARY HISTORY OF knapsacks, and it was Avith the most vigorous effort, and the hope of meeting supplies, that they Avere able to drag their Aveary bodies forward. The cavalry brigade Avas sent in advance to Liltle Rock to procure rations for the command. The Avorn-out infantry was met with supplies at Fourche, twelve miles from Little Rock. The Avhole command being so nearly exhausted, it immediately camped for the night to rest. On the following morning (May 8d) it reached Little Rock, where it remained until the 7th, Avhen the 12th Regiment moved Avith the Frontier Divis ion on a forced march to Fort Smith, for the purpose of repeling a threatened attack on that place, where it arrived on the 17th of the same month, having marched a distance of five hundred and fifty miles in about fifty days from the time it left Fort Smith until it returned, through swamps and marshes, over mountains, wading streams, making roadAvays during the day, performing guard duty nearly every night, and at no time with more than half rations, sometimes with but a small quantity of unground corn, and part of the time entirely destitute of provisions either for men or animals. The regiment suffered a greater loss of men from the effects of this most arduous campaign than during all previous marches and engagements, many of the men being entirely Avorn out by excessive fatigue and continuous marching through swamps and in rain, and some were unable to accompany their commands further than Little Rock. Shortly after the regiment returned to Fort Smith, it was set at work on the fortifications, then in process of construction at that place. A line of earthworks was made about one and a half miles from the garrison, extending from the Poteau River on the Avest to the Arkansas River on the northeast of the city, a dis tance of about five miles, and timber felled in front of the line three-fourths of a mile, to prevent the enemy's cavalry or artille ry from advancing upon the Fort. The following Avinter the regiment was engaged in escorting forage trains into the country, which Avere employed in gathering forage for the cavalry and trains at the post, until the 24th day of February, 1865, Avhen it was conveyed on board of a steamer to Little Rock, Ark., Avhere it remained, performing labor on for- KANSAS REGIMBNTS. 363 tifications and doing fatigue and guard duty, until June 3d, 1865, when it was mustered out of service under the provisions of a telegram from the War Department, Adjutant General's Office, dated May 29, 1865, signed T. M. Vincent, A. A. G., to J. J. Reynolds, Major General commanding Department of Arkansas, to take effect June 30th, 1865. 364 MILITARY HISTORY OF MILITARY HISTORY OF THE THIRTEENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The Thirteenth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Avas raised under a call made by the President in the month of July, 1862, for 300,000 volunteers for "Three years or during the war." Under this call, the quota of Kansas was three regiments of in fantry. Hon. J. H. Lane, U. S. Senator from Kansas, was au thorized to superintend the recruiting of all three regiments, and officer the same when organized and mustered into the United States service. In the month of August, 1862, Cyrus Leland, Sen., was ap- appointed Recruiting Commissioner for the counties of Atchison, BroAvn, Doniphan, Marshall and Nemaha, and established the general rendezvous at Camp Stanton, city of Atchison. The men composing the Regiment were the most substantial citizens of the community — mostly men of families and property, principally farmers. The recruits were organized as a regiment on the 10th of September 1862, and on the 20th of the same month were mus tered inio the United States service at Camp Stanton, Kansas, by 2d Lieut. Wm. M. Watts, 3d U. S. Cavalry, Mustering officer, with the folloAving staff officers, viz : Colonel — Thomas M. Bowen, from Captain Co. K, 9th Kansas Cavalry. Lieutenant Colonel — John B. Wheeler. Major — Caleb A. Woodworth, from Private Co. B, 10th Kan sas Infantry. Adjutant — Wm. P. Badger. Quartermaster — Cyrus Leland, Sen. Surgeon — Wm. M. Grimes. Assistant Surgeon — John Becker. Chaplain — Daniel A. Murdock. The regiment remained at the rendezvous drilling and re ceiving instructien preparatory to entering the field for active KANSAS REGIMENTS. 365 service. Early in the month of October the regiment received marching orders, and proceeded at once via Leavenworth and Fort Scott, Kansas, to join Gen. Blunt's command, then in the field, which it accomplished by dint of forced marches on the 29th of the same month, at Old Fort Wayne, Cherokee Nation, and henceforth Avas a part of the Army of the Frontier, and par ticipated in the different engagements in the brilliant campaign against the rebel forces in Arkansas, which resulted in the ulti mate defeat of Hindman's entire army. On the 31st of October, the regiment marched with the com mand to Camp Ewing, where it Avas mustered for pay, and from thence marched to Camp Bowen, Ark., on Spavinaw Creek, the camp having been named in honor of the Colonel of this regi ment. Nothing of importance occurred at this place except the untimely death of Sergeant Noel, of Co. D, which was caused by the accidental discharge of a musket. It marched thence, on the llth of November, to Camp Babcock, on Lindsay's Prairie, Ark., where it remained, subsisting mainly on the country, awaiting the arrival of commissary supplies from Fort Scott, which weie received the night of the 26th. Three days' rations of hard bread and meat was issued, and the men ordered to supply them selves with eighty rounds of ammunition, preparatory to making an attack upon a rebel force under command of Marmaduke, who was reported encamped a short distance in front of the Army of the Frontier. On the morning of the 27th of November, the whole command moved very early, without transportation, in the direction of Cane Hill, where the rebel General Marmaduke had taken position with six thousand cavalry, two howitzers and a battery ot artillery. The command executed the march of forty miles, and on the following morning made an attack upon the rebel force. After a short but spirited engagement, the enemy retreated from the town of Cane Hill to a bald knob on the crest of the Boston Mountains, where he made a desperate and stub born resistance, but was finally compelled to retreat into the tim ber, keeping up a severe fire as he retreated, Avhich was continued for a distance of six miles, through brush and over rocks and ditches, to the junction of the Fayetteville and Cane Hill roads, where, at nightfall, the action was ended, the enemy having been 366 MILITARY HISTORY OF completely routed and In full retreat south, leaving his dead and wounded on the field in the possession of our forces. In this engagement the 13th Regiment took an active part, and received the praise and admiration of the commanding General for the manner in which it maintained the reputation of Kansas soldiery. The command bivouacked on the battle field for the night, and on the following morning returned to Cane Hill, where it en camped and aAvaited the arrival of the transportation. The regiment remained in camp at Cane Hill until December 7th, when the enemy attacked the outposts in force, and gave evidence of a general engagement. In the meantime — Saturday night — a column of rebel infantry passed up the Fayetteville road, and before the movement was discovered, Hindman's main force was in the rear of Gen. Blunt's command, and had engaged the 2d and 3d Divisions, under command of Gen. Herron, on their way to reinforce Gen. Blunt, at the crossing of Illinois Creek, about thirteen miles northeast of Cane Hill. At 10 o'clock, Sunday morning, Gen. Blunt began to fall back with his command towards Rhea's Mills to join Gen. Herron, and at 3 o'clock reached the battle .field, where, for nearly five hours Gen. Herron, with a force of but five thousand men, had been contending against a rebel force which outnumbered his three to one, and fresh troops constantly arriving, continued to swell the rebel ranks. The last five miles of the march of Gen. Blunt's Division was made at double quick, being stimulated at hearing the roar of ar tillery and musketry, the 13th being amongst the first to take position on the battle field. It formed line of battle between the 10th and llth regiments, on the right of the main command, in a thick wood, just under the protection of a slight eminence of the ground in the front, and was soon engaged against superior numbers, supporting the 2d Kansas Howitzers and one section of the 1st Kansas Battery. Several desperate attempts were made to capture the batteries, but were as often repulsed with terrible slaughter. After dark the regiment, with the division, retired a few hundred yards from the battle field and bivouacked in the edge of an open space for the night, expecting to renew the at- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 367 tack the following morning. But under cover of the darkness the rebels muffled the wheels of their artillery, and commenced a hasty retreat in the direction of the Arkansas River. The next morning the rebel General Hindman sent a flag of truce to Gen. Blunt, asking an armistice to enable them to care for the Avounded, Avithout reference to his retreating forces, under which he no doubt contemplated a successful retrograde movement, and suc ceeded in getting tAvo hours, which afforded him an opportunity to join his retreating columns with safety to himself. The loss in killed and Avounded on the part of the Union forces numbered about twelve hundred, of which the 13th lost a large per cent The following extract is taken from Col. Wm. Weer's official report: Head'qrs. 2d Brig. 1st Div. Army of the Frontier, Camp at Cane Hill, Ark., Dec. 12, 1862. Colonel: I cannot be too earnest in my commendations of Col. Bowen, commanding 13th Kansas, Maj. Williams, commanding 10th Kansas, and Lieut. Tenney, commanding 1st Kansas Battery, all of my OAvn brigade. Their daring, skill and active endeavors in the rallying and management of their men, amid storms of bullets, deserve not only honorable mention, but a place upon the record of those who merit promotion. ******* Lieut. Col. Moonlight, Chief of Staff. The following is a list of killed and wounded in the 13th Regi ment, as exhibited by the official report, viz : Company A — Captain Samuel Flickinger commanding. WOUNDED. Private W. H. Reed, head, slightly. " C. D. Bodkins, leg, slightly. 368 MILITARY HISTORY OF Company B — Lient Marion Beeler commanding WOUNDED. 1st Sergeant J. F. Kotsch, mouth, severely. Private W. D. Moore, face and shoulder. " J. Walker, leg, slightly. " E. Alexander, ankle, slightly. " E. S. Butler, knee, severely. " J. N. Welsh, hip, severely. " J. Maquilken, arm, slightly. " R. Arthur, iC " " Wm. A. lies, hip, slightly. " T. T. Smith, belly, slightly. Company C — Captain. H. Robertson commanding. KILLED. Private Eli T. Vickery. WOUNDED. Private H. 0. Stratton, leg, severely. " W. Higgins, slightly. " W. Cummings, slightly. W. S. Sproals, " MISSING. Private W. Nesse. J. D. Clift. W. F, Bunce. " B. F. Gilmore. Company D — Captain H. R. Neal, commanding. KILLED. Private John Rhoades, (died the day following). WOUNDED Sergeant W. Elliott, arm, severely. " A. Frahm, " " Private 0. J. Norris, " " John Becht, lungs, mortally, (name omitted on other records). KANSAS REGIMENTS. 359 Company E — Captain. P. Hutchinson commanding. KILLED. Sergeant Benjamin Hornbeek. AVOUNDED. Private James Harris, arm, slightly. " James Stewart^leg, severely. Company F — Lient. Wm. J. May commanding. WOUNDED. Lieut Wm. J. May, thigh, severely. Corporal H. M. Higley, ankle. This company was commanded by 1st Sergeant Robt. Grimes after Lieut. May Avas Avounded. Company D — Captain W. S. Blackburn commanding. KILLED. Private John H. Clapp. WOUNDED Private J. W. Oliver, hip, severely. J. G. Ratcliff, hip, slightly. " R. Foster, head. Company H — Captain 0. H. Macauley commanding KILLED. Sergeant John Neal. WOUNDED. Lieut. Jas. 0. McElroy, side, slightly. Private A. J. OAven, lungs, severely. " G. Welchhouse, leg. " W. B. Henderson, foot, slightly. " • J. Abshear, head, slightly. " A. Wamsberry, head and hand. 47 370 MILITARY HISTORY OF Company /—Captain John Schilling commanding, KILLED. Corporal John Jones. Private NeAvton Sevier. AVOUNDED. Lieut. Langdon M. Risley, hip, severely. 1st Sergeant John H. Croft, thigh, severely. Corporal Robert Pollock, side, severely. " C. Weisenheimer, side and leg, slightly. Private Shellon Holman, breast, severely. " John Cole, leg and arm, severely. " Daniel McAuley, side, slightly. MISSING. Private Michael Flanigan. Company K — Captain Patrick McNamara commanding. KILLED. Private Lorenzo Richardson. WOUNDED. Sergeant Martin D. Miller, slightly. Private John Burnes, " Michael Collins, " The casualties in the Regiment are as follows: Killed, 8; wounded, 43 ; missing, 5. Total, 56. After the engagement at Prairie Grove, the Regiment encamped at Rhea's Mills, and afterwards returned to its old camping ground at Cane Hill, where it remained until the 27th of December, Avhen it moved Avith the army in the direction of Van Buren, on the Arkansas River, where it arrived the following day. This march cost the Regiment more men than all the battles in Avhich it Avas engaged, having to Avade Cove Creek, a rapid mountain stream, some places waist deep, thirty-nine times betAveen Cane Hill and the junction formed Avith Lee's Creek, it being one of the coldest days of the season. Numerous cases of pneumonia and chronic rheumatism were the result of this exposure. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 371 After the capture of the town of Van Buren, the Regiment marched Avith the army, accompanied by hundreds of contra bands Avith wagons, carriages and vehicles of various descriptions, together Avith a feAV refugees. The transportation Avas joined at Rhea's Mills, Avhere Gen. Blunt Avas relieved by Gen. Schofield, and the army ordered to Elm Springs, tAvelve miles from Fayette ville, Avhere the Regiment remained in camp until the 7th of January, 1863, when it Avas ordered, on a forced march, to Springfield, Mo., for the purpose of repeling an attack upon that place by the rebel Gen. Marmaduke, but arrived t^o late to par ticipate in the engagement The regiment Avas retained at Spring field, performing garrison and escort duty, until spring. In the meantime a portion of it Avas engaged in a raid on the toAvn of Forsythe, on White River. On the 19th of May it marched for Fort Scott, Kansas, where it arrived on the 29th of the same month, and from thence moved to DryAvood, on outpost duty. .The Regiment remained in the vicinity of Fort Scott about tAvo months, during which time most of the men and officers received twenty days furlough. On the 3d of August the Regiment again took the field with Gen. Blunt, participating in his famous cam paign against the rebel Generals Cooper, Cabell, Steele and Stand Waitie, Avhich resulted in driving the enemy to theAvaters of Red River and the capture of Fort Smith. * The Regiment marched during the month of August, over four hundred miles, performing a march of two hundred miles in the last ten days of the month. During the campaign it marched thirty-eight miles in one day — the day of the engagement at Perryville, Ark. The troops being completely Avorn out, the pursuit Avas aban doned, and the command moved leisurely in the direction of Fort Gibson, except one Brigade, of Avhich the 13th Regiment formed a part, which Avas ordered to Webber's Falls, C. N., on the Arkansas River, where it arrived on the last day of August, and remained there until the 15th of the following month, Avhen it marched to Scullyville, 0. N., where it performed outpost and scouting duty until the 6th of October, Avhen it marched to Van Buren, Ark, and Avent into winter quarters, performing post, for- 372 MILITARY HISTORY OF aging and escort duty, until the month of March, 1864, when a portion of the Regiment — Cos. A, C, D, G, H and I — Avere or dered to Fort Smith, Ark., Avhere they Avere placed on garrison duty, Cos. B, E and F remaining at Van Buren. Thus this little Regiment garrisoned the tAvo posts last mentioned during the ab sence of the command on the Camden Expedition, and subse quent to its return, Avithout any assistance except a feAv compa nies of the 6th Kansas Cavalry, and four parts of companies of recruits of the U. S. C. T. After the disastrous campaign of the 7th Corps south, the guerrillas became so numerous and bold in the vicinity of Van Buren and Fort Smith, that small squads dare not venture be yond the line of entrenchments except at the peril of life or cap tivity. Foraging parties were continually being attacked, some times Avith slight loss to the 13th. In the month of August, '64, Col. BoAven, of the 13th, Avas captured and carried off a prisoner Avhile breakfasting Avithin rifle shot of the pickets, but succeeded in making a compromise with the bushAvhackers, and was re leased the same day he was captured. On the 1st of the same month, Captain Marion N. Beeler, Co. B, in command of a scouting party, consisting of Cos. B and F, attacked a band of guerrillas in the night that had taken refuge in a log house, in which the Captain received a mortal Avound, and one enlisted man wounded. The guerrillas were finally routed with the loss of their leader and three men killed, and all their hosres, saddles, bridles and camp equipage. Thus the summer passed, occasionally a man being killed or carried off a prisoner. It appears that no official reports of the various engagements of detachments of the Regiment were ever made. Although no severe fighting occurred while the Regi ment was stationed at those places, it was subjected to many privations, being frequently on half or quarter rations, and not averaging half rations during the Avhole time, with the exception of meat. The discipline and drill of the Regiment was excellent, and reports of Inspecting Officers shoAV it to have been one of the very best in the Department of Arkansas. On the 3d of March, 1865, the Regiment was ordered to pro- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 373 ceed to Little Rock, Ark. Upon its arrival at that place, it was immediately placed on provost guard and garrison duty, and re mained there until the 26th of June, when it was mustered out of service. It Avas then ordered to proceed to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where it received final payment, and was discharged from the service of the United States on the 13th day of July, 1865. 