I herewith transmit a few lines in reference to a skirmish which occurred at Locust Grove, twelve miles south of this camp, on the 3d inst. ...
Col. Weer marched with the command detailed by Col. Judson at the time specified, and crossed Grand River at Landrum Ford, at 4 A.M., next morning, after a fatiguing march. The advance guard, consisting of twelve men of company F, 6th Kansas Cavalry, under Captain Schaurte, very soon came upon a party of 25 or 30 rebels, at the premises of Messrs. B. M. Adair and John Davis. Adair was accidentally shot a few weeks ago. The guard immediately charged, scattering the enemy in all directions like chaff before the wind, wounding one and taking ten prisoners. The main body of the union forces coming up, proceeded immediately to the rebel camp. The entire rebel outfit was in a very short time either dispersed or taken. Our loss was but three killed, one of them accidentally, by our own fire. One private of the 9th Kansas received four shots and had his head nearly cut off by a saber or home-made knife.
Source: Lawrence, Kansas Republican, July 17, 1862 from "JOHN RITCHIE’S CIVIL WAR: A Documentary History. by Bryce Benedict" at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/orgs/schs/ritchie/education/resources/jritchiecivilwar.pdf
I'm trying to understand the movements of the Union forces leading up to the Locust Grove affair. I think Weer's main force moves by wagon and crosses the Grand at or near Markham Ferry due west of the present town of Locust Grove. They move a few miles east and attack the Confederate Camp on the east side of present Locust Grove. I believe the Landrum Ford was on the Grand north of present Salina (then called Grand Saline) a few miles north of Locust Grove. The Adair families lived around Saline Creek between Grand Saline and Locust Grove. Family lore says W.P (William Penn) Adair was at his father's house when captured. This is corroborated by interview with one of W.P.'s former slaves. W.P.'s father, G.W. (George Washington) Adair was Watie's regimental quartermaster. He died in April 1862. W.P. and his brother Brice (B.M. Adair) were their father's assistants. Brice was killed accidently in May 1862 -- if I remember correctly the story was that a rifle fell and discharged accidently mortally wounding Brice. I believe the above account is describing a squad that crossed above Grand Saline while the main body continued down the west side of the Grand. This squad captured W.P and several others, including Clement Neely Vann, who were taken via Ft Scott to Ft Leavenworth and then to Camp Douglas in Chicago. They were later exchanged at Vicksburg and Adair is back with Watie by January 1863 and appointed colonel of the new 2nd Cherokee Mtd Rifles in February 1863.