HEADQUARTERS,
Carthage, Mo., October 6, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor of informing you of a scout I made on the 3d instant, with 40 men from Companies L and M, Eighth Cavalry Missouri State Militia. I marched down on Turkey Creek, some 8 miles west of this place, to escort some Union families out, and try to waylay and destroy a party of guerrillas that infest that portion of country. On the night of the 3d instant I received information that 40 armed rebels had passed 1 mile above where I was camped, traveling south. I moved up the creek. I found that they had some four hours� start of me, but I was determined to try and overtake them, if possible; so at 9 p. m. I started in pursuit with my little band, now numbering 29 men, 11 of my men going back to Carthage to escort the moving wagons.

I started on the trail and followed them within 1 mile of Shoal Creek, 15 miles from where I started. They then left the road they were traveling, and took to the woods. I still followed on. I went to Shoal Creek to feed and rest, as our horses were becoming jaded. This was 5 miles south of Baxter Springs. I did not remain long, as I was anxious to again get on the trail; so I started on their trail again. I followed them about 30 miles, when about 2 o�clock in the evening of the 4th instant I overtook them at the Widow Wheeler�s, 15 miles southwest of Neosho. I expected to find them there, as that was the only place where feed could be procured. I sent Joel P. Hood, my Government scout, and one other man dressed in butternut, to ascertain where their pickets were stationed. They succeeded in capturing the only man that was on picket, and returned to my command. From him I learned that they were camped at the back of the farm, in the brush, with 30 armed men.

I started immediately, but they had started, and we gave chase. They started down an open prairie hollow. We chased them about 4 miles, killing 10 of them and wounding a good many more, and took 2 prisoners, one of them by the name of Miller, a regular secesh pilot, and about 25 head of horses, mostly young stock. I started then for this place, aiming to go by Neosho. When I got within l 1/2 miles from Neosho, I stopped my command and sent 2 men to ascertain if all was right. They went to Mr. Wade�s, and found his house in flames, and there learned that the town was full of rebels. At the same time they learned that they intended to go to Carthage; so I started on quick time, aiming to beat them there, if possible. I had to leave the young stock I had captured, as it was hard to drive, and take the nearest route to Carthage, traveling without a road.

I reached Carthage about day on the morning of the 5th instant, and immediately commenced preparing to give them a warm reception. About 8 o�clock it was reported that 15 men were advancing south of this place. I sent 3 men to ascertain who it was. They passed on, not seeing any person till they had turned to come back to camp, when they met 15 men, advancing from the direction of town, dressed in Federal uniform. The boys halted them, and sent one man to ascertain who they were. When he got close to them they fired and killed him; his name was John Wells, a private of Company L, Eighth Missouri State Militia. The other boys succeeded, after a hard chase, in escaping.

Major [A. A.] King, of the Sixth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, started with all of the effective force to Newtonia, to ascertain what was going on in that direction. He sent orders to me to have my baggage moved to Mount Vernon, and for me, with all the effective force I could muster to follow on the trail taken by the enemy. The train and baggage is under command of Sergt. John Bentley, Company L, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry.

I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,

MILTON BURCH,
Captain, Commanding Detachment at Carthage, Mo.

SOURCE: OR, Series I, Volume 22, Part I, Pages 685-686.

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