374 MILITARY HISTORY OF MILITARY HISTORY OF THE FOURTEENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. " To the very moment that he bade me tell it: Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field ; Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach; Of being taken by the insolent foe. ' LSlIAKKSPEARE. In the spring of 1863, Maj. Gen. Blunt received authority from the War department to recruit a battalion of cavalry as his per sonal escort. This was intended to be composed of four companies of picked men. ' They Avere speedily obtained ; so speedily, indeed, that inasmuch as the necessity Avas at that time urgent for more troops, Gen. Blunt had the order so extended and altered as to authorize the enlistment of a full regiment of cavalry for the cur rent Avants of the service. Under this authority Gen. Blunt, through his recruiting com missioner, Maj. Anderson, (aftenvards Adjutant General of the State), aided by the efforts of Gov. Carney, soon had the requi site number of men recruited, and in November, 1863, the 14th Kansas Cavalry was in effect organized and placed in the field. On the 20th of this month, (November), by order of General Blunt, the Regiment moved from Fort Scott (Avhich Avas its place of rendezvous) en route for Fort Smith, Arkansas, under com mand of Lieut. Col. Thomas Moonlight, llth Kansas Vols. It arrived at Fort Smith December 3d, 1863, and was at once placed upon active duty by Gen. John McNeil, who then com manded at that place. The Regiment (being Avell mounted, and cavalry being much needed at the post) at once entered upon an active career of scouting, foraging, picket and other duties. This was kept up during the winter, or until the 23d of February. Just before this time, Col. Moonlight was relieved from the command of the regiment, Maj. J. G. Brown succeeding him- Under this officer the 14th Kansas marched during the month of February on an expedition into the beautiful but almost deserted KANSAS REGIMENTS. 375 ChoctaAV country. The line of its march Avas that of Lieutenant Whipple's survey for the Southern Pacific Railway via Sherman, Texas. Many of the iron bridges built by that pioneer of the Pacific Railroad, the Overland Mail Company, yet remained. The expedition Avas intended to penetrate to Boggy Depot, C. N., and Avas to co-operate Avith a force from Fort Gibson, C. N., under command of Col. Wm. A. Phillips. On account of orders received from Headquarters District of the Frontier, the entire regiment did not proceed further than North Fork ToAvn, on the Canadian River, eight companies of the regiment returning to Fort Smith under Maj. BroAvn, and Cos. B, K, L and M accom panied Col. Phillips. As the only cavalry Avith the force it acted as the adArance of the command Avhile penetrating the enemy's country, and when Avithin twenty miles of Boggy Depot, it Avas found necessary to retreat to avoid a largely superior force, this battalion of cavalry acted as the rear guard of Col. Phillips' little army, doing signal service throughout. Upon returning to Fort Smith the regiment, under command of Maj. BroAvn, Avas ordered to proceed to and garrison the tem porary post of Ozark, Ark. It arrived at that place, Avhich is situa ted on the Arkansas River, fifty miles beloAv Fort Smith, on the 28th of February. Here it remained until the 6th of April, '64, constantly scouting the country, and rendering secure the navi gation of the Arkansas River within its scouting limits. The 14th Kansas Cavalry afforded the loyal citizens of Franklin coun ty an opportunity of voting at the importent State election held during the occupancy of Ozark by the regiment, and Avere much gratified to Avitness the loyalty Avith -Avhich the citizens exercised the right of suffrage. About the 6th of April the regiment marched in obedience to orders on the famous Camden Expedition, in company with the balance of Gen. Thayer's forces, forming the Frontier Division, which it joined at Danville, Ark. A junction Avas formed Avith Gen. Steele's main force at the Crossing of the Little Missouri River, on the llth of April. On the 13th the battle of Prairie de Anne was fought, and the rebels defeated. In this engage ment the regiment bore an honorable part. On the next day the 14th Kansas Cavalry was detailed as rear guard of the entire ar my. Acting in this capacity, it received and repulsed a furious 376 MILITARY HISTORY OF onset made by an overwhelming force of the enemy under the rebel General Dockery. The whole of the 3d Brigade, composed of the 2d, 6th and 14th Kansas Cavalry becoming engaged, the battle of Moscow ensued, and the enemy Avere driven with con siderable loss into their entrenchments beyond the Prairie de Anne. The brunt of this engagement Avas borne by the 14th Kansas Cavalry. The tAvo howitzers belonging to the regiment were worked Avith signal ability by Lieut. Rickabaugh, and the regi ment Avas complimented by General Thayer for its coolness and bravery. A detachment of the regiment, consisting of some sixty men, was engaged in the sanguinary battle of Poison Springs, on the 17th of April. Some twelve of this number were killed or taken prisoners by the enemy. Some of these died a linger ing death in the miserable prison pen of the rebels at Tyler3 Texas. During the march from Camden (after its evacuation) towards Little Rock, two squadrons of the 14th Kansas Cavalry — Cos. F and G, Avith their officers — participated in the bloody engagement of Jenkins' Ferry, on the 30th of April. They Avere the only cavalry upon the Federal side engaged; all the balance of the cavalry force of Gen. Steele's army having been pushed forward to repel a threatened attack upon Little Rock. The duties of this little handful of cavalry at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry were therefore arduous and of such a nature as to call forth the great est display of coolness. They were mostly employed as mounted skirmishers, couriers and orderlies, aud behaved themselves with commendable tact and bravery. About the middle of May the regiment returned to Fort Smith, doing guard, picket, scouting and escort duty. Its losses from these causes Avere severe during this period. Company E, Avith its officers, Avas engaged in the different bat tles of the border Avith the rebel General Price during the fall of '64. This company, Avith its brave and accomplished command ing officer, Lieut. Wm B. Clark, acted as the personal escort to Maj. Gen. Blunt. They had just before this greatly distinguished themselves at Cabin Creek. At "Westport they were hotly engaged, and had KANSAS REGIMENTS. 377 seven men killed and Avounded. At Mine Creek and at New tonia they Avere in the front of battle, and added fresh laurels to their already splendid reputation. It is but just to state that three other officers of the Regiment Avere engaged Avith Gen. Curtis' force in the memorable Battles of the Border. All of them Avere on detached duty at the time. First, and most conspicuous, Avas Col. Charles W. Blair, Avho commanded a brigade of militia and volunteer artillery, and Avhose bravery and self-sacrificing efforts during these troublous times, Avill never be forgotten by the people of Kansas. Col. Blair's brigade, under his efficient leadership, Avon imper ishable honor upon the fields of Mine Creek and Westport. At the former engagement, Col. Blair received the forma) surrender of Gen. Marmaduke, and conducted him in person into the pres ence of Gen. Curtis, to whom he delivered him as a prisoner of war. Surgeon A. W. Chenowith accompanied Col. Blair as his acting Medical Director. He had charge of the rebel Avounded at Mine Creek, and rendered arduous and effective service. Capt Geo. J. Clark, long the able and efficient Ordnance Offi cer at Fort Scott, accompanied the army as chiel Ordnance Offi cer on Gen. Curtis' staff. He had charge of the ammunition train, and his duties, Avhir-li Avere discharged Avith great zeal and promptness, necessitated almost 'constant labor by night as Avell as by day. On the 1st day of January, 1865, the Regiment Avas ordered to Clarksville, Ark., whither it Avent under command of Maj. Chas. Willits, Avho had succeeded Lieut. Col. Brown. Its duty, in connection Avith the balance of the 3d Brigade stationed at ClarksArille, Avas to scout and police the country so as to render the navigation of the Arkansas River as safe as pos sible. Although stationed north of the river, they scouted both sides of the stream, crossing bj the uncertain means of rafts or hastily-constructed boats, to sui ,..ise some detachment of a par- tizan force and annihilate it. The whole country swarmed Avith guerrillas. Engagements Avith them Avere of almost daily occur rence. Our troops fought them in their mountain fastnesses, or 48 378 MILITARY HISTORY OY in their Camps in the midst of the dense and almost impassable thickets of cane bordering the Arkansas River, and always with that general success Avhich attends the patriotic brave Avho battle in a just cause. Thus did our soldiers brave disease and death in all its forms, and thus, upon the line of the Arkansas River, did the brave men of Kansas defend their homes "far aAvay. " The people of Kansas Avere secure just in proportion as this line of defense Avas maintained. It is hoped that they will re member, Avith becomingly grateful feelings,* the devotion and bravery of those men avIio gave them immunity from danger amid the troubles and trials of the greatest civil Avar that history records. Hut all the activity and energy ol these troops could not pre vent the enemy from occasionally interfering with the navigation of the river. The only serious interference, however, was that of the rebel Col. Brooks, who, Avith fifteen hundred men and tAvo pieces of artillery, intercepted, captured and destroyed the steam er Chippewa, and disabled the steamer Annie Jacobs, fifteen miles above Clarksville, the rebels advancing from the south side of the river. Timely aid Avas rendered the wounded sol diers, passengers and crew, and they were brought to Clarksville and tenderly cared for. In the relief afforded these unfortunate sufferers, the 14th Kansas Cavalry bore a conspicuous part. A battalion of the regiment, under the brave Capt. Larimer, re mained with the disabled steamer until she was repaired and once more afloat. While the 14th Kansas Cavalry remained at Clarksville, an important scout Avas made by a battalion of the regiment led by Maj. Chas. Willits in person. It was into Avhat is known as the Bear Creek country, Searcy county, Ark. The Surgeon of the regiment and Adjutant Nieman, together with Capt Teeple some other other officers, accompanied the party. A region of country Avas penetrated one hundred and twenty-five miles north east of Clarksville, which had not before been visited by Union scouts. The narrow, rich valleys were found teeming with pro visions and forage. The party Avas absent some ten days, and enjoyed themselves in leisurely contemplating some of the finest KANSAS REGIMENTS. 379 natural scenery in the world. A small band of guerrillas was surprised, and two of its most notorious members were killed. Their names were ascertained to be Sam Halstead and Abb Cook. Returning from this scout, orders Avere found aAvaiting us transferring the 14th Kansas Cavalry to the 2d Brigade, 2d Di vision, 7th Army Corps, and ordering that the regiment report at once to the commanding officer at Pine Bluff', Ark., for duty. The order Avas complied Avith, and on the 25th of February, '65, the regiment embarked on board the Government steamer Ad. Hines for destination. Arriving at Pine Bluff on the 27th of February, the regiment found its neAV arms — the Spencer car bine — aAvaiting them. These splendid Aveapons were procured threugh the energetic efforts of the Lieut. Colonel of the regiment, J. Finn Hill. This officer had lately been commissioned and mustered vice BroAvn, resigned. His arrival Avas anxiously looked for by the entire regiment In the month of March he Avas heard from at Little Rock, sick in the officer's hospital ; later, by advice of his attending surgeon, he Avas transferred to the officer's hos pital at St Louis, Mo. He did not long survive his arrival at that place. Lieut. Colonel Hill died of consumption, incurred through hard service during four years of duty in every grade. He rose from the ranks, having entered the service as a private, and having secured his promotion through sterling worth and unquestioned ability. His premature death Avas sincerely mourned by his intimate friends, and his decease was justly re garded as one of the most precious offered upon the altar of a free government and undivided country. Lieut. J. G. Haskell, who had been commissary of the regi ment from its organization, died on board the steamer Linnie DroAvn, on the 4th of May, 1865, Avhile the boat lay at Little Rock. He died of pneumonia. Lieut. Haskell Avasan excellent officer, and being a perfect gentleman and highly respected by all, his death was greatly regretted. At Pine, Bluff the l5th Kansas Cavalry did a great deal of duty. The regiment Avas now almost entirely dismounted ancf serving on foot, doing the duty of infantry. Lieutenant Colonel Hill was succeeded by Albert J. Briggs, 380 MILITARY HISTORY OF (formerly Captain of Company F), who was elected to the va cancy with great unanimity. He Avas mustered Lieutenant Col. of the regiment the latter part of May. The regiment Avas now at Fort Gibson, C. N. , Avhither it had gone in the early part of the month, in obedience to orders. It reported to Major General Blunt at this post, and il was expected that the 14th Avould accompany that gallant officer on an expedition into Texas. The great final scenes of the war were iioav closing in upon us, and their occurrence rendered the expedition of General Blunt unnecessary, and also made it pos sible for a portion of the troops intended to accompany it to be mustered out of the United States service. Accordingly, on the 25th day of June, the 14th Kansas Cavalry, having been in cluded in an order to muster out dismounted cavalry in the Department of Arkansas, on that day, by Lieutenant Fred. W. ScliAvarte, 2d United States Cavalry, and Assistant Commissary Musters, 4th Division, 7th Army Corps, the regiment Avas at once placed en route for LaAvrence, Kansas, the place designated for final discharge aud payment It arrived at this point on the ilth day of July; but from some unaccountable delay, the final muster-out and payment of the regiment was not accomplished until the 20th of August following. A review of the duty performed by the 14th Kansas Cavalry, during the two years of its hisiory, will show that the part it per formed in subduing the great rebellion, was of an important and onerous character. For the most part it served in a region of country destitute of supplies, and so far from a base that it Avas a great portion of the time on diminished rations of subsistence and forage. The men endured many privations in consequence, and the horses were soon lost from the same cause. While mounted, the men were almost constantly in the saddle, for they entered the service at a time Avhen the power and force of the rebellion seemed to have culminated, and when our troops were kept in ceaseless activity to prevent any advantage from being taken by an unscrupulous foe. The 14th Kansas Cavalry did its part well in defending the line of the Arkansas River, and in all the important campaigns and expeditions undertaken by KANSAS REGIMENTS. 