[ar8_52 con't]

The expedition under Captain Murdoch was the more successful, inasmuch as many of the discharged officers of Thompson's command were attending a ball in Bloomfield preparatory to their re-enlisting, and were probably not anticipating an attack until they found themselves surrounded. Thirty-nine prisoners were captured. Among them were Lieutenant-Colonel Farmer, Second Regiment Missouri State Guard; Captain Cole, Company A, Second Regiment Missouri State Guard, and some 10 other officers, all of whom were discharged by virtue of expiration of term of enlistment. The expedition to Benton <ar8_53> arrested and brought in some five persons charged with aiding and abetting the rebels, as also having been in the service of the Confederate Government. A number of guns were also destroyed, the intensity of the cold making the carrying of the same very troublesome. Considerable property, consisting of stock, horses, saddles, bridles, &c., was brought into the post by the expeditions, and by my order was turned over to the quartermaster of the post.

I cannot speak too highly of the promptness of both officers and men in the several expeditions above reported. The weather was cold and disagreeable, and they were to a considerable extent unacquainted with the general character of the service upon which they were ordered; yet they responded with a promptness and alacrity that ultimately insured the success of the same. I desire further to state that in this instance I have the satisfaction of knowing that the news of the expedition did not, as usual, precede the march of the troops, but that, on the contrary, the knowledge of the same was kept within the limits of this post, owing to the thoroughness of the officers in charge of the pickets. I have, in accordance with my best judgment, looking at the matter in the light of all the facts that I can gather, released several of the prominent parties upon their parol of honor; a copy of which I inclose herewith. I regarded this as the best method to pursue, hoping by so doing to establish a more perfect understanding of the object and aim of the Government among those whose enmity arises unquestionably from (as I have previously intimated) perverted statements on the part of our enemies. These men have pledged their return upon honor at such time as you may indicate through this post, and I am fully satisfied of their honesty of purpose, feeling, as they expressed themselves, a desire to be, after their observation and limited acquaintance here, permanently out of the service.

I desire further to state in this connection that much remains undone yet in these localities which I hope to effect as soon as I can procure arms for the cavalry now located at this point. Many are returning and will yet return from the rebel army who fear to come voluntarily and take the oath because of an expressed determination on the part of General Thompson to hang such persons, but who, if taken by force, will be, I am satisfied, hereafter loyal citizens. I do not desire to intrude my opinion, but I am satisfied that the best policy to pursue towards the remainder of the prisoners is as pursued towards those above indicated. I shall, however, await for approval before doing so.

I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

DEAR COLONEL: The enemy are making a demonstration from Charleston as well as on your side of the swamp. I will hold myself in readiness to support you, and will send some cannon down early in the morning or to-night. I am alive to the importance of defending the plank road, and hope you will give them hell if they come before I get there; and if you have to retreat come over the plank road, as I will hold this end against the devil.

If you have time, have as much corn as possible hauled to Cane Ridge and other subsistence. If Pheelan's ammunition is saved, I hope there will be enough until I hear again. Probably the enemy will stop to fortify Bloomfield, in which case I will be after them myself.

Let no personal prejudice interfere with good of the cause.

DEAR SIR: Accounts from Charleston report the enemy at that place as late as 3 o'clock yesterday evening. Their force is reported as large, consisting of infantry and cavalry. No artillery as yet, so my pickets inform me.

The reported demonstration towards Clarkton is confirmed. I do not regard it as of much significance. A mere contest with Colonel Kitchen about a lot of sugar.

Colonel Gee's regiment (Arkansas), by the blundering of Captain Logan, has been ordered to Bowling Green. I learn there was almost a universal desire among the men and officers to be sent to this command.

Colonel Dawson's (Arkansas) regiment will fall to pieces unless ordered away from there.

I need a steamboat here badly.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

DEAR COLONEL: I have got to this end of the road, but must go immediately to Jacksonport, and will not have the pleasure of seeing you. I desire that you should fall back to this place with your infantry, to assist in the organization down here, and also to assist to construct a work at this place for the defense of the plank road. I hope there will be no misunderstanding about the guns and the other things between Walker, Kitchen, and yourself, but that all things will go on harmoniously and brotherly. The balance of our force is at the other end of the plank road, but Ward's, Harris', Holmes', and Liles' infantry will be here to-day. There is no special news from Madrid. The enemy are there in force, but will not fight for a day or two.

