August 28.--General Price and staff left Camden and marched sixteen miles.
August 29.--Marched sixteen miles to Princeton. Fagan and Marmaduke reported. General Price assumed command of cavalry and announced staff.
August 30.--Marched nine miles to Tulip. Raining all day. Wood's battalion reported to Marmaduke. Orders left at Princeton for Colonel Harrison.
August 31 (Camp No. 4).--Near Claridy's, on Benton road. Sent back two iron guns of Hughey's battery, not having suitable horses. Heard of Shelby cutting railroad twice and capturing 2,500 men and eight companies of the Fifty-fourth Illinois; twenty-five miles.
September 1 (Camp No. 5).--On Middle Fork of Saline River; Fagan on right flank toward Benton; eighteen miles.
September 2 (Camp No. 6).--Road rough. Passed Goose Pond Mountain; nineteen miles.
September 3 (Camp No. 7).--Road rocky and hilly; fifteen miles.
September 4 (Camp No. 8).--Marched fifteen miles to Dr. Hill's.
September 5 (Camp No. 9).--Cabell's brigade going over the mountain. Heard that Brooks and Stirman had passed from Danville to Dardanelle on the 3d. Weather warm and sultry. Joined by Fagan from the rear; eighteen miles.
September 6 (Camp No. 10).--At Dardanelle. Scouting parties of Federals on north side of river this
morning. Sent letter No. 11 to Col. S. S. Anderson. Marmaduke's brigade and most of the train crossed the Arkansas River; fourteen miles.
September 7 (Camp No. 11).--At Dover, having forded the Arkansas. A Federal scout at Norristown this morning captured 6 horses from our pickets; fourteen miles.
September 8 (Camp No. 12).--On Clinton road; Fagan moving on Springfield road; thirteen miles.
September 9 (Camp No. 13).--Road rough and rocky; forage scarce; eighteen miles.
September 10 (Camp No. 14).--On Little Red River, eight miles southeast from Clinton. Companies of Federal jayhawkers disbanded on approach of army; a few taken prisoners. Burbridge's regiment went by Clinton. Letter sent to General Shelby by Captain Norman; twenty miles.
September 11 (Camp No. 15).--Road through Big Bottom of Little Red River. Whole country around infested with deserters from Confederate army, 2 of whom were killed; 1 of ours wounded. Fagan within eight miles, ahead; fourteen miles.
September 12 (Camp No. 16).--After marching twelve miles on direct road to Batesville, diverged to the left aver a road so mountainous as to be almost impracticable; struck the river at a point eighteen miles above Batesville; considerable damage to train; total distance traveled, thirty miles.
September 13 (Camp No. 17).--At Batesville. Forded the river one mile above camp of yesterday; crossing good; marched along left bank of the river; town completely deserted and destroyed. General Marmaduke and command, with ordnance train, marched by Powhatan direct, marching up on the left; traveled eighteen miles.
September 14 (Camp No. 18).--On Strawberry Creek. Returns and reports received from General Shelby; thirty-two miles.
September 15 (Camp No. 19).--At Powhatan, another deserted village. General Shelby with headquarters of his command at this point. Traveled fourteen miles.
September 16 (Camp No. 20).--At Pocahontas, another deserted village and ruined community. Jackman, McCray, and others reported. Army reorganized, as per Orders, No. 8, on the 18th. Traveled eighteen miles.
September 19 (Camp No. 21).--At Indian Ford, on Current River. To-day the army marched in three columns--Marmaduke on the right, Shelby on left, with Fagan and the headquarters in the center. A scout of Federals at 10 a.m. to-day burnt up Doniphan and retired; two scouting parties sent in pursuit. Marched twenty-two miles and entered Missouri.
September 20 (Camp No. 22).--Marched to Ponder's Mill, on Little Black; passed several houses burnt; women and children around the smoking ashes; the burning done by a portion of the Twelfth Missouri (Federal),(*) commanded by Captain [Lieutenant] Pape, the same that burnt Doniphan yesterday. This morning our men attacked them at this point; killed a lieutenant and 3 men, wounded 4, and took 6 prisoners. Our loss 2 killed and 5 wounded. We captured several horses and small-arms; distance, twenty miles.
September 21 (Camp No. 23).--Marched to Cane Creek; forage abundant; heard from Marmaduke; forty-two miles on march last night; found a Federal who had crawled from the fight of yesterday to a house on roadside; distance, twelve miles.
