lelay. Simultaneously the skirmish line also advanced. I waited until General Pleasonton came up (he being then with the advance), explained to him briefly the topography of the country, the direction the enemy had taken, my fears for Fort Scott, its situation, amount of stores, &c., and then hurried forward again to the skirmish line. The movement was then rapid and continuous till the skirmish line was checked near he verge of the Osage timber. The woods seemed alive with rebel soldiers but in rapid motion. The skirmishers kept up occasional firng at them until the advance brigade came up and we all charged capidly down into the timber, but the enemy disappeared before our arrival. Colonel Cloud was in this charge, with about sixty veterans of the Second Kansas Cavalry. He halted in the timber to rest his horses for a few minutes and I pushed on with the advance brigade, which I think was Brigadier-General McNeil's. At all events it was commanded by a general officer. We followed down the stream some distance, crossed at the ford, and just as we were emerging from the timber on the south side the head of the column was fired on by the enemy's skirmishers. We soon dislodged them, however, and pushed on toward a corn-field to the left of the road. The head of the column was here checked by a heavy fire from the field, and it was evident that another battle was to be fought. Accordingly the general formed his brigade in close column of companies, and made them a little speech while forming to the effect that it made no difference whether there were 1,000 or 10,000 men on that field, he wanted them to ride right over them and saber them down as fast as they came to them. The men responded with a yell, the dismounted skirmishers tore down the fence in the face of a galling fire, and the column swept through it like a tornado. In the rear of the corn-field another line was formed on the prairie, the right resting on a skirt of timber fringing a small stream, which the advance of the brigade, rapidly deploying into line, charged and broke at the first onset. A third line of battle was formed still farther to the rear, in a low basin, where there had been an evident intention to encamp, and which was surrounded by a semi-circle of hills, where they held us at bay under a severe fire for about twenty minutes or more, and until the whole brigade formed in line and charged. Before this impetuous charge they were again broken, and as I passed through their temporary halting place there was abundant evidence of the haste they were in, in the broken wagons, dismantled forges, fragmentary mess chests, and smashed crockery with which the ground was strewn. The chase this time lasted about a mile to the top of the hill south of the valley of the Osage, and on getting view of the enemy again from the summit of this hill, I was gratified to observe that he was bearing very palpably to the east, thus giving me my first reasonable hope that Fort Scott might be spared. I noticed, too, with increased satisfaction, that we were at least a mile east or the wire road and that for the first time the enemy's direction was turned from this place. Satisfied that I could render no further service, I determined to come directly here to see to a certainty whether the post, which was my especial care, was safe or not, and to satisfy those cravings of hunger which, though persistently ignored for three days and nights, would still, despite of resolutions, occasionally become clamorous. As I had been a sharer in all the fighting, and a participant in every charge heretofore during the day, I determined to get a good position and look at one from a safe distance, as I saw the enemy had formed two lines of battle a mile or more to our front. Accordingly, I secured the highest spot of ground in the vicinity, took out my field-glass, unused in all the previous events of the day, and deliberately watched the operations. Major-General Pleasonton directed this attack in person, assisted by Major McKenny, who, as usual, was in the front. Of the perils or particulars I cannot speak, but of the results I can say that both lines broke and fled before our forces got even within respectable distance. I then turned the head of my "gallant gray" homeward, and never drew rein till I struck our picket post three miles from town, where some forty of our citizens, with Col. Perry Fuller at their head, were impatiently expecting news from the triumphant Army of the Border. I cannot close this report without saying that I met the gallant offi cers of your staff everywhere during the stirring events of the day, and found them always active, energetic, and devoted. Major McKenny, in especial, seemed to be almost ubiquitous; wherever I went and which ever way I turned I was sure to meet him, and he was always to be found where the fire was the deadliest and the battle raged the fiercest. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. S. R. CURTIS, CHAS. W. BLAIR, Colonel Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry. Comdg. Department of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, Kans. No. 84. Report of Col. James H. Ford, Second Colorado Cavalry, commanding Fourth Brigade. FORT RILEY, KANS., December, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make to the major-general commanding First Division, Army of the Border, the following report of my regiment and the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Army of the Border: While serving in the District of Central Missouri, Department of the Missouri, on the 29th September, I was ordered to report to Major-General Curtis, commanding Department of Kansas. He ordered me to concentrate my regiment at Pleasant Hill, but leave some troops to protect Kansas City and Independence temporarily until General Brown, commanding District of Central Missouri, could send other troops. I accordingly left Major Pritchard with two companies