Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-07-30
HEADQUARTERS, Ist CHEROKEE REG'T.
CAMP NEAR Fr. GIBSON, July 9th, 1862.

CoLoNEL-I feel it my duty to report to you the results of the past few weeks, which, for many req sons have been disastrous to my command; and the cause for which we are in arms Some tour weeks ago received orders from Maj. Gen. Hindman, to operate in the northern part of this Nation, with the force of my command. Before those orders had been received, 1 was compelled to fail back from my camp on Cowskin Prairie, before large ly superior force of the enemy. Being assured of the cooperation of Col Clarkson's and Col. Drew's commands, resolved to commence active opera tions but was unable to do so, on account of Col. Drew's regiment failing to comply with what understood to be express stpulatons. On the Both I received information, which believe is reliable, that a large force of regular federal soldiers, to- gether with an irregular body of Jayhawkers, anu hostile Indians, had again crossed Grand river and were committing harbarOus outrages throughout that part ot the Nation north of Maysville de- termined to retard the advance of this force with the troops at hand, until you arrived with rein. Agreements, which 1 believed would occur within three or four days at tarthest.
 dispatched this information had received to Col. Ciarkson and you, and requested Col. Clark son, who was camped l6 miles below me, to join my command at my mill some l5 miles west of Mavsville, and about 20 miles from Cowskin prai- rie, where the eneniy had concentrated Col. Clarkson was seriously ill, but promptly dispatched Maj. Buster with detail from his command to act with me.
 On the 2d inst, 1 became convinced from the movements of the enemy, that portion of the enemy'S force would occupy the west side of Grand river, and most likely make an attempt to cut of our train, therefore deemed it prudent to remove it, and dispatched order for it's immediate re moyal toward Fort Gibson, and if necessary, to fall back until it met with support from you. This order l am assured reached the officer in command of the train 1U or l2 hours before it's capture by the enemy on the morning of the 3d. The delay i-i oD1t tba fail ure to keep out pickets, and consequent surPrisal still more so
 The enemy, estimated at about 1900 cavalry, took the guard at the train completely by surprise, capturing all the wagons but one, taking six priso ners of my regiment, and killing two of my men: the enemys loss was as near as can be ascertaned, six killed. Their numbers were overwhelming, and it is a wonder that more of the train guard were not killed and taken prisoners, On the morn ing of the Sd, gave orders for the force with me to rejoin the train as soon as possible. Early on the morning of the 3d my pickets were driven in l2 miles west of Maysvile, and the two commands under It. Col. Taylor and Maj. Buster, who were marching to ioin the train halted some 10 miles from where they had camped. 1 was presentat the mill when pick cts were GEven in: 1 sent orders to Mai. BouGinot to take l0J men and meet the ene- my half mile west of the mill at the crossing of Spavinaw creek, while 1 took ten men to recon noire ther position and numbers. The advance
 
 creek were driven back by Maj. Boudinot; my main force was drawn up in line of battle about four miles from the mill, but the enemy made 20 other advance, but fell back towards my old camp l2 miles from Grand Saline The force in line of battle becoming satisfied that there would be no further engagement, very properly resumed it's march for the train. It had not proceeded far, however, before news received of its capture Mai Buster immediately took charge of the com mand and brought it to this point, showing mach skill and judgment
 For some reason or other, neither Maj. Boudinot, whom had sent forward to watch the enemy, nor myself, who followed on expecting to overtake the conlmand were informed of the capture of the train and the presence of the enemy in large force below Grand Saline, consequently we narrowly escaped being taken 1 understood that It. Col. Taylor sent a messenger to Maj. Boudinot, giving him the information. but was with him, until l followed on after the command, and l am sure no such ln- formation was received l am now encamped three mile below Fort Gibson, without a tram, cooKlng utensils or ammunition, anxiously looking for your arrival.
 Among prisoners taken st the train was Col. Clarkson, and both the quortermastor and com nssary of my regiment. The enemy at this time, is campei some 5 miles north of this place. His force from the best information have been able to get consisting of four regiments, one battalion and six pieces of cannon. Families, heretofore ill comfortable circumstances, are robbed o all they possess, and organized companies of negroes are permitted by our CIVILIZED INVADERS to insult Wo- and outrage every principle of civilized war fare. Very respectfully, Col,
 am your ohedient servant,
 STAND WAITE,
 Col Commanding lst Cherokee Regt. Col. D. II. COOPER,
 Com'd Ist Indian Brigade