Ilannibal, under escort of companies A and H, and proceeding with full numbers and outfit to Weston, Mo., arrived on the 26th. During this dismal ride, the men, cooped up in inferior cattle cars, and lacking hay or straw, suffered severely from the intense cold. Two days after, on the 29th, they marched to Leavenworth City, crossing the Missouri River on the ice, and joined the great Southwestern Expedition."

On the 26th of February, companies B and E, together with a detachment of the Twelfth, marched for Kansas City, where they encamped next day. The main body of the regiment left Leavenworth on the 2d of March, on the long march of one hundred and sixty miles to Fort Scott, at which place they went into camp on the 8th, having been joined on the route by the detachment from Kansas City. While stationed at Fort Scott, companies C and F1 were detached, on the 1st of May, marching under command of Lieutenant Colonel Orff, to Carthage, Mo., where they were reinforced, on the 9th, by companies A and K, with two pieces of artillery, commanded by Major Jacobi, who relieved Lieutenant Colonel Orff and took command of the expedition. The whole force was shortly afterwards, (May 17th,) ordered to rejoin the regiment at Fort Scott, on account of the wish of the department commanders to have the troops in their respective commands kept distinct.1

On the 27th of May, the regiment set out for Humboldt, Kansas, forty-five miles distant, arriving on the 29th. Thence they marched on the 1st of June, in a southeasterly direction, by way of Indian Mission, to Spring River, encamping on the 4th, on the west bank of that stream, at the influx of Shoal Creek. Camp was established at this place for the whole force, consisting of two regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and a battery of artillery, under the command of Colonel Doubleday, who a week 155] afterward, relinquished the command to Colonci Salomon, under whose direction, camp was removed, on the 13th, three miles southwest, to Baxter's Spring. Here, the force was augmented, on the 25th, by the arrival of two regiments of infantry, (Indian's) two regiments of cavalry, with a battery of artillery, the whole composing the so-called "Indian Expedition," under command of Colenel William Weer."

1 Correspondence, assignments, etc., 8 Rebellion Records, 558, 573, 615, 654. 233 Rebellion Records, 130, 200, 206, 228, 344, 417.

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While stationed at Baxter's Spring, forage and reconnoitering parties were frequently sent into Missouri and the Indian Territory, the most important of which resulted in routing two rebel camps, of a few hundred men each, at Cowskin Prairie, under the lead of Coffee and Standwaite, and in capturing a considerable number of horses and cattle. On the 28th of June, the main body marched in a southerly direction, for Cowskin Prairie, forty-five miles distant, in Indian Territory, near the line of Missouri and Arkansas, where the enemy was reported to have returned in force. A few days previous, a detachment had been sent by way of Neosho, Mo., with instructions to attack the enemy from the northwest, coöperating with a projected assault by the main body from the southwest. On the arrival of the expedition at Cowskin Prairie, (June 29th,) the rebels hastily dispersed, without firing a shot, and made good their escape, the Neosho detachment having been detained beyond the appointed hour. The march was resumed, by the whole expedition, on the 2d of July, and steadily urged, across a dry and barren country, in extremely hot weather, until the 9th, when they encamped at Flat Rock Creek, sixty-three miles from Cowskin Prairie, and fifteen miles north of Fort Gibson.

During this march, on the 3d, a large camp of rebel Indians had been routed and dispersed, several killed, and over one hundred taken prisoners. A considerable number of horses and cattle were also captured. Several skirmishes, with various predatory bands, had also taken place, in which the advantage was uniformly with the Union forces. Small as these results appear in detail, they at once assume importance, when it is considered that their effect was to reduce to allegiance the Cherokee and other Indian tribes, and to destroy the influence of the confederate emissaries, who had already succeeded, to a great extent, in gaining the Indian support for their cause. Hundreds of Indians came daily into the Union camps, surrendered their arms, and, in many instances, expressed a desire to join the army. Authority to raise a third Indian regiment was soon obtained, under which upwards of four hundred were enrolled.

For our white troops the climate proved fatal. The heat was intolerable, rising to one hundred and eighteen degrees in the shade, and the sick list increased to an alarming proportion. The long line of supplies from Fort Scott, Kansas, one hundred and

eighty miles, was without protection, and it became necessary to put the command on half rations, owing to the failure of a 156] supply train. At this juncture, a council of war was called on the 18th of July, which resulted in Colonel Weer being placed in arrest, Colonel Salomon assuming command of the expedition. Under his direction, the return march was commenced on the following day. Proceeding northward, the regiment with the exception of three companies, under Major Jacobi, detached at Hudson's Crossing, went into camp, on the 26th, on the Paw Paw Reserve.

The detachment rejoined the regiment on the 4th of August, and after a rest of one day, the march was resumed, on the 6th, proceeding by way of Shawnee Creek, and Drywood to Fort Scott, where they arrived on the 11th.

Information having been received of a rebel raid under Shelby and Rains into the border counties of Missouri, all available troops were despatched on the 14th of August in pursuit, the infantry being transported in wagons. The expedition proved a failure, the enemy making his escape with trifling loss; but lack of vigor or energy of movement was certainly not the cause. During the first six days, the regiment had but one night's rest, traveling about three hundred and fifty miles, to Lone Jack, in Missouri, at which place they arrived on the 17th. The return march was commenced the next day, and proceeding by Johnstown, Osceola and Little Osage, they again encamped on the 22d at Fort Scott, Kansas.

