few, about a dozen, that got out of camp at night. Nor did the Indians, during all the trip, ever attack me or try to stampede me.

ly after I met with the notorious chief Big Head and some of his men. They were dressed for a fight, but my men cut them off. These Indians, together with some of their warriors, mustering about thirty, together with squaws, children, ponies and dogs, gave themselves up, numbering over one hundred and twenty human beings. About the same time firing began about half a mile from me ahead, and was kept up, becoming more and more brisk, until it was quite a respect(which proved to be false) that the Indians were driving back some of my command. I immediately took possession of the hillocks near by, forming line and placing the battery in the centre on a high knoll. At this time night had about set in, but still the engagement was briskly kept up, and in the melee it was hard to distinguish my line from that of the enemy. The Indians made a very desperate resistance, but finally broke and fled, pursued in every direction by bodies of my troops. I would here state that the troops though mounted were armed with rifles, and, according to my orders, most of them dismounted and fought afoot, until the enemy broke, when they remounted and went in pursuit. It is to be regretted that I could not have had an hour or two more of daylight, for I feel sure if I had, I could have annihilated the enemy. As it was, I believe I can safely say I gave He them one of the most severe punishments that the Indians have ever received. After night set in the engagement was of such a promiscuous nature that it was hard to tell what results would happen; I therefore ordered all the buglers to sound the "rally," and building large fires, remained under arms during night collecting together my troops.

Major House, according to my instructions, endeavored to surround and keep in the Indians until word could be sent me; but this was an impossibility with his three hundred men, as the encampment was very large, mustering at least one thousand two hundred warriors. This is what the Indians say they had; but I, as well as every body in the command, say over one thou-able engagement. A report was brought to me sand five hundred. These Indians were partly Santees from Minnesota, Cutheads from the Coteau, Yanktonais and Blackfeet who belong on the other side of the Missouri; and, as I have since learned, Unkapapas, the same party who fought General Sibley, and destroyed the Mackinaw boat. Of this I have unmistakable proof from letters and papers found in camp and on the persons of some of the Indians, besides relics of the late Minnesota massacre; also from the fact that they told Mr. La Framboise, the guide, when he was surrounded by about two hundred of them, that "they had fought General Sibley, and they did not see why the whites wanted to come and fight them, unless they were tired of living and wanted to die." Mr. La Framboise succeeded in getting away from them after some difficulty, and ran his horse a distance of more than ten miles to give me information-Major House, with his command, still remaining there. reached me a little after four o'clock. I immediately turned out my command. The horses at the time were out grazing. At the sound of the bugle the men rushed with a cheer, and in a very few minutes saddled up and were in line. I left four companies and all the men who were poorly mounted in the camp, with orders to strike the tents and corral the wagons, and, starting off with the Second Nebraska on the right, the Sixth Iowa on the left, one company of the Seventh Iowa and the battery in the centre, at a full gallop, we made the distance of over ten miles in much less than an hour.

The next morning early (the fourth) I established my camp on the battle-field, the wagontrain, under charge of Major Pearman, Second Nebraska, having in the night been ordered to join me, and sent out strong scouting parties in different directions to scour the country, to overOn reaching near the ground, I found that the take what Indians they could; but in this they enemy were leaving and carrying off what plun- were not very successful, though some of them der they could. Many lodges, however, were had some little skirmishes. They found the still standing. I ordered Colonel Furnas, Second dead and wounded in all directions, some of Nebraska, to push his horses to the utmost, so as them miles from the battle-field; also immense to reach the camp and assist Major House in quantities of provisions, baggage, etc., where they keeping the Indians corraled. This order was had apparently cut loose their ponies from "traobeyed with great alacrity, the regiment going vailles" and got off on them; also numbers of over the plains at a full run. I was close upon ponies and dogs harnessed to "travailles" runthe rear of the regiment with the Sixth Iowa.ning all over the prairie. One party that I sent The Second Nebraska took the right of the camp, out went near to the James River, and found and was soon lost in a cloud of dust over the hills. I ordered Colonel Wilson, Sixth Iowa, to take the left, while I with the battery, one company of the Seventh Iowa, Captain Millard, and two companies of the Sixth Iowa, Major Ten Broeck commanding, charged through the centre of the encampment. I here found an Indian chief by the name of Little Solder with some few of his people. This Indian has always had the reputation of being a "good Indian" and friendly. I placed them under guard and moved on. Short

there eleven dead Indians. The deserted camp of the Indians, together with the country all round, was covered with their plunder. I devoted this day, together with the following, (the fifth,) to destroying all this property, still scour ing the country. I do not think I exaggerate in the least when I say that I burned up four or five hundred thousand pounds of dried buffalo meat as one item, besides three hundred lodges, and a very large quantity of property of great value to the Indians. A very large number of

ponies were found dead and wounded on the field; besides a large number were captured. The prisoners (some one hundred and thirty) I take with me below, and shall report to you more specially in regard to them.

and wounded, and take this occasion to thank both those officers for their good conduct and the cheerfulness with which they obeyed my orders on the occasion. Both of them had their horses shot in the action. I would also request regi-permission to state that the several members of my staff rendered me every possible assistance.

