Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-21
The Indian Rxpedltiou--Ool. Doublodny

The Indian EXpedltiOu--COls Doubleday
Succeeded In Command.
Correspondence Leavenworth Conservatiye.1
HEADQUARTERS DOUBLEDAY BRIaADE !
Round GROVE, COwskin Prairie,
June 7th, 1862 d
The following narrative Of an expedi-
ton from the camp on Spring River, may
be interesting to your readers:
Col. Doubleday, taking advantage of the
brief period allotted him for action by his
assignment 10 the command Of the Indian
Expedition, withdrew his detachment from
Missouri, concentrating them near lola,
Kansas, and thence directed them to march
TO the mouth Of Shoal Greek, on Spring
River, himself taking charge Of the con-
voying Of a train Of forty days supplies to
the same place. ...
The entire command and train arrived
at the latter place in good condition, on
the 4th inst A camp was selected which,
from its position, might defy the combin-
ed forces of all the thieving band, who
have SO long infested that vicinity.
Col,Doubleday, indefatigable in forward
ing the preparations for a blow upon the
camp Of organization which the rebels had
occupied unmolested on the Cowskin Prai-
rie for long time past, formed an expedi-
ton Of one thousand men from his com
mand, as follows Two sections I'd Indi-
ana Battery 1st and I'd battalions I'd Ohio
Cavalry; Captains Greno and Foster two
companies Of 9th Kansas Cavalry; four
companies 9th Wisconsin Infantry, and
two companies 10th Kansas VOlunteers.-
These were ordered to be ready for the
march on the morning of the 9th. Wag-
ons being provided for the transportation
of the Infantry. ---
But the Colonel had reason to feel that
1.-The best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft S-glee.'
The night previous TO the day fixed for
the departure of the expedition notice was
served upon the Colonel, by courier, that
/ Col. Woer would supercede him in COM
mand of the Indian Expedition. Accom-
panying the notice was letter ordering a
suspension of all movement South, in con-
sequence of immense reinforcements which
the enemy had received from Little Rock,
Arkansas, under Gen. Rains.
Col Doubleday, having long contended
against these fabulous reinforcements ar
irving below, disregarded the warning,
and proceeded in command of the expedi-
dition South. Arrived at Grand river one
hour before sundown obtained informa-
ton that the forces of Standwaite, Coffey
and Livingston to the number of fifteen
hundred, were encamped three miles
distant at Round Grove, Cowskin
Prairie. An advance was Immediately or
dered. First battalion, I'd Ohio Cavalry
was directed TO cross the river and take
position south of the enemy camp. Artil-
lery and reserve cavalry steadily adyane-
ed through the woods preceded by infant
ry in skirmishing order. The enemy 8
piekets retired, firing half dozen harm
less shots; and the crossing Of the entire
force was effected by o'clock
Meantime daylight had vanished, and
the moon alone assisted us in our recon-
noisance Of the enemy's position. 1t was
soon found that the enemy were preparing
for defense, and fearing their well known
tactics of getting away would be practiced
upon us, the artillery were ordered to take
position and throw few round shot and
shell into their encampment, for the pur-
pose of driving them from their cover into
the prairie. The shells burst among them,
causing some very expressive Indian in
terjections, plainly audible to our party,
but the prairie was watched in vain.
Piekets were thrown out, and at one
o'clock A. NJ, we lay down to repose, At
daylight our reconnoitering parties in
formed us that the enemy had succeeded in
getting away. Their baggage and train
had been started before we, crossed the
river the night previous. Their forces
scattered and disappeared during the
night, leaving in our hands some forty
prisoners, and numerous equine and bo-
vine spoils In view of his shorn author
ity to proceed South, Col Doubleday or
dered his tired men into camp, collected
the spoils, and on the morning Of the 8th,
commenced his return march 70 the camp
on Spring river, leading captive tram OF
quadrupeds that would not have disgraced
the palmy days of the conquering .tGrim
Chieftaino l9s. .t-