vedettes the enemy opposed them in a lively manner and during t whole night the command lay upon arms, being ignorant of how larg a force surrounded them, for from every side was constant firi. during which 1 private of the Third Arkansas Cavalry was killed up his post. During the past three days forage had been plentiful. the evening of the 30th we reached Van Buren, finding no feed fr horses, and with our ambulances and wagons loaded with sick. The next day I reported to General Thayer at Fort Smith and delivere him my dispatches. He was much pleased that the general commat ing had sent a force sufficiently large to break through the enemy's lines, since he had not heard a word from department headquarters since the arrival of the last boat. He represented that the enemy w upon every side and were cutting off his forage and mail parties, au had either captured or driven back every party he had started t Little Rock. We remained several days at Van Buren in order to receive d patches, mails, and to shoe horses, it being necessary to shoe about 15 here, besides a number each night after reaching camp while on the march. We left on the 5th, acting as a portion of escort to forage tra". at the request of General Thayer, by which we were delayed two days. On the 8th we proceeded on our way toward Little Rock. Soon after separating from the train and passing through the Mulberry Mountai the advance, under Captain Herring, began skirmishing. This nigh camped within ten miles of Clarksville. Just as we were halting to the night a rebel captain and squad were driven from a house. Next day the country people reported that the captain was wounded and died. We found on the 9th a small force at Clarksville, who fired a good many shots without inflicting damage, the advance pursuing the across the bridge. On the 10th we had continual skirmishing and a march of thirty-five miles to Illinois Bayou. Nothing occurred after this worthy of notice. It is reported that a command is at Dover nul bering from 300 to 800 men. It is not likely that they are more than 300. We reached Little Rock on the 13th, having marched the distance. not calculating the circuits made at the fords, 180 miles, in six days. being nineteen days upon the round trip. From reports of the differ ent detachment commanders I learn that we killed some 20 of the enemy and captured 4 prisoners, one an orderly sergeant in Stirman's battalion. I lost 2 killed, 2 missing, 1 died at Van Buren, and 31 let sick. I brought back sixty-three non-veterans of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry. In conclusion I would respectfully represent that no detachment. except the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, was supplied with shoeing tools or shoes and nails. This neglect greatly impairs the efficiency of ca alry; besides this, men just from hospital and weak with recent sick ness are not fit for such long, hard marches, neither is it proper to se men mounted upon poor and sore-backed horses, since men are thereby doubly endangered. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. J. R. WEST, THOMAS DERRY, Major, Commanding Detachment. Comdg. Car. Div., Seventh Army Corps, Little Rock, Ark. EPTEMBER 26-30, 1864.-Expedition from Napoleonville to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon, La. REPORTS. o. 1.-Maj. John H. Clybourn, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. 9. 2.-Maj. Jesse S. Miller, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. No. 1. Report of Maj. John H. Clybourn, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS ILLINOIS CAVALRY, Napoleonville, September 30, 1861. GENERAL: In pursuance to orders received from your headquarters, lated Thibodeaux, September 24, 1864, I have the honor to forward the official report of my expedition to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon: Monday, 26th instant, my command, consisting of six companies Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, left this place at 6 a. m.; arrived at Donaldsonville, where two companies joined my command, and remained until 1 p. m., when the march for Bayou Goula was taken up, at which place the command halted and camped for the night. About 1 o'clock the pickets were fired into by a party of jayhawkers of Captain Williams' command, evidently not knowing of our presence in that vicinity. A few shots were exchanged, when the enemy turned and ran. The pickets were then strengthened in case of any further attack. Tuesday, September 27, the command left Bayou Goula at 4 a. m. for Plaquemine, at which place the command arrived at 8 o'clock; then proceeded to Indian Village and arrived at 12 m. At 1.30 p. m. marched for Micheltre's Ferry. After leaving Indian Village three miles, a small boat was captured containing one sack of coffee, some men's and women's shoes, also one trunk containing dry goods, which were sent back to Indian Village, where one company were left to guard the ferry at that place. The command then resumed their march. About 3 p. m. the advanced guard