Yours, &c.,

Your favor of the 26th instant is at hand. I have not been at New Madrid since March 3, at 4 p.m., and could only repeat rumor of the conduct of affairs at that place after that time; but as I think the most serious mistakes, if any, which have been committed were prior to that time, I will report what came under my observation after my leaving you at Columbus on February 26.

Upon my arrival at New Madrid I found the citizens terribly frightened at rumored reports of the approach of the enemy. I could hear nothing definite as to his whereabouts, and as the Missouri Legislature was to meet at New Madrid on March 3, and as it was very important that the session should be punctually held, I proposed that I would go with a few volunteers to discover his whereabouts, and, if possible, to prevent his coming too near Madrid.

I will beg leave here to digress a moment and state why I desired he should not come. You will probably remember that I never was in favor of works at New Madrid, and only assisted in building such as were ordered, and did not, upon my suggestion, finish the work which was called Fort Bankhead, because I believed the proper front to defend the position was the causeway known as Jones' Ford (Moore's Ford), believing that any work could be turned from the nature of the country, and nothing but numbers could command the country after the enemy had crossed the fords above mentioned. While I consulted with Colonel Gantt, commandant at this post, and Brigadier-General McCown, and they approved of my expedition, I must here again remark, for the truth of history, that General McCown remarked to me that I might go to see where the enemy was, but that I must parley; not to count on him to frighten him away; to tole him in. I remarked that after Wednesday he might come as soon as he pleased, as by that time the Legislature would adjourn, and you had ordered me to report to General Van Dorn after that time; but that they must be kept away until then if possible.

I left New Madrid at noon on Thursday, July [February] 27, with 66 volunteers, some of whom were Confederate volunteers, some Missouri State Guards, and some amateurs. That night we stopped at Sikeston, where we found a supper prepared for the Federals, who had been expected the same night, which supper we ate. I was informed that 1,000 had been expected there that night.

On the morning of July [February] 28 we started for Jones' Ford, which is 30-odd miles from New Madrid. We reached the place early <ar8_173> in the day, and sending a vedette towards Benton (where we knew the enemy to be), we commenced burning the bridges and chopping down trees across the road. I went with a small party to the Sumter Ford, some miles distant, and threw the plank off the bridges into the water to float away. I had scarcely returned to Jones' Ford before a courier arrived, in hot haste, to inform me that the enemy had reach Sikeston in large force by the railroad, and were preparing to cut off my retreat. I immediately ordered my men to retreat by a swamp road known only to the guides, and to await at a specified safe position for my orders. I, with 4 men, passed down towards the enemy, and avoiding him at Sikeston, came into the road 2 miles below. I here met Lieutenant Grant, of the Twelfth Arkansas, who had charge of the picket. Lieutenant Grant informed me that a messenger had been sent to New Madrid, informing the officer there that I was surrounded, and that Colonel Kitchen, with a considerable force of my old brigade, now Confederate soldiers, and others, would be up that evening to relieve me.

I at once sent a courier to my men in the swamp to meet me at that spot in the morning early. In the mean time I sent into Sikeston to see the enemy's force, and was credibly told that there were but 300 infantry and 100 cavalry in the town. I then started to New Madrid, expecting at each moment to meet the relieving party; but after dark, and immediately at the town, I met 20 of my men to relieve me.

Hearing from citizens that nothing had been done towards sending re-enforcements, and it being late at night, I did not report to the officer commanding; but after a short rest I started before day to join my men. They were promptly at the point designated and in plain sight of the enemy; fed our horses and waited on him. Then I concluded to attack them in that form. Finding me south of them instead of north, as they expected, that I might confuse and probably whip them, I opened one of my small cannon at them, and, to my astonishment, Kelley's [Kellogg's cavalry and the cavalry of Hamilton's brigade deployed before me. I immediately ordered my men to push for New Madrid, or until they met support, as fast as possible, while I and a dozen selected men attracted the attention of the enemy.

I answered them for thirty or forty minutes, when they discovered my men and charged them. For 16 miles the run was kept up by the enemy, overtaking and capturing three of my little cannon.

Upon my arrival at New Madrid I reported that the cavalry of the Federals was within 4 miles, but that the infantry had not crossed Jones' Ford, and advised all attack upon him. Nothing was done.

