MAY 8, 1865.—Skirmish near Readsville, Mo. Report of Capt. Samuel W. Hopkins, Warren County, Missouri, Militia. HEADQUARTERS, Warrenton, Mo., May 11, 1865. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on Monday, the 8th instant, Corporal Gentry, with five men of my company, while on a scout in the western part of Montgomery County, and hearing of a few bushwhackers taking breakfast at a house near Readsville, Callaway County, and while on his way, fell in with twelve bushwhackers, who passed themselves as Fulton Militia, being dressed in Federal uniform. The two squads rode along together near three miles, when they ordered them to halt and demanded them to surrender, and commenced firing simultaneously, killing 2 soldiers, wounding 2, and capturing 1. One man made his escape unhurt. There were two citizens, old soldiers, with my men, both supposed to be killed. The bushwhackers then took the prisoner and started a northeast course, telling the prisoner if he would pilot them to the Troy road, near Florence, they would spare his life. On the way the bushwhackers asked many questions concerning the disposal of troops in this and other counties, stating that there would be a large number of bushwhackers in Missouri this summer. On arriving at the Troy road, near Florence, six of the bushwhackers took the prisoner, Tabourn Ford, out to shoot him. He dodged the first shot, and made his escape, severely wounded. None of the bushwhackers have as yet been caught. My men are after them. I am, general, with respect, your obedient servant, S. W. HOPKINS, Captain, Comdg. Warren County Volunteers, Missouri Militia. Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK, Commanding District of North Missouri. MAY 8-10, 1865.-Scout in Saline, La Fayette, and Cooper Counties, Mo. Report of Capt. James D. Eads, First Missouri State Militia Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS STATION, Marshall, Mo., May 10, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that I have had my entire available force scouting in Saline, La Fayette, and Cooper Counties. I was in the saddle three days in command in person. On the morning of the 8th instant I struck their trail east of Brownsville, and followed them down to Napton's Bridge. There nineteen of the rascals crossed. We followed them till about 4 p. m., when about three miles east of Jonesburg, Mo., we dispersed them, but found no picked horses or stolen goods. I divided my men after them, some of them going toward the mouth of the La Mine River, others of the guerrillas making toward Saline City. My men are still after them. I am of the opinion that the largest number of the rebels went south of Boonville and will strike the Missouri River about Jolly's Bottom. I shall give them no rest in this county while horseflesh is able to move and men to ride. I likewise have the infantry moving to the best advantage. My cavalry have marched sixteen miles each day; that is, made an average for each man sixteen miles. There are but few bushwhackers in this county. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES D. EADS, Capt. Company M, 1st Cav. Missouri State Militia, Comdg. Station. Capt. C. G. LAURANT, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo. MAY 8-20, 1865.-Scout from Plum Creek to Midway Station, Nebr. Ter. Report of Capt. Thomas J. Weatherwax, First Nebraska Cavalry. HDQRS. COMPANY G, FIRST NEBRASKA VET. VOL. CAV., LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with verbal instructions from General Connor, commanding District of the Plains, I left this garrison in command of fifty-eight enlisted men, mounted, thoroughly armed and equipped, with twenty-one days' 1ations, in pursuit of the band of Indians who made the attack upon the train near Mullahla's Station on the 5th instant. Leaving on the Sth instant at 4 p. m., marched with my command and bivouacked at French's old ranch, ten miles west from this post. On the following morning I found it not only impracticable but impossible to ford the Platte River at that point. Left orders with my command to prepare for an early start and speedy march. I proceeded to make examination farther up the river, and meeting with the.same success as first. When near Mullahla's I was informed that a party of Indians had made a descent upon the stock at that station. Believing it to be the same band ordered to pursue, I immediately dispatched a messenger with instructions for the command to hastily prepare three days' rations. I then took trail of Indians; traveled due south across Plum Creek to a point on Mud Creek; passed down that stream to within ten miles of its mouth. My advance guard pressed the Indians (ten in all) so closely they took to the cañons. It now being dark we lost the trail, and were compelled in consequence to close further chase for the day. On 10th, at early dawn, I moved rapidly down Mud Creek to its mouth. Finding no trail or signs, I halted for some two hours for the purpose of grazing my animals and sending out a reconnoitering party to ascer tain sign of Indians. Making no further discoveries I then returned and encamped for the night upon my old camp of the 9th. On 11th, at 7 a. m. I moved in a northwest course between the Mud and Plum Creeks, arriving at Midway Station at 5 p. mn. During this day's march found the grass short and poor; no water during the day. Many of my ponies, being in weak condition, gave out and broke down from fatigue, want of water, &c., and were with much difficulty brought into camp. After a rest of two hours at Midway I moved cast to Mullahla's; encamped. 