The Surgeon of the Second Nebraska ment, Dr. Bowen, who has shown a great energy and desire to attend to his duties during the campaign, started out during the night of the engagement with a party of fifteen men to go back to the old camp to procure ambulances. But as they did not return on the morning of the second day, I knew he was either lost or captured. (He returned about noon of the second day.) I therefore sent out small scouting parties in every direction to hunt them up. One of these fell into an ambuscade, by which four of the party were killed and the rest driven in. I immediately sent out five companies of the Second Nebraska regiment, Colonel Furnas in command, who, after a long march, found the Indians had fled. They succeeded, however, in overtaking three concealed in some tall grass, whom they killed. The fight has been so scattered, the dead Indians have been found in so many different places, that it is impossible for me to give an accurate report of the number killed of the enemy. I, however, think I am safe in reporting it at one hundred. (I report those that were left on the field and that my scouting parties found.)

On the morning of the sixth I took my up line of march for Fort Pierre. If I could have remained in that section of country some two or three weeks, I might have accomplished more; but I was satisfied by the reports of my scouts that the Indians had scattered in all directions; some toward the James River; some, probably the Blackfeet, to recross the Missouri, and a part of them went north, where they say they have friends among the half-breeds of the north. My rations were barely sufficient, with rapid marches, to enable me to reach Fort Pierre. The animals, not only the teams I have already reported to you as worthless, but also the cavalry horses, showed the effect of rapid marching and being entirely without grain.

I brought with me all the prisoners I had, and tried to question them to gain some information. The men refused to say much, except that they are all "good Indians," and the other bad ones joined their camp without their will.

which these Indians had a part. They also state that the Indians, after recrossing to this side of the Missouri, sent a party to follow Sibley until he went to the James River, then returned to their camp on Long Lake, to procure a large quantity of provisions and other articles they had "catched" there, and then came to the camp where I met them.

Their squaws, however, corroborate the report I have already given you in regard to the deDuring the engagement, for some time, the struction of the people on board the Mackinaw Second Nebraska, afoot and armed with rifles-boat and the fights with General Sibley, in and there are among them probably some of the best shots in the world-were engaged with the enemy at a distance not over sixty paces, pouring on them a murderous fire in a ravine where the enemy were posted. The slaughter, therefore, was immense. My officers and the guides I have with me think one hundred and fifty will not cover their loss. The Indian reports make it two hundred. That the General may know the exact locality of the battle-field, I would state that it was, as near as I could judge, fifteen miles west of James River, and about half way between the latitudes of Bonebute and headwaters of Elm River, as laid down on the Government map. The fight took place near a hill called by the Indians White Stone Hill.

After marching about one hundred and thirty miles, we reached the mouth of the Little Sheyenne on the eleventh, where I found the steamboat I had ordered to be there on the eighth instant. It was lucky she was there, for without the grain she brought up, I could not have brought my empty wagons back. For some miles north of Sheyenne and Pierre the grass now is about all gone. I placed my wounded on the boat, and as many empty wagons as she could carry. I am afraid the loss of horses and mules will be considered very great, but it could not be helped. When I found it impossible for the rear guard to get an animal along, I had it killed to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.

In conclusion, I would state that the troops of my command conducted themselves well; and though it was the first fight that nearly all of them had ever been in, they showed that they are of the right material, and that in time, with discipline, they will make worthy soldiers. It is to be regretted that we lost so many valuable lives as we did, but this could not be helped; the Indians had formed a line of battle with Very respectfully, your obedient servant, good judgment, from which they could only be ALFRED SULLY, dislodged by a charge. I could not use my Brigadier-General Commanding. artillery without greatly endangering the lives of P. S.-By actual count, the number of my prismy own men; if I could, I could have slaughter-oners is one hundred and fifty-six-men thirtytwo; women and children, one hundred and twen

ed them.

I send you, accompanying, the reports of ty-four. I would also beg leave to say that in the Colonel Wilson, Sixth Iowa, and Colonel Furnas, action I had of my command between six hunSecond Nebraska, also official reports of killed dred and seven hundred men actually engaged.

