Historical notes and Reports:

Third Cavalry
WISCONSIN
(3-YEAR)

Third Cavalry -- Cols., William A. Barstow, Thomas Derry; Lieut.Cols., Richard H. White, Elias A. Calkins, David S. Vittam, Theodore Con key; Majs., Elias A. Calkins, Thomas Derry, Lorenzo B. Reed, Benjamin S. Henning, William Culbertson, John C. Schroeling, James B. Pond.

This regiment was organized at Camp Barstow, Janesville, and was mustered in at various dates from Nov. 30, 1861, to Jan. 31, 1862. It left the state March 26, 1862, for St. Louis, and 12 men were killed and 28 injured in a railway accident near Chicago while en route.

The regiment was sent to Leavenworth May 22, Col. Barstow being appointed provost marshal-general of Kansas. Cos. C, F, I and M were ordered to Fort Scott June 12, under the command of Maj. Henning, who took charge of the post. Bushwhackers and roving bands of guerrillas were speedily driven from that vicinity which was an outpost.

Co. I was sent to Carthage, Mo., to protect loyalists, disperse guerrillas and keep watch on the enemy, and Co. C went to Trading Post for similar duty. Upon learning that a large force of the enemy was concentrating near Montevallo, Mo., Co. I was ordered to march from Carthage to meet forces from Fort Scott in an attack. Reaching the point in advance of the troops from Fort Scott, Co. I, under Capt. Conkey, charged through the camp of the enemy, 2,000 strong, and pushed on, but missed Col. Barstow, who was leading the approaching troops by another road. The company proceeded to Montevallo, where it engaged in a skirmish, and then started for Fort Scott, but was attacked by a greatly superior body of the enemy and escaped with a loss of 4 men captured.

Cos. F and I accompanied an expedition in pursuit of the enemy in August and Co. I had the front at Taberville, being especially mentioned for gallantry in the official report. Cos. C and F were detached in September and employed until Jan., 1863, in scout and train guard duty, Cos. I and M replacing them at the fort. C and G made a part of the garrison until July.

In the assignment in June of the previous year, Co. D was sent to Atchison, Co. G to Shawnee, Co. L to Aubrey, Cos. B and H to post duty at Fort Leavenworth, and Cos. A, E and K to provost duty in the city of Leavenworth. The last three were also engaged in scouting expeditions through the border counties of Missouri and on Sept. 13, six companies were attached to the 1st brigade, Army of Missouri and sent to Indian creek in southwest Missouri. They took part in the battles of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, were ordered to Fort Scott the following June, and reached there July 5.

On May 30, Cos. B. G. H. I and M, while on escort duty, repulsed 1,500 Texans and Indians with heavy loss to the enemy, and in June, as part of an escort of 1,000 men, they defeated a greatly superior force, driving it 50 miles across the country. Arriving at Fort Blunt, their destination, these companies were attached to the 3rd brigade, Army of the Frontier, and took part in the battle of Honey Springs. They were engaged in scouting and skirmishing most of the summer and fall, were joined at Van Buren, Ark., in October by Cos. E and K and the detachment routed a superior force at Waldron.

The following day it put a large force of Indians to flight and it defeated a force of 1,000 in the Mulberry Mountains in November. These seven companies were stationed at Van Buren from Nov., 1863, to Feb., 1864, on escort and guard duty.

Co. I, while serving as escort to Gen. Blunt in Oct. 1863, was attacked by 500 of Quantrill's band. It made a gallant resistance, which secured the safety of the commanding general, but it was compelled to retreat with a loss of 22 killed, and 4 wounded, the most serious loss any company in the regiment sustained.

In Jan., 1864, three-fourths of the regiment reenlisted and after a furlough were sent to Benton barracks. The regiment was ordered to Memphis in July and sent to Devall's Bluff, Ark. It engaged in picket duty and scouting service in the vicinity of Huntersville and Little Rock most of the time until Aug. 28.