12th, this morning with Pat. Mullahla and several other citizens, old residents of this valley who are conversant with the crossings of the Platte, together with my command, I made several attempts to cross, getting at one time about three-quarters of the way over; was forced back and found it a matter of utter impossibility to effect a crossing. At 4 p. m., upon receiving a telegram from colonel commanding East Sub-District, to the effect that Indians had attacked our men at Dan. Smith's, with instructions to proceed at once, I immediately started for the scene of attack. Upon arriving at Midway I was there informed by Captain Ivory that he had just returned from Dan. Smith's, and that the Indians had driven off the stock across the river. Being at a late hour, I concluded to remain and attempt another crossing at that point, in conjunction with Captain Ivory, on the following a. m. 13th, after procuring two ox wagons, placing false bottoms in the beds, loading ammunition, saddles, &c., then proceeded to the river, selecting four of my best men and horses, who proceeded in the stream about midway, when two horses floundered and unhorsed the riders; were compelled to put back to shore. After making several other ineffectual attempts were forced to give up the idea of crossing, and returned to camp and marched to Dan. Smith's, with a view of crossing on the following morning. On 14th a detail of my command was stripped of their clothing and the largest and best ponies selected for another effort to cross. One man of the party, by almost superhuman effort, arrived on the opposite bank; returning, reported it impossible to get ammunition over without damaging to such an extent as to render it useless. The smaller and weaker portion of my ponies could by no means cross. 15th, this day, with my command, I remained on the river bank, the stream not receding. 16th, remaining in camp as day before; sending out, however, reconnoitering parties to ascertain signs or whereabouts of Indians. 17th, at 8 a. m., I moved with my command east to Mullahla's Station, arriving at 1 p. m.; encamped. 18th, remaining in camp with greater portion of my command, sending out parties to scout and scour the country around, though finding no signs of Indians. 19th, I took twenty-five men and moved south, then west, and again east, traversing the country thoroughly between Plum Creek and Midway, and for miles around. Finding no signs or indications of Indians, returned to camp at dark same evening. 20th, early this morning I received telegraphic dispatch from the colonel commanding East Sub-District to return to the garrison at Plum Creek, which I did, arriving about 12 m., traveling altogether about 200 miles. Not being able to take a sufficiency of forage, the grass short, my animals fared badly, and many gave out and broke down. They are, however, entirely unfit for service of this kind. I herewith inclose a diagram* of the country passed over. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. S. A. LEWIS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter. MAY 8-22, 1865.-Expedition from Spring Hill, Ala., to Baton Rouge, La. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV. OF CAVALRY, I respectfully submit the following report: On the 8th day of May, 1865, having previously assembled my com. mand at Spring Hill, Ala., I moved with the same for Baton Rouge, La. My command was comprised as follows: Third Michigan Cavalry, Major Nugent commanding; Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Thornburgh commanding; Tenth Illinois Cavalry (detachment), Major Willis commanding; First Company Pontoniers (detachment), Lieut. A. M. Conrad commanding. The supply train consisted of 100 wagons, transferred to my acting assistant quartermaster a few days before in most miserable condition. The animals were old, broken down, and generally unshod. On the 6th of May most of the teamsters transferred with the train deserted, consequently a detachment of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, from the camp of distribution in Mobile, was directed to report to me for the purpose of supplying, so far as practicable, their places. Strict orders were given (copies of which accompany) to prevent pillaging or annoying in any way the people in the country through which we were to pass, and it was announced as my intention to secure by conciliation and kindness the good will of the people for and toward the representatives of the Federal Government. May 8, left Spring Hill; marched thirteen miles. May 9, marched sixteen miles; laid a pontoon bridge across Dog River, and pioneers bridged Rocky Creek. May 10, at Chickasaw River, which was bridged with pontoons; corduroyed the road for nearly a mile; marched sixteen miles. May 11, crossed Leaf River on pontoons at