The letter refers to a skirmish that took place on 31 May 1862 at Neosho, MO. 225 men of Colonel John M. Richardson's 14th Missouri State Militia Cavalry Regiment (Federal) suffered a surprise attack by Colonel (later Brigadier General) Stand Watie (Confederate), a mixed Scots/Cherokee chieftan, who commanded elements of his own 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles Regiment and Major Thomas R. Livingston's 1st Missouri (Indian Brigade) Cavalry Battalion. The Confederates surprised Richardson's command in its camp and shot Richardson's horse out from under him. His raw recruits panicked and withdrew from the field, letting Watie capture their camp equipment. Federal losses were estimated at 10 to 15 killed with perhaps as many as 50 wounded, together with 14 tents, 5 wagons, arms, horses, and the unit's baggage. Richardson and his men escaped. The 14th was subsequently mustered-out.