A detachment under Maj. Derry, with other mounted troops, numbering 800 in all, routed a body of 1,200 cavalry, and 145 men under Maj. Derry -took part in an expedition to Fort Smith in September. The remaining companies were stationed at various points in Missouri, except Co. M. which was sent to Pawnee, Kan.

Most of the regiment remained near Little Rock during the winter, engaged in scout, guard, patrol and skirmish duty. The regiment was reorganized April 19, 1865, and that part which was stationed at Little Rock was consolidated into Cos. A, B, C, D and E, this battalion leaving for St. Louis on April 21. From there it went to Springfield, Mo., for post duty, and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Sept. 8, 1865.

The remaining companies performed the usual scout, guard and forage duty during the summer, F. H. I and K being mustered out Sept. 29, and G and L Oct. 27 and 23 respectively.

The original strength of the regiment was 1,186. Gain by recruits, 962; substitutes, 18; veteran reenlistments, 357; total, 2,523. Loss by death, 215; missing, 9; desertion, 126; transfer, 64; discharge, 418; mustered out, 1,691.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 76

Report of Lieut. Col. Richard H. White, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

HDQRS. THIRD WISCONSIN CAVALRY, Camp at Clapper's Saw-Mill, on Crooked Creek, Carroll, County, Arkansas, March 31, 1863.

COL.: Pursuant to orders, I started this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, from camp near Carrollton, taking a southeasterly road, toward Crooked Creek. On the road I learned that the camp of the enemy was at the steam-mill, where I am now in bivouac. On the road several men, running from the houses at the approach of the advance guard, were chased and fired at, but only one taken with arms. Reaching a point about three-fourths of a mile from the creek, I received information that on the opposite bank of the creek a picket of the enemy was stationed. Sending Capt. Horn, with the advance guard, by a left-hand road (crossing the creek more below), into the rear of the same, I moved on, and, as expected, the picket retreated, and was taken by the party in ambush without a shot being fired. One of the so-captured men jumped from his horse and could not be found in the thicket. I therefore concluded to march right up on the enemy's camp, in order to prevent their being warned.

At 10 p. m. I reached the house of Mr. Clapper, where the officers of the command were assembled in council of war, as I afterward learned. A pistol fight took place, which probably alarmed the camp earlier than intended. I therefore moved on toward the camp, which was only a quarter of a mile farther in the timber, and in plain sight, a large field in front of it giving an opportunity for bringing howitzers into action. I ordered the same to the front, drawing the cavalry up in line on the right and left and rear of the same, and threw a few shells into the enemy's encampments.

The complete stampede thereby caused being immediately followed by a spirited cavalry charge, the darkness of the night in the timber can only explain the fact that all but one (wounded) made good their escape. A great many arms, some wagons, mules, and cattle, cooking utensils, &c., were left on the ground. The pursuit was continued for about 2 miles, when I returned to the camp.

The force routed is reported to have numbered 400, under command of Col. Woodson, of the Confederate Army. To-morrow I intend to follow them up to Bluff Spring, about 12 miles farther southeast. I found a sufficient forage for my command at this place, but am unable to report any particulars about forage in the country.

I have the honor, colonel, to be, your most obedient servant,

RICHARD H. WHITE,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

Col. CHARLES E. SALOMON, Cmdg. Brigade.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 247-32 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 22. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 32.]


No. 5.

Report of Capt. Edward R. Stevens, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
CAMP NEAR FORT BLUNT, July 19, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the battalion of the Third Cavalry Wisconsin, Volunteers in the action at Honey Springs, on the 17th instant:

My command was formed in battle order on the right about 10 a. m., in accordance with your orders, and moved forward toward the enemy, posted in the edge of the timber. A portion of my battalion was sent farther on the right, for the purpose of flanking the enemy. The howitzers, which we were supporting at his point, opened upon the enemy, posted behind a rail fence, in the edge of a corn-field. These two movements forced the enemy to fall back upon their center. Dismounting a portion of my command, I skirmished the woods, capturing 8 prisoners, with their arms, and, following the enemy through the timber, I encamped on the prairie beyond.

