Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border, 1863

Front matter

MEMOIRS OF THE REBELLION ON The Border, 1863, BY Wiley Britton, Late Sixth Kansas Cavalry. Chicago: GUSHING, THOMAS & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1882. Entered according to act os Congress, in the year 18S2, by GUSHING, THOMAS & CO. In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR TO THE MEMORY OF THE DECEASED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS, AND TO THE SURVIVING OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS, WHO SERVED IN THE FEDERAL ARMY ON THE BORDER DURING THE LATE WAR OF TIIE REBELLION.

Preface

. During the year 1863, 1 chronicled the various events mentioned in the following pages, just as they im pressed me by actual observation, or by authorities deemed reliable. Though my manuscript contained all the facts here presented, except a few notes made from official data, I have never considered it in suita ble shape for publication. In rewriting it, I have stricken out certain criticisms and passages hastily set down in camp or on the inarch, and I hope that I have improved the expression in various ways. I have en deavored to make the work a panoramic view of military operations and events on the borders of Mis souri, Kansas, Arkansas and the Indian Territory during the year 1863. Eighteen years have now elapsed since I collected the material from which my Memoirs are written, and I have not as yet met with( a single book pretending to give any kind of an account of

PREFACE.

. the military operations of our army for any one year during the rebellion, in that portion of the Trans-Mis sissippi region mentioned in the following chapters. Though one might, by rummaging the archives of the War Department, get material enough out of general orders and official reports of battles, skirmishes, etc., in that region, to enable him to write a small volume, he would get very little of the kind of material that I collected. I noted not only the movements of the army with which I was connected, and the battles and minor engagements which it fought, but I also turned aside now and then to note a good many other things ; as, for instance, the thoughts and feelings of the soldiers on various sub jects, as reflected in their conversations around their camp fires and on the march.

I have also given short descriptions of the country we marched over and around our camps; the pro and con opinions of officers and soldiers in regard to the policy of the Government, in emancipating the slaves and of enlisting the freedmen into the army. And on several occasions I give a moment's thought to natural phenomena, which were sub jects of conversation in the camp. The critical reader may, perhaps, think that I have in one instance purposely arranged my composition

PREFACE.

. to show that " coming events cast their shadows be fore." But I have not. The facts, however, show that they sometimes do. Gen. Shelby's raid through Mis souri in October, 1863, affords an example. The approaching storm was indicated nearly a week before the invasion by the main force took place, and we are almost made to hear the distant rumbling of artillery carriages and caissons, and the faint tramping of march ing squadrons. Should it be asked why I have allowed eighteen years to elapse before printing my chronicles, I reply because I felt that they should have a more careful and critical revision than I have been able to give them un til lately, before going to the public. A literary com position even of this kind, like other art compositions, as in painting and sculpture, for instance, is always susceptible of improvement in the manner of presen tation, without affecting its truthfulness in regard to the matter treated of.

I have no doubt but that much more trimming and pruning might have been done to good advantage. I felt such an interest in the anti-slavery cause be fore the war, that Kansas, to me, always meant a principle, and I left home at an early age to join the Free State party. It was, therefore, a real pleasure to me to

PREFACE.

. chronicle everything that I thought would be of in terest in the future pertaining to Kansas soldiers in the war. At the same time I endeavored to do full justice to the soldiers of other States serving with us in that section. Though, no doubt, I always clearly show where my sympathies lie in the discussion of any given question, yet I 'do not believe that I have, in any instance, displayed strong partisan bias. Nor have I been tempt ed to write anything for the purpose of producing a sensation. Future generations of that portion of the Trans- Mississippi country covered by my Memoirs will doubtless wish to know what part, if any, the people took in the Great War of the Rebellion. But there has been, as yet, very little published in permanent and accessible form, from which they will be able to obtain the desired information, although nearly all the able-bodied men were in the Federal and Confederate armies, and the storms of war raged furiously over that section.

A few sketches of one or two campaigns have been written, but mere sketches are evanescent and pass away in a generation. I hope that I have done some thing towards filling up the hiatus which exists during the period of the most exciting events in our history.

PREFACE.