On Sunday, 2d instant, about noon, the enemy appeared immediately on the outskirts of New Madrid. Bankhead's battery was sent to the saw-mill, and a regiment (I think Walker's) was sent through the park to meet them. A few rifle shots had been fired by the enemy at some of my men in the road when Bankhead threw a shell among them, when they retired. All of ours, as far as I could learn, returned to quarters.

On Monday, 3d instant, the whole force was reported as approaching, and at noon the gunboats commenced firing shell over the town and among them. I saw that it had been determined to await an attack behind the defenses, and having with me about 200 men, many of whom were my brigade officers, and as the Legislature had failed to meet, I asked permission of General McCown to take my men to the plank road, at the west end of which most of my men were stationed. General McCown approved of my course, and at sundown I started.

We halted near Point Pleasant for a few hours, and early in the <ar8_174> morning pushed ahead for the plank road, which place we had not reached before the enemy appeared in Point Pleasant and arrested a number of stragglers and citizens. I still have possession of the plank road, and my men have orders to defend it or destroy it.

Since the before-mcntioned time I have not been in New Madrid, and therefore can give no information as to the subsequent events. When I left, on Monday, the 23d, I supposed that the 7,000 men who had been at Benton had reached New Madrid with the cavalry that had arrived from Bird's Point via Sikeston. There were reported to be at Commerce 5,000 men, but previous and current report places the number of General Pope's command at 20,000.

I will beg leave here to remark that I have always contended that without a line of works from the river westward to the swamps (between 6 and 7 miles) the holding ofNew Madrid was useless as a river defense, and without these works a large number of men would be required; and after the enemy made his approach before the fort that was built a dogged and determined resistance would have only proved our valor and not our wisdom, and after it was found that our gunboats could not defend the river bank the evacuation of the place was a military necessity.

Yours, most respectfully,

About 9 o'clock Colonel Toler came into town also, and we agreed to go out to Whitewater and Dallas. Proceeded slowly to Whitewater; found everything quiet there also. Proceeded same manner to Dallas, where we arrived and surrounded at 2 p.m.; made no arrest of any importance; saw Mr. James Noel, county and circuit clerk of Bollinger County, who reported to me that he had been taken prisoner by Major Kitchen about four days previous, who had a body of about 120 secessionists; that they had destroyed the records of the county and circuit court, and carried off the records of the swamp lands and other valuable papers; while in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau Counties they took several prisoners; also stole a number of horses. Among the prisoners they took there were two men named Sillier and McIntee, who were brutally murdered, Mclntee being killed by the hand of the miscreant Bowles, and Miller by his orders. Mr. Noel was taken by them below Bloomfield, where he was released by the intercession of some of his friends. He reports that Jeff. Thompson's force is somewhere about 1,000 men; also he reports the current belief is that their destination is Pocahontas.

Left Dallas on the morning of the 4th instant and returned by the way of Jackson to camp, where we arrived on the evening of the same day. Colonel Toler's command arrived next day and proceeded to Cairo on steamer J. D. Perry.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. A. G., Mo. Militia, Saint Louis, Mo.

The party proceeded by way of Benton road to Jackson, and entering that place they saw a small body of men retreating. They followed, and were fired on by a considerable body of men in ambush. Lieutenant Hummel bravely rushed on, but a volley from the enemy killed his horse and wounded him severely; also killing I man and wounding 2 fatally. Captain Flentz considered his men in danger and retreated, leaving Lieutenant Hummel wounded in hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Hummel has just arrived. He is badly wounded in the leg and slightly in three other places. He reports the rebel loss at 3 killed and 3 or 4 wounded. Captain Jefferies was in command of the party, which consisted of 56 men. There was another party of men under Kitchens--he supposed to be in southeast direction from where he was. He reports also that he overheard a conversation between Captain Jefferies and another party, wherein an attack on Cape Girardeau was canvassed, and partially resolved upon to take place last night, but it did not take effect. The Home Guard garrisoned the forts, and my command was prepared for any emergency. The officer in command attributes the want of success to the inefficient character of their carbines. The men have no confidence in them. They are as liable to miss fire as fire, and the bores vary so much that some of them won't hold the ammunition put in them when carried slung. <ar8_365>