About this time, the reorganization of the army of the Frontier by General Blunt was effected. The Ninth was assigned to position in the First brigade, commanded by General Salomon,1 the regiment being under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Jacobi. The brigade left Fort Scott on the 13th of September,2 and marching in a zigzag line through Vernon, Barton, Dade and Lawrence counties in Missouri, encamped on the 22d at Sarcoxie, in Jasper county. Here Colonel Charles E. Salomon joined and took charge of the regiment.

At Newtonia, Mo., fifteen miles distant, the enemy had collected a force of 7,000 or 8,000 men, commanded by General Cooper,

133 Rebellion Records 761, 62 Ibid. 201, 63 Ibid. 547, 64 Ibid. 607, 84 Ibid. 741, 978, 86 Ibid. 372, 984, 101 Ibid. 712, 1024.

2 Report of Lieut. Col. Arthur Jacobi, 33 Ibid. 544.

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and an attack was expected. The artillery was posted on commanding heights, supported by detachments of the regiment, and a more careful reconnoissance was ordered. Companies D and G, with a section of artillery, and a squadron of cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Jacobi, marched for Newtonia, in the afternoon of the 29th of September, and were reinforced the same evening by companies E and H. A portion of the Ninth Kansas cavalry with a hundred Indians and two mountain howitzers, was also despatched on the following morning. Lieutenant Colonel Jacobi, in obedience to orders, advanced on the fortified position of the enemy, for the purpose of ascertaining his strength, and his number of cannon and exact position. The rebels, numbering about 3,000 men, with four pieces of artillery, were concealed in the vicinity of a large stone barn and behind stone fences, awaiting the advance of Lieutenant Colonel Jacobi's 157] command. When they had arrived within about thirty paces, the enemy rose in his sheltered position and delivered a murderous fire, compelling our men to fall back. This movement they executed with perfect coolness, checking the enemy, who pressed after them, by several volleys, which in each instance was reserved until there was danger of being surrounded. They were nobly seconded by the artillery, which improved every opportunity during the retreat, to unlimber and fire upon the pursuing enemy. Meanwhile a large number of the rebel cavalry, advancing on both flanks, had succeeded in gaining the edge of the woods in their rear; thus surrounding and capturing the remainder of the infantry, while the cavalry and artillery made good their escape, only through the speed of the horses. The loss of the regiment in this expedition was twenty five killed and one hundred and sixty-seven prisoners; fifty-one of whom were wounded.1

1

A serious engagement being indicated by the continued cannonade, General Salomon had in the meantime marched his command, consisting of two brigades, in the direction of Newtonia. The regiment arrived on the battle field early in the afternoon, their march having been hastened by the disastrous news from the front. Awaiting the arrival of a portion of the command under Colonel Hall, which had been ordered to advance via Jol

1 Newtonia, Mo., Sept. 30, 1862. Report Lt. Col. Arthur Jacobi, 19 Rebellion Records 293-4. Col. Frederick Salomon, 19 Ibid. 371-372, 286-307, 377, 397, 408, 458, 595, 627,

lification, on the east side of Newtonia; position was taken on the west side of the place, and a few shots, at long range, were exchanged with the enemy. On the arrival of Colonel Hall's command, which had been detained until late at night, the whole force fell back to Sarcoxie, the regiment marching nearly all night.

A second attack upon Newtonia having been organized, the regiment left Sarcoxie on the 3d of October, accompanying the First division of the army; and marching by way of Granby, arrived on the following day at Newtonia, which, on their approach was evacuated by the rebels without resistance. The wounded men of the regiment, who had been captured on the 30th of September, were found in the vicinity, and transported to Sarcoxie during the night. Leaving Newtonia on the 5th of November, they encamped at Indian Creek, at which place they remained until the 11th, when camp was moved to Hazel Bottom, in Barry County, thirty miles from Newtonia. Marching thence on the 17th, they crossed the Arkansas line, encamping on the following day at Pea Ridge; from which place they again moved on the 28th, and proceeding by Harmony Springs and Fort Wayne, encamped at Maysville, Ark., on the 30th, having marched about one hundred and twenty miles during the month. While at this place, the regiment was joined by companies A and E, which had been detached in the beginning of October to occupy Elm Springs, and work the mills at that place for the supply of the command.

On the 27th of November, the First division marched south across the Ozark Mountains; continuing the march on the follow158] ing day to Cane Hill, Ark., where the advance engaged the enemy, driving him a distance of ten miles. The Ninth, marching in the rear of the column, did not participate in the fight. On the 29th, the First brigade marched back to Rhea's Mills, occupying and working them. The rebels under General Hindman having concentrated in strong force, north of Van Buren, with the apparent intention of crushing our little army by a sudden attack; our troops were constantly held in readiness, tents struck and wagons packed for four successive days, until the 7th of December, when the brigade joined the main body at Cane Hill,1 where the enemy was expected to give battle. At noon it was,

1 Cane Hill, Ark., Nov, 28, 1862, 32 Rebellion Records 41-66.