. If the reader will endeavor to put himself in my place during the period covered by my memoirs, he will then see the marches, battles, skirmishes, reconnoissances, reviews, etc., as I saw them. As he passes about the camp alone from time to time, he will see refugees, men, women and children, of almost every conceivable color and condition, except that none of them appear to be provided with much of this world's goods and means of happiness. Passing to the hospitals, he will see the sick and wounded, men bleeding and mangled and torn by shot and shell, by small arms, and by the cuts and thrusts of swords and bayonets; he will see them bearing wounds, from the slightest contusions to limbs torn from their bodies; he will hear men groaning and pleading to die, that they may be relieved from their intense suffering; he will hear others, with piteous expressions upon their quivering lips, praying to be taken to their homes to die surrounded by their families and friends; he will see comrades who, but a few days before, were beaming with health and buoyant with life and hope, with the dark shadows of death seizing upon their countenances; and the grief stricken forms of the dear ones these noble men left behind, when they staked their lives in de-

PREFACE.

. fense of their country and their homes, will rise up before him. But passing from these scenes of death and woe, his mind is permitted to dwell upon other subjects less gloomy, and which tend to make the heart glad instead of making it ache. On the march and under clear blue skies, he* will cross silver-eddying streams or mountain-brooks leaping and splashing and foaming along. And by the wayside he will drink from crystal springs bubbling out of the earth, as beautiful as spark ling fountains. The scenes are constantly changing, and always interesting to anyone of healthy mind and body; and he will see landscapes of every conceivable variety, from the forest-covered mountains and hills of Arkansas to the grass-covered prairies and plains of Kansas, and from the deep green of spring to the rich and variegated tints of autumn, and the snow-covered ground of winter.

It is proper that I should express my indebtedness to Captain William Gallaher, Colonel Phillips- Assistant Adjutant-General, for many kindnesses and courtesies in connection with the writing of my Memoirs while we were attached to the Indian division. And during the latter part of the year I received from General C. W. Blair, the commanding officer of the

PREFACE.

. post of Fort Scott and the District of Southern Kansas, many acts of kindness and words of encour agement, for which I feel under deep obligations to him. As he was one of the most accomplished orators in the State, and a man of rare culture and refinement, I have always considered myself fortunate that I made his acquaintance, and was permitted to regard him as my friend. I have never met any one who came nearer my ideal of the perfectly accomplished gentle man than General Blair. It will perhaps be thought by some that I have given undue prominence to the operations of Colonel Phillips' division. But I think that any one who will follow the operations of this division, will agree with me that I have not magnified its achievements or overestimated the merits of its commander. Considering the number and kind of troops with which he had to operate, and the long line of communication he had to keep open from his advanced position, there was not perhaps another officer in our army who accomplished so much with a single division of troops. I hope that I have made the work worthy of being welcomed by the young men and women who have grown up since the war, and who desire to become ac-

PREFACE.

. quainted with the great events in which their fathers participated. To thus commemorate the grand achievements of the men with whom I served, has afforded me real pleasure, for I felt that never before have the soldiers engaged in a great struggle deserved such a measure of gratitude of future generations as those whose heroic actions I have recorded. WILEY BRITTON. Washington, D. C, May, 1882. s, -r- *

Chapter I

Resume of the operations of the Army under Gen. Blunt during the last three months of 1862 — The battles of Newtonia and Maysville mentioned — The charge led by Capt. S. J. Crawford, Second Kansas Cavalry, and capture of Gen. Cooper's Artillery — The battle of Cane Hill — Brave charge of Col. Lewis R. Jewell, Sixth Kansas Cavalry — His mortal wound and death — Remarks on his character — After the battle of Cane Hill, Gen* Blunt orders his trains to Rhea's Mills — Couriers sent to Gen. Herron to bring forward his Division on a forced march — Strength of the two divisions — Strength of Gen. Hindman's Army — Battle of Prairie Grove described — It lasts until after dark — Furious charging of the Infantry- Terrific artillery fire — Gen. Hindman defeated, and retreats to Van Buren — Gen. Blunt's trains ordered to Fayetteville — Burying the dead and caring for the wounded — Concluding Remarks -- - CONTENTS.

