CASSVILLE, May 1, 1862.

Major Hubbard, commanding First Missouri Cavalry, with 146 of his men, fought and routed Colonels Coffee and Stand Watie and 200 Indians at Neosho on the 26th, killed and wounded 30, and took 62 prisoners and 70 horses and a large quantity of arms.

C. B. HOLLAND

SOURCE: OR Series I, Volume 13, Page 61.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST MISSOURI CAVALRY,
Cassville, Mo., May 2, 1862.

GENERAL: In the hurried report I made to Lieutenant-Colonel Holland [not found], commanding the post, on the 29th ultimo, of the late expedition I had the honor to command, I omitted to bring to your favorable consideration the names of Lieutenant Burrows, commanding Company L, and Lieutenant Williams, commanding Company B, who by their pre-eminent bravery on different occasions were worthy of special mention in the official report.

The promptness exhibited by Lieutenant Burrows in rallying Companies L and H, and the vigor with which he charged home upon the Indians, who attacked the rear of my camp at Neosho at dawn of the 26th ultimo, entitle him to the most favorable mention.

Respectfully submitted.

J. M. HUBBARD,
Commanding First Batalion First Missouri Cavalry.

SOURCE: OR Series I, Volume 13, Page 62.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, INDIAN DEPARTMENT,
Skullyville, Ark., May 6, 1862.

GENERAL: I have to inclose Col. Stand Watie’s official report of an engagement between a small party of his regiment and about 300 Federal troops near Neosho, Mo., which resulted in our favor and the retreat of the Federals.

Too much praise cannot be awarded Col. Stand Watie and his brave men for their ceaseless vigilance on the northern line of the Cherokee Nation and their gallantry in attacking and routing a superior force of regular, well-drilled Federal troops.

Three prisoners are also sent under guard to headquarters, two of them prisoners of war and the third a citizen of Missouri, residing near Neosho, who is accused of having given aid and comfort to the enemy.

The C. and C. Regiment [Choctaw and Chickasaw?] will not be able to march until day after to-morrow, the wagons not being all repaired as yet.

I am, general, very respectfully,

DOUGLAS H. COOPER,
Colonel, Commanding.

SOURCE: OR Series I, Volume 13, Page 62.

CAMP ON COWSKIN PRAIRIE, ARK.,
April 27, 1862.

SIR:  I received information on the 25th instant of the advance of a body of the Federals, supposed to number 200, upon Elk Mills, 1 mile north of this.  I immediately started with a command of 40 men to ascertain the correctness of this report.  Finding it true, I deemed it advisable to wait until the 25th for re-enforcements before bringing on an attack.

On the 25th the enemy retreated to Neosho, we pursuing, having been re-enforced by about 100 of my regiment and about 60 independent Missourians, commanded by Col. J. T. Coffee, Missouri State Guard.

I decided to attack them at two points on the morning of the 26th.  Dismounting the men about 2 miles off, I advanced with about 125 men, surprising their pickets and killing, besides, at least 30, and 11 of these officers.

Not being supported as we expected by the Missourians, under Colonel Coffee, at the other point, and having discharged our pieces, it was thought best to draw off our forces, with a loss of 2 killed and 5 slightly wounded.

Their total strength was 300; their loss, 31 killed, 3 taken prisoners, and several wounded.

We skirmished with them all day until 3 p. m., when we took up our line of march for this point.

My opinion, in short, is, we were fighting with our small party over 300 United States soldiers, well drilled, armed mostly with Colt’s six-shooting rifles, and supported by a brass 6-pounder.  Their not leaving until night is evidence, I think, that they were roughly handled.  Their return to Neosho after receiving re-enforcements was to make a show, for they must before that have learned that we had left.  I think they will not make a further advance, at least for the present.

I remain, colonel, with respect, your obedient servant,

STAND WATIE,
Colonel, Commanding Cherokee Regiment, C. S. Army.

Per J. F. THOMPSON,
Captain Company E.

SOURCE: OR Series I, Volume 13, Page 63.

L. B. Hearrell, who was here, and on whose land this battle was partly fought, regards Stand Watie's account as very nearly correct; but Capt. R. L. Hargrove maintains that the Federal report is absolutely correct, he participating in the fight.  Of the Neosho affair of April 26, 1862, P. R. Smith states that Maj. Hubbard lost only two killed.  One of the Confederates wounded was an Irishman, named Murphy, of whom Bailey Armstrong took care until his death the night after.

SOURCE: Goodspeed's History of Newton County, Missouri (1888), page 250.

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