Roberts' Ferry; river 250 feet wide; marched eleven miles. May 12, marched eighteen miles; pontooned one creek. May 13, at Enon Post-Office; marched nineteen miles. May 14, pontooned Black Creek; marched twenty-two miles. May 15, marched to Pearl River, passing through Columbia to Atkinson's Ferry, a distance of twenty-seven miles; laid a pontoon bridge 350 feet long across the Pearl. May 16, marched fifteen miles. May 17, marched seventeen miles, pontooning McGee's Creek and the Bogue Chitto River, passing through Tylerville. May 18, marched twenty-one miles, pontooning the Balia Chitto River and crossing the Tangipahoa River; passed through Osyka, Miss. May 19, marched eighteen miles; forded the Tickfaw River. May 20, marched twentyfive miles. May 21, marched twenty-five miles; pontooned the Amite River and forded the Comite River. May 22, marched nine miles; arrived in Baton Rouge. Total distance marched, 272 miles. In passing through the portions of the States of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana in which my route lay I saw nothing to indicate that a single Confederate soldier remained in arms. The expression among the people, and strongest with the paroled soldiers, was unanimously that of pleasure that the war is over, and that they were to be permitted to resume the occupations of peace. At Enon, Miss., I was notified by many of the residents of the presence in that vicinity of a party of bushwhackers who designed ambushing my advance. I made strenuous but ineffectual attempts to capture them. One of them shot and mortally wounded a soldier of the Third Michigan Cavalry who was stationed as a safeguard over a house on the road to Enon, which is the only casualty I have to report. I made every effort to prevent unlawful and unnecessary seizures. No grain and but few cattle were taken previous to my arrival at Peari River. After crossing I had to depend upon the country for both, for which proper receipts were always given. The wagon-train animals were in such poor condition when I started many of them had to be left on the road. These were generally exchanged, in the proportion of two to one, for better animals whenever amicable arrangements of that kind could be made. I was much annoyed by negroes leaving their homes, taking animals with them, and attaching themselves to my command. All mules or horses found with the column improperly belonging there have invariably been returned whenever claimants appeared; but I apprehend that there are those who have lost such animals who will find them only with the crowd which I would not permit with me, but most likely followed me in. The condition of the command after the completion of the march was excellent. The cavalry horses and animals of the pontoon train were in better condition generally than when the command started. They, with all other animals, were supplied throughout with all the grain they could eat. The wagon trains, having been supplied with old and broken-down animals, lost many on the march, but those that came through are better fitted for a campaign to-day than they were three weeks ago. I have to speak very highly of the general conduct of all the troops of my command during the entire march, and to thank the officers of the different regiments, almost without exception, for their uniform assistance and for their attention to duty. The pontoon train which accompanied me with its detachment of pontoniers is one of the very best organizations I have ever met in service. I cannot commend Lieutenant Conrad, its commanding officer, too highly for his energy and very strict attention. The pontoon bridge was a most valuable auxiliary, and could not have been dispensed with. The pioneer corps, composed of detachments from each regiment, and all under the command of Lieut. Col. J. M. Thornburgh, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, labored most assiduously, and is deserving of especial credit for the great amount of work done on the route, and for the thoroughness with which it was done. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BAILEY, Brig. Gen., Comdg. Second Brigade, Second Division of Cavalry, Maj. Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS, MAY 10-19, 1865.-Scout from Fort Sumner, N. Mex. Capt. BEN. C. CUTLER, Fort Sumner, N. Mex., May 19, 1865. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of New Mexico, Santa Fé, N. Mex.: CAPTAIN: Inclosed please find the report of Captain Fritz, who returned to this post to-day. The Indians mentioned as being on the Rio Salado will be sent for on the 21st instant. I would respectfully suggest that a party of troops be ordered to bring in those said to be in the mountains east of Albuquerque. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major, First California Cavalry, Commanding. [Inclosure.] FORT SUMNER, N. MEX., May 19, 1865. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that I left this post on May 10, 1865, per Special Orders, No. 57, dated headquarters Fort Sumner, N. Mex., May 9, 1865, and proceeded in the direction of Fort Bascom to Rio de las Conchas and Chaperita, and from there down the Pecos back to Fort Sumner, where I arrived this morning. On my |