Chapter II

General Blunt's trains return to Rhea's Mills lrom Fayetteville— Resources of the country around Rhea's Mills — Furnishes forage for the cavalry and transportation animals — Native animals stand the service better in that section than animals brought from the north — Preparations for the expedition to Van Buren — Incidental reflections — The expedition on the march — Crossing and recrossing the raging, foaming and splashing mountain stream thirty-nine times — An unpleasant march for the infantry — The troops bivouac by this stream — The march resumed — An outpost of the enemy struck by the Federal Cavalry advance — The chase— Battle Dripping Springs —Federal charge on the enemy's camp — Flight of the enemy to Van Buren — Federal pursuit — Capture of Van Buren — Burn ing of steamboats and supplies — Artillery duel across the Ar kansas River — The enemy shell their own city — Return to Rhea's Mills 52

Chapter III

The First Division Army of the Frontier moves from Rhea's Mills to Elm Springs— All the Federal wounded in the Field Hospitals at Prairie Grove removed to Fayetteville— General Blunt Relieved and starts North— General Schofield takes command of the Army of the Frontier— Future Operations to be conducted according to West Point tactics— The Army to retreat to the Missouri line— Reorganization of the Army- Colonel W. A. Phillips to command the Indian Division— A Battalion of the Sixth Kansas cavalry and Captain Hopkin's Battery to go with it— Grand Review of the Army of the CONTENTS. Frontier by General Schofield— The author's last visit to his brother in the General Hospital at Fayetteville— The Reduc tion of Transportation— Order from War Department for Recruiting several loyal Arkansas Regiments — General Marmaduke marching on Springfield— The Army of the Frontier on the march, except the Indian Division 74

Chapter IV

Colonel W. A. Phillips assumes command of the Indian division — The author to go with it — The division marches to Maysville on the western line of Arkansas — A skirmish with guerrillas — A snow storm and difficulty in getting forage — Colonel Phillips, not only a military commander but also a governor of several Indian tribes — His position requires great executive ability — Skirmishes with guerrillas becoming frequent — Bushwhackers living in a cave — Remarks on how caves are formed — How Stalactites are formed — How stalacmitic matter may preserve to distant ages in the future some account of the war — In a few years all external evidences of the war will have disappeared— Description of the country and of its resources — Colored refugees increasing — Their destitute condition—Col. Phillips' orders — Repairing of the mills — The battle at Springfield — Gen. Marmaduke defeated 88

Chapter V

The author at Neosho, Missouri, for a few days — Ante-bellum times and reminiscences — Description of the town The Grand Falls and water-power mills in the country — Fertility of the CONTENTS. soil on the river bottoms— Fencing which enclosed most of the farms destroyed— About half the people loyal—Indiscrimi nate destruction of property condemned— A double sacrifice put upon Missouri loyalists— A picture of desolated homes- Guerrilla warfare and Federal losses in the State— The Militia occupying Newtonia and fortifying it— Their efficiency— Mostly State troops that opposed General Marmaduke at the battle of Springfield on the 9th— Flag raising at Neosho— The National Flag scornfully regarded by rebels — Geurrillas at Granby— The rich lead mines there, but no longer worked —Author informed of the death ot his brother at Fayetteville — A mother's picture of a united family 107

Chapter VI

The Author's return to his division at Scott's Mills — Colonel Phillips' popularity with his ti oops — Rebels returning and taking the oath of allegiance — Indians make good troops to fight bushwhackers — Increase of wild game since the war — A detachment of Federal troops worsted in a skirmish with guerrillas — Captain Conkey loses eleven men by capture — Guerrilla chieftains commissioned by the Rebel authorities — Comments on plans proposed by some to break up the guerrilla warfare — Sickness and heavy mortality among the Indian Refugees at Neosho — Sick and wounded being removed from Fayetteville to Fort Scott — The classes of the enemy the Federals have to deal with — Bushwhackers — Guerrillas — Detachments returning to and leaving the State — The regular forces in our front — Illustrations — Incidents from the Expedition to LoneJack — The battle of Coon Creek— Concluding remarks on the Indians CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

The Indian Division moves to Pineville, Mo — Remarks on the physical aspect of the country and its resources — Few depredations committed considering the general character and condition of the refugee camp-followers — The President's Emancipation Proclamation — A good many officers and soldiers opposed to it — It is a military necessity — It is just and is warmly commended — The Government will soon have colored troops in the field — Colonel Phillips' brother wounded — Colonel Judson's brigade at Mount Vernon — The Indian division marches to Bentonville, Arkansas — Description ot the country — Rebel prisoners sent to Springfield— They were brought in by loyal Arkansas troops — A meteor of great brightnsss observed — Reflections on sidereal worlds and meteoric displays — The Indian Delegation go to Washington - 145

