17th instant. Moved in the direction of Lesterville; killed several guerrillas on the way there. Crossed Black River to Logan's Creek; moved down it to Carter's Mill; then came up to Colonel Pollock, who was in command of some fifty rebels. They fired heavy for some minutes, then broke to run. We pursued them for some two miles, shooting one down every now and then. They fled in all directions, with a loss of 9 killed on the ground. I returned to Ironton, Mo., on the evening of the 21st instant, having killed 16. Turned over to the quartermaster six horses. No loss on our part.

Major, I am, your obedient servant,

SAML. R. KELLEY,

First Lieut. Company L, Third Missouri State Militia Cavairy. Major MONTGOMERY,

Commanding Post, Pilot Knob, Mo.

No. 62.

Report of Capt. William C. F. Montgomery, Battery H, Second Missouri Light Artillery.

HDQRS. BATTERY H, SECOND MISSOURI LIGHT ARTY.,

November 14, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 21st of September I received orders from headquarters Saint Louis, Mo., to march to Pilot Knob and report to the commanding officer at that post for duty. Tuesday evening, 5 o'clock, I started from Saint Louis, Mo., to Pilot Knob, Mo., on the evening train. On the morning of the 22d Í reached the above-named place and was directed by Major Wilson, commanding officer of the post, to select a suitable camp for my battery, which was done in a short time. At that time we had flying reports concerning the movements of the rebel army. At retreat on the 23d I was ordered by Major Wilson to have my battery ready for action at a moment's warning. At tattoo I had the horses harnessed and hitched, cannoneers and drivers at their posts. We had the same order and acted likewise the two following nights. At 1 p. m. Sunday, September 25, the pickets ran in and reported the enemy advancing rapidly in strong force on the Fredericktown road. I gave orders to harness and hitch, which was done inside of ten minutes, all ready for action. This proved to be a false alarm. The horses remained harnessed through the night. Next morning, September 26, the rebels were discovered in small force advancing on Arcadia, two miles southwest of Ironton. Brigadier-General Ewing arrived at 1 p. m.; assumed command of the forces at Pilot Knob. Major Wilson was ordered with the cavalry and one section of my battery, Lieutenant Simonton in command. The section remained in the front till 10 p. m., when it returned to the fort with the other two sections. We immediately set to work constructing platforms for the remaining four guns. Tuesday, September 27, at 3 a. m., Lieutenant Simonton was again ordered to the front with his section, the other guns being mounted ready for action. Our force was soon driven in. The section under Lieutenant Simonton took position on the north side of the fort. The enemy then opened fire on us from the east end of Shepherd's Mountain with two large guns, 12-pounder Napoleons. We fired occasional shots from the fort to silence their guns and drive them from the sides of the moun

tain, where they were trying to form lines of battle. About 2 p. m. 27th the enemy succeeded in mounting two guns on the top of Shepherd's Mountain, where it was little trouble to get our exact range. They fired one gun from that position. We then opened on them with seven pieces from the fort. The charge was then made by the enemy. Lieutenant Simonton then opened fire on their lines advancing from the side of Shepherd's Mountain, scattering and breaking their lines suc cessively, the four guns inside doing excellent firing with shell until the rebels charged within 150 yards. We then used canister, double charge. The enemy's lines came within thirty paces of the fort. Lieutenant Simonton held his position, doing excellent service, until the enemy were within sixty yards of the fort. He was then ordered inside. Just as the lead team of the right piece reached the gate the two lead horses were shot down, wounding the driver, blocked up the gap so they were unable to get the secti... inside. The lieutenant ordered all the men to take care of themselves. The men all came in except one, who was captured. The horses then were beginning to stampede, when I ordered them to shoot the horses with their revolvers. They were soon disabled so they could not take any carriages away. These men then used their pistols and muskets until the battle was nearly over, when they cut the horses loose and brought in some of the guns and some of the horses. During the charge I lost in killed 1 sergeant, Isaiah B. West, and 3 privates, viz, E. F. Hall, James M. Lee, William F. Lee. We had 3 men accidentally burned and 3 wounded, but none of them seriously; will all soon recover. At sunset the firing ceased and the wounded were taken to the hospital and the dead properly cared for. During the engagement I lost 40 horses killed and wounded.

That night at 12 o'clock General Ewing ordered me to fill the limber chests of the pieces, select the best horses, leave the caissons, and get ready to march immediately. We were soon ready to march; we drew the caissons near the magazine where they would likely be blown up, leaving 100 rounds of ammunition in them that we could not carry. At 3 a. m. Wednesday, September 28, we silently drove out, taking with us all the horses and mounted cannoneers on them. We marched thirty-one miles that day, stopped at Webster, rested till midnight, when we started, feeling our way in the darkness of the night, raining and blowing so it was a difficult matter to travel. We then had thirty-five miles to march to Leasburg on the Pacific Railroad. At 8 a. m. the rebels attacked our rear guard, driving it in. Lieutenant Simonton formed his section in the road ready for action, but the enemy never came in sight. We marched three miles farther and we were again attacked from both sides and from the rear. We formed the battery in the edge of the field, firing lively from two sections, driving the rebels all out of sight. We then marched within three miles of Leasburg, when we were again attacked. Wc formed the battery on the hill-side, fired a few shots from Lieutenant Simonton's section; we again marched for Leasburg, infantry in line of battle. By this means we kept them back till we reached the station, where we formed our line and took up quarters for the night; sheltered the horses in the ditch by the track. By this time it was dark, and the rebels still firing at us from the brush; there was no time lost in preparing breast-works to shelter the infantry, who were so worn out that they were unable to march farther. At 9 p. m. the train came in from Saint Louis. We were ordered to dismount the guns and load them into the cars. The pieces, carriages, and harness were soon loaded. By this time it was discovered that the road was cut above and below. We could do nothing more for a move, so we