381 the troops serving in the Department of Arkansas from Decem ber, 1863, to June, 1865. Many of the boys " sleep the sleep that knows no waking " in that far oil region. Nobly did they perform their duties; gal lantly did they denieau themselves in battle ; heroically did they yield up their lives "that the Nation might live." "They left Ihe ploughshare in the mold. The Hocks and herds without a fold ; The sickle in the unshorn grain. The corn half-garnered on the plain; And mustered in their simple dress For wrongs to seek a stern redress; To right those wrongs,, come weal, come woe. To perish— or, o'ercome the foe." 1 A.. W. C S82 MILITARY HISTORY OP MILITARY HISTORY OF THE FIFTEENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. This Regiment dates its origin Avith the LaAvrence Massacre. Some time prior to that heartrending atrocity, Gov. Carney had received authority from the War Department to organize a cav alry force, to be devoted to the protection of the then exposed border of Kansas. Town after toAvn had been sacked and burned; hundreds of Kansas men robbed and murdered; Avhole communities in the border tier counties had been, day and night, subject to the most fearful and startling seasons of. unrest; until, without adequate protection, it became evident that the rich counties of Eastern Kansas wou.ld become depopulated. This condition of things culminated, August 21st, 1863, in the Quan trell raid upon the unarmed and unsuspecting people of the city of Lawrence, of whom one hundred and forty-three Avere mur dered in cold blood, and the business portion of the town laid in ashes. • Gov. Carney at once commissioned Col. C. R. Jennison to recruit a regiment of Cavalry. Col. Jennison forthwith opened a general rendezvous at Leavenworth, and enlisting Capt. Geo. H. Hoyt, formerly of Co. K, of the Seventh, and at that time better known as the "chief Kansas Red Leg," made a hasty recruiting tour through the State, speaking Avith success at Wyandotte, Olathe Paola, Ossawattomie, Mound City, Fort Scott, Garnett, Prairie City, Lawrence, Topeka, Oskaloosa, Atchison, Ehvood and Saint Joseph, Mo. The regiment Avas filled, and a surplus battalion turned over as the nucleus of the 16th regiment, within one month. Tavo companies each from IoAva and Illinois Ave>e declined, the Ex ecutives of those States refusing to alloAV them to enter organiza tions outside those raised by them respectively. COMPANY A. Mustered into the service early in September, and officered by Captain John A. Wanless; 1st Lieut. James Wilson, of Johnson KANSAS REGIMENTS. 383 county; 2d Lieut. D.Wallingford, of LeavenAVorth county. The men were enlisted in Franklin and Johnson counties, and among them were a number of Shawnees, who proved to be good and brave soldiers. COMPANY B. Mustered Avith the folloAving officers: Capt., Jno. L. Thomp son; 1st Lieut., John Murphy; 2d Lieut., R. J. Wood. A large proportion of this company Avere veterans of the regular army. company c. Recruited in Leavenworth, Jefferson and Miami counties, and entered the service Avith the folloAving officers: Captain, B. F. Simpson; 1st Lieut., J. H. Phillips; 2d Lieut., Jason Smith. Lieut. Smith subsequently resigned, and Q. M. Sergeant Farns- worth Avas promoted to the vacancy. COMPANY D. Recruited at large through the State, and mustered Avith the folloAving officers: Captain, T. J. Hind; 1st Lieut., N. Ellis ; 2d Lieut., L. J. Beam. COMPANY E. Principally recruited in Wyandotte county, arid officered as folloAvs: Captain, Curtis Johnson; 1st Lieut., John T. Smith ; 2d Lieut., W. H. Bisbee. COMPANY F. Recruited in ShaAvnee, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties. Its officers Avere as follows: Captain, 0. A. Curtis; 1st Lieut., T. J. Bragg ; 2d Lieut., R. F. BoAvman. COMPANY G. Part of a battalion originally recruited by Major R. H. Hunt for the 2d Kansas. Its officers were: Captain, C. 0. Smith ; 1st Lieut, F. M. Hall, 2d Lieut., H. L. Barker. Many of these men Avere enlisted in Buchanan county, Mo. COMPANY H. Like G, Avas recruited in Northern Kansas and Missouri, and 384 MILITARY HISTORY Or mustered with the folloAving officers : Captain, 0. F. Dunlap, 1st Lieut., R. M. Fisk; 2d Lieut., F. E. Smith. This company never served Avith the balance of the regiment until 1865. COMPANY I. Recruited in Leavenworth county. Its officers Avere : Capt., S.W.Greer; 1st Lieut., S. S. Nichols; 2d Lieutenant, W. H. Morris. COMPANY K. Recruited in Leavenworth and Johnson counties. Its officers were as follows: Captain, Joseph B. Swain; 1st Lieut. Geo. W- Roberts; 2d Lieut., John H. Roberts. COMPANY L. Recruited at large in the State, and organized with the follow ing officers: Captain, D. D. Rooks; 1st Lieutenant A. Donavan; 2d Lieutenant. Orloff Norton. COMPANY M. Recruited in Linn county, Kansas, and Jackson county, Mo. Its officers were: Captain, E. B. Metz ; 1st Lieut., EmmettGoss; 2d Lieut., W. A. Johnson. The organization of the regiment Avas completed by the mus ter-in of the folloAving Field and Staff officers: Colonel — C. R. Jennison. Lieutenant Colonel — Geo. H. Hoyt. Majors — R. H. Hunt, John M. Laing, H. C. Haas. Surgeon — A. E. Deming. Assistant Surgeon — E. TAviss. Chaplain— B. L. Reed. Adjutant — Joseph Mackle. Quartermaster — Geo. W. Carpenter. Commissary — John Francis. The regiment went into camp on the " Blue Grass," below Fort Leavenworth, where it was partially mounted and armed. The first arms received, however, were Hall's carbines and sabres insufficient in numbers, and the former particularly worthless KANSAS HKttXMKNTis. #83 and long before condemned by the Army Board. With such as these ahont one-half of the" regiment was armed — that is, for a total of over eleven hundred men Ave were furnished six hundred and sixty six rusiy breech-loading carbines of the worst pattern extant, with about the same number of heavy cavalry sabres, a weapon almost as useless in a border campaign as a four-inch biass pistol. With these, however, Ave managed to gel along for a time, the squadrons usim* the-m alternately for the purposes of drill and guard duty. Having no stables a number of liorse.s died, and all of them suffered very much in appearance during the portion ol the winter we remained in camp. In November iavo of the companies were assigned to duty iu the city and laid out a camp in one of the western additions, one or two' were sent to Paola and Fort S.-oti, while in the following month the re mainder (with the exception of Co. C, Avhich had been on duty between Kansas City and Independence since its organization) were ordered to Fort Riley for the winter. Camp was accord ingly broken up, and a portion of the command started westward Many were detained ior tho purpose of having the horses shod, us the siat'' of the weuiht-T rendered a march impossible in the condition thev were in. lint before ail arrangements had been concluded the order was countermanded, and such as were. already on the march came back. Some of them were quuueied at. Leavenworth, of whieh Colonel Jennison had meantime taken command, Avhile others wen: distributed between the various posts in Southern Kansas as tar south as Leroy, during the march to Avhich point, and pending the erection of suitable quarters, some of the men were badly Irozen. Co. E was not with the. regiment during its first months of service, and Co. Ii afterward* served its tenn out iu another district. After it had dwindled doAvn to a beggarly total of about six hundred, (the leniainder being oik ni' my district nr on detailed or garrison service in it), the Fifteenth was. for the first time, brought into the field aguiiiM its natural enemies— the rebels and bushwhackers under Gen. 'Price, in Missouri— more than a year after its organization, and after its animals were wore ont on escort duty and bootless scouts, and il had comparatively lost the esprit du corps so nec essary to a healthy military condition. Colonel Jennison remained in command at Fort Leavenworth 49 386 MTLTTARV HTSTORT OF until August, 1864, during which time the various companies of the regiment were stationed along the eastern and southern bor der of the State, in sub-districts under the command of officers of other regiments, nearly as folloAvs: At Olathe, Paola, Cold- water Grove, Trading Post, Fort Scott, Osage Mission and Hum boldt, Avhile one company (H) aa^s at Fort Riley. In February, 1864, Colonel Jennison received an invoice of neAV arms for the regiment, and during the same month and the following, one thousand Sharp's improved breech-loading car bines Avere issued, with plenty of ammunition. As the men were not generally provided with sabres, he made an effort to procure revolvers, but was informed that the Department had decided to arm cavalry regiments with either carbines and sa bres or sabres and revolvers. In May, 1864, Maj. Denting, Surgeon, died at Fort Leaven worth, and Avas succeeded by Assistant Surgeon Tavjss, whose place was filled by Samuel Ashmore, then a private in F com pany. These are all the changes that occurred up to this time, except in Co. L, Lieut. Norton having been promoted to the captaincy wee Rooks, deceased March 1.5th, and the dismissals in company K, by virtue of which Turner and Ayres Avere com missioned as Lieutenants in that company. During the suc ceeding two months nothing occurred AvhereAvith to write history for the Fifteenth. There were, indeed, some bushwhacking disturbances by Anderson, Thornton, &c, in North Missouri, and an expedition was sent from Fort LeaAremvorth to Platte county Avith compara* lively unimportant results. Rebel recruiting in that neighbor hood Avas, however, broken up, and the various detachments of greybacks thereabouts scattered and 'driven southward. Colonel Holliday, Adjutant General of the State, in his Report for 1864, refers to the regiment as follows: •'The bloody massacre at LaAvrence on the 21st of August, 1S63, prompted the patriotic citizens of Kansas to reneAved ef forts for the suppression of the rebellion, and the unanimity Avith which they co-operated at that time with his Excellency Gov. Carney in strengthening the power of the Government, resulted m the organization of the Fifteenth regiment of volunteers, cav alry. This regiment was raised in the fall of that year, princi- KANSAS BDOIMXNTS. 387 pally through the agency of the gallant Colonel Jennison, for merly of the 7th, and Lieut. Colonel Hoyt. It Avas made up of men whose ardent attachment to the cause of freedom and the maintenance of the General Government, peculiarly qualified them as jealous and efficient guardians of the public Avelfare in the district of country where their duty called them. Always on the alert for busliAvhackers and guerrillas, they have frequently administered such good and Avholesome admonition to them as to cause the name of the 15th to become a terror to those ¦'ene mies of the human race." Patient of endurance, and fearless almost to desperation in the face of the enemy, they have added laurels to the memory of their slain, and converted the appella tion of ''jayhawkers" into one of honor and fame. The 15th was almost constantly in the presence of the enemy during the late invasion of Missouri, retarding his advance or hastening his retreat by .following closely upon and striking terror and dismay into his broken and disorganized hordes. Except the battles in cluded in the invasion above, referred to, the 15th has not par ticipated in many of importance, but from the hazardous and arduous duties it has been required to perform, its numbers have been considerably reduced. " The many outrages from which the sudden and unexpected presence of the 15th has saved the people of -Kansas, will ever remind them of the gratitude, they owe the soldiers of this gal lant regiment." In August, 1864, C6l. Jennison. was relieved irorn duty at Fort Leavenworth and ordered to Mound City, where he Avas placed in command of the 1st sub-district of Southern Kansas, under Brig. General McKari, and subsequently Maj. General Sykes. Under this order of things, Colonel Blair retained command at Fort Scott, Lieut. Colonel Hoyt was given the troops in and Avest of Neosho Valley, Avith headquarters at Humboldt, Avhile Major Laing commanded in Linn and Anderson counties, until events caused a concentration of our forces at Fort Scott, in anticipation of advance by the rebels subsequent to the capture of the train at Cabin Creek, when the sub-district was transferred to "tho field." All these precautionary measures, however urgent, Avere not destined to be tested, aathe enemy's force was soon after with- 388 MILITARY HISTORY OF drawn south of the Arkansas, and the necessity for defensive concentration passed away, and about the 1st of October the troops at and in the vicinity of Fort Scott Avere ordered to return to their previous stations on the border. The following report of a portion of the operations of the com mand to which the loth was attached having been officially made by Colonel Jennison is appended, because it involves the history of the regiment in connection Avith the memorable cam paign of the rebel General Price : "About the 5th of October orders were received relative to the invasion of Missouri by the trans-Mississippi army under Gen. Price by the eastern border of the State, and of his occupation of Pilot Knob and the retreat of General Ewing. The troops in Kansas were again to be concentrated to meet any possible emer gency, and I at once directed the garrisons Avest and south to march for Mound City, there to await further orders. On the 8th a portion of the regiment arrived from Humboldt and the stations west, but the forces at Fort Scott and Osage Mission re mained in camp until the orders came for us to march north ward. I reached, in accordance Avith orders from Gen. Curtis, Hickman's Mills on the llth of October, and on the 15th the' 1st Division of the Army of the Border was organized. My Brigade, the 1st, consisted of the 15th regiment, numbering only six hun dred men, a Battalion of the 3d Wisconsin,. and a battery of: 12 pdAvr. mountain "howitzers. Colonel Moonlight had command of the 2d Brigade, Colonel Blair of the 3d, and Colonel Ford of Jthe 4th, (afterwards organized). We left Hickman's Mills on the 16th, previous to which the Division was reduced to light march ing order, with only such supplies as could be carried by the men on horseback. All extra blankets and clothing Avas left at the Mills to follow with the train, and as far as I am aware they are following yet, as I do not knoAv that anything has been seeu since. " Our destination was Warrensburg, toward which point it was said the rebels Avere making a demonstration; but before reach ing that place, the Divisien was abruptly turned ro the north ward, it being apparent that the enemy was advancing in force on Lexington, and it became a question of speed and endurance KANSAS REGIMENTS. 389 as to which would get there first. It was not known precisely tohat direction would be taken by Gen. Price, the only informa tion being by telegraph from Gen. Rosecrans, as follows: 'Headquarters. St. Louis, | 'October 10. | ' Price's movements are not knoAvn, but he, has avowed bis in tention to go to LeavenAvorth. If he Avill try this, it will enable our columns under Mower and Smith and our cavalry 10 get be tween them and the Osage, and they will .suffer. They spread and stretch out for subsistence ; therefore your cavalry can pos sibly strike (ho heads of their columns aud part and retard their march. The telegraph lines are so interrupted that i! will be difficult to communicate with you. 'W. S. ROSECRANS, ' Major General. 