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Re: April 22, 1864 fight
In Response To: April 22, 1864 fight ()

David, here are the OR reports.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS,
Jacksonport, Ark., April 25, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that at 11.30 o'clock of the night of the 20th instant. I received a dispatch, per steam-boat Igo, from Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews, commanding expedition to Augusta, Ark., informing me of his arrival at Augusta and his intention of going in search of the enemy, reported to be in force, under command of Colonel McRae, in that neighborhood, and desiring my co-operation. I immediately sent the boat back to General Andrews with a dispatch in which I stated that I would order "boots and saddles" sounded immediately, and that I had intelligence to the effect that the enemy was in the vicinity of Huff's Mill. I started with my command, consisting of detachments of the First Nebraska and Eleventh Missouri Regiments of Cavalry, numbering 450 men, at 2 a.m. of the 22d instant, taking with me eight days' rations, packed on mules; traveled all day through a drenching rain and arrived at Huff's Mill at I p.m., where I learned that General Andrews' command had proceeded to Cache River and thence returned to Augusta. I immediately took the road for Augusta, where I arrived at 3 p.m., and reported my command to General Andrews. During this march of 44 miles I halted but twice to feed, and the horses of the command, owing to the horrible state of the roads, were in a sorry plight. Learning from General Andrews that he meditated no further movement, I remained in Augusta during the 23d instant in order to rest my men and recruit the animals. At 8 a.m. of the 24th, I left Augusta with my command, en route for Jacksonport, sending three squadrons ahead of my advance guard with orders to secure all cattle, horses, mules, and able-bodied negroes along the line of march. At 5 p.m. we reached Village Creek, 6 miles from Jackson-port, and, although it was swollen by the recent rains, forded it without mishap. About 3 miles from Jacksonport I found a portion of my advance guard dismounted and awaiting the arrival of the main column. The lieutenant in command of the detachment reported that they had been fired upon by a small band of rebels, and that his captain (Weber, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry) had gone in pursuit with a small party of men. I pushed on to Jacksonport, where I arrived with my command at 7 p.m., having traveled 35 miles during the day; embarrassed the latter part of the time by a large herd of cattle, which rendered my progress necessarily slow. I brought in with me about 300 head of all sizes, besides 26 horses, 26 mules; also brought in 10 negroes, 8 of whom enlisted as under-cooks. Just after our arrival at Jacksonport, Captain Weber, Squadron M, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, who commanded the advance guard, and who had gone in pursuit of a band of rebels, reported that he had pursued the enemy a distance of 5 miles through an almost impassable swamp, killed a sergeant named Eider and captured Captain Stein, Lieutenant Sollard, and 2 privates of McGee's command. They were turned over to the district provost-marshal and will be forwarded to Little Rock by the next boat.
Too much praise cannot be given Captain Weber for the gallantry and dash displayed in this affair. Lieutenant Schweikher, of Squadron H, of the same regiment, who accompanied Captain Weber, is mentioned in high terms by Captain Weber in his report, which is herewith forwarded. Accompanying I also forward the reports of Col. William D. Wood, Eleventh Regiment Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, and Lieut. Col. William Baumer, First Regiment Nebraska Cavalry Volunteers, who commanded the detachments of their respective regiments during the expedition. To both of these officers I am indebted for valuable services rendered and their promptness and energy displayed in carrying out the various orders given them.
I remain, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. R. LIVINGSTON,
Col. First Regt. Nebr. Cav. Vet. Vols., Comdg. Dist. N. E. Ark.
Maj. W. D. GREEN,
A. A. G., 7th A. C. and Dept. of Ark., Little Rock, Ark.

HDQRS. ELEVENTH MISSOURI CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Kauffman, April 27, 1864.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to instructions from district headquarters, I herewith submit report of the march recently made by a portion of my command from this place to Augusta and back. I received orders on the night of the 22d instant to move with all the men I could mount at 2 o'clock the next morning. Two of my squadrons being absent on escort duty to Batesville, and a large number on picket and patrol duty, I did not get over 155 men properly mounted to move with at the time specified, leaving Maj. L. W. Brown in charge of the camp, and the dismounted squadrons (L, K, and D) remaining. I directed Major Pace, my efficient senior major, to mount every man for whom he could find a horse, and to follow and join us as soon as possible.
I took up the line of march at the time specified, and joined the column of the First Nebraska just below town, and after a long and fatiguing march, arrived at Augusta at sundown of the 23d. At 8 o'clock that evening Major Pace reported to me with 60 mounted men, making my effective force 215 men and 18 officers.
We were directed to rest here one day, and on the 24th took up the line of march for Jacksonport, my command being divided into six squadrons, the right wing under my own supervision, and the left under Major Pace. On arriving at Village Creek, 4 miles from town, news was brought from the front that heavy firing was heard in the direction of our camp. I immediately closed up my squadrons and moved forward at a gallop. On arriving at the town, I found it to have proceeded from the fact that the men in camp had been ordered to discharge their arms for the purpose of cleaning them. Just before the word of the enemy being in front had been brought back, Capt. George W. Weber, who commanded the advance guard, came across a number of the enemy and charged them at once, and, after a pursuit of several miles, captured 4 and killed 1. The prisoners, 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 2 privates, were turned over to the provost-marshal, Captain Majors. The energy and soldierly bearing of both officers and men of my command, displayed during the fatiguing march of over 80 miles through interminable swamp, is worthy of all praise, and the only disappointment I have heard expressed was because we did not meet the enemy.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. D. WOOD,
Colonel, Comdg. Eleventh Missouri Cavalry.
Capt. H. C. FILLEBROWN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Northeastern Arkansas.

HDQRS. COMPANY M, ELEVENTH MISSOURI CAV.,
Camp A. B. Kauffman, Jacksonport, Ark., April 25, 1864.
ADJUTANT: I have the honor to report that being in advance on yesterday's march I met a body of rebels about 4 miles from here. They drove in my extreme advance, consisting of 4 men, but as soon as they discovered my squadron approaching they broke and fled in all directions. After chasing them about 7 miles I captured 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 privates, and killed 1 sergeant. I also captured 3 horses, My men acted nobly, and I take pleasure in especially recommending Lieutenant Schweikher, of H Squadron, for his daring and bravery.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. WEBER,
Captain Company M, Eleventh Missouri Cav. Vols.
Lieut. A. J. NEWBY,
Adjt. Eleventh Missouri Cavalry Volunteers.

All are from O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/1 [S# 61].

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April 22, 1864 fight
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