Chapter VIII

Colonel Phillips invited to address a Mass Meeting of the Union Citizens of Northwestern Arkansas, at Fayetteville — The great difficulty in getting Forage — A Scouting Party returns from Van Buren — The Indian Division encamped on the edge of the Battle Field of Pea Ridge — An account of the Battle from data collected on the Field and from Eye Witnesses — Rebel raid on Neosho and Capture of Negroes — A Deserter from the Enemy gives Position and strength of their forces — The Enemy's wounded from Prairie Grove at Cane Hill still — Great Mortality among them— Skirmish with Bush whackers — Arrival of Forage Trains from White River — Horses eat each ■J-2 CONTENTS. others Manes and Tails off— The Small-pox among the Indi ans—Very few of them Vaccinated -Only a few cases among the White Soldiers— Remarks on the Disease— The Govern ment should stock a farm with Animals to furnish Vaccine Virus for the Army - --- 161

CHAPTER XI.

The march to Camp Moonlight— Captain Mefford, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, defeats Livingston's band— Grass sufficient for grazing purposes about Fort Gibson — Supply train reinforced — A bushwhacker killed near camp — The people should be better informed by proclamation of the Federal purposes — Officers for the Fourth and Fifth Indian regiments report to Colonel Phillips — No such regiments exist — Criticisms concerning the matter — Near Rhea's Mills again — Two loyal Arkansas regiments organized — After a battle the people show on which side their sympathies are by their expressions — The people of a less haughty spirit than in Missouri — Reconnoissance returned from Dutch Mills — Women and children raise their own foodstuffs— The soldiers exchange their surplus rations for butter, eggs, &c— The Army ration — A party of Union men arrive from Texas— They were hunted by the enemy with bloodhounds 179

Chapter X

April Fool's day— Seven Pin Indians killed at Park Hill, C. N., by the enemy in federal uniform— The march to Cincinnati on the State line— War paint and yelping of the Indians when CONTENTS. 23 they start out — Commendable conduct of the Indian soldiers while in Missouri and Arkansas— The division crosses the line into the Indian country — On the march to Park Hill — The country becomes more inviting and the vegetation more advanced — Rebel scouting party near Fayetteville— Arrival at Park Hill and meeting of the Indian refugee families from Neosho — Great manifestations of joy and affecting scenes — Standwaitie commanding the rebel Indians — Colonel Phillips sends out a strong reconnoissance — Webber's Falls — He drives the enemy into the Arkansas River and takes Fort Gibson — Description of the place — Its importance — The beautiful Grand and Verdigris Rivers 197

CHAPTER XL

Fort Gibson the Key to the Indian country — The enemy showing signs of activity — The troops at Gibson commence to build bake ovens — Anxiety for the supply train — Creek Indians coming in — The enemy concentrating at AVebber's Falls — Celebrating the event of hoisting the United States Flag at Fort Gibson — A sad accident — Arrival of supply train from Fort Scott — Part of Neosho burned — The enemy attack Fayetteville and are defeated — A young man as a spy caught dressed in a woman's suit — The troops commence to throw up fortifications at Fort Gibson — Strength of the Federal position — Engagement at Webber's Falls— Capture of the enemy's camp — Assassination of Dr. Gillpatrick — Arrival of rebel officers under a flag of truce — They are on business in connection with exchanging of prisoners — Reconnoissance of Colonel Schaurte to the Arkansas line — Colonel Harrison abandons Fayetteville — Colonel Phillips reviews his division CONTENTS.