was fired into by two men. They charged them, but they took to the high weeds which infest that region and made their escape. We captured their horses and arms. Companies A and K, under command of Lieutenant Fisher, made a forced march in order to form junction with gun-boat on Grand River and Bayou Pigeon, at which place he arrived at 4 p. m.; the rest of the command followed. The whole command encamped for the night at Micheltre's plantation. It was reported that the enemy were in small force on the other side of the bayou, consequently on Wednesday, September 28, one company was sent on that side of the bayou. The crossing being bad, the horses had to swim the bayou, causing some little delay. After the company under Lieutenant Pratt's command were ready, the balance of my command proceeded to Indian Village, Lieutenant Pratt meeting uo enemy and not being able to proceed any farther on the other side of the bayou, on account of the horrible condition of the roads-they being blocked up and impassable-recrossed and joined me before I arrived at Indian Village. Flat-boats, scows, small boats, &c., were plenty. I destroyed them, but it is evidently of no use; the last expedition did the same and I found them just as plenty as before. The country around Indian Village is well adapted to contraband and smug gling purposes. It is my opinion that one squadron of cavalry should be stationed at Plaquemine, where they could easily operate on the bayou that vicinity, and thereby break up their nests, detect and arrest all persons aiding in that trade, and also detain and forever disband the parties operating on Bayou La Fourche. The command camped for the night at Indian Village. Thursday, September 29, the command broke camp and proceede to Plaquemine, where Captain Overrocker, with a party, had proceeded for forage and rations, and when the command arrived the men and horses were provided with provisions and forage and resumed their march for Bayou Goula. When we arrived there it was reported that Captain Williams had been at Bayou Goula on the 29th, and had gone to his camp at Myers' Mill, in the rear of Bayou Goula, where Captain Howk, with two companies, was sent. They proceeded about our mile outside of the town, halted, and camped. On the morning of Friday, September 30, left his camp at Bayou Goula at 3 a. m., with intention of capturing Williams' band of jayhawkers, said to be en camped at the mill. The captain proceeded to the mill, and found o his approach that the rebels had been camped there at a house abou twenty minutes previous to his arrival, but no clue could be found as to where they had gone. Captain Howk, while marching through Bayou Goula with his command, did allow his command to break open houses and commit depredations, contrary to my orders, and the citi zens of the place informed me that he allowed his men to take money and clothing from their persons. On his arrival at Donaldsonville I placed him in arrest, and will [have] charges preferred against him, that he may be brought before a court-martial for trial for disobedience of orders. This is the only instance, to my knowledge, where any depre dations were committed. All the officers of my command were notified by me that they would be held strictly responsible for the conduct of their men and for any depredations that might be committed. The command left Bayou Goula on Friday morning, September 30, for Donaldsonville and Napoleonville, La. On arriving at the Cut-Off the Donaldsonville road, it was ascertained that fifteen miles could be saved; so four companies were dispatched on that road, the others taking the river road to Donaldsonville, where they arrived at 4 p. m. 30th. The command arrived at 7 p. m. at Napoleonville, La. JOHN H. CLYBOURN, Major, Commanding Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. Brig. Gen. R. A. CAMERON, Commanding District of La Fourche. No. 2. Report of Maj. Jesse S. Miller, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. HDQRS. ELEVENTH WISCONSIN VET. VOL. INFANTRY, Brashear City, September 30, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the er pedition to Grand River Junction, of September 27, 28, 1864, and of which I was in command: I embarked on the U. S. gun-boat Carrabasset with 125 men Eleventh Infantry, Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers, at 5.30 p.m. Sep of nber 26, when we dropped down to her moorings and made fast to r anchor. At precisely 12 o'clock midnight we left moorings; arrived · Pigeon Bayon at 5 a. m. 27th and anchored, it being so dark we were able to cross the bar at the mouth of bayou. At daylight weighed chor and crossed the bar into Bayou Pigeon ten minutes before 12 on. The country between the mouth of Bayou Pigeon and the juncon of Grand River is one continuous wilderness. Until within one ile of the junction there is not a house or sign of any habitation, though on either side of the bayou the land is dry and might be cultiated. It is covered with a heavy growth of live oak and thick clusterg growth of