The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-05

exploits which have occurred during the pres
ent war, took place in the month of Decem- t
Der, 1861, near Wallis store, johnson county, /
No, and may properly be called the Missouri
wagon scout and skirmish.
large portion of Gen. Popes forces lying
on the track of the Pacific railroad at Upton, |
Syracuse and Otterville, had suddenly been
ordered forward to Sedalia, in order to meet
an emergency which was supposed likely to
occur at that point, or beyond, through the
approach Of Prices forces. The head of the
Federal forces, led on by the General in per-
| son, had already passed Sedalia on his way to
Milford, where he hoped to overtake the ene-
my and give him battle. Col. Veseh, in COM
mand of the 25th In diana, having been
detained by sickness, attempted to reach his
regiment composing part of Pope's advance,
with an escort of five men. On arriving at
Walls store on The night of Dee. l6, 1861, he
was taken prisoner and conveyed to an island
of woods lying in an extensive prairie, in
which the rebels were encamped. On the fol
lowing day Col Alvin P. Hovey, of the oath
Indiana, now General Hovey, procured per
mission to proceed to the place of capture with
select detachment of men, for the purpose
! of opening communication between Sedala
and Gen. Pope. The Colonel having made a
detail of 300 men, and placed them in closely
covered wagons with the view of eoncealing
them from the enemy, and of Turing him on
to an attack with the hope Of capture and
booty set off on the evening of December Is.
On reaching Wallis store, the Colonel with his
force encamped for the night, and on the fol-
lowing morning slowly moved around the
southern side of the woodland, in the hope Of
bringing on an attack The rebels, however,
seemed cautious and wary, and instead of at
lacking in force, simply threw out on the
prairie a small detachment of horse. AS soon
as Col. Hoyey discovered the horsemen in his
advance, he directed Col. Gerber and Quarter
master Gavitt TO ride forward and make an
assault on them. On their approach the horse
men fed, and were notify persued by them
over the open prairie Just then, passing a
farm house, several more mounted men
came out in pursuit of Gerbert and Gavitt
COL Hovey, at this instant perceiying the
condition of affairs, turned to his Adutant
NOV Lieut. Col. Barter and said, ",0s must
yfolloa0 and rescue oar friends" Then, putting
spur to their horses, the Colonel Adjutanl
Lieut.. Bruner, and DR.. Couyugton, who had
no arms, and who were the only mounted men
behind, save Capt (now OoloneD Spicely who
as Acting Major was left in charge of the men
in the wagons, were in moment in full tilt
after the enemy. The pursued and the pursu-
ers might now be seen flying at the top of
their speed ever the prairie, as they were anx-
iously watched by the men in the wagons.
For more than three miles the race continued
with the continual exchange of firearms Col.
Ii. being mounted on a superior charger out
rode his companions, ard making near cut at
the base-of hill, suddenly confronted two OF
the rebels, and fred his pistol, cutting the cap
of one of the two, and then leveling at the
other, both surrendered. Lieut.. Bruner, who
just then came up, assisted him in taking the
prisoners back t. the wagons. In the mem.
time Lieut.. Col. Gerber and Quartermaster
Gavitt were taking care of the game they pur-
sued, two of whom were killed, and the other
two captured.
which had contributed bread largely to the
rebel hordes, who had recourse TO it, was forth
with leveled to the ground, and seven FEEDER
ais, who were held by them as prisoners, were
rescued and returned in the wagons to Sedalia
: This whole affair must have been in full view
of some three or four hundred rebels, enseonced
in the woods, as it was to our men in the wag
|, n
general fight which it was both the design
and effort of our scout to provoke. The whole
affair, on the part of Col. H., his officers and
: men, was admirably conceived, arranged and
executed, and reflects great credit on them all
The covered wagons for conveying the men
were especially novelty, and is well worthy
consideration as precedent. CARoLUs.
.