Extracted from The Official Military History of Kansas Regiments During the War for the Suppression of the Great Rebellion by W. S. Burke. MILITARY HISTORY OF THE SECOND KANSAS CAVALRY, 1862
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, 1862, 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. Matthews, 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 Headquarters, the Ninth moved from Fort Leavenworth on the 20th of January to Quindaro, in Wyandotte county, for the purpose of finding quarters suitable for protection from the inclement weather.
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 bushwackers.) 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 Headquarters 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 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 Lieutenant James C. French, of Shawnee county, and Second Lieutenant Albert Schroder, of Leavenworth county.
H company was partly organized with First Lieutenant John Johnson, 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 on the 27th of March, and therefore are not more particularly mentioned here.)
The organization was again completed by the assignment of the following officer 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 assumed command of the regiment.
Pursuant to instructions from Department Headquarters, 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 of the regiment has led many to believe that is 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 it's history; but only a portion of the 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 22nd 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 nine 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 Quartermaster; 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 Volunteers), 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 designated K company.
On the 28th of March, Captain Byron P. Ayres, from private of K company, was mustered into A company, vice Williams resigned.
The organization of K company was completed April 5th, by the muster-in of Captain Avra P. Russell, First Lieutenant Barrett B. Mitchell, from private same company, and Second Lieutenant John M. Mentzer, from sergeant same company.
The organization of H company was completed 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 it's 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 several squadrons as follows:Captain Crawford's company H will be known as company A.
Captain Hopkins' company B will be known as company B.
Captain Whittenhall's company C will be known as company C.
Captain Moore's company D will be known as company D.
Captain Gardner's company E will be known as company E.
Captain Cameron's company G will be known as company F.
Captain Matthew's company F will be known as company G.
Captain Gunther's company I will be known as company H.
Captain Ayre's company A will be known as company I.
Captain Russell's company K will be known as company K.and assigned as his reasons therefor that "Samuel J. Crawford was the ranking Captain, and accordingly his company should be company A, and rank should in like manner determine 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 order, Captain Ayers' company was the first organized, and should have retained the letter A as it's designation. The same rule would apply with equal force to the change of the 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 regiment 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 22nd, 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 separate military history, will be more particularly mentioned hereafter in a supplement.
On the 26th of April the Second started for and reached Topeka the next day, where it halted for muster, and on the 30th it was inspected, mustered for pay, and reviewed by Lieutenant 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 Adjutant; 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 sabers May 12th, and on the 13th 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. Dexter, 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 Hopkin's battery, vice: 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 Battalion Adjutant, and 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, Paymaster, to New Mexico. For an account of that expedition see supplement I.
On the 21st of May, it having been ascertained that Surgeon 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 headquarters 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 1862, and on the day following he made application to be mustered in, but the muster refused, for the reason that Brigadier General Blunt, commanding the Department of Kansas, had given instructions to the mustering officer not to muster any officer into 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 Department, 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 Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Avra P. Russell as Major, and First Lieutenant Burnett B. Mitchell as Captain, and the refusal to muster Lieutenant Colonel Bassett prevented the muster of these officers.
By section three of an Act of Congress, approved August 6th, 1861, 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 22nd, 1861, it was provided that the Governors of States furnishing volunteers should commission the field, staff and company officers.
A vacancy existed, however, in the office of Colonel of the Second Kansas Cavalry, and an order was issued by Brigadier General Blunt relieving Colonel William F. Cloud from command of the Tenth Kansas Infantry, and assigning him to the command 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 sufficient force to garrison Fort Riley; and in obedience to the instructions, squadrons B and C were detached for garrison duty 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 23rd, 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 22nd 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 report 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 command of the First Brigade Indian Expedition. First Lieutenant D. C. Coleman, First Battalion Adjutant, was detached and assigned 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 3rd; where, after securing the archives and treasures of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and being joined by John Ross, principal chief, and Lewis Ross, treasurer, with the families and friends, returned to the camp 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 treasures 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 forthwith 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, reached Dry Fork Creek, near Carthage, Mo., on the 22nd.
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 the 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 3rd, and on the 10th First Lieutenant 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 Regimental 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, was detailed and assigned to duty as Acting Adjutant, vice 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, of any trip ever made by the regiment, and it remains a mystery to this day why it 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 at 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 detached service at Department Headquarters.
The regiment reported to Brigadier General Solomon on the night of the 3rd, 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 Hopkins, having been relieved from detached service with Hopkin's 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, and on the 18th to Cross Hollows, on the 19th to Mud Town, driving the enemy's pickets and outposts twenty miles.