I am highly gratified to speak in terms of praise of the conduct of officers and men under my command, and of their bravery and promptness in obeying orders. The able manner in which our force was handled in other parts of the field drew the attention of the enemy in such a manner that they inflicted no loss, obedient servant,

E. R. STEVENS,
Capt. Third Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, Cmdg. Battalion.

Col. WILLIAM R. JUDSON,
Cmdg. Brigade.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 453-32 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 22. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 32.]


AUGUST 8, 1863,-Affair on Clear Creek, near Ball Town, Mo.

Report of Capt. Robert Carpenter, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
BALL TOWN, MO., August 12, 1863.

MAJ.: After my compliments, I have the honor of reporting my proceedings relative to your order. I had designed, and it was agreed upon, that Company D, of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. [J.] Crites, of same company, should start from Fort Scott on the 6th of August, at noon, and proceed as far as Moore's Mill, on the Marmiton, scouting the country thoroughly as they proceeded; Lieut. [H.] Pond to start from Dry Wood, to arrive at Nevada early on the morning of the 7th of August, scouting the country also as he came. Col. Brag was to proceed from Lamar, coming down Little Dry Wood, to meet Lieut. Pond at Nevada on the morning of the 7th, whence all were to proceed toward Ball Town, Mo., until they met me, with my force divided in two parts. My ground of operation was from Timbered Hill, at the junction of the Little Osage and the Marmiton, scouting both sides of the Marmiton, all parties closing in until we all met. The parties performed their respective portions of the labor allotted them with promptness and dispatch, with the exception of Col. Brag, who failed to report as per arrangement. We all worked hard all day, and found out the enemy had left in the direction of Horse Creek, whereupon we determined to pursue him, thinking we might intercept him in some of the recesses of Clear Creek.

We all started on the morning of the 8th from Ball Town, Mo., and proceeded in a little east of south course toward the head of Clear Creek. When we proceeded down the creek a short distance, our scouts reported fresh trail. We had gone but about 100 rods, when, turning an angle in the road, we came upon 5 of the enemy. The scouts being on the advance, immediately fired upon them. Three of them, being mounted, escaped, after a race of about 2 miles (it being nearly dark); the other two we shot, capturing their horses and arms. Thence we proceeded 1 mile down the creek. Rode up to a house. A man running from the house, the boys fired on him, but it being dark he escaped in the brush and weeds, an abundant growth of which every house is surrounded with. We went into camp for the night.

Next morning early we determined to divide our command and institute a thorough search from that point up both sides of the creek, clear to its very head. I took the north and Lieut. Pond the south side. I proceeded to the head of the creek without discovering any signs of the enemy; but not so with Lieut. Pond. He had not proceeded more than a mile when he discovered an old camp where they had staid the night previous. He immediately sent me word of what he had found, viz, 5 horses secreted in their camp, accompanied with a request that he might be allowed to remain in their camp that night, with a view of capturing them on their return. I acceded, and moved my force within supporting distance, and remained on our arms the remainder of the night; but they did not return, and it appeared they had gone farther south. Whereupon I despaired of even a possibility of finding more than one man in a place, and thinking I could do no more at present, I returned, scouting the brush and woods thoroughly to the head of Clear Creek; thence down Little Dry Wood, where we found out the fact of their having camped on Dry Wood on the night of the 7th, and directly on the route the militia were to take to come to our place of meeting of said day; thus proving to us plainly that had Col. Brag performed his part of the contract, the guerrillas, in all probability, would have been, if not quite, very nearly annihilated; and, major, I was greatly chagrined to think of the colonel's failure to do his part. Thence I returned to Ball Town, scouting the country thoroughly for signs, but found none.

I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

R. CARPENTER,
Cmdg. Detachment.

Maj. BLAIR,
Cmdg. Post at Fort Scott.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 549-32 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 22. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 32.]