'Maj. General Curtis, Leavenworth.' "The 1st Brigade reached Lexington on the 18th, going into camp at the Fair Grounds, south of the city, Avhile the 2d entered the town, routing a detachment of rebels who held possession and were recruiting under authority of General Sterling Price. The headquafters of the ioth were established in a. large brick .house on the west side of the road, the property of General Tom Shields, of the rebel army. That evening a requisition for sup per, was served on the remaining 'chattels' of the gallant rebeU and the feathered effects of the homestead suffered to some ex tent. "During the forenoon of the 19th our pickets Avere driven in, and the information reached headquarters that the enemy Avere advancing in three columns — by the Dover road, the Sedalia road and the river road. The two Brigades were at once dis posed to meet them, while companies E and F Avere sent to the front as skirmishers on the Sedalia road. Here the rebel army was first met, and a brisk fire was at once commenced from small arms and a section of the hoAvitzer battery under Lieut. Murphy, Co. B, 15th. The rebel advance guard, four or five hundred strong, weie driven back to the main column. Two companies ot the llth were in the meantime engaged on the Dover road, and 390 MILITARY HISTORT OT one company of the same regiment scouted the road south to-- wards Warrensburg. Towards dark the enemy forced a passage to the city, the 2d Brigade having been withdraAvn,and the order for the Avhole Division to retire in the direction of Independence was given. The 17th regiment, Avith companies E and F of the 15th, formed the rear guard, the latter having been cut off, and only rejoining the command after the retrograde movement had commenced. The sharp, resonant reports of the rifled ordnance in our front were an intimation to -move on' not to be disre garded. Until long after dark the exultant columns of the ene my pressed on our rear, protected by the llth and the two com panies of the 15th. Many instances of personal gallantry made this movement particularly memorable. '• The action of Captain Curtis in cutting his way through and joining his command should entitle him to something better than a cell in the Missouri penitentiary and zebra pants. Cos. A and D of the 16th were also engaged here, and the conduct of Captain Ames and his Indian troops was especially praise- Avorthy. Here the enemy's force Avas first developed since his attack on Pilot Knob, and his column of about thirty thousand men was successfully checked, to the great advantage of General Curtis, Avho was thereby enabled to bring his militia into train ing for the probable exigencies of the immediate future. "Among the incidents worthy. of notice during this movement was the action of Lieut. Murphy and Sergeant Patterson of the howitzer battery, from my published report .of the campaign. It is given as a worthy tribute to the soldierly, worth of the officers mentioned: 'The retrograde movement was conducted with the utmost good order, notwithstanding the difficulties of the road and the darkness of the night, during which nothing of consequence was abandoned, and officers and men discharged their duties with as much equanimity as though there was not an army of thirty thousand pressing closely upon their rear. Owing to the dark ness of the night and the inequalities of the road, an accident occurred by Avhich the limber of one of the howitzers was bro ken, and. before it could be repaired the entire column had passed. Lieutenant Murphy and Sergeant Patterson remained with the KANSAS REGIMENT*. .191 piece and succeeded in bringing it aAvay in the face of the fire of the enemy's pressing column." "A similar incident is also recorded by Col. Moonlight. " About 2 A. M. of the 20th Ave halted a few miles east of the Little Blue, and the Avorn Division Avas soon enjoying itself in overcoats on the ground. "At sunrise on the 20th we moved toAvards Independence, leaving a battalion at the bridge, Avith orders to burn it upon the first appearance of the enemy. I think that by bringing up all of General Curtis' force we might have held the line of the Little Blue until the arrival of General Pleasanton's forces, Avhen Price would have been forced to retreat by Avay of Pleasant Hill, where he would have been met by Genera! Smith's infantry, and the campaign closed a month sooner. " As it was, Colonel Moonlight, Avith a portion of the 2d Brig ade and a detachment of the 15th, under Major Laing, at tho bridge, was left at the crossing of the Little Blue, Avhile the re mainder moved into Independence, Avhich it reached on the eve ning of the 20th, amid a severe snow storm, Avorn out, hungry Avet and chilled. The forces Avere quartered in the court house and the vacant houses throughout the town. That night, it may well be said, was an anxious one. Our reserve fcce, or rather the main army in point of numbers, Avas scarcely to be depended on in case of disaster, it being almost Avholly composed of mili tia, a great majority of Avhom Avere inexperienced in drill and discipline, and unused to the harsh realities of war, at each mo ment draAving nearer to the Kansas border, folioAved by a supe rior force of the enemy, temporarily checked, it is true, but not successfully resisted. "The enemy commenced the attack upon the 2d Brigade and the detachment at the bridge early in the morning, of Avhich the forces in Independence Avere immediately informed, and the 1st Division, to Avhich a fourth Brigade, under Colonel Ford, of the 2d Colorado, Avas noAV attached, was at once moved out, reaching the field about 10 A. M. of the 21st. They found that theBlue, being easily fordable, had been forced by the enemy, and Col. Moonlight driven back some tAvo miles, manfully contesting the ground- before an overwhelming force. A new line was formed, 192 MILITARY tttsToftr ov of which, dismounted, the 1st Brigade formed the extreme right. This action was fought entirely in the timber, and was of a very irregular character, the nature of the ground forbidding any ma neuvers for position, and the sharpshooters kept us from spar ring much for wind. The action continued fitfully until after dark, our endeavors looking only to a temporary hindrance of the rebel advance in order to form lines of defence in our rear, as well as to keep the enemy employed, if possible, untii Pleasanton's forces could come up. About 7 P. M. the last of our Division passed through Independence, closely follower! by the rebels, who occupied the city that night. "The conduct of the 1st Brigade throughout this trying occa sion was all that could have been expected of its numbers. Lt. Colonel Hoyt and Major Laing, of the 15th are worthy of special mention in this connection, together with Lieuts. Markle arid Bisbee, the latter ot whom, though previously injured during the action, remained on the field and in the discharge ol his duties* throughout. .Major J. N. Smith, ad Colorado, Avas killed iu this engagement, and Lieut Dickson, 3d Wisconsin, was supposed to have, been mortally wounded. A number of officers Avere wound ed, including Capt. Gregg, of the ,4th, Lieut. Spencer, 2d Colo rado, and Frank .1. Evold, volunteer aid to Col. Ford, who after wards died. On the rebel side, Ceorge Todd, a notorious bush whacker, was killed. Without subsistence or linage, we reached the fortified line of the Dig Blue, extending northeast and south, west about six miles. "On the morning of Saturday, the 22d, the 1st Brigade was ordered to Byron's Ford, about five miles southwest of the cross ing of the Blue, on the Independence road. Hero it was joined by one or two companies of militia, which rendered good ser-, vice in aiding us to obstruct the ford by telling trees. &c. The position seemed a strong one. but the force totally inadequate to hold it, as it must have been evident that from the nature of the crossings northward, a heavy force of the. enemy would en-. deavor to force a passage hero as well as further south. About 10 A. M. Captain Swain was sent across the river with instruc tions to proceed in the direction of Independence, and if prevented from rejoining the command by the ford, to fall back towards Hickman's Mills. Major Laing Avas also sent out with a -bat- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 393 talion to reconnoitre the situation further up the stream, with the same instructions. Neither of these detachments returned until after the battle of Westport. "About 12 M. our outposts south of the ford gave notice of the approach of the enemy in heavy force, and almost immedi ately his advance commenced an attack on our lines at the cross ing. The hoAvitzer commanded the road and kept up an inces sant firing. At this point, Avith seven companies, Ave held them in check for about four or five hours, Avhen, about 3 o'clock, they naving succeeded in crossing both above and below our position, we found ourselves effectually flanked, right and left, and were cempelled to retire in the direction of Westport. Messenger after messenger had been despatched to General Blunt, informing him of the extent of operations against us at the ford, but Ave failed to receive reinforcements. Driven from this position, Ave moved out into the open country near the State line, from Avhence it was plainly apparent that a large force had succeeded in cross ing at Russell's ford, and Avas advancing towards Kansas, with the evident intention of taking Westport by the flank. At the line road the 1st Brigade Avas joined by the 2d, and together they moved to the open prairie about four miles beloAv Westport. At this time Shelby's Division of the rebel army Avas ail across the Blue, and moving in column, with a strong force of flankers, to wards Kansas. Almost upon the line the 1st and 2d Brigades met them, the engagement beoming at once animated and gen eral. The 14th K. S. M, Colonel Harvey, being formed on the high ground in our rear, presented to the rebels the appearance of a strong reserye "corps, it being evident that their endeavors were mainly directed to holding their advance line Avest of the Blue until the arrival of further support. This affair Avas car ried through almost entirely by skirmishers, eight companies of the llth and 15th being deployed to the front, the latter under Captains Johnson and Wanless of (hat regiment. The line pressed the rebels steadily eastward until they disappeared about dark in the timber along the stream. Our forces then retired to Westport, bivouacking betAveen that place and Kansas City. "The detachments sent out from Byrom's Ford had not been heard from, and it Avas feared they had been unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of the enemy. It appeared afterwards 50 394 tftLITAH* HIsTOHt OF however, that Captain Swain had proceeded to the forks of the Independence and Raytown roads, Avhere he remained until the rebels had passed between him and the ford, as Avell as to the south. Then moving rapidly to the Avest, they passed the head of the rebel column at a gallop. Heading for Hickman's Mills, they passed round that point into Kansas and rejoined the com mand on Monday, near Santa Fe. "Replenishing its ammunition the 1st Brigade, then reduced to six companies, or about four hundred men, marched, about 5 o'clock on the morning of the 23d, from Westport directly south; crossing Brush Creek and deploying soon after daylight, its first skirmish line in a corn field south of Bent's house, on the right of the road, the howitzers being left Avith the other bat teries in and adjacent lo the road. The 2d Brigade Avas on the extreme right ol the line as then formed. Our skirmish lines soon encountered the enemy swarming through the cornfields and in the timber southAvest of Warnell's, and the battle of West- port Avas speedily opened. Meamvhile the thunders of artillery to the left told that our lines were engaged along the entire front. After a contest of varying fortunes for some minutes on our right, the 1st Brigade was withdraAvn to the timber in the rear of Bent's house, perhaps an eighth of a mile from its former posi tion, while the 2d Brigade took the road to the right leading to ShaAvnee Mission, and passed doAvn through Kansas on the rebel flank. After this, our entire line was pressed back to the north bank of Brush creek, Avhere the entire available force was rallied for a general advance.- Pushing forward rapidly through the valley, Ave soon regained our original position, driving the rebels at all points, until our entire line Avas fairly out of the timber and occupied the open- country, our skirmishers swarming along the fences and stone Avails with which the position Avas so thickly intersected. In spite of the determined resistance of the enemy, our forces moved steadily fonvard until, about a mile to the east and south, a heavy body of cavalry Avas visible emerg ing from the timber, when a general Charge was ordered. Swing- ng into a trot and then a gallop, six companies of the 15th, under Lieut. Colonel Hoyt, took the left of the road, myself the right with the 3d Wisconsin battalion, two companies of the 2d Colo rado and one of the 15th. The 4th Brigade, under Colonel Ford, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 395 was also led by 'fighting Jim' in a dashing charge well up to the front. Then, Avhen both armies were in plain sight upon the prairie, the rebels broke, and in thorough disorder began a precipitous retreat, which was hastened by the well-served artil lery and dashing onsets of Pleasanton's forces on their right and rear. This, briefly told, is how the battle of Westport was fought and won. " The 1st Brigade kept the advance until nightfall, and about sundown came upon the rebel rear near Santa Fe, skirmishing with it until dark, when we gave over the pursuit and attended to the pressing physical wants of both men and horses. At sun rise the next morning, October 24th, the Army of the Border re sumed the pursuit, but as the 1st Brigade did not again encoun ter the enemy until the afternoon of the 28th, I will omit further details of the pursuit during the interval. We had been in the saddle almost constantly since leaving Lexington. " From a recent publication — ' The Army of the Border ' — be fore proceeding, I copy a paragraph relative to the pursuit from Westport: L The pursuit of the retreating rebels was maintained by Col. Jennison with the 1st Brigade and a battalion of the 2d Colora do, Captain Greene, who kept fearlessly on their heels for ten miles, skirmishing to the crossing of the Blue, four miles beyond Little Santa Fe, Avhere, just at sundown, a stand was made by General Fagan, Avho opened on our daring troops with three ri fled guns, and compelled them to desist from further pursuit.' " On the 24th Ave reached the Trading Post, Linn county, where the character of the retreating enemy was plainly appa rent They had burned houses and murdered the inhabitants, and in one instance a large spring, the only supply of water in the vicinity, had been choked up and rendered useless by drag ging a dead horse into it. The desolation which folloAved the rebel army in Kansas, is first described by an article from the Mound City Sentinel, whose editor was on the spot soon after the army passed. That paper thus describes the condition of the border and some of the brutalities enacted: 39 6 MlilTARY HISTORY OF 'Along the line of the rebel army every house within reach of the main body or flankers was robbed of everything it contained. All kinds of clothing was taken, and even the flannel in some instances taken from infants. Every morsel of food, cooked and uncooked, was consumed, destroyed or taken along, and all the stock that could be led or driven was taken ; in fact, everything valuable and not valuable was taken, so that these men and families whose hard fate it was to be in the way, Avere left strip ped of every comfort and necessary of life. 'The retreat of the rebel army is marked not only by robbery and desolation of the Avildest kind, but the fiends were nor con tent Avith that. Six miles north of the Trading Post they mur dered Samuel A. Long, aged 56 years. He was previously rob bed of his money. Three miles north of the Trading Post John Williams, a preacher, aged sixty years, was indecently mutila ted and then hung. Five miles north of the Post Richard B. Vernon was murdered, and in the vicinity of the Post, John Miller, aged sixty-five, was killed. Many other citizens, all un armed, as these were, were shot at.' "Another Avriter thus gives testimony: ' In an extent of six miles wide, through which the rebels passed in Linn county, every house was plundered of all kinds of provisions, blankets, clothing, and all articles, valuable or worthless, that could be carried off. Even the flannel was taken from infants in two cases to our knowledge, and iavo young la dies were stripped of every article of clothing except one under garment each. A woman who was holding a sick child had the shawl torn rudely from about it.' " I can honestly assert here that until these outrages were forced upon our notice no rebel was killed by the 1st Brigade except in battle, and no retaliatory measures adopted. An attempt Avas made, hoAvever, to fasten upon ' Jennison's men' the stigma ol indiscriminate murders on account of an occurrence which trans pired the evening subsequent to the battle of Westport. In Col. Veale's report among the list of killed are placed the nanus of two men — Robert Rolls and David Fults — as 'killed by Jenni- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 397 son's men,' without a word of explanation as to how, when, or where, or under what circumstances these men, belonging to the Kansas militia, were killed. The case of David Fults excited great indignation, and under the supposition that it was 'some of Jennison's work,' General Curtis ordered an investigation. When it was ascertained that some other than Jennison or 'Jennison's men' killed the man, no further indignation was appparent. I will not encumber these pages with the different statements of the affair, but only remark that, from the testimony, David Fults was shot by order ot Colonel Moonlight, the latter believing him to have been a rebel. I Avould also remark, that if it was deemed right for Col. Moonlight to order an execution almost under the eyes of the commanding General, it could not have been such a heinous offence for Col. Jennison to order the killing of known bushwhackers Avhen there Avas no superior officer present. In the Fults case, however, the investigation absolved Col. Jennison from all responsibility in the premises. To resume the march. "On the night of the 25th the 1st Brigade bivouacked a few miles northeast of Fort Scott, to which post it Avas ordered for supplies early next morning. After halting for this purpose an hour or two, we again took up, the route and that night reached Shanghai, twenty-seven miles distant, making Carthage by night fall of the 27th. A cold, chilly night had closed in as Ave ap proached this somewhat famous toAvn, in Avhich were yet visible some monuments of the war in the shape of solitary chimneys and desolated fields. Passing through the toAvn, we halted when about three miles distant from camp. We were then not more than twelve miles distant from the main rear guard of the rebel army; and not more than five from a small detachment of cavalry that had been detailed to observe our movements. While the regi ment was going into camp our scouts caught somewhere in the woods a lanky specimen of a greyback Avho could give no satis factory or proper account of himself, but from papers in his pos session it was evident that he belonged to the engineer (?) corps of the ragged rebs ahead. I ordered him to be securely guarded during the night, intending to send him to headquarters in the morning; but in some inexplicable manner the fellow managed to hang himself to an apple tree before sunrise, or somebody else hung him there. A rigid examination Avas made into the affair by 398 MILITARY HISTORY OF Gen. Curtis, but for once the hero of Pea Ridge found himself at fault on the scent, and let the matter drop. I do not propose lo attempt a justification of the execution of this man, nor do I con demn, in toto, the retaliatory spirit exhibited therein by the men of the command under the circumstances. That they had good provocation will be seen soon. "Soon after Ave made this camp a detail was sent out in the direction of the rebel army, Avith orders to bring in any skulkers or stragglers, as Avell as to ascertain the nature of a light some distance ahead. They soon returned, and with them, or in ad vance, a number of the State militia taken prisoners at or near Hickman's Mills, and who had that day been paroled and sent back by the rebels. The condition of these men was really ter rible. They had walked about twelve miles, barefooted, over fro zen ground, their feet were frost-bitten and bleeding, they were without coats, hats, or blanleets, and almost famished and worn out. They had been driven like cattle at the rate of forty and. fifty miles a day, had been starved and stripped of all clothing, except such as Avould barely suffice to cover their nakedness, and Avhen they could Avalk no further, were paroled and left on the road Avithout food, or clothing, or shelter, or fire. Such pitiable objects I hope I may never see again. They ate hard tack (of which our commissary alone consisted) Avith the eager ness of famishing animals, and hugged the fire as closely as if it was their last chance. These men live in our midst noAV. Ask them if the picture is overdrawn. " Perhaps the men Avho caused this misery, avIio inflicted this Avanton cruelty, Avere entitled to mercy, to forbearance, to kind treatment; but he Avho imagines that the 15th Avould behold such an outrage Avithout the application of the principle of the lex talionis in some way, is ignorant of the motives of its en listment, and must deem its memory poor, indeed. It remem bered the martyred dead of Lawrence, and that night it saw again the fierce flames curling around the dwellings of defence less non-combatants. This is why skulking, Avhining rebels Avere shot and hung at Carthage, and 'it wasn't a very good time for hanging, either.' As long as the names of Anderson ville and Tyler, Belle Isle and Libby, and other prison pens of patriotism remain, the heart is rotten and the lip is foul that KANSAS REGIMENTS. 