NEOSHO, Mo., June 2, 1864.

SIR: On the 29th of May, 1864, by your order, I took command of 30 men, composed of detachments of companies H, L, and M, of the Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and, accompanied by Lieutenant Hunter, marched in the direction of Huff’s Mill, in Arkansas. As we proceeded down Indian Creek, we learned that 2 bushwhackers had passed down a few hours in advance, robbing several poor families as they went. We followed their trail till night, then ambuscaded the road and rested till 2 o’clock in the morning. We then proceeded through Rutledge, and having learned that several bushwhackers besides those we were trailing had passed up Mill Creek, we found their trail and followed it. We arrived at last at the house of a bushwhacker by the name of Waitman. We there discovered a considerable quantity of provisions and some Federal clothing. Believing that this was a bushwhacker rendezvous, I sent Lieutenant Hunter with the main body of my command with instructions to move slowly up the valley, while I with the remainder searched the thickets and ravines on our flanks. The keen cracks of rifles and revolvers soon rang out on both sides of me, accompanied by the hearty yells of my brave boys. The fight soon over, I found my boys all unhurt, and 2 bushwhackers dead on the ground. I presented the horses of the dead bushwhackers to the brave lads who had killed them and then proceeded over the hills to Butler’s Creek. We found a hidden tanyard, which we destroyed. We reached Butler’s Creek in the evening, ambuscaded the road and rested till 2 o’clock of the 31st, when we proceeded in a southeasterly direction in order to strike Honey Creek, where we learned a dancing party was going on, attended by the notorious thief, Lieutenant McGee, and 7 of his men. As we proceeded, however, we were discovered; signal guns were fired by the bushwhackers on the hills, and we accomplished nothing more than the capture of a few good quilts and blankets left in their deserted camps. I burned the houses, or rather hovels, where they harbored, and proceeded to the party. We arrived too late to dance any ourselves, but we made Lieutenant McGee and his men dance in the following manner: As we were at the house consulting we discovered a man, whom we supposed to be McGee himself, approaching us; when he discovered us he "got up and dusted," followed by Lieutenant Hunter and several other boys, all of whom, however, were distanced in the race and came back, except Lieutenant Hunter and 3 others. They followed until they were a full mile from the command, when they ran upon McGee’s whole party (7 besides himself), charged them like madmen, killed 2 on the spot, wounded another, and chased the balance more than a mile. They then gathered up as many horses as they could and came back, expressing themselves highly pleased with their "fun."

I immediately presented the captured horses and arms to these noble boys, and while our horses were grazing I took one man, and having laid aside our coats and made ourselves look as much like bushwhackers as possible, we ran to a rebel house half a mile distant and rushing in covered with sweat hastily informed the lady that 200 Federals had broken in upon us and killed 2 of our men, and that Lieutenant McGee had sent us to get every horse that would do to ride; she soon furnished us with 3 horses belonging to McGee’s party, which we gladly received and went on our way rejoicing. Being now encumbered with a number of led horses and having obtained the information for which you sent me out, I marched for camp, arriving on the evening of the 1st of June, 1864.

In conclusion I will say that I am proud to command such men as formed my detachment on this occasion. Lieutenant Hunter, of Company H, is an officer after my own heart. Every man also did his duty well. Hunger, fatigue, loss of sleep, every privation was borne without one word of complaint. With such officers and men under my command, I feel sure of success in almost any enterprise.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN R. KELSO,
Captain, Commanding Detachment.

SOURCE: OR, Series I, Volume 34, Part I, Pages 957-958.

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