September 22 (Camp No. 24).--Marched to Greenville, county seat of Wayne County; deserted; only two families in the place. Two companies of Federals passed through toward Ironton to-day. Shelby took Patterson, killing 14 and wounding several; took telegraph apparatus also; distance, twenty-two miles.
September 23 (Camp No. 25).--Marched to Cedar Creek; roads rough; distance, eighteen miles.
September 24 ( Camp No. 26).--Reached Fredericktown; Shelby ahead of us, Marmaduke behind; more killed by 14 than at first reported by Shelby. Citizens generally Southern in sentiment; many coming to greet us; recruiting; distance, twenty miles.
September 25.--Still at Camp No. 26 waiting for Marmaduke to come up. He encamped eight miles off.
September 26 (Camp No. 27).--On Saint Francis. Shelby went by Farmington with a view of cutting the railroad. Fagan drove in the Federal pickets at Arcadia and took position before the town for the night; distance, twelve miles.
September 27 (Camp No. 28).--At Arcadia. This morning Fagan drove the Federals from Arcadia, where they abandoned a very strong position. He also drove them through Ironton. They fell back on Fort Davidson, in Pilot Knob. Fagan formed on the south and east. Mar-maduke took possession of Shepherd's Mountain. Heavy skirmishing all day and continued artillery firing by the enemy. About 2 p.m. charge made on the fort, but the men were repulsed, but reformed by brigade commanders, but too late to renew the charge that night. Men placed in position and ammunition replenished; distance, eight miles.
September 28 (Camp No. 29).--Enemy evacuated Pilot Knob last night; found many stores of Government goods. (For number of guns, &c., taken, see reports.) Twelve miles.
September 29 (Camp No. 30).--Passed through Caledonia and Potosi. At the latter place General Shelby fought and captured ----- Federals. The enemy, who left Pilot Knob under General Ewing, hearing of Shelby being in front, moved off to the west. Marmaduke and Shelby started in pursuit last night. General M. Jeff. Thompson arrived in camp. Rumors of Steele leaving Little Rock doubted; distance, twenty-two miles.
September 30 (Camp No. 31).--At Richwoods. Lieutenant Christian arrived with 150,000 caps and dispatches from General Magruder. No news of enemy. Flag captured at this place. General Fagan sent 300 men to De Soto. General Cabell sent, with his brigade, to cut the Pacific and Southwest Railroad east of Franklin; ten miles.
October 1 (Camp No. 32).--Near Saint Clair. Met Marmaduke and Shelby; returned from unsuccessful pursuit of Ewing; many prisoners brought in, found straggling. Report from De Soto: militia scattered and depot burned. M[armaduke] and S[helby] destroyed the Southwestern Railroad for several miles. Marmaduke and Shelby went on to Union to-night; distance traveled, nineteen miles.
October 2 (Camp No. 33).--Joined Marmaduke and Shelby early in the morning; found Cabell; returned, burned a bridge east of Franklin, and in the dawn burned the depot and destroyed the railroad. Lieutenant-Colonel Wood also returned from burning the bridge on the southwest branch over the Moselle. General Clark went to Washington, on Missouri River; Federals retreated across the river. Marmaduke ordered to Hermann with his division. Fagan and Shelby encamped on road to Mount Sterling, eight miles from Union, making in all fifteen miles.
October 3 (Camp No. 34).--Distance, fourteen miles.
October 4 (Camp No. 35).--Marched to Mount Sterling. One division crossed the Gasconade; horrible road bottom, and bottomless mud on west side; raining all day. Report from Marmaduke of his taking Miller's Bend and Hermann; distance, seventeen miles.
October 5 (Camp No. 36).--Marched to a point beyond Linn. General Marmaduke returned, having destroyed Osage (Gasconade) bridge, having taken Hermann and Miller's Landing the day before. Shelby sent a force under Colonel Shanks to destroy the Moreau bridge; distance, fourteen miles.
October 6 (Camp No. 37).--Marched to the Moreau. Crossing forced after some resistance by the enemy. Shelby in front. Colonel Shanks mortally wounded.
October 7 (Camp No. 38).--Near Jefferson City. Fagan in front and the only division engaged. Enemy in strong position, but driven from one position to another, until about 3 p.m. they retired to their fortifications in and around the city, when we formed in line to west and south of Jefferson. Cut the Pacific Railroad. Loss very slight; ten [miles].
October 8 (Camp No. 39).--At Russellville. Finding the enemy to be strongly fortified and in heavy force (12,000) in town, supported by 3,000 on north bank of river, drew off in the morning, Fagan protecting the rear and skirmishing all day; distance, fourteen [miles.]