Lieutenant Hummel was released on his parole. There is one Captain Lewis here-one of Thompson's captains--on parole. He says he has left Thompson's service, but Captain Jefferies says he is willing to release Lieutenant Hummel for him. I think the exchange would be advantageous to us. I have given Lewis a safe-conduct till I hear from headquarters if the exchange is approved.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Captain Lepers duly sworn an oath says that on or about the 17th day of May, 1862 while on a scout in the south east part of Wayne Co Mo I captured George Cummings, Thomas Averett and Jonathan Catio all citizens of Wayne Co and they were all in arms against the government of the United States at the time of capture and that they all belong to the command of Solomon G. Kitchen in the Rebel service and are otherwise bad men and have done all that they could to favor the cause of the Rebellion from the beginning

CAPTAIN: You will, by order of the major-general commanding, proceed at once to Fulton with all the efficient men of McCulloch's battalion. You will there select from the detachment of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Major Morton, as many non-commissioned officers and men, not exceeding 50, as you may choose. These, with three commissioned officers, will be detailed by Major Morton, and placed under your command. Major Morton will also deliver to you the instructions, written and verbal, which were given to him by Brig. Gen. Frank Armstrong on or about the 19th instant, and you are directed to carry out these instructions carefully. Having gotten your <ar25_660> command together you will proceed without delay to Bay Springs and establish your headquarters in that immediate vicinity, and take command of all the cavalry which may be there and at Marietta and in the neighborhood of these places.

You will, as far as the instructions of General Armstrong to Major Morton permit, extend your operations in the direction of Tennessee River, between Jacinto and Iuka, and gain all the information that you can as to the position, strength, and movements of the enemy. You will send daily information to these headquarters of your movements. Lieutenant Wells, commanding a detachment of scouts, will report to you with 14 men as part of your command. He is a very reliable officer. You will, if possible, arm his men efficiently for the expedition. The arms will be returned immediately. The commissary of the cavalry brigade will be ordered to provide subsistence for you at Bay Springs after the expiration of five days, and you are authorized to purchase such subsistence and forage as you may require, and to give orders for the payment of the same on the proper officers of the brigade.

The major-general commanding reposes trust in the intelligence, prudence, and courage with which you will conduct this expedition.

You will upon leaving Fulton report the fact to these headquarters, with the number of your officers and men.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GENERAL: The major-general commanding desires you to make a descent, if practicable, upon Iuka and Eastport. It is said that they are feebly garrisoned, and that the public stores at the latter place are very valuable. He does not wish you to incur any risk, nor to make attack unless you shall be fully satisfied of your ability to withdraw your command, the presence of which and also yourself is very important to this army. He also instructs me to impress upon you the absolute importance of not delaying an hour in the vicinity of any place where you may strike a blow, and of moving your command rapidly to some distant point.

Captain Kitchen is at Bay Springs with about 100 good men. He is a perfectly reliable man and excellent officer. He will be instructed to hold himself in readiness to obey your orders. Major-General Little is at Saltillo with his command.

The bearer, Lieutenant Trezevant, of Forrest's cavalry, will explain the omissions and give you much valuable information. You will please hasten to return with your command to camp, as there is important work to be done.

General Bragg has sent the following dispatch to the major-general commanding:

Convey to General Armstrong my cordial congatulations at his successes. The conduct of himself and his gallant command shalI be made the subject of a special dispatch to the Government.

You will please notify me of the receipt of this communication.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GENERAL: Dispatches from Captain Kitchen are to the effect that some 4,000 of the enemy have just been moved to Iuka. This, if true and if they remain there, must change the plan proposed. In that event you will return to these headquarters without delay. The major-general commanding instructs me to caution you again not to incur any risk.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Boyd just says:

McBride had not advanced yesterday morning from his camp. A very heavy re-enforcement had arrived at Pocahontas, but could not tell where from. Coleman is on Eleven Points River. Jeffers and Kitchen have moved in several directions. I think a body of them will interrupt the railroad, taking to the Knob.

Boyd stops here. Can you do anything about the cavalry I asked for yesterday? Backof leaves here to-morrow with four pieces, finely equipped. The Twenty-third Iowa has not reached here yet.

Dear Sir:

I hereby tender my resignation of the office of Captain of Co. B, 2nd Missouri Cavalry of the Army of the West.  I do this because I am well satisfied that by returning to Missouri my service will be worth a great deal more to our cause than it possible can be here.
I believe I can raise a Regiment in a very short time.  I know I can revenge the wrongs and roberies commit by traitors on my family and friends.