This was an important expedition. The enemy was known to be in considerable force in front of our army, and it became necessary to 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. Brigadier 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 22nd. The regiment numbered four hundred and ninety-seven, aggregate for duty, and had just been on a very severe march and scout, and in the saddle for five days and seven nights in succession, (having rested on 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 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 sent two squadrons around the town to surprise and capture the pickets, and prevent any communication 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 preparation, and instead of capture, he might make good his escape; instead of easy conquest, a desperate struggle might come; instead of victory, defeat might follow; and all from the carelessness 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 the officers to be placed in. It was the division commander's duty to know that each brigade was in it's 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 it's proper place, and go into action without any supervision of it's movements. True, they might do so, but if they did not, their neglect might be fatal to the army, as well as to it's 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 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), and sent it to the rear before reinforcements came up.
The enemy was posted four thousand (4,000) strong with a battery in the edge of a heavy body of timber skirting 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 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 22nd; 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 Second Lieutenant B. S. Bassett was assigned to duty as A. A. A. G. at Brigade Headquarters; Second Lieutenant Cross was detached and assigned to duty as Acting Adjutant; and Second Lieutenant David R. Coleman, First Battalion Adjutant, was mustered out as a supernumerary; Second Lieutenant William M. Hook, C company, was tried by General Court Martial for "misbehavior before the enemy," in the action of the 22nd, --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.
The regiment marched from Spavina Creek on the 6th of November 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 Pollard'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 Fayetteville to Regimental Headquarters, having met a rebel force under the 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 wagons and its contents were fired and abandoned. On the return a number of bushwhackers were captured.
Second Lieutenant Waugh was detached, 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 light order in the rear of the division south via Cincinnati to near Rhea's Mills.
On the 28th the Second march was resumed, with company C, under command of Captain Whittenhall, as advance guard, three companies under command of Major Fisk at the head of the column, followed by the 2nd Indiana Battery, next by the 11th Kansas Infantry, and then by the remaining five squadrons under command of Lieutenant Colonel Bassett. Having passed Rhea's Mills, and while yet four miles from Cane Hill, the 11th Kansas halted to rest; but the cavalry and artillery in advance pushed on and engaged the enemy at Boonsboro. At the first report of 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 2nd Indiana Battery until the infantry came up.
The enemy was reported at six thousand (6,000), but did not, probably, exceed three thousand (3,000), under General Marmaduke, 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 enemy'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 circumstances could not save a battery. Ignorance on the part of the enemy of the true position was it's only safety--it's 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 2nd Indiana Battery, the pride of the Hoosiers, would have fired its last shot in defense 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 opportunity 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 committed. 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 commanding officer to report to the Surgeon to have his wound dressed, who forbade his return to the front. (For a 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 Craklin, Second Battalion Adjutant, on duty with battery in Tennessee, had been mustered out of the service as a supernumerary; and on the 2nd 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 of seventy-five (75) men was sent out under Captain Cameron, with instructions to proceed to Natural Dam, on Lee's Creek, via Dick Oliver's, and return via Evansville, on the State Line road. Captain Cameron performed the duty assigned him; and, returning on the 3rd, brought reliable information that General Hindman was crossing his army at Van Buren for the purpose of marching attack the Army of the Frontier.
On the 3rd scouting parties were sent out on all the roads leading south, but returned without any special intelligence except that 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 movements. 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 Headquarters to give information to the commanding General. Lieutenant 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 send down the Mountain road. Captain Gardner and Lieutenant Moore met the pickets. 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 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 the outposts on the morning of the 6th. To be properly prepared for the attack, General Blunt, on the afternoon 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 of one hundred (100) men. Colonel 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 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 road was very rough and a mountain had to be crossed, and at least an 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 headed, and Captain Cameron was detailed with two Lieutenants and one hundred (100) men, and Lieutenant Stover, with his section of mountain howitzers; and positive instructions were given to be in the saddle and in readiness 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 outpost 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 Lieutenant 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 without waiting for orders, and 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 been properly reinforced it might still have been driven from it's position; 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, therefore, entrusted a very responsible position. Captain S. J. Crawford was in immediate command of the companies of the Second 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 enemy 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 it's 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 Second 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 Mill. 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 it's 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 sufficient time to march that distance, preparations were at 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, dismounted, and fell at the first fire. He was carried to the rear, and 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 it's 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, drove 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 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 enemy 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.
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