at Kansas City and two at Independence, while with eight companies I took position at Pleasant Hill as an advance of the Army of the Border: I daily sent out large scouts east, north, and southeast. Fearing that the enemy might pass between Independence and Pleasant Hill toward Hickman Mills (which was altogether the best route for him to take on account of water and forage), and thus get into Kansas without my being able to keep in his front to check him and give prompt information, on the 11th instant [October] I proceeded to Hickman Mills, sending Captain Elmer and fifty men, to make a circuit by the way of Lone Jack, Snibar, and Little Blue, to the same place. I also sent Captain Evens up the Independence road to come in by Raytown. They both reported the next day nothing of importance. On the 15th Major Smith, with thirty men, went to Independence, distance eighteen miles, and found the town evacuated by the troops, and the rebels, reported 1,200 strong, a short distance away. He immediately returned, and with 200 men started out after dark to reconnoiter. On the 14th the major-general commanding First Division ordered me to establish my headquarters at Independence and scout well from there. On the 15th Major Smith returned; after passing through Independence he proceeded about twenty-nine miles on the Lexington road, and making a circuit toward Snibar and Lone Jack, returned by Hickman Mills, but saw no enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Walker with his regiment (Sixteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry) reported for duty to me per instructions received from lepartment headquarters on the same day. At 2 a. m. of the 17th instant Major Smith, with 200 Second Colorado Cavalry and 100 Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, started toward Lexington to go, if possible, to the town and learn what he could. During the day I received a telegram from Major-General Curtis that Major-General Deitzler, Kansas State Militia, was sending three regiments Kansas State Militia to report to me, and directing me to report to General Deitzler by letter, and also to him (General Curtis) direct. On the 17th the Fourth, Twelfth, and Nineteenth Regiments Kansas State Militia arrived at Independence and reported to me for duty. On the 18th Major Smith returned from Lexington. He reported he chased a few straggling bushwhackers out of that town, killing 2; he remained some hours in the town, and learned that several hundred rebels and guerrillas had been in the place but a short time before and that Shelby was camped with 2,000 or 3,000 men about six miles east. I regret exceedingly to have to state that the brigade books and papers were lost in the evacuation of Independence on the 21st instant, so that the able report of Major Smith cannot be forwarded with this. On the 19th the Fourth and Nineteenth Regiments Kansas State Militia were relieved from duty in my brigade and ordered to report to Col. C. W. Blair at the crossing of the Big Blue, and McLain's Independent Colorado Battery was ordered to report to me, it arriving about 6 o'clock on the evening of the 20th. On the morning of the 21st I received orders to march with the Second Colorado Cavalry, Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and First Colorado Battery, to the support of Colonel Moonlight, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, who was reported as engaging the enemy at the crossing of the Little Blue on the Lexington road, leaving the Twelfth Kansas State Militia at Independence. The strength of my brigade was as follows: Second Colorado Cavalry, 384 men; Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, 400 men; Independent Colorado Battery, 116 men; five 3-inch rifled guns, and one mountain howitzer; total, 900 men and six guns. Left Independence at 10 a. m. and reached Colonel Moonlight's rear, near the Little Blue (distance eight miles), in about one hour. I then received orders to place the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry on the left of Colonel Moonlight's brigade, the battery near the center of the line, and the Second Colorado Cavalry on the right. We immediately dismounted and advanced into the bluffs and became at once engaged, the enemy having crossed the stream before our arrival. We held our ground, advancing slightly for some time, and at one time drove the enemy in great confusion, but his force being too overwhelmingly large he threw a large body to our right, which compelled the right to give slowly back. The brigade was then ordered to fall back slowly to their horses, the battery receiving orders from division headquarters direct. After mounting I received orders to cover the retreat of the army to Independence with the Second Colorado Cavalry and Sixteenth Kansas, assisted by a portion of the Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, which I did by forming half of my command in line across the road on some favorable spot, and while that was engaging the enemy formed the remainder of the force in a I have to mourn the loss of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, who was com manding the Second Colorado Cavalry, and Francis S. Gould, esq., volunteer aide upon the brigade staff, the former being killed instantly and the latter mortally wounded. They were brave, gallant men, and could ill be spared. Early in the morning of the 22d the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry was ordered to proceed to the support of Colonel Jennison, commanding First Brigade, First Division, at Byram's Ford, and did not report to me again during the day. MeLain's battery was placed in position on the right of Colonel Moonlight's brigade on the brow of the bluff immediately west of the Blue. The Second Colorado Cavalry and Twelfth Kansas State Militia were formed in line on the left of the Second Brigade, with the exception of six companies Second Colorado