Battlefield Dispatches No. 222: 'Miles Apart and Watching the Devils'

The Civil War here in Kansas and Missouri is perceived by "Easterners", folks living east of the Mississippi River, as being the "Civil War" in the WEST! This is true from an eastern perspective because most of the land from western Kansas to the Rocky Mountains and from northern Texas to the Canadian border was still unsettled and organized into territories.

With a few exceptions in the southwestern territories of Arizona and New Mexico, the Civil War in the west was waged in western Kansas and on the northern plains between "Union" forces and the American Indians. The Indians of the far west were not fighting for the "Confederacy." They were fighting to defend their homes, culture, way of life and ultimately their own survival! The way they waged war was very similar to that of the Confederate guerrillas in Missouri as is evident in the second after action report in this column.

The following after action reports describe engagements that occurred hundreds of MILES APART and in both incidents the enemies of the "Union" forces were considered to be "Devils" that had to be watched and eliminated whenever possible. Both reports are located on Pages 444-445 in Series I, Vol. 22, Part I. Reports in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Camp on Drywood, Mo., July 11, 1863.

Major: In compliance with orders received by your hands, on the 7th instant, I detailed, under the command of Capt. Alexander M. Pratt, Company E of this regiment [3rd Wisconsin Cavalry], for an attack upon the guerrillas, whose rendezvous was supposed to be near the junction of the Marmiton and Osage Rivers, some 28 miles north of this camp: Company D, Lieutenant John Crites, Company E, Lieutenant William Culbertson and Company K, Lieutenant John P. McDowell.

The command left this camp at 10 p.m. of that day and by a circuitous march of about 40 miles, reached their destination at 10 a.m. the following day, where the advance came upon the pickets [guards] of the enemy, who were followed into the principle guerrilla camp, a high piece of ground, surrounded by swamps and stagnant water. Our force boldly dashed through the marsh and thick growth of underbrush, where a sharp engagement ensued lasting about an hour and a half. The enemy was well protected by the timber, but were at length obliged to give way and fled in all directions. They were closely pursued by the three columns into which Captain Pratt divided his command, the pursuit lasting until dark. Five of the enemy are supposed to be killed and 3 severely wounded. Among the wounded was the NOTED GUERRILLA PONY HILL. Captain Taylor is also reported wounded. Our loss was 1 killed, John R. Robinson, Company E, his body was stripped of the clothing worth carrying away and his pockets were rifled by the enemy. Their camp was totally broken up and the guerrillas scattered in all directions. The intended raid into Kansas was thereby prevented, at least for the present.

The command returned to this camp at 3 p.m. yesterday, greatly fatigued, but in good health and spirits. The citizen guides who accompanied the expedition, I am sorry to say, knew nothing of the roads or country; led the command a roundabout, unnecessary and fatiguing march; refused to communicate with the commanding officer and are totally untrustworthy. [Suggest that in all probability that these "guides" were not rehired by the Quartermaster again!]

Great credit is due Captain Alexander M. Pratt for the energy and daring which characterized his action and also to Lieutenant's McDowell, Culbertson, Crites, with the gallant men of their respective commands.

Enclosed please see the invoice of contraband property taken and delivered to Capt. J. G. Haskell, Assistant Quartermaster.

Very Respectfully,

E. A. CALKINS,

Major, Commanding 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry.

[To:] Major H. Z Curtis,

Assistant Adjutant General."

"Skirmish with Indians at Grand Pass', Idaho;

July 7,1863."

[Note: In 1863, Grand Pass and Fort Halleck were located in the Idaho Territory in what is now western Wyoming.]

"Fort Halleck, Idaho, July 7, 1863.

Sir: At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 7th instant, I started Lieutenants Henry Brandley and Hugh W. Williams with nearly my entire command, save 3 men at the post, in pursuit of the UTE INDIANS who had stolen 22 head of stock from the mail company, plundered their stations and committed many other depredations. They overtook the Indians, posted in a pass of the mountains about 30 miles form this post, shortly after sunrise. The Indians opened fire on the troops from the thick timber and thick underbrush, in which they were concealed. The troops engaged them, dismounting and charging up the steep hillside, through the timber and brush, drove the Indians 250 in number, steadily up and over the brow of the hill, when the Indians fled scattering through the mountains. The stock could not be recovered, neither has anything been seen of the Indians since. Sergeant S. N. Waugh was killed in the charge made on the Indians. He was shot through the body & lived but a few hours. Six other men of my company were badly wounded, but are doing well. There were 70 troops engaged. The Indians own to a loss of over 60 killed and wounded, over 20 killed on the field. They were better mounted and armed than the troops, having HAWKEN RIFLES, revolvers, bows and arrows and spears and would have killed a great many more of the troops, but in firing down the steep hillside they invariably fired to high. It was a perfect HAIL STORM OF LEAD over the heads of the troops. The battle lasted two hours. The troops deserve much PRAISE for THEIR COOLNESS, STEADINESS & COURAGE while under FIRE; NO MEN COULD HAVE DONE BETTER! I stopped all emigrants, enrolled and armed them for the protection of the post, as I had only 3 enlisted men left. These were permitted to resume their journey as soon as the necessity for their detention ceased.

There is supposed to be about 600 to 1,000 of these UTES in this vicinity or in the vicinity of Middle Park. Colonel Chivington, Colorado District, is sending troops over into the "Park" to look after them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. ALLEN,

Captain, 9th Kansas Cavalry Volunteers, Commanding Post.

P. S. I have kept a scouting party out in the mountains ever since the fight, WATCHING THE DEVILS!"

Yes, this is the same 9th Kansas Vol. Cavalry that had fought the "Confederate Devils" (the Guerrilla Partisan Rangers in Missouri) and were now fighting and watching another enemy of DEVILS in the mountains of what is now western Wyoming and of course the War Went On!