October 9 (Camp No. 40).--On the Moniteau. Marmaduke in the rear. Several skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry, who followed as far as California. Shelby with Thompson's brigade went on to Boonville. Railroad destroyed from Lookout west beyond California; distance, twenty-six miles.
October 10 (Camp No. 41).--At Boonville. All the people turned out to greet us. Crossed a portion of command to north side, but recalled them. (See Shelby's report of capture of the place.) About 300 surrendered; distance, six,en miles.
October 11.--Enemy approached on Tipton road; was met and repulsed by Fagan's command.
October 12.--Engaged slightly with enemy; recruiting; distributing goods. Left Boonville at 10 p.m. and marched to Chouteau Springs (Camp No. 42); eleven miles.
October 13 (Camp No. 43).--At Marshall's. Clark went across by Arrow Rock to attack Glasgow; fourteen miles.
October 11 ( Camp No. 44).--At Jonesborough. Fagan came up, having been left at the La Mine. Shelby left with a section to attack Glasgow from this side. Thompson went to Sedalia; eight miles.
October 15 (Camp No. 45).--At Keiser's on Salt Fork; passed through Marshall; rumors of the enemy on our left and rear; seventeen miles.
October 16.--Remained in camp; news of surrender of Glasgow. (See Clark and Shelby's reports.) Thompson reports the enemy in force on road from Georgetown to Lexington.
October 17.--News of the capture of Sedalia by Thompson; recruits coming in; Federals enter Lexington on 16th.
October 18 (Camp No. 46).--At Waverly; twenty-two miles.
October 19 (Camp No. 47).--At General Shields' three miles south of Lexington. Left Waverly at daybreak. Knowing that Generals Blunt, Lane, and Jennison, with between 3,000 and 4,000 Federals, were at Lexington (Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri troops), fearing they might make a junction with McNeil and A. J. Smith, who were on Salt Fork and at Sedalia, made a flank movement to the left after crossing Tabo, so as to intercept their line of march. Met the enemy about four miles from Lexington on Salt Pond road; Shelby in front. Fought him back to the old Independence road, when night closed the fight. Federals evacuated by the river road; loss very slight; went home that night; distance, twenty-six miles.
October 20 (Camp No. 48).--To Fire Creek Prairie. Scouts report enemy falling back to the Blue; recruits from Chariton; twenty-two miles.
October 21 (Camp No. 49).--At Independence. At [Little] Blue met the enemy who had burned the bridge; Marmaduke in front; fought and drove them back through Independence. Shelby sustained M[armaduke] on his left; loss between 40 and 50; twenty-six miles.
October 22 (Camp No. 50).--Left Independence, Shelby in front; drove the enemy toward Kansas City, then struck a column on the left in open ground; charged and took a 24-pounder howitzer. In coming out of town in column enemy struck Cabell on the flank and took 2 guns and cut off some 300 or 400 men. Marmaduke, who was behind in town, fearing he might be taken prisoner, led Cabell's men and cut his way to the command.
October 23 (Camp No. 51).--Enemy in position on prairie; attacked by Shelby, assisted by Fagan with two brigades; drove the enemy five or six miles into Westport. The column in rear under McNeil pushed Marmaduke and Clark until Shelby and Fagan had to withdraw. Enemy threatened left flank of train; driven off by drawing up the unarmed men in line. Encamped on Middle Fork of Grand River; twenty-four miles.
October 24 (Camp No. 52).--At Potosi. Skirmishing with the enemy, who are following in rear; thirty-three miles.
October 25 (Camp No. 53).--On Marmiton. When near the Little Osage, Shelby in front and Marmaduke in rear, a dispatch received from Marmaduke stating that the enemy were in sight about 3,000 strong, with the line still extending; a brigade was ordered back from the front. Fagan stated on the note that he would sustain M[armaduke], but before we could go back a mile we met the command coming on in the most demoralized condition. The details can only be given from the reports of those present. Marmaduke, Cabell, and Slemons taken prisoners; 5 pieces of artillery captured, and the morale of the army ruined. Everything hurried on, a mass of confusion, from which it took every exertion to redeem it, but after crossing the Osage the enemy again appeared in sight, but General Shelby was in the rear, and after an action of two hours they were held in check until after dark, when the troops were withdrawn; twenty-eight miles.
October 26 (Camp No. 54).--At Carthage. No enemy; left everything behind; distance, fifty-six miles.