399 frames one word to condemn the gallant 15th in exterminating the viperish brood. "Early next morning, the 28th, the pursuit Avas reneAved, the 2d Colorado, Avith the battery, and the 16th in advance of us.. About noon Ave passed through Granby, the site of the famous lead mines of Missouri, and formerly the home of the guerrilla Livingston, avIio had extensive property in the mines. The smelting shops had long ago been destroyed, the shafts Avere in many cases filled up, and the once flourishing toAvn Avas deso late. One or tAvo old women remained, and numberless toAv- headed urchins, rebels in futuro, should the Avar last long enough. Here the General received — or somebody did — a wel come announcement, something in this Avise: 'Look hyar, mister, Pap Price said he'd Avait for you uns down thar at NeAV toniar, and fight ver till yer got enufl' of it.' Well, old Pap did Avait, or at least some of his army, but I have never heard that the boast Avas accomplished. " I Avas not myself a Avitness of the hard-fought battle of NeAv- tonia nor a participant. Tavo evenings previous I had been rather severely kicked by a mule, and not supposing a battle at all imminent, had accepted a seat in an ambulance Avith Gen. Curtis, neither of us being aAvare of the fight until it Avas over For a report of this contest, then, I. shall be obliged to derive my information from verbal accounts communicated next day. " The 16th Kansas and 2d Colorado Avere first upon the field and immediately began the attack. These were closely followed by the Colorado Independent Battery of 10-pdAvr. Parrots, Avhich took position on a hill about tAvo miles distant and immediately opened a rapid fire with fuse shell, the practice with Avhich was generally exact and did good execution. In a feAv minutes after the 15th came up, and receiving no orders, took position on the right of our line, Avhere it seemed an attempt Avould be made by the rebels to flank the tAvo legiments then engaged against the entire force of the enemy, who Avas endeavoring to get his train into the timber on the Pineville road. This had been to some extent accomplished Avhen the 15th arrived, and their more par ticular attentions were devoted to the audacious battalions in their rear. The battle of Newtonia was fought for four hours by 400 MILITARY HISTORY OP not more than eight hundred men, against a rebel fighting force oi fourteen thousand, in five lines of battle, and in part protected by timber." The above vivid description by Col. Jennison, takes the reader nearly to the close of the Price campaign. It is, perhaps, proper to add that the 1st Brigade (Jennison's) in the battle of Newto nia, Avas led by Lieut. Col. Hoyt, of the 15th, Avho Avas recom mended by Maj. Gen. Blunt for promotion on account of "gal lant and meritorious conduct" in that engagement, and Avho was tor that reason brevetted Colonel and Brigadier General. At this period of the history of the regiment, W. F. Cloud was appointed Colonel, and the author of this brief sketch had no longer anv connection with it. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 401 MILITARY HISTORY OF THF SIXTEENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The Sixteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Avas organized in .the year 1S63, Avith the following Field and Staff officers >, Colonel — Werter R. Davis. Lieut. Colonel — Samuel Walker. Majors — Jas. A. Price, Jas. Ketner, Clarkson Reynolds., W. F. Woodworth. Adjutant — Phillip Doppler. Reg. Quartermaster — W. B. Halyard. Commissary — Wm. P. Miller. Surgeon — Jas. P. Erickson. Chaplain — Thos. J. Ferril. The 16th did not see the hard service which it Avasthe fortune cf the older regiments to perform. At the battle of the Big Blue, in the vicinity of Westport, Mo., and in the pursuit of the retreating rebel army under Gen Price, the 16th bore an honorable part, and gave proof of the same soldierly qualities that characterized the Kansas troops under all circumstances of danger and peril. The regiment contained many veterans, whose disclipine did not fail to give it the character of experience, and whose hono rable scars infused into its ranks a spirit of praiseAvorthy and patriotic emulation. A part of the regiment Avas sent to the Plains in pursuit of hostile Indians during the summer of the year of its organization, and with this, and the exception before mentioned, the regiment Avas performing post and escort duty during most of its term of service. The 16th was made up of men whose ardent attachment to the principles of freedom and the perpetuity of our institutions of justice and liberty peculiarly qualified them for the trust con fided to them — guarding the defenceless homes of the citizens of 51 402 MILITARY HISTORY OF Kansas on and near the border from the incursions of the nu merous bands of bloodthirsty and unprincipled bushwhackers which at that time threatened that portion of our State. This duty, although onerous and fatiguing, and requiring the ereatest vigilance, Avatchfulness and care, they performed well and faithfully, and the self-sacrificing exertions of the 16th, al though called into the field at a late day, to protect their homes from the torch and themselves from the knife of brutal assassin^ should ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of Kansas. KANSAS REGIMENTS. 403 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE SEVENTEENTH KANSAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. This was a regiment called into service for one hundred day8, and Avas officered as follows : Lieut. Colonel — Samuel A. Drake, commanding. Adjutant — D. C. Strowbridge. Assistant Surgeon — Geo. E, Budington. Quartermaster — B. D. Evans. Authority Avas transmitted in the early part of July, 1864, from the Secretary of War to Major General Curtis, then commanding the Department ot the Missouri, to call upon the Governor of Kansas for a regiment of infantry to serve one hundred days. The call Avas met Avith the usual promptitude of the Executive •f the State, but for reasons that need not be stated here, only Ive full companies Avere raised and mustered into service at Fort Leavenworth, July 28th, 1864. The commissions of the Field and Staff officers are dated July 4th, 1864. The battalion Avas organized at Camp Deitzler, within the southern limits of Leavenworth City, but was soon ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Avhere it entered upon the usual routine of garrison duty. A new camp, named in honor of Gen. Curtis, Avas selected;, and during the term of its enlistment, the command was never quartered in barracks. The call for troops for .the Avestern posts, caused the early de tachment of Co. A, which was ordered to Fort Riley, and C, ordered to Cottonwood Falls. These were soon followed by D Co, which took post at Lawrence, leaving Companies B and E with regimental headquarters. The early separation of the companies of this command pre vented a thorough organization, but it is believed they performed their duties faithfully in the limited field in which they found themselves placed. 404 MILITARY HIS'IOEY Off The rumors of a neAV invasion by General Price, caused numerous movements of troops in Kansas, and the 17th Avas, in September, ordered to Paola, then the headquarters of a sub- district, Col. Moonlight, llth K. V. C, being in command. Lt. Col. Drake, upon his arrival, took command of the postof Paola, relieving Capt. Huntoon, llth K. V. C. A large garrison Avas now assembled at this point. The ru mors of the advance of Price began to be resolved into certainty, and measures Avere taken to check his advance towards the State of Kansas. The events of October, 1864, are freshly remembered, since they were participated in by the whole body of the citizens of Kansas, called into thefield to defend their State from rebel invasion. The first force which marched to repel the advance of Gen. Price into Kansas, was organized at Paola by Maj. Gen. Blunt, and left that post Avith the two companies of the 17th and one of the 16th, to protect that important position, and the public prop erty therein contained. The vigilance required at this time was such as to tax the re sources of the command and the spirit of the men heavily, in addition to which a fort was erected by the labor of thecommand on the site of its camp, and everything put in a complete con dition of defense. Paola being designated- as one of the rendezvous for the State militia, the regiments and detachments reporting at this point Were supplied and forwarded by Col. Drake to their respective destinations. Col. MitchelPs regiment (mounted) from Lyon county, remained within the limits of the post, hoAvever and performed good service in the coming operations. The defeat of Price near Independence, and his rapid retro grade march southAvard in close proximity to the Kansas line seriously threatened the posts along that line, and fears were en tertained especially for the safety of Paola, Mound City and Fort Scott, it being perceived that Price mightattempt to destroy those towns, and with them the large amount of military stores they contained. KANSAS KftCIMEN'TS. 405 During the period of Price's advance horn Lexington to Hick man's Mills — which our force proved too Aveak to prevent — the situation of the posts on theKansas border was deemed insecure, and orders were transmitted to Col. Drake to hold the post of Paola atall hazards. The post, fortunately, was not attacked ; had it been, it would hate been defended. Passing Paola in their flight south, the rebel forces Avere to be checked from demonstrations against Mound City and Fort Scott. The advance of their column already menaced Mound City, which contained a single company of the 16th K. V. C, and was commanded by Captain Greer. Col. Drake now solicited and obtained permission to march to the relief of Mourtd City with all his available force, and Avas overtaken on the march by an express from Gen. Curtis ordering this movement. His command made a forced march during the night and arrived before Mound City at daybreak. During the night the prairie fires lighted by the rebel rear guard to impede our pursuit were plainly visible, and in the darkness Iavo privates of the 17th Avere captured by the enemy's parties, having Avan- dered from their comrades. Approaching Mound City, Avhich had been occupied during the night by Col. Moonlight, aii officer conspicuous during these events, a rebel force Avas observed near the town, but the troops of Col. Moonlight within and those of Col. Drake just entering the toAvn. deterred them from attacking, and they withdrew. The men of the 17th, fatigued by their march, and having fasted for seventeen hours, were endeavoring to prepare their coffee, when the guns of the enemy announced the action at Mine Run, which resulted so disastrously for them. Col. Moonlight had proceeded Avith all speed towards Fort Scott. The 17th was formed and proceeded in skirmishing order toward? tho field. The cornfields surrounding the town were filled Avith the enemy's foragers and stragglers, a number ol whom were captured and brought into Mound City. The action at Mine Creek being fought by cavalry, the 17th could not par ticipate further in it, and consequently they returned to camp. 406 MILITARY rtlSTORI Of The period of its enlistment now having expired, the eoiii- wiand was ordered back to Paola, and thence to Fort Leaven worth, where it Avas mustered out November 16th, 1S64, by Major Wm. 0. Gould. There were no casualties from disease or service, andbuttwo or three desertions from the command, and these by professional bounty jumpers at an early period. Many of the enlisted men and a majority of the field and line officers had seen service- The reputation of the command for disclipiue and soldierly con duct was good, and the material equal to any situation in which the rrsrim.cn t might have found itself. KANSAS regiments. 407 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE FIRST KANSAS (COL'D.) VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. On tne 4th day of August, 1S62, Captain James M. Williams, Co. F, 5th Kansas Cavalry, w.as appointed by Hon. Jas. H. Lane Reeruiting Commissioner for that portion of Kansas lying north of the Kansas River, for the purpose of recruiting and organizing a regiment of infantry for the U. S. service, to be composed of men of African descent. He immediately .commenced the work of recruiting by securing the muster-in of recruiting officers with the rank of '2d Lieutenant, and by procuring supplies from the Ordnance, Quartermaster and Commissary departments, and by establishing in the vicinity of LeavenAvorth a camp of rendez vous and instruction. Captain H. C. Seaman Avas about the same time commissioned with like authority for that portion of Kansas lying south of the Kansas River. The work of recruiting went forward with ra pidity, the intelligent portion of the colored people entering into the Avork heartily, and evincing by their actions a willing readi ness to link their future and share the. perils with their white brethren in the Avar of the rebellion, which then waged Avith such violence as to seriously threaten the nationality and life of the Republic. Within sixty days five hundred men. were. recruited and placed in camp, aud a request, made that a; battalion be mustered into the U. S. service. This request was not complied with, and the reasons a.ssigned were wholly unsatisfactory, yet aecouipanied with assurances ol such a nature as to warrant (lie belief that but a short time would elatse ere the request would.be complied with. In the meantime complications with the, civil authorities in the Northern District had arisen, which at one time threatened serious r-rsult'Si These complications originated from the follow ing causes, each affecting different classes : 1st. A ' active sympathy with the rebellion. 3d. ^n v'iolerant prejudice against .the coioiva rar.e. witich 408 MILITARY HIST. RV OV would deny them the honorable position in society which every soldier is entitled to, even though he gained that position at the risk of his life in the cause of the nation, which could ill afford to refuse genuine sympathy and support from any quarter. 