Report of Sergt. Reuben W. Smith, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

HDQRS. COMPANY C, THIRD WISCONSIN CAV., Dry Wood, Mo., June 16, 1864.
Col. C. W. BLAIR,
Cmdg. First Brigade, South Kansas:

COL.: Orderly Smith has made his report, which is inclosed, of the sad casualty to our company to-day. The body undoubtedly lies there, and I would like permission to go down with a body of men sufficient to obtain it and to make such endeavor as would be prudent to obtain the cattle. My first duty is to put my company in fighting trim. We need forty carbines, twenty-five pistols, and at least forty saddles. We have the horses, but no saddles. From every indication these were well mounted and armed with guns of heavy shooting caliber and handled themselves as if accustomed to regular warfare, and I have no doubt but they are the advance or flankers of the reported force of 600 at Pineville.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. M. EHLE,
Second Lieut., Cmdg. Company C.

[Inclosure.]

HDQRS. COMPANY C, THIRD WISCONSIN CAV. VOLS., Dry Wood, Mo., June 16, 1864.

SIR: Agreeably to your order of the 13th instant, I proceeded to Carthage, Mo., with 30 men of this company, for the purpose of bringing out cattle for use of the Government trains. I was delayed two days after my arrival at Carthage on the 13th instant, and started for Fort Scott on the 16th instant at daybreak. All was quiet on the road until after we had crossed the lower ford, on Big North Fork, near Preston, Mo., where 46 rebels came out a short distance from the timber and kept a continuous advance and firing upon us while we were so badly scattered as to afford no possible time for us to form line. I immediately ordered a retreat an formed line about 100 yards from where we were first attacked and cross a ravine, where the rebels came to a halt but continued firing. After exchanging a few rounded the rebels withdrew and fell back into the timber, where I had previously discovered another body of men, and this attack being so close to the timber, it was impossible to follow them without running into three times our number. I ordered 2 men to the right about one-half mile to an eminence on the prairie, where all that surrounded us was visible to them, and made a discovery of about 30 rebels on the opposite side of the point of timber from where we were attacked, but none of them from either side offered us an engagement on the prairie. The loss on our side was 1 killed-- Eugene Hunt, a private. This was done before the men had all got together. Three of the enemy wounded and 1 mortally. The cattle ran into the timber about 200 yards from the rebel camp, leaving no opportunity of recapturing them great sacrifice. I was consequently obliged to leave them and slowly retreat to camp on Dry Wood to-night.

I am, colonel, your obedient servant,

R. W. SMITH,
First Sergeant Company C, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

Col. C. W. BLAIR,
Cmdg. Post, Fort Scott, Kans.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 1015-61 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI.
[Series I. Vol. 34. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 61.]


SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 13, 1864.--Expedition from Little Rock to Fort Smith, Ark., with skirmishes at Clarksville (September 28), at White Oak Creek (September 29), and at Clarksville (October 9).

