Extracted from The Official Military History of Kansas Regiments During the War for the Suppression of the Great Rebellion by W. S. Burke. REPORT NO. 1 OF EXPEDITION TO PARK HILL, C. N.

      In obedience to instructions from Brigade Headquarters, six squadrons of the Second Kansas Cavalry (aggregate for duty, 325) marched on the 1st of August, 1862, via Hudson's Crossing, on the Neosho [River], and bivouacked that night on Rock Creek, forty-four miles from the place of starting. On the 2nd to Grand Saline, thirty miles, and on the 3rd, via Tallequah, to Park Hill, thirty six miles.
      During the night the battalion rendered every assistance to parties desiring to leave that country, and having secured the archives and treasures of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and having been joined by Chief John Ross, his brother, Lewis Ross, Treasurer of the Nation, their families and friends, the command marched north to Grand River, forty-five miles, and send a scouting party across the river, with instructions to ascertain whether any force was marching from Fort Gibson to intercept it. On the 5th, crossed Grand River, and marched to Bald Hills, twenty-five miles, and on the 6th reached camp near Baxter Springs, forty miles.
      The command, in six days, marched two hundred and ten miles, secured the archives, treasure, Chief, and principal families of the Cherokee Indian Nation, and met with no casualty. At Park Hill our forces were at least ten miles further from the crossing of Grand River than the rebel forces at Fort Gibson, which, in numbers, was much superior to ours.

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