3d. On the part of a few genuiBe loyalists, who believed that this attempt to enlist colored men would not be approved by the War Department, and that the true interests of the colored man demanded that their time should not be vainly spent in the effort, 4th. A large class avIio believed that the negro did not pos sess the necessary qualifications to make efficient soldiers, and that consequently the experiment would result in defeat, disaster and disgrace. Col. Williams, acting under the orders of his military superiors, felt that it was no part of his duty to take counsel of any or all of these classes. He saAv no course for him to pursue but to fol low his instructions to the letter. Consequently, Avhen the civil authorities placed themselves in direct opposition to those of the military, by arresting and confining the men of the command on the most frivolous charges, and indicting their commanders for crime, such as unlawfully restraining persons ot their liberty, &c., by enforcing proper military disclipine, he ignored the right of the civil authorities to interfere with his military actions in a military capacity and under proper authority, All the classes above enumerated joined in this opposition, which, if successful, could only have inured to the interests of those pprsons properly coming under the head of the 1st class enumerated or mentioned. The result has undeceived those persons who acted from honest convictions embraced in the 3d and 4th classes, and to the other two classes no apologies are necessary nor intended. On the 28th of October, 1862, a command, consisting of de- tachments from Capt. Seaman's and Capt. Williams* recruits, ^vere moved and camped near Butler. This command — about it wo hundred and twenty five men, under Capt. Seaman — was attacked by a rebel force of about five hundred, commanded by Col. Cockrell, but after a severe engagement the enemy was de feated with considerable loss. Our loss was ten killed and twelve wounded, including Capt. A. J. Crew amo ngst the first mentiouecl, KANSAS RB(MM»NTS. 409 a gallant young officer. The next morning the command was reinforced by a few recruits under command of Capt. J. M. Wil liams, and pursued the enemy a considerable distance, but with out further action. This is supposed to have been the first, en gagement in the Avar in Avhich colored troops were engaged. The work of recruiting, drilling and disciplining the regiment was continued under these adverse circumstances until the 13th of January. 3S6.'l, when a battalion of six companies, formed by the consolidation of Col. Williams' recruits Avith those of Capt- Seaman, was mustered into the U. S. service by Lieut. Sabin ot the regular army. Between January 13th and May 2d, 1863, the other four companies Avere organized, Avhen the regimental organization Avas completed, as Avill appear bv the muster-in rolls of the regiment. Immediately alter its organization the regiment Avas ordered to Baxter Springs, where it arrived in May, 1863, and the work of drilling the regiment was vigorously prosecuted. Parts of two companies of the regiment, and a small detach ment of cavalry and one piece of artillery, made a divot sion oh Shawnee. Mo., attacked and dispersed a small rebel force and captured five prisoners. While encamped here, on the IStli of May, a foraging party, consisting of tAventy-five men from this regiment and tAA^enty men of the 2d Kansas Battery, Maj. R. G. Ward commanding, was sent into Jasper county. Mo. This party was surprised and at tacked by a force of three hundred rebels commanded by Majoi Livingston, and defeated, Avith a loss of sixteen killed and five prisoners, three of which belonged to the 2d Kansas Battery and two to this regiment. The men of the 2d Kansas Battery weiv afterwards exchanged under a flas of truce for a like number of prisoners captured by this regiment. Livingston refused to ex change the colored prisoners in his possession, and gave as hi.-- excuse that he should hold them subject to the orders of the rebel War Department. Shortly after this Colonel Williams re ceived information that one of the prisoners held by Livingston had been murdered by the enemy. He immediately sent a flag of truce to Livingston demanding the body of the person who committed the barbarous act. Receiving an envious and unsat isfactory reply, Colonel Williams determined to convince the 52 410 MILITARY HIST0B7 Or rebel commander that that was a game at which two could play, and directed that one of the prisoners in his possession be shot, and within thirty minutes the order was executed. He immediately informed Major Livingston of his action, sending the information by the same party that brought the dis patch to him. Suffice it to say that this ended the barbarous practice of murdering prisoners of war, so far as Livingston's command was concerned. Colonel Williams says : '• I visited the scene of this engagement the morning after its occurrence, and for the first time beheld the horrible evidences of the demoniac spirit of these rebel fiends in their treatment of our dead and wounded. Men Avere found with iheir brains beaten out with clubs, and the bloody weapons left by their sides, and their bodies most horribly mutilated." It Avas afterwards ascertained that the force avIio attacked this foraging party consisted partially of citizens of the neighborhood, who, Avhile enjoying the protection of our armies, had collected together to assist the rebel forces in this attack. Col. Williams directed that the region of country within a radius of five miles Iroin the scene of conflict should be devastated, and is of opinion that this effectually prevented a like occurrence in the same neighborhood. Subsequently, while on this expedition, the command captured a. prisoner in arms avIio had upon his person the evidence of having been paroled by the commanding officer at Fort Scott, Kansas, Avho was shot on the spot. The regimenl remained in camp at Baxter Springs until the ¦->7th of June. 186H, when it struck tents and marched for Fort Gibson in connection with a large supply train from Fort Scott en route to the former place. Colonel Williams had received information that satisfied him thai the train Avould be attacked in the neighborhood of Cabin Creek, Cherokee Nation. He communicated this information to Lieut. Colonel Dodd, of the 2d Colorado Infantry, Avho was in command of the escort, and volunteered to move his regiment in such manner as would be serviceable in case the expected attack KANSAS HEGlMUffTS. 411 should be made. The escort proper to the train consisted of six companies of the 2d Colorado Infantry, a detachment of three companies of cavalry from the 6th and 9th Kansas, and one sec tion of the 2d Kansas Battery. This force was joined, on the 28th of June, by three hundred men from the Indian Brigade, commanded by Major Foreman, -making altogether a force of about eight hundred effective men.. On arriving at Cabin Creek, July 1st, 1863, the rebels were met in force — about twenty-two hundred strong — under com mand of Gen. Cooper. Some skirmishing occurred on that day when it Avas ascertained that the enemy occupied a strong posi tion on the south bank of the Creek, and upon trial it Avas found that the stream Avas not then fordablefor infantry, on account of a recent shoAver; but it Avas supposed that the swollen current would have sufficiently subsided by the next morning to allow the infantry to cross. The regiment, then took a strong position on the north side of the stream and camped for the night. After a consultation of officers', it Avas agreed that the train should be parked in the open prairie and guarded by three companies of the 2d Colorado and a detachment of one hundred men of the 1st. Colored, and that the balance of the troops, Col. Williams com manding, should engage the enemy and drive him from his position. Accordingly, the next morning, July 2d, 1863, the command moved, which consisted of the 1st Kansas Volunteer Colored Infantry, three companies of the 2d Colorado Infantry, com manded by the gallant Major Smith of that regiment, the de- tachments of cavalry and Indian troops before mentioned and four pieces of artillery, making . altogether a force of about fAvelve hundred men. With this force, after an engagement of two hours duration, the enemy was dislodged and driven from his position in great disorder, with a loss of one hundred killed and Avounded and eight prisoners. The. loss on our side Avas eight killed and twenty-five wounded, including Maj. Foreman, who Avas shot from his horse Avhile attempting to lead his men across the creek under the fire of the enemy, and Capt. Ethan Earl, of the 1st Col ored, who was Avounded at the head of his company. This engagement was the first during the war in which white 412 MILITARY HISTORY OF and colored troops Avere joined in action, and to the honor and credit of the officers and men of Col. Dodd's command be it said they alloAved no prejudice on account of color to interfere in the discharge of their duty in the face of an enemy alike to both raees. This Avas the first battle in which the Avhole regiment had been engaged, and here they evinced a coolness and true soldierly spirit Avhich inspired the officers in command Avith that confi dence Avhich subsequent battle scenes satisfactorily proved Avas not unfounded. The road being now open, the entire command proceeded to Fort Gibson, where it arrived on the evening of the 5th of July, J 863. On the 16th of July the entire force at Fort Gibson, un der command of Gen. Blunt, moved upon the enemy, about six thousand strong, commanded by Gen. Cooper, and encamped at Honey Springs, tAventy miles south of Fort Gibson. Our forces came upon the enemy on the morning of the 17tb of July, and after a sharp and bloody engagement of two hours duration, the enemy was totally defeated, Avith a loss ol tour hundred killed and Avounded and one hundred prisoners. At the hight of the engagement, (.Ten. Blunt ordered Colonel Williams to move his regiment against that portion of the ene my's line held by the 29th and 30th Texas regiments and a rebel battery, with directions 10 charge them if he thought he could carry and hold the position. The regiment Avas moved at a shoulder arms, pieces loaded and bayonets fixed, under a sharp fire, to within forty paces of the rebel lines, Avithout firing ashoU The regiment then halted and poured itito their ranks a well-di rected volley of " buck and ball'" from the entire line, such as to throAv them into perfect confusion, from Avhich they could not immediately recover. Col. Williams' intention Avas, after the de livery of this volley, to charge their line and i-apture their batte ry, which the effect of this volley had doubtless rendered it pos sible for him to accomplish. But he was at that instant rendered insensible from gunshot Avounds, and the next officer in rank, Lieut. Colonel Bowles, not being aAvare of his intentions, the project was not fully carried out. Had the movement been made as contemplated, the entire rebel line must have been captured. As it Avas, most of the enemy escaped, receiving a lesson, how- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 413 ever, which taught, them not despise on the battle field the race they had long tyrranized over as having "no rights Avhich 3 white man was bound to respect.'' Col. Williams says: "I had long been of the opinion that this race had a right to kill rebels, and this day proved their capacity for the Avork. For ty prisoners and one battle flag fell info the hands of my regi ment on this field." The loss to the regiment in this engagement was five killed and thirty-two wounded. After this, the regiment returned to Fort Gibson and went into camp, Avhere it remained until the month of September, when it again moved with the Division against the rebel force under General Cooper, Avho fled at mir approach. After a pursuit of one hundred miles, and across the Canadian River to Peiryville, in the CboctaAv Nation, all hopes of bring ing them to an engagement Avas abandoned, and the command returned to camp on the site of the rebel Fort Davis, situated on the south side of the .Arkansas River, near its junction with Grand River. The regiment remained in this camp, doing but. little duty. until October, when orders were received to proceed to Fort Smith, where it arrived during the same month. At this point it remained until December 1st, making a march to Waldron and returning via Roseville, Arkansas, and in the same month Avent into winter quarters at the latter place, situated fifty miles east of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas River. The regiment remained at Roseville until March, 1864, when the command moved to join the forces of Gen. Steele, then about starting on Avhat Avas knoAvn as the Camden Expedition. Join ing Gen. Steele's command al the Little Missouri River, distant twenty-tAvo miles northeast of Washington, Arkansas, the entire command moved upon the enemy, posted on the west side of Prairie de Anne, and within fifteen miles of Washington. The enemy fled, and our forces occupied tlieir works Avithout an en gagement. The pursuit of the enemy in this direction was abandoned, 414 MILITARY HISTORY OF and the command marched upon Camden via the Washington and Camden road, Avhich Avas struck at Moscoav, distant five miles from the works abandoned by the enemy. At. this point, the Division, commanded by Gen. Thayer, Avas attacked in the rear by a large force of the enemy, but after a spirited engage ment of an hours duration, they Ave re effectually repulsed, the regiment sustaining no loss in the action. The command arrived at Camden on the 16th of April, 1864, and occupied the place Avith its strong fortifications Avithout op position. On the day folloAving Col. Williams started Avith five hundred men of the 1st Colored, tAvo hundred Cavalry, detailed from the 2d, nth and 14th Kansas regiments, and one section ol the 2d Indiana Battery, with a train to load forage aud provis ions at a point t.Aventy miles Avest of Camden, on the Washington road. On the 17th he reached the place and succeeded in load ing about two-thirds of the. train, which consisted of two hun dred wagons. At daAvn of the 18th the command moved to wards Camden, and loaded the balance ot the wagons from the plantations by the way bide. Ar a point fourteen miles Avest of Camden the advance encountered a small force of the enemy, who, after slight skirmishing, retreated doAvn the road in such a manner as to lead. Col. Williams to suspect that this movement "'as a feint intended to cover other movements or to draw the command into an ambuscade. Just previous to this he had been reinforced by a. detachment of three hundred men of the 18th Iowa Infantry, and one hun dred additional cavalry, commanded by Capt. Duncan, of the 18th Iowa. In order to prevent any surprise, all detached foraging parties Avere called in, and the original command placed m the advance, leaving the rear in charge of Capt. Duncan's command, Avith or ders to keep flankers Avell out and to guard cautiously against a surprise. Col. Williams ar. the front, with skirmishers and flank ers well out, advanced cautiously to a point about one and a half miles distant, sometimes called Cross Rords. but more generally knoAvn as Poison Springs, Avhere he came upon a skirmish lino of the enemy, which tended to confirm his previous suspicion of the character and purpose of the enemy. He therefore closed up the train as well as was possible in this thickly timbered region, KANSAS REGIMENTS. 415 and made the necessary preparations for fighting. He directed the cavalry, under Lieut. Henderson, of the 6lh, and Mitchell, of the 2d, to charge and penetrate the rebel line of skirmishers in order to develop their strength and intentions. The movement succeeded most admirably in its purposes, and Ihe development was such that convinced Col. Williams that he had before him a struggle of no ordinary magnitude. The cavalry, after penetrating the skirmish line, came upon a strong force of the. enemy, avIio repulsed and forced them back to their original line, not. however, without hard fighting and severe loss on our part in killed and wounded, including in the latter the gallant Lieut. Henderson, Avho afterwards fell into the hands of the enemy. The enemy now opened on our lines Avith ten pieces of artil lery — six in front and four on the right flank. From a prisoner Col. Williams learned that the force of the enemy was from eight to ten thousand, commanded by Gens. Price and Maxey. These developments and this information convinced him that he could not hope to defeat the enemy ; but as there Avas no Avay to escape with the train except through their lines, and as the train and its contents Avere indispensable to the. very existence of our forces at Camden, who Avere then out ol provisions, he deemed it to be his duty to defend the train to the last extremity, hoping that our forces at Camden, on learning of the engagement, Avould at- tack the enemy in his rear, thus relieving his command and sa ving the train. With this determination, he fought the enemy's entire force lrom 10 A. M. until 2 P. M., repulsing three successive asaaults, and inflicting upon the enemy severe loss. Col. Williams says: '• The conflict during these four hours was the most terrific and deadly in its character of any that has ever fallen under my observation." At 2 P. M. nearly one-half of our force engaged had been placed hors du combat, and the remainder Avere out of ammunition. No supplies arriving, the Col. Avas reluctantly compelled to abandon the train to the enemy and save as much of the command as 416 MILITARY HISTORY OF possible by taking to the swamps and canebrakes and making for Camden by a circuitous route, thereby preventing pursuit by cavalry, hi this manner most of the command that A\ras not disabled in the field reached Camden during the night of the 18th. For a more specific and statistical report of this action, in which the loss to the First Colored alone was 187 men and offi cers, the official report of Colonel J. M. Williams is herewith submitted: " Camuen, Arkansas, April 24, 1867. " Captain — I have the honor to submit the following report of a foraging expedition under my command: - In obedience to verbal orders received from Brigadier General Thayer, I left Camden, Arkansas, on the 1 lfh instant with the following forces, viz : " Five hundred of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, commanded by Major Ward. "Fifty of the 6th Kansas Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Henderson. •¦ Seventy-five ot the ad Kansas Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Mitchell. •'Seventy of' the 14th Kansas Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Ch. •• One sekiiiow of the - fifteen minutes they Avere driven from the field in great confu sion. The practice Avas greatly commended by officers present, including Gen. Thayer. During the fall of 1S64 and the winter of 1S64-5 there was much suffering among the troops, owing to the scarcity of com missary supplies, but it Avas borne with great fortitude and even without complaint. In the spring of 1865 the old guns were exchanged for three inch Parrots, and the battery Avas completely refitted and placed in the best possible condition in point of discipline and efficien cy, with the expectation of participating in the Texas expedition then organizing. When Capt. Smith was ordered south in July, 1863, Lieut. Knowles was left at Fort Scott with one section of the battery. Here he remained until' the summer of 1865, when he rejoined the battery by way of Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Du Vall's Bluff and Little Rock. He was on several occasions sent out to escort trains, and to points threatened by the enemy. During the celebrated Price Raid his section constituted a part of Col. Blair's Brigade, with which. it. participated in the march to Kan sas City and the battle of Westport, and also in the pursuit of the rebels beyond Fort Scott. - « By Special Orders No. 81, from Headquarters -Department .