Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-08-22
From the Missouri Democrat ..#
SCOUTING IN ARKANSAS.
HEADQUARTERS, 9TH RECT.
ILL. Cav. SMITHvILLE, ARK,
Tupo % 1890
June 20, 1862.

June 20, 1862.
Editors Missouri Democrat Having
a few leisure moments l propose to give
you some of the events of interest which
are occurring in this part of Arkansas.
We have stationed at this point detach-
ment of three companies from the 9Th reg
iment of Illinois cavalry, (Col. Wilson's)
under the command of Maj. A. H. Seeley.
The companies at this point are Co. F,
under command Of H. P. Mumford, Co. d,
under command of Capt. Organ, and Co.
L, under command of Capt Caldwell
On the 10th inst, Maj. Seeley received
information that Capt Jones was re-
cruiting rebel company on Strawberry
river, ten miles from this point. The
Major Immediately ordered a scout in
that direction under Capt. Mumford.
Considerable Information was received on
this scout but no enemy were seen. On
Sunday night another scout was ordered
under command of Capt. Mumford, with
the intent of capturing Capt. Jones at
home but in this we failed. But the
hills and woods were secured through
this vicinity and on Wednesday last we
came upon the enemy one hundred strong.
Our force consisted of about eighty men-
portions of companies F, d and L, under
command of their respective Captains.
When we came upon the enemy the rain
was pouring down in torrents, and they
had stopped at the house of Mrs. McKen.
ny, and had taken shelter in barn and
couple of houses from the rain, and it
also proved very good shelter from the
fire of our men. Our advance guard came
in sight of the enemy without being dis
covered, and came back and reported the
fact to Capt Mumford, who commanded
the forces Our approach to the enemy
was from the south, and a portion of the
command was ordered through the woods
to the west of the house; another portion
was ordered to charge past the house on
the east side, between creek and the
house, to the rear of the house. while a
portion was to keep on the south side of
the house, and thus they we're completely
surrounded. The fire from the south por-
tion of the command, and the creek on
the east, prevented them from escaping to
the east. When all was ready, the CON-
mand was given for our men to chargt
past the house, to the rear. This was
the first the enemy had seen of us, and
here the firing commenced very briskly.
We had several men wounded, and ono
killed in this charge past the house. The
fire from the house and barn was contin.
ued about ten minutes very briskly, and
very terrific to our men. Our command
} was armed with Mississippi rifles and ma.
Wy revolvers, and having dismounted, and
. taken shelter behind tress and fences
soon commenced to pick off every mar
who showed himself, or who attempted tc
, fire at our men. The fire continued al
intervals for about one hour, when after
our men had commenced pouring in 9
terrific fire through windows and doors
the enemy produced white flag from the
house, and the whole company surrender
! ed.
The enemy had four killed and several
, badly wounded, while there were great
many of them slightly wounded.
Our loss was two men killed and tive
!, badly wounded, while great many re
oeived slight wounds. We had severa
horses killed. We captured about eighty
prisoners with their arms, and about &C
horses and saddles. IIl algsir
Capt. Jones belonged to Coleman
command, and fifteen Of his mrn were
Colman's original men. Jones and fiftecr
of these men were with Coleman when h,
burnt our trains near Rolla, the balanc'
were recruits. A portion of these mcr
were also implicated in the robbing of
J sutler near this point. Alarge lotrof sut
ler's goods were found at the house wher'
. the battle occurred. bIBou alom
This is considered one Of the most i'm
} portant affairs which has occurred in thi'
/, portion Of Arkansas. They were sdespc
i roto and unnrincin1ed, man Robhni