Report of Maj. Thomas Derry, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK., October 14, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with Special Orders, No. 2, paragraphs II and IV, headquarters Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, I marched from Little Rock, September 25, with the following detachments under my command, to wit: Third Wisconsin Cavalry 141 men, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 1 surgeon, with ambulance and medical supplies; Third Arkansas Cavalry, 1 captain and 50 men; First Iowa Cavalry, 1 lieutenant and 63 men; Third Missouri Cavalry, 1 captain and 64 men; Third U. S. Cavalry, 1 lieutenant and 50 men, with 9 men from the Fourth Arkansas Cavalry; in all, 7 officers, 377 men, 1 surgeon, 2 ambulances, and 2 wagons, but no surgeon with supplies from Second Brigade, as ordered. Having crossed the Cadron with much difficulty, the ferry-boats being destroyed, the command obtained the first forage since starting, forty miles distant, at Col. Howard's, on September 26. Proceeding thence through Lewisburg I ascertained that the various parties 0f the enemy, scattered along the route, had been informed of the numbers of the command and the object of the march. Encamped on Illinois Bayou, where we found plenty of wood and water but scarcely any forage. On the 27th we camped six miles this side of Piney, where I learned that the commands of Col.'s Hill, Stirman, and Brooks were at various points along the route with headquarters at Clarksville, at which place they intended to oppose me. The next day, 28th, soon after crossing the river, which I was obliged to do by making a long circuit, the ferries being all destroyed, the advance, under Capt. Herring, Third Arkansas Cavalry, began to fall in with parties of the enemy and pursued them with much spirit. Approaching Clarksville about 3 p. m., Capt. H. fell upon their pickets, who, after some resistance, fell back upon the main force in the town. The advance followed on rapidly, deployed through town, the enemy taking refuge behind fences and houses, the main column closely supporting them. The enemy fled in every direction, leaving 7 dead. Independent companies and rebel conscripting officers are very numerous and active in this vicinity, having Clarksville for a rendezvous. So long had they been advised of our coming that the citizens had letters written for us to carry to Fort Smith and Little Rock. We were not expected so soon by a day; our rapid marching took them by surprise, so their resistance was not so vigorous as it might otherwise have been. Camped three miles beyond Clarksville. We had scarcely halted when we were bushwhacked on all sides. Skirmishers being sent out drove them off until dark. Attempts were being made all night, under cover of a severe storm, upon the pickets, but their alertness frustrated every attempt, though at daylight 1 man from the Third Wisconsin Cavalry was killed on his post. On the 29th skirmishing began with the march upon the front, both flanks, and rear. Having thrown out skirmishers on flanks these attacks were checked. Still firing was continuous without doing us much damage, the enemy suffering somewhat in wounded. Camped on White Oak Creek. While the sergeants were posting their vedettes the enemy opposed them in a lively manner and during the whole night the command lay upon arms, being ignorant of how large a force surrounded them, for from every side was constant firing, during which 1 private of the Third Arkansas Cavalry was killed upon his post. During the past three days forage had been plentiful. On the evening of the 30th we reached Van Buren, finding no feed for horses, and with our ambulances and wagons loaded with sick. The next day I reported to Gen. Thayer at Fort Smith and delivered him my dispatches. He was much pleased that the general commanding had sent a force sufficiently large to break through the enemy's lines, since he had not heard a word from department headquarters since the arrival of the last boat. He represented that the enemy were upon every side and were cutting off his forage and mail parties, and had either captured or driven back every party he had started for Little Rock.

We remained several days at Van Buren in order to receive dispatches, mail, and to shoe horses, it being necessary to shoe about 150 here, besides a number each night after reaching camp while on the march. We left on the 5th, acting as a portion of escort to forage train at the request of Gen. Thayer, by which we were delayed two days. On the 8th we proceeded on our way toward Little Rock. Soon after separating from the train and passing through the Mulberry mountains, the advance, under Capt. Herring, began skirmishing. This night camped within ten miles of Clarksville. Just as we were halting for the night a rebel captain and squad were driven from a house. Next day the country people reported that the captain was wounded and died. We found on the 9th a small force at Clarksville, who fired a good many shots without inflicting damage, the advance pursuing them across the bridge. On the 10th we had continual skirmishing and a march of thirty-five miles to Illinois Bayou. Nothing occurred after this worthy of notice. It is reported that a command is at Dover numbering from 300 to 800 men. It is not likely that they are more than 300. We reached Little Rock on the 13th, having marched the distance, not calculating the circuits made at the fords, 180 miles, in six days, being nineteen days upon the round trip. From reports of the different detachment commanders I learn that we killed some 20 of the enemy and captured 4 prisoners, one an orderly sergeant in Stirman's battalion. I lost 2 killed, 2 missing, 1 died at Van Buren, and 31 left sick. I brought back sixty-three non-veterans of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

In conclusion I would respectfully represent that no detachment, except the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, was supplied with shoeing tools or shoes and nails. This neglect greatly impairs the efficiency of cavalry; besides this, men just from hospital and weak with recent sickness are not fit for such long, hard marches, neither is it proper to send men mounted upon poor and sore-backed horses, since men are thereby doubly endangered.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS DERRY,
Maj., Cmdg. Detachment.