-of Arkansas, dated April 3d, 1865, forty enlisted men and four under cooks, colored, the remnant of the 3d Kansas battery, were trans. ferred to the 2d Kansas battery. These men, however, were kept at Little Rock on detached service with battery K, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, and never joined their proper command until i{ was ordered home for muster out. On the 21st of July, the orders for muster out Avere received from Department Headquarters. During the day all government property, including guns, horses, &c, was turned over to proper officers, and by night the battery was on board the boat en route home. The passage Avas by water, a distance of seventeen hun dred miles, and occupied just seventeen days, the battery land ing at LeavenAvorth on the night of the 8th of August. On the llth it was mustered out by Capt. Kimble, and on the 15th — three years, to a day, from the date of the first enlistment — it was paid off by Maj. D. M. Adams. 444 MUTANT HWTONT OT In conclusion, I feel warranted in saying that no finer body of men were mustered into the United States service during the war. Prompt in the discharge of every duty ; enduring hard ship and privation with the philosophy of veterans; cheerfully yielding to the requirements of discipline, they Avere Avell Avorthy of the many enconiums they received from commanding and in specting officers. Though not often called upon to pass through the fiery bap tism of battle, the 2d Kansas battery ever enjoyed the entire con fidence of its Brigade and Division commanders, for they knew it would not. lie found wanting in the hour of trial. E. A. SMITH, Late Captain 2d Kansas Battery. [MEMORANDA FROM MUSTEK SOLLS.] The 2d Kansas Battery was organized by Major Charles W. Blair, 2d Kansas Cavalry, under orders from Brigadier General Blunt, commanding the Department of Kansas. Two section? (Tour guss) under the command of Lieutenant Smith, accompa nied the Army of the Frontier, in the fall of 1862, as far as Rhea's Mills, Arkansas, after Avhich it returned to Fort Scott. Kansas, having marched a. distance of five hundred miles. The sections remained in camp at Fort Scott during the winter of 1862-3. Lieut. Knowles, with a section, went to Baxter Springs, Kan., May 1, '63 — sixty-five miles. June 18, '63, lost three men killed in action at Sherwood, Mo. Returned to Fort Scott June 24, '63. Two sections, under Capt. Smith, participated in the campaigns in the Indian coubtry in the summer and fall ot 1863, taking part in the battles of Cabin Creek, C. ft., July 1 and 2, '63, and of Honey Springs, C^ N., J«ly 17, '63. Went to Fort Smith November, '63, where it remained until July, '61. KAMA* KHtncexTfl. 445 One section, under Lieut Clark, went to Clarksville, Ark. — sixty-five miles — in June, '64, and returned in July of the same month. July 31, '64, was engaged with a rebel battery near Fort Smith, and defeated them handsomely. Returned to Leavenworth for muster out, leaving Fort Smith Jury SI, '65, and arriving at the former place August 8, '65. 448 MEUTAST BISTORT O* MILITARY HISTORY OF THE THIRD KANSAS VOL. BATTERY. Colonel T. J. Anderson, Adjutant General State of Kansas : Sir — I have the honor to submit hereAvith the following histo ry of the military organization knoAvn as the 3d Kansas Battery, from the date of original formation to the expiration of its term of service : The military organization known as the 3d Kansas Battery was originally recruited by Henry Hopkins and John F. Aduddell, of LeavenAvorth county, Kansas, in the latter part of 1861, os tensibly for the purpose of joining the military forces then being formed for the Indian, or New Mexican Brigade, under the aus pices and management of Gen. James H. Lane. At Fort Leav enworth in organization was effected as a cavalry company, with Capt. Henry Hopkins and 1st and 2d Lieuts. John F. Adud dell and Oscar F. Dunlap, all of Leavenworth county. The 12tb Kansas Cavalry being in process of formation, this company Avas assigned to that organization, which Avas comple ted December 28th, 1861, and called the 9th Kansas Cavalry. On the 28th of February a neAV organization was formed by the consolidation of the original 2d Kansas Infantry Avith the 9th In fantry, forming the 2d Kansas Cavalry, in Avhich this company was known and held position as company B. This latter organization Avas perfected at Quindaro, Kansas, and shortly thereafter was ordered to ShaAvneetown, where it re mained until the latter part of April, 1862, when it was ordered to Fort Riley, preparatory to a campaign then intended to be made on the Plains and in Ncav Mexico, under command of Brig. Gen. Mitchell. May 15th, 1862, the resignation of 2d Lieut. Oscar F. Dunlap was accepted, and on the same day Bradford S. Bassett, of Doug- KANSAS REGIMENTS. 447 las county, was commissioned and mustered in his stead. The company was ordered into garrison at Fort Riley, Lieut. Bassett in command, Capt. Hopkins having some days previous been ordered to the command of a detachment of men of (he 2d Kan sas Cavalry, forming a battery of light artillery, and Lieut. Adud dell absent Avith leave. On the 20th of June, 1862, the company marched from Fort Riley to Fort Larned, Kansas, under command of Lieut. Adud dell, arriving there June 24th, and remaining at that post until August 20, 1S62, when company B, with companies A, C and D of the 2d Kansas Cavalry, under command of Maj. Fisk, marched to rejoin the regiment, stationed at camp on DryAvood Creek, la miles south of Fort Scott, arriving at that point September 23, 1862. Shortly thereafter, company B, with the regiment, made a scout of five days duration, under Col. Cloud, into the Osage country, returning and meeting, near Fort Scott, troops marching to reinforce Brig. Gen. Salomon at Sarcoxie, Mo,, which expedi tion Col. Cloud's command was ordered to join. In obedience to this order, the command moved soufiiAvard, passing through Lamar, and arriving at Sarcoxie October 3, '63. Next morning pushed forward rapidly to meet the enemy at Newtonia, nine miles south. Participated in the engagement which followed, resulting in the defeat of the rebels. From thence moved gradually forward, through Neosho, Mo., into camp, five miles north of Keetsville. On the 13th of October, company B, with the regiment, under command of Lieut. Col. Bassett, marched south on a scout to Cross Hollows, Ark., about sixteen miles in advance of the army, in the immediate presence of a superior force of the enemy, en- gagir g in frequent skirmishes, and maintaining their position in that vicinity until the arrival of the main body of the army at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, October 20, 1862, and on the same day marched to meet the enemy, under Gen. Cooper, strongly posted at and near Maysville, Arkansas. Company B Avas then, by order of Lieut. Col. Bassett, detached from the regiment and ordered to man the captured battery, and thencefonvard was known as "Hopkins' Kansas Battery." From camp on battle ground of Old Fort Wayne, the battery , , marched southward, engaging the enemy for the first time as ar- 448 HItrTART BISTORT Of tillerists at Cane Hill, Ark, November 28, 1862, driving him from that point across the Boston Mountains. For skilful maneuver ing and accuracy of range, the officers and men received the com pliments of their immediate commander, Lieut CoL Bassett. (For detailed account, see Capt. Hopkins' official report of this action). Remained in camp at Cane Hill until December Sd, when the series of skirmishes commenced which preceded the battle of Prairie Grove, which Avas fought December 7th, 1862. between the combined forces of Brig. Gens. Blunt and Herron, of the U. S. army, and the so-called confederate force under Gen. Hind man, in which Hopkins' Kansas Battery took an active part. (See Capt. Hopkins' report). In this engagement, 2d Lieut. B. S. Bassett, then A. A. A. G., 3d Brigade, was taken prisoner by the enemy, released on .pa role, and exchanged about two weeks afterwards at Cane Hill. (Avhither the Federal troops had marched after the battle), for a rebel officer of the same rank, by Lieut. CoL Thos. Moonlight, authorized by Gen. Blunt to negotiate the exchange of prisoners of war. Iu the expedition to, and battle of, Van Buren, Hopkins' bat tery took part, returning to Rhea's Mills January 1st, '63. Soon thereafter, the 1st Division, Army of the Frontier, was reformed into Brigades, and Hopkins' battery, which had hitherto served in the 3d Brigade, commanded by Col. Cloud, was assigned to the 3d, or Indian Brigade, consisting of the 1st, 2d and 3d Indian regiments, a battalion of the 6th Kansas Cavalry and Hopkins' battery, commanded by Col. Phillips. The 3d Brigade remained on the frontier in Northern Arkan sas, taking post at Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, about the 1st of March following. On the «7th of April an expedition was ordered by Col. Phillips to make an attack upon a body of the enemy posted at Weber's Falls, twenty-five miles south, on the Arkansas River. Lieut. Bassett, in command of the battery, ac companied the expedition and took an active part in the en gagement which followed on the 28th of April, in which the rebels Avere completely routed. About the middle of May following, a descent was made upon the herds of stock belonging to th* Federal forces at Fort Gibsen- KANSAS RKG1MENTS. 449 while grazing on the prairie adjoining the post, by three thousand rebels under Gen. Cooper. The fight lasted some hours, Avith varying success, Avhen Lieut. Bassett, with one section of artillery, was ordered to the front, and materially aided in the defeat of the enemy, they being driven from the ground Avith considerable loss. (See report). On the 26th of May, an attack Avas made by the same rebel force upon a large supply train en route from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson. The engagement lasted about six hours, in Avhich the artillery, under command of Lieut. Bassett, took a prominent' part, resulting in the defeat of the enemy Avith heavy loss. Hopkins' Kansas battery then remained at Fort Gibson until July 17th, 1863, Avhen, under command of the Captain, it par ticipated in the battle of Honey Springs, acquitting itself with honor in that engagement. Soon thereafter it was assigned to another Brigade, command ed by Col. Thos. Bowen, 13th Kansas Infantry, remaining some weeks successively at Weber's Falls, on tho Arkansas River, and Scullyville, Choctaw Nation, marching to Van Buren, Ark., Sep tember 2, '63, where a permanent camp Avas established. October 1st, '63, an order was issued by the War Department- detaching company B from the 2d Kansas Cavalry, thereby causing a vacancy in that regiment, to be filled by the Governor of Kansas, and forming Hopkins' battery into a permanent bat tery of light artillery, thereafter to be known as the " 3d Kansas Battery." At the same time, Capt, Henry Hopkins was mustered as Maj- of the 2d Kansas Cavalry, and on the 26th of January, 1864, 1st and 2d Lieuts. Aduddell and Bassett Avere promoted respectively to Captain and 1st Lieutenant, and 1st Sergeant Levinus Harris to 2d Lieutenant 3d Kansas battery. In June following, Lieut. Bassett, with a detachment of sixty men, was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, to receive a neAV and complete battery of three inch rifles, and remained there until September 13th, 1864, Avhen, that officer having been disabled by accident, the detachment was assigned to duty with battery K, 1st Missouri Artillery, until January 1st, '65, when that por tion of the enlisted men whose term of service had expired, to gether with the commissioned officers, were, ordered to proceed, 57 " 450 MILITARY HISTORY OF to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for muster out of service. Their muster out Avas effected January 19lh, 1865, leaving forty-five enlisted men and four colored under cooks still in service, who Avere assigned to duty with the 2d Kansas battery (Capt. Smith's) and discharged with that organization. I have, Colonel, the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, B. S. BASSETT, Late 1st Lieut. 2d Kan. Battery. [OFFICIAL REPORTS.] Headquarters Hopkins' Battery, 1 Boonsboro, Ark., Dec. 1, 1862. / Sir — I respectfully submit the following report of the part the battery under my command took in the engagement at Cane Hill, Ark., November 28, 1862: In compliance Avith orders received November 28, 1862, the battery marched at 8 o'clock A. M. the following day, forming the rear of the column of the 2d Kansas Cavalry. After a march of twenty miles south in the direction of Cane Hill, Ark., I was ordered to bivouac, and move again at five o'clock the next morning. Marching at the hour specified in the direction of Cane Hill for ten miles, the report of artillery Avas heard in the direction of the enemy. Moving as rapidly as the troops in front of me Avould permit, I was \ ordered to take position on an eminence one mile northAvest of the town. Finding that the enemy had changed their position further south, I was ordered to occupy a point one half mile to the front. From this position I proceeded to shell the Avoods below and in my front, where a body of the enemy's cavalry was moving. Immediately to the left a rebel ItANSAH ReGIMENTN. !5l battery was discovered posted on a high hill. 1 directed the fire of my guns upon it, dislodging and forcing it to retire. It ap peared shortly afterward in the main road passing through th; town. Again changing the direction of fire, shell Avere thrown with evident effect, the enemy retreating behind the hills to the left of Boonsboro. 1 was ordered lo move in that direction, and obeyed as rapidly as the nature of the ground Avould permit; but owing to the steepness of the hills, could not take a position that would at all prove effectual iu harrassing the enemy in his retreat. 1st Lieut. John F. Aduddell commanded the right, and OAving to the absence of Lieut. B. S. Hassett, Avho Avas A. A. A. G. 3d Brigade, Sergeant McLane commanded the left section. Considering the short period of time the battery has been in my possession, the officers and men sIioav a good degree of pro ficiency as artillerists, and in this engagement their conduct if; entitled to much praise. Respectfully, Your obd'f. servant, H. HOPKINS, Captain 2d Kansas Cavalry, Commanding Battery. Lieut. S. K. Cross. Act'g. Adj't. 2d Kan. Cavalry. Headquarters Hopkins' Battery, ^ Rhea's Mills, Ark., Oct. 10. 