commenced to unload and mount the guns again and made the necessary preparations for a morning attack. At 10 a. m. the enemy came in sight but made no assault except skirmishing, which they kept up continually. At 12 p. m. we started for Rolla, Mo.; reached that place the same evening. October 5 I was ordered to report to General McNeil; started with his command for the defense of Jefferson City. I left one section and the worn-out men and horses at Rolla, [under] Lieutenant Simonton. After a fatiguing march of two days and a half we reached Jefferson City. When we arrived the rebels were crossing the Osage River nine miles out; we took a position, but the enemy never came inside the lines. October 8 I was ordered to send one section with a division of cavalry, commanded by General Sanborn, in pursuit of the enemy. Lieutenant Smiley was sent with his section; next morning he was in an engagement near Russellville, the same evening at California, Mo. Next day near Boonville, October 10, I was ordered to the front with a cavalry brigade commanded by Colonel Catherwood. We arrived at California that evening at 4.30 o'clock. The same night at 7 o'clock we were ordered forward twelve miles to Pisgah, on the Boonville road; next morning we joined General Sanborn's division, marched twelve miles on the Boonville road, where we learned the enemy was in full retreat toward Lexington. We then marched for Georgetown, Mo., distance thirty-three miles; arrived there next day, October 12, at 1 p.m. We then marched fifteen miles on the Lexington road. On the 15th we fell back to Blackwater [on] Georgetown road. On the 17th marched to Kirkpatrick's Mill with one section; sent Lieutenant Smiley to Sedalia with the other. October 18 marched at 2 a. m. for Lexington, stopped at sunset eight miles southwest of the town, then marched at 7 o'clock for the city. Drove the enemy's pickets from town, killing and capturing a number of them. That night we lay by the horses till day, when we again renewed the march for Independence. October 22 we reached the Little Blue River, where we found the bridge burned. Assisted by the cavalry we went to work and constructed a temporary bridge to effect a crossing with the horses and artillery. By this time our advance was skirmishing with the enemy's rear guard. The battery was soon across the stream and on the march on double-quick for two or three miles, when we found the rebels had fallen back to the suburbs of the city, where they soon opened fire on us with two pieces of artillery. I took position then with one section of my battery, fired twelve rounds, when they began to retreat. Lieutenant Smiley then reported to me with his section, which was immediately sent to the front with Colonel Winslow's cavalry brigade, Sixteenth Army Corps. At 9 p. m. I was ordered out from Independence with General McNeil's brigade, on the Little Santa Fé road. Next morning at 5 o'clock the battle opened on the Big Blue. Lieutenant Smiley was in action from 8 to 11 a. m. October 23, using canister most of the time. Our brigade was formed on the left of the road, and I fired into the enemy's retreating column as they passed, with good effect.

October 24 we marched for Fort Scott, Kans., in pursuit of the enemy. We traveled fifty-six miles to the Marais des Cygnes River, in Kansas, by 2 a. m. October 25; drove the rebel pickets at 3 o'clock in the morning; Colonel Gravely's regiment had the advance. Lieutenant Smiley, firing several shots with his section; captured one piece of artillery on the bank of the Marais des Cygnes River. The enemy then formed a line of battle on the Osage River. Lieutenant Smiley moved his section forward and participated in the engagement, using double charge of canister. They then moved forward to the top of the

ridge, two miles farther, in the advance, and fired several shots at their retreating columns. I moved forward at a trot, which we kept up for seven miles, where the enemy was again formed and our cavalry driving them in a line of battle. We opened fire with the entire battery, breaking their lines first on the right, then on the left, then right center, when they formed column and retreated. By this time night came on, the horses were giving out, unable to travel farther. We were then ordered to Fort Scott for supplies, as we had not fed for thirty-six hours, and had no rations for three days except one hard cracker to the man. October 27, at 4 o'clock in the morning, Lieutenant Smiley's section was ordered out with General Sanborn's brigade to the front, marching in two days eighty-six miles. Arrived at Newtonia and took part in the battle at that place, firing twenty-two rounds. October 28 I was ordered to Warrensburg, forming part of the escort of prisoners, artillery, and other property captured by the cavalry division commanded by Major-General Pleasonton from the Confederate army commanded by Major-General Price, a distance of ninety-five miles. I was then ordered to Saint Louis, Mo., by way of Jefferson City. Lieutenant Smiley also to Saint Louis by way of Springfield and Rolla. Arrived in the city on the 9th with all my guns, seventy head of horses. Left my caissons in Fort Davidson, Pilot Knob, Mo., by order of BrigadierGeneral Ewing. My battery wagons, traveling forge, and transportation wagon, eighteen mules and fifteen head of horses were captured near Potosi, the 27th of September, 1864.