Brig. Gen. J. R. WEST,
Cmdg. Cav. Div., Seventh Army Corps, Little Rock, Ark.

Source: Official Records
CHAP. LIII.] EXPEDITION FROM LITTLE ROCK, ARK. PAGE 819-83
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]


OCTOBER 19, 1864.--Skirmish near Montevallo, Mo.

Report of Lieut. Marshal M. Ehle, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
HDQRS., Fort McKean, Kans., October 20, 1864.

CAPT.: Scout under command of Capt.'s Ury and Coffman just returned. The guerrillas are occupying the country in about Montevallo and Horse Creek, under the command of Thrailkill, from the north, with a force concentrated of about 150. There are nine families living on the little Creek, each one having from 50 to 250 bushels of corn, where the rebels live. The guerrillas had a fight yesterday near Montevallo with the Stochler militia, in which one rebel was killed and several wounded; some 8 or 10 colts captured, all of which that are able to be used militia have.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. M. EHLE,
Second Lieut., Cmdg.

Capt. D. S. VITTUM,
Cmdg. Post.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 890-83 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LIII.
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]


NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--Skirmish with Indians at Ash Creek, near Fort Larned, Kans.

Report of Capt. Theodore Conkey, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.

HDQRS., Fort Zarah, Kans., November 15, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to communicate for your information that on the night of the 13th instant, just after dark, an attack was made by a party of Indians, supposed to be about thirty in number, upon a train of five wagons loaded with corn for Fort Larned while in camp at Ash Creek, twelve miles this side of that post. One man belonging to the train is believed to be mortally wounded; the others four in number, made their escape with the loss of their stock. This information was communicated to me by Capt. Jacobs, in command of the post at Fort Larned, on the afternoon of the 14th, and I immediately dispatched a scouting party up Walnut Creek in the direction it was said the Indians had taken. This scout proceeded thirty miles or more up the creek, but saw no signs of Indians. The opinion prevails among men experienced in Indian character and habits that this party was composed principally of Pawnees, from the fact that their plundering excursions are always made on foot, and as they were all dismounted and neglected to scalp the wounded man, who lay directly in their path, it would seem to confirm the opinion entertained that they were Pawnees and their object plunder.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THEO. CONKEY,
Capt., Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Cmdg. Post.

Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF UPPER ARKANSAS, Fort Riley, Kans., November 26, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters for the information of the general commanding.

The supposition of Capt. Conkey in regard to Indians being Pawnees may not be correct, as since then Capt. Booth and Lieut. Helliwell were attacked in same vicinity by mounted Indians, as per report previously forwarded.

B. S. HENNING,
Maj. Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Cmdg. District.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 919-83 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LIII.
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]


NOVEMBER 20, 1864.--Skirmish with Indians near Fort Zarah, Kans.

Report of Maj. Benjamin S. Henning, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF UPPER ARKANSAS, Fort Riley, Kans., November 25, 1864.

MAJ.: For the information of the general commanding I have the honor to inform you that on Sunday, the 20th instant, Capt. Henry Booth, district inspector, and Lieut. A. Helliwell, acting ordnance officer, were attacked by Indians about five miles west of Fort Zarah and both severely wounded. Capt. Booth was shot in the back, the arrow striking the shoulder blade and bending, and though the arm below the elbow. Lieut. Helliwell was hit four times, twice in the head, once in the right arm, and once in the back. The wounds were severe, but not considered dangerous. The circumstances of the attack are these: The officers are on an inspecting tour, and having finished inspecting at Fort Zarah were furnished with an escort to proceed to Fort Larned. As the officers expected to travel faster than the escort, they permitted the escort to precede them about two hours. About five miles from Fort Zarah, and before they had overtaken the escort, twenty-five or thirty Indians appeared and attacked them. The officers immediately turned for Fort Zarah and had a running fight with the Indians for a distance of nearly two miles and succeeded in escaping without further injury. They think they killed some of the Indians, but it is impossible to tell for certain. A force from Fort Zarah immediately started in pursuit and had not returned at last date.