1862. J Sir I respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the battery under my command in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. December 7, 1862, and the series of skirmishes preceding that action: Information having been received on the 3d of December that the enemy Avas advancing in force from the south, the battery was ordered to take position in advance of the main line, Avhere 452 MILITARY HISTORY OF it remained until the morning of the 7th, rendering some assist ance in checking the enemy on the Newburg road. About ten o'clock A. M., December 7, in obedience to orders, I moved the battery into the position assigned it in column, north to Rhea's Mills, and thence, five miles east, to Prairie Grove, where the 2d and 3d Divisions, Army of the Frontier, under Brig. Gen. Herron, Avere engaging the enemy under Gen. Hind man, Avho, during the night of the 6th. had flanked the 1st Di vision, commanded by Brig. Gen. Blunt, passing twelve miles to the left and rear. Having been ordered into position in an open field on the left of the 1st Division, I opened fire with shot and shell on the ene my, occupying a position on a densely Avooded rise of ground j and drove him back. At this time, the only support for my bat tery was a detachment of dismounted cavalry, not exceeding twenty-five, under command of Lieut. Mitchell, sd Kansas Cav alry. Shortly afterwards the enemy again advanced in greater force, moving obliquely along our front, threatening the left flank. In conjunction with Rabb's battery, which Avas some distance on my right, I opened a heavy fire agairi upon the enemy, and was supported by a regiment of Iowa troops Avhich had been driven back by the advancing column. The enemy appeared to be massing his forces for a charge, and just at sunset moved im petuously forward, but by avcII- directed and rapid discharges of spherical case and canister, their advance Avas checked, and the battery sIoavIv retired, firing with prolonges attached. Night coming on firing ceased, and the troops bivouacked on iie field. The next morning it Avas known that the enemy had fallen back. By good fortune, there were no casualties in my command. Respectfully, Your obd't. servant, H. HOPKINS, Captain 2d Kansas Cavalry, Commanding Battery. Lieut. S. K. Cross, Act'g. Adj't. 2d Kan. Cavalry. kansas regiments. 453 Headquarters Hopkins' Battery, ] Fort Gibson, May IS, 1863. / Sir — I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of Hopkins' battery in the engagement of May 14, 1863, between Federal forces commanded by Col. Wm. A. Phillips and rebel troops under Gen. Cooper: About 9 o'clock A. M., May 14th, '63, information was sent me by Col. Phillips, commanding, that the rebel force under Gen. Cooper, which for some days had been assuming a more than usually hostile attitude, had made an attack in force upon the herders and their guards, with a view to capturing the govern ment herds of animals then grazing on the prairies surrounding the post, and orders to bring in at once my horses from pasture and prepare for action. I assembled my command, placed my guns in position and aAvaited further orders. Leaving me inside of the fort, Col. Phillips, Avith most of his available force, moved forward to meet the enemy, distant about four miles. At eleven o'clock, I received orders to move with all possible haste to the front with one section of artillery. Leaving one section under command of First Sergeant Harris, with the other I proceeded at a gallop to the 6cene of action. Arriving, I went into position on a commanding eminence about three hundred yards from the enemy's line ot battle, and opened fire upon them with canister and spherical case with good effect. With redoubled efforts the enemy attempted in vain to Avith- stand our combined assault, and retreated, leaving us in posses sion of the field. The battery was engaged about one hour, and absent from the fort about three hours. The men of my com mand behaved with coolness and bravery under a heavy fire. Much credit is due them. Respectfully, Your obd't. servant, B. S. BASSETT, Lieut., comd'g. Hopkins' Battery. Lieut. William Gallaher, A, A. A. G. 3d Brig., Army of the Frontier. APPENDIX. FIRST REGIMENT KANSAS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. [official reports, &c] Maj. Halderman's Report of the battle of Wilson's Creek. Headquarters First Reg't. Kan. Vols., ] Rolla, Mo., Aug. 19, 1861. / Sir — The regimental commander has the honor to report that, after a fatiguing night march of twelve miles, the First Kansas arrived on the battle field, near Springfield, Mo., on the morning of August 10th, in rear of the First Missouri and IoAva regiments, the former, Avith a battalion of Regular Infantry, having been deployed as skirmishers. Very soon the enemy's outposts Avere driven in, aud Totten's Battery took position and opened fire, while the first Missouri Avas closed up in line on the right and in front, Avhere they engaged the enemy and maintained position for some moments under a heavy discharge of musketry. At this time, by order of Gen. Lyon, the First Kansas moved to the front in double quick, Avhile the right Aving, and one com pany from the left, under the command respectively of Captains ChenoAveth, Walker, Swift, Zesch,McFariand,and Lieutenant Mc Gonigle — all under Col. Deitzler — advancd to a position beyond that occupied by the First Missouri, and here, forming in the very face of the enemy, engaged a rebel force four times their OAvn number, and held their ground steadfastly under an unin terrupted and murderous fire of artillery and infantry. The four remaining companies of Captains Clayton, Roberts Stockton and Lieutenant Agniel — all under command of Major Halderman — having been posted on the right of Totten's Bat tery as support, Avhere they had suffered severely from a constant 58 455 APPENDIX. fire from the enemy's lines, Avere here ordered to the front, Avhere they aligned upon the remnant of the six right companies, which had thus far borne the brunt of the battle. With but slight and immaterial change of position, the First Kansas occupied this ground for over two hours, repulsing or cutting to pieces one regiment after another as it was brought to the front. While thus employed, Captain ChenoAveth, Captain Clayton and a portion of Captain McFarland's company, under Lieutenant Malone, were ordered to charge the enemy Avith their commands, which order they executed with great promptness, driving the enemy inside their encampment lines at the base of the hill, and returning to the main force, when threatened by a flank movement, at their OAvn imminent peril, and vrith consid erable loss of life. While leading this charge, Col. Deitzler had his horse shot under him, and was himself severely wounded. About this time the Second Kansas was ordered to the front, but at a point in rear of that occupied by the First Kansas, they were fired upon by the enemy from an ambuscade, by which Gen. Lyon Avas killed and Col. Mitchell severely wounded, both of Avhom were at the head of the column. Here, too, many officers and men of the Second were kilied and wounded. After this, the regiment, under Lieut. Col. Blair, fell back in order to the brow of the hill, where they formed, and at which place the remaining companies of the First Kansas formed upon their left, three companies having been posted on the brow of the hill and on the right of the battery. After a short cessation of the volley firing, it was re-com menced by the enemy with great fury, and so continued for at least ten minutes, when our whole line opened upon them a most destructive fire, at which they broke and fled down the hill towards their encampment. At this time, by commandof Maj. Sturgis, who throughout the engagement had acted with the utmost courage and self-posses sion, Ave retired from the field in good order, preceded by the ambulances containing our Avounded. With scarcely any material change of position, the First Kan sas stood under fire and maintained every ground assigned it APPENDIX. 456 without once turning its back upon the foe for the six long hours during Avhich the battle raged. With about eight hundred men we marched upon the field ; Ave left Avith barely five hundred. The regimental commander deems it hardly necessary to say that all the officers and men of this command fought with a courage and heroism rarely, if ever, equaled. The list of killed; wounded and missing, hereto attached, is tire strongest Witness for the valor of the living, as Avell as for the memory of the gal lant dead. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN A. HALDERMAN, Major First Reg't. Kansas Vols., Commanding. To Captain G. Granger, Acting Adjutant General. Official Report of Gen. S. D. Sturgis. Erom the official report of General (then Major) S. D. Sturgis, commanding the Union army at Wilson's Creek after the death of Gen. Lyon, we extract the folloAving : "The following named officers came under my personal obser- sation during the day, and deserve especial mention for the zeal and courage they displayed, although it Avould prolong this report to too great a length if I should particularize in each indi vidual case : ;l; ****** * "Col. Deitzler, First Kansas. He led his regiment into a gall ing fire as coolly and as handsomely as if on drill.* He was Avounded twice. "Major Halderman, First Kansas. Early in the action he led four companies of his regiment (which had been held in reserve) 4i / APPESDIX. gallantly, cheering them on AAtith the cry of 'Forwaid, men, for Iv -.i- i-i and the old fl.tg.' ' Col. Mitchell, Second Kansas. He fell, severely Avounded, in the thickest of the fight ; and as as he was carried from the field he met a member of my staff and called out, 'For God's sake support my regiment.' 'Lieut. Col. Blair, Second Kansas. This excellent soldier took command of the regiment Avhen Col. Mitchell Avas Avounded, and under a most deadly fire from the enemy, rode along the front of his line encouraging his men, to the great admiration of all who saw him. Major Cloud, Second Kansas. * . * * * * * * * "I beg to say here, that I am under many obligations to Major Schofield, from Avhose memoranda of the movements of the troops on the field, &c, I have drawn largely, and in many cases I have copied them literally. "Our total loss in killed, Avounded and missing amounts -to 1,235. That of the enemy will probably reach 3,000. t- * £ :+¦ 5fc ;Jc ;}: ijc S. D. STURGIS, Major, Commanding. To Ass't. Adjufint General, Hei'drjuiirters Western Department. Correspondence of the St. Louis Republican. A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican Avrites concern ing the battle of Wilson's Creek as foiloAvs : "I only propose to give you an account of how the day went on the right wing, where I Avas stationed, for the ground was so rough that no one person could see the whole, and the reader will please»bear in mind that I reiate only what came under my own knowledge. "Captains Chenoweth, Clayton and McFarland and Lieuten- APPENDIX. 458 ants Harker, Malone, Tucker, Spicer, Stafford and Spaulding, as Avell as Col. Deitzler, Major Halderman and Adjutant Nash behaved gallantly throughout the battle, and should be honorably mentioned in the official reports. ''The folloAving is the incident referred to above. When Col. Deitzler led the charge down the hill, after discovering that a large force of the enemy Avas closing in to the right and left in an effort to surround his little force, he ordered a retreat; Amid the noise and confusion of the constant firing of musketry and roaring of artillery, the order Avas not heard by Captain Clayton, Avho continued to advance until he came to the brow of the hill, Avhere he discovered a regiment of men whom, from their uni form, he supposed to be Sigel's regiment, advancing towards him at right angles. Their Colonel asked ihe Captain where ihe enemy was. He replied by pointing in the direct on ot the ; a- treating rebel forces, and immediately commenced aligning his company upon the regiment. All at once the Captain mistrusted that he Avas in a trap, and looking toAvards the Colonel he recog nized in him an old acquaintance, being no less than Colonel Clarkson, of Kansas-Border-Ruffian notoriety, ex-postmaster of Leavenworth. The Captain then gave the command, 'Right oblique, march !' When he had moved his company a distance memy's line, the Adjutant of the ::i co-Ax UiiHU.ly U>i\U:i hiin .<-:d .¦'.'iii;;-;..:i)ii d h;,.i) 10 halt. He did so, and immediately brought bis company to an 'about face,' fronting the enemy's line. The Adjutant asked, 'What troops are these.?' 'I belong to the First Kansas Regiment,' replied the Captain ; 'Who aTe yon . ?' 'I am the Adjutant of the Fifth Missouri Volunteers,' Avas the reply. 'What, Confed erate or United States ?. 'Confederate.' 'Then dismount, G — d d — n you I you're my prisoner,' said the Captain, presenting his pistol. He obeyed; and upon the demand of the Captain, delivered over his sAvord. 'Now,' says the Captain, 'order your men not to fire, or you're a dead man,' and commenced moving backward with his company, nolding the Adjutant between himself aud the rebel forces. The Adjutant ordered his men to open fire, which they did, and the Captain shot him Avith his 459 APPENDIX. pisto . At the same moment, a Sergeant of Clayton's company thrust his bayonet through the body of the Adjutant, pinning him to the ground, and leaving his gun sticking in his body. The Captain then ordered his men to run for their lives, which they did, forming again immediately upon the broAV of the hill." Correspondence of the New York Tribune. In the New York Tribune of 31st of August, 1861, Ave find the folloAving reference to the Kansas troops from their St. Louis correspondent, who Avas an eye-witness of thebattleof Springfield: "Permission has been granted to the Second Kansas to return home for recruiting, and most of the regimental officers have gone. The First Kansas is still at Rolla, but will probably soon be ordered home. Several of its wounded officers are in the city, rapidly recovering. The fact that this regiment had more men killed than any other, aud outnumbered in its aggregate of killed, Avounded and missing the loss of every other regiment, except the First Missouri, shows that they bore the burden and heat of the day. The Kansas boys went upon the field at a double quick, singing "So let the wide world wag as it will, We'll lie gay and happy still." and when the engagement commenced, demonstrated that the leaven of the Old Guard of '56 among them had leavened the whole lump. After Col. Deitzler (who, by the way, is now con valescent) was shot down, Maj. Halderman was at the head of the column, or galloping up and down the Hues, waving his hat and calling to his men to remember Kansas and stand by the old flag. They cheered lustily and did stand by it nobly, and gave ample evidenee that Avhenever it is entrusted to them no taint of dishonor will stain its starry folds." Correspondence of the Leavenworth Conservative. A well known officer writes to the Leavenworth Conservative as folloAvs : APPENDIX. 4fi0 "Laavrence, April 11, 1862. "Col. Deitzler deserves great honor for his services to tho country, and I am sure he possesses it in the hearts of the peo ple of Kansas. They honor him for his ability, the laurels that he has gained for Kansas, and love him for his private character "Maj. John A. Halderman, of the First Kansas, has resigned his commission in the army Avith the purpose of returning to civil life and his profession, the bar. The Major is a brave and thorough military man, as Avell as an able laAvyer, and the army has lost one of its best officers by his resignation. At the battle of Wilson's Creek he made a reputation that has endeared him to all Avho kneAv him. He Avas always seen Avhere he Avas needed., and at all times in the front of the battle. And here let me state that while your correspondent Avas a prisoner, two rebel Captains, Avith whom I happened to have old acquaintance, told me that they had seven fair shots at Maj. Halderman with a rifle, and could not hit him. There Avas a mystery about it which they wanted me to explain, but I could not. "The Major departed for his home at Leavenworth a day or tAvo since, Avith an affectionate fareAvell from every officer and soldier in this regiment; and when he Avas starting the officers presented him with a paper expressive of their high esteem for him as an officer and a gentleman, and their regret at his leav- tng the Regiment. "The news by the Conservative of the capture of Island No, 10 Avas received with great enthusiasm here yesterday." From the Clinton {Mo.,) Journal. The Clinton (Mo.) Journal, of July 4, 1861, printed by the First and Second Kansas regiments, says : "Typos in the Kansas Regiments. — The 'craft' is as well represented in the First and Second Kansas Regiments as any other class. We call to mind noAV the following names, manv of whom have assisted in this Journal : F. B. Swift, Captain company C ; T. P. ChenoAveth, Captain company A; F: M. Tracy, R. A. Tracy, W. H. Smallwood, Jas. Liddle, company A ; Messrs. Pickett and Mills, company B ; Geo. C. Smith, C. M. Fisher, A. J. Brown, Wm. H. Bisbee and Ed. S. Johnson, com pany G ; Geo. Newhart, company E, First Kansas. In the Sec-, 461 appendix. ond regiment Ave only now remember Charles Garrett, J. M. Mentzer and Frank Crane. The regiments include all trades and professions, but none are more prompt in responding to the call of their country than the 'craft.' We may safely venture the assertion that not a single regiment has yet been organized that does not number within its ranks from five to fifty of the disciples of Faust." In September, 1862, Governor Robinson appointed John A. Halderman, the former Major of the Kansas First, Major Gen eral of the State Militia. A Kansas paper in commenting thereon, says : His staff is composed of men Avho have seen service, and Avho enjoy the confidence of the. people. Colonels Eddy and Denman are two of our most reliable citizens. Col. Roy belongs to the regular army, and has no superior as an officer in Kansas. Majors Drenning and Barker Avere both in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Avhere they behaved Avith great gallantry, and added lustre to the young State they represented. With such men at the head of a well organized militia force, we need have no fears of rebelraids, or Indian ft