Traveling in all over 1,200 miles, expended 1,700 rounds of ammunition; took part in ten different battles.

My loss is as follows: 4 men killed, 3 wounded, 3 accidentally burned, 10 captured, 3 missing; 25 horses killed, 30 wounded, 15 captured, 10 worn out and abandoned on the road.

I am, colonel, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. C. F. MONTGOMERY,

Commanding Battery H, Second Missouri Light Artillery. Col. N. COLE,

Chief of Artillery, Department of the Missouri.

No. 63.

Report of Brig. Gen. Edward C. Pike, Enrolled Missouri Militia, commanding First Military District.

HDQRS. FIRST MIL. DIST., ENROLLED MISSOURI MIL.,

Saint Louis, November 3, 1864.

I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the militia under my command during thirty-seven days from September 25 to October 31, inclusive:

Pursuant to orders from State headquarters on the 25th of September, I ordered all the militia of the First District Enrolled Missouri Militia, consisting of three companies of cavalry and thirteen regiments of infantry, to parade at Camp Sheridan on the 26th for active service. The call was responded to with great unanimity on the part of those men who remained liable to military duty, but finding most of my regiments mere skeletons from the operations of a law of this State that allows freedom from military duty by payment of a small sum of money, I was obliged to order the consolidation of companies and regi

ments, thus reducing the regiments to six and eight companies and the number of regiments to ten, aggregating 4,500 men, which I formed into three brigades, as follows: The First Regiment, Col. W. P. Fenn; Second Regiment, Col. E. Stafford; Eightieth Regiment, Col. L. J. Rankin; Eighty-fifth Regiment, Col. W. J. A. Smith, forming the First Brigade, numbering in the aggregate 1,750 men, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Madison Miller, who was ordered to proceed without delay with his command and dispose of it so as to effectually protect the bridges and fords of the Meramec. Immediately after issuing the above to General Miller he was detached from my command and has since reported directly to district headquarters United States. The Second Brigade consisted of the Third Regiment, Colonel Vahlkamp; Sixth Regiment, Col. T. Niederweiser; Tenth Regiment, Col. H. Hildebrand, commanded by Brig. Gen. C. D. Wolff; aggregate, 1,200 men. The Third Brigade consisted of the National Guard of Saint Louis, Lieut. Col. W. B. Parker; Eleventh Regiment, Lieut. Col. E. Beekman; Thirteenth Regiment, Col. J. B. Marcy, commanded by Brig. Gen. George F. Meyers; aggregate, 1,500 men.

Pursuant to orders from district headquarters the three companies of cavalry commanded by Maj. F. Walter were ordered to encamp at Fort No. 6, and report to Col. J. H. Baker, commanding post Saint Louis. On Friday, the 30th of September, the necessary equipments for the Second and Third Brigades having been received and the division fully organized, the three companies of cavalry having reported back, I broke camp and with six regiments of infantry and three companies of cavalry took up the line of march at 4 p. m. October 1 along the turnpike to Laclede, where at 7 p. m. I encamped and immediately reported to Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, at Kirkwood, for orders. On the 3d of October I moved forward and encamped at Kirkwood. On the 4th of October Capt. S. H. Julian, commanding Battery I, Second Missouri Artillery, reported to me with his battery and was ordered to proceed along the turnpike to Gray's Summit, escorted by the cavalry of Major Walter's command, and I embarked with my infantry on the cars, arriving at Franklin at 6 p. m. During the embarkation at Kirkwood a terrific rain-storm came on, pouring down with the greatest vehemence for more than an hour, and drenching the men who were in line or placed on open platform cars. Yet all orders were obeyed with alacrity and the embarkation was completed in an orderly and soldierly manner. At Franklin my division was kept in line or lying on their arms for twenty-four hours in momentary anticipation of orders to march against the enemy. On the evening of the 5th, however, orders were received to go into camp, and on the 6th the division was reviewed by Governor Willard P. Hall. On the 7th orders were received to take up the line of march west, and notwithstanding the absence of necessary transportation the division moved at 12 m., every man apparently pleased at the prospect of at last joining in the pursuit of the invaders. At Port William on the Springfield road we made a junction with three brigades of the Right Wing of Sixteenth Army Corps, and moved along in their rear toward Union, where we encamped at 9 p. m., Captain Julian, with his battery and the cavalry, having reported and joined us during the day. The lateness of the hour to which it was necessary to march in order to reach proper camping-grounds caused some straggling of the men, who from inexperience and want of proper transportation had encumbered themselves with surplus articles of clothing and an undue quantity of subsistence. During the night, however, all came up, and at 8 a. m. on the 8th we again took up the line of march after waiting