October 27 (Camp No. 55).--Encamped on Shoal Creek; enemy still far behind; morale of the troops improving, but many desertions among Arkansas troops; twenty-two miles.
October 28 (Camp No. 56).--Marched through Granby and Newtonia; a small detachment at the latter place left night before; one cavalry company remained; charged and routed; the captain (Christian, noted bushwhacker) killed; encamped about four miles below Newtonia, when Blunt, with about 3,000 men, came upon us. He was met and signally repulsed by Shelby, sustained by Fagan with cavalry, and driven for over three miles. Our train was moved forward six miles; seventeen miles.
October 29 (Camp No. 57).--On Sugar Creek, five miles south of Pine-ville, through which we passed. Nothing known of any advance on the part of the enemy; twenty-six miles.
October 30 (Camp No. 58).--At Maysville, on line; headquarters in Indian lands; seventeen miles.
October 31 (Camp No. 59).--Marched to Illinois River, near line of Arkansas; twenty-six miles.
November 1 (Camp No. 60).--Marched to Boonsborough; raining all day; roads bad and hilly; stock worn out; much of it abandoned. Reports from Colonel Brooks, who was investing Fayetteville; asks aid; seventeen miles.
November 2.--In camp all day. General Fagan with re-enforcements went to Fayetteville. Colonel Freeman, with his command, started for Northern Arkansas. Colonel McCray ordered to go on the 3d and Colonel Dobbin on the 4th, to report south of Arkansas River on December 15, 20, and 25; raining hard.
November 3.--In camp; rain and snow. Letter from Rosecrans.
November 4 (Camp No. 61).--Marched to Indian Territory; roads good; fourteen miles.
November 5 (Camp No. 62).--Marched along Sallisaw River eighteen miles.
November 6 (Camp No. 63).--Marched to Arkansas River; twenty miles.
November 7 (Camp No. 64).--Crossed Arkansas River at Pheasant Ford; good crossing; four miles.
November 8 (Camp No. 65).--Raining; ten miles.
November 9 (Camp No. 66).--Raining; nine miles.
November 10 (Camp No. 67).--Order for Cabell's and Slemons' brigades approved. Slemons' command, commanded by Colonel Crawford, furloughed to December 10, to rendezvous at Miller's Bluff. Cabell's brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Reiff, to rendezvous on December 10 at Spring Hill, Ark.; twelve miles.
November 11 (Camp No. 68).--Shelby left behind on Canadian to recruit. Tyler and Wood gone ahead. Wrote to General Maxey; fourteen miles.
November 12 (Camp No. 69).--Marched for good grazing at Gaines' Creek; two miles.
November 13 (Camp No. 70).--Passed through Perryville. Three wagons of supplies received; sixteen miles.
November 14.--Laid over in camp one day.
November 15 (Camp No. 71).--General Fagan ordered to establish his headquarters at Washington, Ark.; seventeen miles.
November 16 ( Camp No. 72).--Seven miles.
November 17 (Camp No. 73).--At a point two miles south of Stand Watie's headquarters; fourteen miles.
November 18 (Camp No. 74).--Raining. Colonel Tyler started to Clarksville; ten miles.
November 19 (Camp No. 75).--Nine miles.
November 20 (Camp No. 76).--Nine miles.
November 21 (Camp No. 77).--Thirteen miles.
November 22 (Camp No. 78).--Crossed Red River. Clark went on to Clarksville; Shelby caught up; sixteen miles.
November 23 (Camp No. 79).--Marched to Bonham; twelve miles.
November 24 (Camp No. 80).--Fourteen miles.
November 25 (Camp No. 81).--Ten miles.
November 26 (Camp No. 82).--Reached Paris.
November 27 (Camp No. 83).--Sixteen miles.
November 28 (Camp No. 84).--At Clarksville; fourteen miles.
November 29.--Remained at Clarksville. Thompson's command came up. Leave granted to Shelby and other officers.
November 30.--Still at Clarksville. Order from Magruder received to march to Laynesport.
December 1 (Camp No. 85).--Clark's command on the march. Thompson to move to-morrow; eighteen miles.
December 2 (Camp No. 86).--At Laynesport. Crossed river; nineteen miles.
December 3.--Clark arrived and sent courier to Washington.
Whole distance marched, 1,434 miles.
Source: O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLI/1 [S# 83]
Official Reports:
Gen. J. O. Shelby
Gen. M. Jeff Thompson
Col. Sidney D. Jackman
Col. Colton Greene