Chapter XII

The author sent with dispatches to Colonel Harrison at Cassville, Missouri — The first night's march in a storm of thunder and lightning — The next morning on the battle-ground of Locust Grove — Account of the battle and of the capture of Colonel Clarkson's command — Passing over the ground of an exciting chase of last year — Camp in the forest — On the look-out for the enemy — In Missouri— Arrival at Cassville — Detention at Cassville — The troops there daily expecting to be attacked — Large number of troops, including the State militia, in Southwest Missouri — Activity of the militia — The First Kansas colored infantry organized, and at Baxter Springs — Remarks on arming the freedmen — Many small tracts being cultivated in Missouri — By whom — On the march to Fort Gibson — A fight with Guerillas —Stopping in a lonely retreat — Return to Fort Gibson 231

Chapter XIII

The enemy occupying the heights south of the Arkansas River in sight of Fort Gibson — Picket firing across the river all day long— Strength of General Cooper's force— He is preparing to capture Colonel Phillips' supply train— Nameof post of Fort Gibson changed to Fort Blunt— Colonel Phillips contending single-handed with two Generals of the enemy— Hard service for the cavalry— Capture of horses and mules from the enemy— Activity in the enemy's camp— The enemy kill the Federal pickets, and capture a good many animals— The battle—Enemy driven from the field and pursued— Recapture of some animals— Large force of the enemy cross the Arkansas CONTENTS. River, and march to meet the Federal supply train — Convales cent soldiers coming in from Tahlequah — The troops move inside the fortifications at Fort Gibson — The engagement at Rapid Ford, Sunday afternoon — Colonel Phillips intended the movement only as a demonstration 251

Chapter XIV

The enemy makes a night attack on the Federal supply train — Gallant charge led by Colonel Phillips, and total route of the enemy — Only a sutler's wagon partially plundered — The enemy had another force which failed to co-operate — The paymaster paying off the troops — The Government should adopt a system to enable officers and soldiers to send their money home — Activity noticed in the enemy's camp again — The Arkansas River rising — Friendly conversations between Federal and Rebel Pickets — The Federal supply train returns to Fort Scott with a heavy escort — Engagement between Livingston and the colored troops at Baxter Springs — The enemy anxious to know if the colored regiment is coming down — A woman takes one of the enemy's horses and comes into the Fort — Colonel Phillips to be reinforced — Skirmish near Park Hill — Standwaitie's Indians in the northern part of the Nation. 266

Chapter XV

An agreement in regard to the cessation of picket firing — Mostly young men in the army — They have no Alcestis to die for tbem — General Cooper's army moves back twenty miles, perhaps to find better grazing — A rebel reconnoitering force CONTENTS. 26 west of the Fort-General Cabell's force near Cincinnati- The Indians harvesting— The wheat crop good, what there is of it— Major Foreman after Standwaitie— Engagement on Green Leaf prairie-The enemy finally driven from the field —Federal and Rebel pickets in swimming together— The Federals exchange coffee for tobacco— Desertion of rebei soldiers— Rebel discipline believed to be more severe in some respects than the Federal— Remarks on flogging and severe discipline— Major Foreman with six hundred men sent to meet Federal supply train— The enemy preparing to attack it again— An Indian prophet and the superstitions of the Indians 2S4

Chapter XVI

The rebel pickets shout across the river that the Federal supply train is coming— Another rebel force gone to meet the Federal supply train — Movements of the Confederate armies in the East as reported by rebel pickets— Vicksburg closely invested by General Grant — Federal troops in southwest Missouri — Federal supply train detained by high water at Neosho River — Federal supplies running short at Fort Gibson — High water in Grand River — Indian women report heavy firing in the vicinity of Cabin Creek — General Cabell on the east side of Grand River, near Cabin Creek, with artillery — The suspense — A National Salute fired in honor of Independence Day — Beef and Beans for barbecue — The pinch of hunger — Horses and dead rebels floating in the river — Two days' fighting at Cabin Creek — Gallant charge of the Colored regiment — Total rout of the enemy — How the Federal troops crossed CONTENTS. 27 Cabin Creek under fire— General Cabell unable to join General Cooper's division on account of high water — Arrival of supplytrain at Fort Gibson 302

Chapter XVII

The Federal supply train returns to Fort Scott— The Battalion of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry and the author accompany it — Colonel Phillips commended for his successful military operations — Federal troops with which author has acted for two years have been uniformly successful — The colored soldiers anxious to meet the enemy — Their physical endurance — Well adapted to campaigning in warm climate — Colonel Phillips will be able to cross the Arkansas river and attack General Cooper — Large quantities of hay should be put up at Fort Gibson — Salt works at Grand Saline — Families of English blood cling to their homesteads — On the march up the beautiful Grand River country — Looking out for General Cabell's force — The escort meets General Blunt at Cabin Creek — Examination of the battle-field — Active operations to be commenced against General Cooper immediately — The train and escort pass the section of Livingston's operations — Arrival at Fort Scott 330

