The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-11-12
Army Correspondence.
PAoLA, Kansas, ]
November, 9, 1864. (

ED. FMPoRIA NEWS: presume your pa
per has been furnished with number of
reports, of the doings of Gen. Blunt's army
since leaving Paola, on the 18th of last
month. These accounts were perhaps writ
ten by different persons who were there,
and who perhaps had better facilities for
obtaining reliable information than l had,
and could give you more detailed account
of the several battles fought, than it is in
my power to do, yet, I was there too. and
though like the gospel of Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John. Their story may be eve
ry word true, yet they may have omitted
something's that can supply, so with your
permission, 1 will try to give you very
breif history of our marches and fights.
We left Paola on the 18th, and went to Au
berry. We lay over at that place one day,
On the 14th, we went to Hickmau's mill.
in Missouri, where we lay over another day,
or from Friday evening, It'll Sunday even
ing. 1t was reported on Sunday evening
that Major Anderson, with one or two com
panies of the eleventh. had been hem med
in at Warrensburgh while scouting, and
were about to be captured by rebels. At
Z p. m, Gen. Blunt with two brigades of
Cavalry, and six or eight peices of artillery,
(Howitzers) started to his relief The first
brigade was commanded by Col. G. R Jen
nison. the second by Col. 7. Moonlight
We travelled till about l o'clock in the
morning of the 18th, when we met Major
Anderson at Pleasant Hill. He reported
the rebels in possession of Warrensburgh,
and the command moved on after having
rested till daylight and eaten breakfast
70 fro Uala to igb ton of
Warrensburgh by 8 p. m that day, when
We halted to feed and get dinner. Intelli
gence reached us here that the rebs had been
driven out of Warrensburg by Gen A. j.
Smith, and that they were marching toward
Lexington. Z ten O'Clock that night, we
took up our line of march for Lexington,
where we arrived at CLOCK p. m. the next
day, having halted once On the way for an
hour or two, and eaten breakfast. When
our force entered Lexington, it was said
that the rebels were drawn up in line of bat
tie about four or FIVE miles southeast OF
town, expecting us to attack them. Our
forces were disposed of in and around the
Notifications once occupied by Mulligan,
and verything looked as though we expect
ed them TO attack US. But there was nc
attacking done that day by either force, so
we finally camped and took supper, also
breakfast and dinner the next day Aboul
/ 3 p. M, on the 18th, we moved out to fgh'
the enemy, who had attacked our pickets
and was marching upon the town. After g
! great deal OF maneuvering, We finally gotin-
to sharp little skirmish, which lasted till
nearly dark. Col. JennIson claims the
honor of opening the ball, and perhaps that
honor belongs to him, for l am certain, he
was foremost In the retreat. And we dc
not overhaul himat all, till we got to indie
pendence. The eleventh Kansas and {
part of the fifth, did all the fighting that !
saw done. Company Els Howitzers were
! holly engaged but whether they did much
execution or not, am not able to state from
personal observ alton, for my post of duty
was behind the Caisson, and too far over
the brow of the hill to see what was going
on in the rebel ranks. The officers howev.
er, spoke well of the company, aud the way
they managed the guns We were obliged
10 retreat and if am Judge Of such mat
ters, the retreat was well conducted. Col
Moonlight with Major Ross battalion 0
the 1llh, covered the retreat. We lost bn
few men and brought off all our guns
That night we camPed on the Little Blue
six miles from Independence, rested tn,
next day, and on the 2lst, bad anothe
fight, regular ''setto" with the rebs. The
fight lasted about six hours, and l think we
whipped the rebels that We were fighting
with. but by order of Gen. Curtis We again
fell back; the rebels following US to indie
Pendsnce. Our troops all fought well ina
day, and, do not know that one man de
serves praise above another. We lost sew
eral men on our side, and the rebel los
must have been mnch heavier than ours
Company M of our regiment suHeTe.
the most in killed and wounded, and did g
good fighting as any company in the elev
enth. Capt. Gregg of that company, wa
severally wounued in the right arm, bu
fred nine shots with his revolver after be
ing wounded. That was company MS
first fight. as the company was all new re
cruirs. Fighting between our Cavalry ant
Prices advance, was going on all day Sat
! urday the 22nd, but, cannot speak advis
eddy of tuat days fight. for company "E's'
battery did not get into the engagement
owing TO the slow blundering motion of Ii a
ior Anderson of the eleventh, who nnder
took TO lead US to the scene OF action, ant
got lost in the woods. We retreated t
Kansas city that night, while the rebel line
extended from Independence to Shawnee
Mission. Colonel Moonlight fanked th,
rebels on their left, and IN this condition tw
loPposing armies passed the night. Sunda
morning early the fight commenced in earn
est Gen. Pieaseuton attacked Prices rea
at independence, while Gsn Curtis arm
attacked him in front. The fight was de
termined on both sides. Our forces fall
ing back, rallyiug and driving the rebel
ill about l ] a. m. where Pleasenton join
ed his force 70 ours, and the rout OF the en-