CAMP, WHITE ROCK PRAIRIE, Mo.,
October 7, 1862.

On Friday evening, October 3, I was ordered with my command and Major Bryan’s (whole force about 400 men) to proceed to and occupy the town of Granby, which I did, reaching that place at 6.30 p. m. Finding water scarce, marched the whole command to Shoal Creek, distant 1 1/4 miles. Directed Captain McDonel to take his company and guard the road at the creek which led out of Granby on the left in a northwest direction, with instructions to place pickets beyond. I also placed a company from Bryan’s battalion on the same creek on a road leading out of town to the right with like instructions regarding pickets, and left Major Bryan’s on the main Sarcoxie road leading out of Granby to the northward with the balance of his battalion, at the same time instructing him to keep his outposts strongly guarded, and in case of an attack to annoy the enemy as much as possible and to fall back in order on the reserve, which I marched back to Granby, and occupied the town as my military headquarters. Having thus arranged everything with regard to safety, officers and soldiers bivouacked for the night, and all seemed promising for a good night’s rest. Between 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning, receiving a dispatch from you asking for information, I directed Captain Degen and H. S. Woodward to find a man living near to where Major Bryan was encamped, whom I was led to believe could give the information required. They proceeded to within 300 yards of the camp and heard considerable firing, which they conjectured to be between the enemy and our pickets. They immediately returned and reported to me the facts, upon hearing of which I took such steps as put every man to horse in ten minutes. Had but just completed mounting when a courier from Major Bryan arrived, stating they had encountered the enemy, their advance firing into our pickets and ours returning it. The pickets fell bank to their encampment, reporting the enemy to be in force and with artillery; how strong could not be imagined, as the night was intensely dark. Major Bryan at once ordered a retreat, which was orderly and quietly done, falling back upon Granby, as instructed. Captain McDonel hearing the firing also fell back, so that I had all of my command collected again excepting the company of Major Bryan’s battalion, which occupied the right-hand road. I immediately got my men into column, with Captain Stone and 6 men as the advance; threw out Captain Miller’s company on the right as flankers, and in this position moved down on the main road. Had proceeded about a quarter of a mile from the town when the enemy's advance met ours. Captain Stone halted them, when they immediately retreated about 30 yards, our advance pouring in a volley, which they returned, and the firing became general and rapid on both sides. Captain Stone had his horse killed under him and a ball through his hat, our regimental colors also rceiving a ball through its folds. It was impossible for me to form my men into line; the country was so thick with brush and the night so intensely dark that it could not be done. Fell back again to town, but finding by the sound of the enemy’s bugle that they were flanking us, fell back half a mile farther to an advantageous place; formed my men just as day was breaking, when it commenced pouring rain; sent out vedettes and stood awaiting events. This was a time that tried the material of which my command was composed, and it is with more than pride that I say a more determined set of officers and soldiers it never was my pleasure to ride before and look upon. Not a soldier in the whole line but exposed himself to shelter his gun from the weather. Determination was stamped upon every face, and it required but a casual glance for me to assure myself they could be trusted and relied upon.

In the mean time the enemy were not idle; they had discovered us at the same time we did them. The order was passed down the line to steady, while the enemy could be seen filing past and flanking us on our right; not a man moved. I allowed the enemy’s heavy column to pass some 300 yards to our rear, when the order to file left was given, and my men moved off quietly and in order over the ridge, thus losing ourselves to the enemy. I here dispatched a responsible officer (Captain Degen) with instructions to the officer in command at Newtonia that the enemy were coming down on that place in heavy force, determined that if my command was sacrificed the main army should not be surprised. I adopted this plan, well knowing that unless this portion of the enemy would be checked our whole force at Newtonia would be surrounded and our train captured. I am happy to say that my plans succeeded, we detaining them fully three hours, and thus preventing them from bringing on the attack at Newtonia, which it was undoubtedly intended that this division should do. On moving from my last position by a double-quick movement I regained the road leading from Newtonia to Neosho, thus outflanking the enemy completely on the right and having the road open to rejoin the main army at Newtonia, which was done at a quick-march and in order and without further accident, my whole command having the satisfaction of seeing the enemy emerge from the timber 2 1/2 miles on our left and rear. On arriving at Newtonia no officer appeared to be in command and no movement contemplated. I immediately ordered out Captain Howell’s battery, with my battalion under Captain Degen as support on the left, and directed them what position to occupy.

In the mean time I met with Colonel Shelby and requested support for the battery on the right, which he ordered Colonel Jeans’ regiment to do. In this order we took position on the ground formerly occupied as encampment place respectively by myself and Howell’s battery. We occupied this position some fifteen minutes, when, meeting with Colonel Shelby on the field, he informed me that communication with Camp Coffee was broken off, and we at once decided on retreating, he taking command of the right wing and myself of the left, to make a junction at the timber, which was done in order and in safety. I here forwarded the battery out of danger, throwing Colonel Jeans’ regiment on the right of the road to give protection to the battery and train, halting my command as rear guard to cover the retreat; proceeded on in this manner in good order some 8 or 9 miles to an old field,when, learning that you were in our rear and coming up, marched my command and Colonel Jeans' back to meet you and report myself for orders. Receiving same, proceeded on to Colonel Stevens; notified him as directed, placed my command in the rear, throwing out flankers right and left on the line of march, holding this order until reaching our camping ground near Pineville.

Colonel Jeans being placed (by order of Colonel Shelby) under my command at Newtonia, I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the soldier-like bearing of both officers and soldiers throughout the whole time from taking our first position.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. W. BUSTER,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Indian Battalion.

SOURCE: OR, Series I, Volume 13, Pages 308-310.

Back: Timeline of the Civil War in Newton County, Missouri

Home: Historical Items from Barry & Newton Counties, Missouri

© 2003 Robert O. Banks, Jr. All Rights Reserved