Chapter XVIII

The battalion of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry to remain at Fort Scott a few weeks— News of the battle of Gettysburg and surrender of Vicksburg and Port Hudson — Remarks on the progress of the Federal arms— Backbone of the Confederacy CONTENTS. broken— Frequent contests between the State Militia and guerrilas in Southwest Missouri— Guerrilla warfare leads to retaliation and personal grudges— Major Livingston, the guerrilla leader, killed by the Missouri Militia— Remarks on the nature of his operations— Colonel Crittenden, commanding the Militia in Southwest Missouri, after the enemy—Colo nel Cloud on the march to Fayetteville— General Blunt attacks General Cooper's army at Honey Springs— Preparations for the battle— Furious charge of the Federal troops— Complete rout of the enemy and capture of one piece of artillery, colors and prisoners— General Cabell came up after the battle was over - 346

Chapter XIX

The enemy burn the Court House and Academy at Carthage — County records carried away in Missouri — Rebel guerillas near Fort Scott — Rebel women carry information to the enemy — Cholera and Small-pox at Fort Gibson — Probable cause of Cholera breaking out — A soldier killed by Captain " Tough— A little too much drunkenness — Major Blair closes the whisky shops — Resisting the draft— Great riot in New York City — Remarks on neutrality — Arrival of Colonel Phillips from the front — The supply train starts to Fort Gibson — Recruiting of the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry — Large bounties paid by the government for recruits — State bounties in some of the States — Skirmish between several squadrons of Federal troops through mistake — Skirmish with guerillas near Balltown — Appeal of the rebel government for more troops — Description of the country around Fort Scott — Recruiting colored troops CONTENTS.

Chapter XX

A Post established at Baxter Springs, with a Detachment of Cavalry— Bombardment of Charleston and probable fall of Forts Sumter and Wagner — Guerrillas along the Border displaying unusual Activity — Large quantities of Hay being put up for the Government at Fort Scott — Burning and Sacking of Lawrence by Quantrell — Murder of one hundred and fifty of her Citizens — Escape of the Desperadoes into Missouri — Federal troops in pursuit — The Guerillas break up into small Detachments—Kansas needs a State Militia — Looking around for some one to blame — Generals Ewing and Schofield Denounced — Some favor the wild notion of a Grand Army of Invasion, to destroy everything in Missouri for a distance of forty miles from Kansas— Folly of the Scheme — Generals Cooper and Cabell threatening General Blunt — Paola Mass Meeting — Plan of removal of Rebel Families considered -- 381

Chapter XXI

General Schofield coldly received by the people, of Leavenworth City — Colonels Jennison and Hoyt speak in Fort Scott — The crowd sing "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave," &c. — More of General Lane's Grand Army of Invasion — Few trophies to bring back — General Schofield issues an order, against invasion — The Missouri State troops would resist it— Battle of Perryville and defeat of General Cooper — General Blunt captures Fort Smith — Generals Steele and Davidson capture Little Rock — Colonel Blair sends out a reconnoissance — A new department wanted — General Gillmore CONTENTS. captures Forts Wagner and Gregg in Charlestown Harbor- Sympathizers of the rebellion receive anonymous notices to leave the city— Supposed to be the action of the Union League —Arrival of General Blunt and Staff and Colonel Judson— The Bourbon County Fair— Activity of the enemy along the border again. - - 397

Chapter XXII

General Blunt, Staff and Escort start to Fort Smith — Two Soldiers killed near Fort Scott by the enemy — Signs of an approaching storm — The enemy endeavor to capture or kill the Federal pickets, and to make a dash on Fort Scott — General Blunt's escort attacked by Quantrell near Baxter Springs, and nearly all killed — Colonel Blair with a cavalry force to the rescue — Members of the Band burned in the Band wagon— The enemy defeated by Lieutenant Pond at Baxter Springs — The invasion of Missouri by General Shelby, with two thousand cavalry and three pieces of artillery — The Missouri State militia in pursuit of him— The Militia capture his artillery and disperse his force— General Ewing's force joins in the pursuit of the enemy — The enemy driven from the State — General John McNeil to take command of the Federal troops at Fort Smith— General Lane speaks in Fort Scott— General Blunt starts to Fort Smith again 413