Cavalry, which I was ordered to take across the Blue as skirmishers. This battalion remained skirmishing with the enemy until late in the afternoon, taking some prisoners, and did not report back to the brigade until the next morning. About 2 p. m. I received orders to march my brigade immediately to Westport (seven miles distant), which place I reached by the gallop in an hour with the Second Colorado Cavalry, Twelfth Kansas State Militia, and McLain's battery. I then received orders to form on the hill toward Kansas City, where the brigade remained in line during the night, with the exception of the battery, which was ordered to Kansas City, but reported back again by daylight of the 23d. The men brought corn to their horses and rested alternately, but did not unsaddle. Early on the morning of the 23d I was ordered with my brigade through Westport. I formed a portion of the Second Colorado and Sixteenth Kansas on the hill immediately south of Brush Creek, with one section of the battery, but soon after advanced to the edge of the prairie and took up position across the road to the left of Colonel Jennison's brigade, the section of the battery being placed in the road. For a while the firing was exclusively artillery, but the rebels advanc ing, the whole line was soon engaged and kept up a very steady and galling fire for two hours or more. The enemy was repeatedly repulsed, and one very bold and dashing charge made by him down the road upon the battery was very handsomely repulsed by portions of the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry and Second Colorado Cavalry, the countercharge being led in person by Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, commanding Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and in which charge he received a very severe wound in the foot. Finally, in the face of a very heavy fire from the First Brigade, the enemy forced a very large column into a small copse to the right of my brigade and commenced a flank tre upon me. Not having force enough to dislodge the enemy from his new position I fell back toward Brush Creek, forming line upon each ridge until I received orders to form north of the creek, the battery meanwhile ay ug been placed in a commanding position on the hill. After forming on the bottom, I sent part of the Second Colorado Cavalry, on foot, as kirmishers through the woods. The Twelfth Kansas State Militia vere also sent into the woods on foot, doing good service. The footmen kept steadily driving the enemy until the advance of the whole livision was ordered, when our old position was regained, and after à hort fight the enemy was completely routed, and fled precipitately rom the field. Every one advanced as speedily as possible, continuing he pursuit until dark. Colonel Jennison, with portions of the Fif eenth and Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and Second Colorado Cavalry n the extreme advance, ran on to the main body of the enemy, and kept up a rapid fire upon him from his line of skirmishers, but the nemy opened a battery of rifled guns upon him, he, of course, fell back, aving no guns to respond with. The brigade went into camp for the night at Little Sante Fé, with the exception of the force with Colonel Jennison, which camped about a mile in advance of the division. As oon as the brigade was reorganized on the morning of the 24th, I tarted on the Line road in the pursuit of the rebel army, having the advance for the day. I sent three companies forward as an advance, which did not return to the brigade until the morning of the 26th, at Fort Scott. For an account of their service while absent, see inclosed marked F.* Reached West Point at dark, where a halt was made, givng the men time to kill and eat a beef. After forming the brigade in ine, I was ordered to wait until Major-General Pleasonton's division passed to the front. Started again about 2 a. m. of the 25th, and alted until daylight about three miles north of Trading Post, Kans.; listance traveled about sixty miles. After feeding the horses, I took up the line of march, being in the rear of the First Brigade, which position I kept during the day. After following the enemy's trail seven or eight miles beyond where he left the Fort Scott road, I received orders to proceed to Fort Scott, reaching there about 11 p. m., and camped for the night. Total distance traveled during the day probably sixtyfive miles. At Fort Scott on the morning of the 26th instant, I reorganized my brigade, a great many of the horses having given out in the last two days. I left one section of the battery there, putting eight horses to the guns and caissons which I took with me. Again commenced the pursuit about noon, the time being consumed in drawing horses for the battery from Major Hunt, chief of artillery, Army of the Border. From this time until the afternoon of the 28th we continued marching night and day, with but short halts and small feeds, following at all times the trail of the enemy. About 10 a. m., my brigade being in the advance, we discovered the enemy's rear in the edge of the woods north of Shoal Creek. I sent two companies of the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry into the woods as skirmishers, who soon reported that the party was about 200 strong and retreating fast. I then pressed rapidly forward, and, upon reaching Granby, ascertained that they had just passed through and that Price's whole army was doubtless at Newtonia, distant five miles. The advance soon reported that the enemy's train was in sight and but few men visible. I hurried forward at a gallop, and when within two miles of the town saw the rear of the rebel train entering the woods beyond town on the Cassville road. The battery was immediately planted on the bluffs and commenced throwing shell, while the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry and Second Colorado Cavalry were 39 R R-VOL XLI, PT I *Not found. |