underwood. There are numerous paths running through in all directions, none of which show signs of recent travel. I landed rties of men under competent officers at several different points along e bayou and explored some distance back on either side, but could iscover no trace of the enemy. Pigeon Bayou is very narrow and ooked, with large trees hanging over on either side, rendering it very ifficult of navigation with as large craft as the gun-boat, although it as great depth, ranging from ten to twenty feet. Not finding the avalry at the junction when I arrived, I sent two armed boats up Grand River about three-fourths of a mile, where I learned a large barge f cotton was hidden in a small cove, with instructions to run the barge lown to the gun-boat if found. I then lauded and went to the house of Mr. Micheltre, directly opposite the mouth of Grand River. Here I found two men who were in charge of the cotton and whom I arrested. also found a large quantity of cotton stored in the sugar-house on Micheltre's plantation, which I seized. The party sent in boats up Grand River found the barge loaded with cotton hidden in a small ove about three-fourths of a mile from the mouth, the underwood and large trees nearly hiding it from view. No one being found at the barge they immediately took possession of it and brought it safely to the junction. I then sent a detachment under Captain Park down the south side of Grand River as far as the plantation of Charles Palfrey, occupied by one Mr. Brown, distant four miles. He had learned that a Confederate captain and four Confederate soldiers passed down in the direction of Lake Natchez on the morning of the 26th. In the meantime I had the gun-boat turned around, backed down opposite the sugarhouse, and all the available men I had, after placing a picket on each side of the river, set to loading the cotton stored in the sugar-house onto the gun-boat. At 6 p. m. the advance guard of the cavalry arrived, the main body at 7.30. I had an interview with Major Clybourn, commanding the cavalry; remained at this place all night. Started the barge down Bayou Pigeon at daylight with one company of men under command of Captain Park. Cavalry started at 9 a. m. and at 10 a. m. I started down the bayou with the gun-boat, passed the barge and crossed the bar, came alongside at 4 o'clock, when we took her in tow and arrived at Brashear City at 11.30 p. m. September 28, with 3 prisoners, 220 bales of cotton, and 1 large barge. We destroyed two large flat-boats and several skiffs. Very respectfully, J. S. MILLER, Major Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteers. Capt. B. B. CAMPBELL, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 3. Report of Capt. Dudley C. Wyman, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. BRASHEAR CITY, October 1, 1864. SIR: In pursuance of orders I went on board Gun-boat 43, with my command, at 4 o'clock on the evening of the 26th of September. My command consisted of a detachment of the left wing of the Eleventh Wisconsin, in all seventy-five men. We lay at anchor in the bay until 3 o'clock on the morning of the 27th, when we steamed up to Flat Lake. From Flat Lake we entered Bayou Long and proceeded without inci dent to its junction with Belle River. We found no difficulty in navi gating Belle River, and reached Bayou Gotvellé in safety. Entering Bayou Gotvellé great difficulty was experienced from the short bends and narrowness of the bayou. I succeeded in penetrating to within three miles of Lake Natchez, where the bayou, becoming very narrow. I lay to and proceeded with eight men, in a small boat, to the lake. I found the bayou narrow, the bends short, and the bayou overhung with trees; so much so that navigation was impossible for a boat over 100 feet long. As it was past 12 o'clock, and knowing I could not form a junction, as ordered, I concluded to return. Returning several miles. we lay over all night and started for Brashear on the morning of the 28th, where we arrived at 8.30 a. m., when I dismissed my command. Bayou Long and Belle River are large, wide streams, navigable for gunboats. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. C. WYMAN, Captain Company G, Eleventh Wisconsin. SEPTEMBER 29–NOVEMBER 30, 1864.-Operations against Indians in Nebraska and Colorado. SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Sept. 29, 1864.-Affair near Plum Creek, Nebr. Oct. 7, 1864.-Skirmish on Elk Creek, Nebr. 12, 1864.-Attack on Overland Stage at Freeman's Ranch, near Plum Creek, Nebr. 13, 1864.-Skirmish near Mullahla's Station, Nebr. 20, 1864.-Attack on settlements in the Platte Valley, near Alkali Station, Nebr. 21, 1864.-Skirmish at Alkali Station, Nebr. 22, 1864.-Skirmish near Midway Station, Nebr. Nov. 6, 1864.-Skirmish at Sand Hills Stage Station, Nebr. 25, 1864.-Affair near Plum Creek Station, Nebr. Skirmish at Spring Creek, Nebr. REPORTS. No. 1.-Col. Robert R. Livingston, First Nebraska Cavalry, commanding Eastern Sub-District of Nebraska. No. 2.-Capt. Thomas J. Majors, First Nebraska Cavalry. |