Very respectful, your obedient servant,

B. S. HENNING,
Maj. Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Cmdg. District.

Maj. C. S. CHARLOT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 934-83 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LIII.
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]


DECEMBER 4, 1864.--Skirmish with Indians on Cow Creek, near Fort Zarah, Kans.

Report of Capt. Theodore Conkey, Third Wisconsin Cavalry.
FORT ZARAH, December 6, 1864.

LIEUT.: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 4th instant, just after dark, four men of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, forming an escort to a six-mule team and wagon loaded with ammunition for this post, were attacked by Indians while in camp on Cow Creek, fifteen miles east of this post, and the driver killed and one of the escort wounded in the arm. They had camped within thirty feet of the bank of the creek which at that place is twenty or thirty feet high, and while eating their supper the Indians crept up along the bed of the creek, within fifty feet of them, and fired under cover of the bank. From one of the party who was picked up by the stage which came along about four hours later, I gather this, that upon being fired into the men dispersed, first firing several shots in return; that the teamster fled across the creek, the Indians in pursuit, where his body was found pierced with arrows and 100 yards or more the wagon. Three of the escort made their escape and returned to Fort Ellsworth on foot, reaching that post at 3 o'clock in the morning. The fourth man composing the escort hid himself near by and remained concealed until the stage and escort came along, when he was picked up and brought to this post at 1 o'clock in the morning. I immediately dispatched a force of twenty-five mounted men to the place designated and there await the coming of daylight. As soon as it became sufficiently light, the country was patrolled for several miles around in search of the three missing men belonging to the escort, who were supposed at that time to have been killed. An overcoat was found half a mile from the camp, which was the only trace of them to be discovered. At daylight I sent out another party of ten men and a team to bring in whatever might be found by the party first sent out, which returned in the afternoon with the wagon and about half of the ammunition in good condition, and considerable in a damaged state. One horse came in with the stage belonging to the escort slightly wounded with arrows, and one was found dead upon the ground near the camp. The other two were probably captured by the Indians, and also the mules. The harness was cut up and portions abstracted. Last night Lieut. Hutchings with sixteen men arrived at this post with the intelligence that the three missing me from the escort had arrived safely at Fort Ellsworth.

I would respectfully beg leave to suggest that the escort furnished at Fort Ellsworth, for the safe transportation of valuable ordnance stores, over a route known to be swarming with hostile Indians, was entirely inadequate. The loss of the stores may lead to serious results and disasters, while a neglect of proper care to prevent their falling into the hands of an unrelenting savage foe becomes a crime.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THEO. CONKEY,
Capt., Third Wisconsin Cavalry, Cmdg. Post.

Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

[First indorsement.]

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF UPPER ARKANSAS,
Fort Riley, Kans., December 10, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Maj. C. S. Charlot, assistant
adjutant-general, Department of Kansas, for the information of the
general commanding, and particular attention is called to the report of
Capt. Conkey, which says:

The loss of ammunition may tend to serious results and disasters, while
a neglect of proper care to prevent their falling into the hands of an
unrelenting savage foe becomes a crime.

B. S. HENNING,
Maj. Third Wisconsin Cav. Vols., Cmdg. District.

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS, Fort Leavenworth, December 15, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to headquarters, Washington, D. C., for information.

The apparent inadequacy of the escort furnished by the commander at Fort Ellsworth will be properly investigated, but may be mainly attributed to a want of troops, which I am trying to correct by forwarding more force from those I have been using against Price's invasion.

S. R. CURTIS,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 981-83 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LIII.
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]