My killed numbered, as far as ascertained, twen-
ty; wounded, thirty-eight.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED SULLY,

Brigadier-General Commanding.

MAJOR HOUSE'S REPORT.

Colonel D. S. Wilson:

IN CAMP ON BATTLE-FIELD OF
"WHITE STONE HILL."

While we were thus following and scattering the enemy, the Second Nebraska regiment appeared on the hill, under the command of Colonel Furnas, who immediately informed the commander of the forces of the Sixth Iowa that he would take the right of the flying enemy and drive them in; whereupon we formed our forces in column, and took the left, first upon a trot, then a gallop, and finally at a full charge. The enemy having DEAR SIR: On the third day of September, abandoned every thing in their flight, and finding 1863, in obedience to your orders and under that we were fast gaining upon them, collected instructions from Brigadier-General Sully, I together in a ravine and prepared for battle. took the line of march from our camp of the We again formed in line of battle, and were adprevious night (which was about thirty miles vancing upon the enemy, when we discovered the from "White Stone Hill") at half-past five Second Nebraska upon our left flank; they were A.M., having under my command companies dismounting and preparing to fight on foot. At C, I, F, and H, of the Sixth Iowa cavalry, and the same time we saw that part of the Iowa proceeded in a southerly direction, halting Sixth which had been left behind formed in line every hour, dismounting the men, and allowing parallel to the Nebraska Second. We at once the horses to graze ten minutes at a time. At advanced our lines within twenty rods of the about three P.M., our guide informed me that a enemy, and were fired upon by them. We recamp of Indians was about three miles distant. turned the fire from our whole line with terrible I ordered the men to load their carbines and pis- effect, covering the ground with dead men and tols, and started on a gallop for the Indian camp. horses. The horses then became so restive as to When within a mile of the camp we halted and be unmanageable under the fire even of our own formed in line of battle, with I in line, H and F men from their backs. The command was then as flankers, and C as a reserve. In this order we taken back twenty-five rods in the rear, and were proceeded and took a position behind a ridge preparing to fight on foot, when darkness setabout fifty rods from the enemy, where we had ing in, the command was formed in a hollow then an easy range and where we were protected square, the men in front of their horses, and slept from their fire. Captain Marsh of company H, on their arms. We placed a picket-guard around and Lieutenant Dayton of company C, were then our camp, under the charge of Sergeant-Major sent forward to reconnoitre; they returned and Fogg and Lieutenant Dayton, who promptly perreported that there were four hundred lodges of formed the duties assigned them; they went to the enemy. Upon gaining this information our the battle-field after dark to look after wounded, guide, with two picked men from company C, and for this I recommend them to your favorable were started back to your camp, to give you in- consideration. I also recommend Dr. Camburn, formation of our whereabouts, and that reënforce- who came promptly to the relief of the wounded, ments might be sent if they were necessary. As and did all he could in the darkness. Among the ground. was very uneven, and it was difficult those who distinguished themselves for personal to ascertain what defences the enemy had, it was bravery, I wish to mention Captain R. L. Wolf, determined to make a reconnoissance in force. For who stood in front of his company and killed an this purpose company C was sent to the left, in Indian every shot he made. The whole comcommand of Captain Ainsworth, who with great mand did well, and I must not mention individual personal bravery pushed forward with vigor and instance for fear of making this report too long. rapidity in the face of the enemy, outnumbering About one hundred of the enemy were killed; his force ten to one. Captain Marsh with com- we took a large number of prisoners and destroypany H also pushed forward in the same direc-ed all the winter stores of the enemy, among tion, with a courage which would have done which was four hundred tons of dried meat.

honor to a veteran of a hundred battles. As soon as these companies had returned and reported, Captain Shattuck with company F was sent out to the right to ascertain the position of the enemy in that direction. While these things were being done, the chiefs came in under a flag of truce and attempted a negotiation. They offered to surrender some of their chiefs, but as the Commandant did not know who was entitled to speak by authority, he demanded the unconditional surrender of all. This the Indians refused to do, and having sent away their squaws and pappooses, together with their stock of provisions, they placed themselves in battle array. Our command moved forward, and the enemy retreated precipitately, abandoning every thing except their ponies.

I am respectfully yours,

A. E. HOUSE,

This morning I made another night march with a view to surprise him if possible. I crossed the intervening prairie, and entered the timbers of the Sinabar without being observed. At daylight, the command being divided into four detachments, we commenced a thorough scouring of the Sinabar hills. The country is very rugged and filled with almost impenetrable thickets. Half of the different detachments were dismounted and penetrated the woods, deployed as skirmishers-the horses being led in the rear.

miles of the city; and, marvellous to say, it is the common report of the country that the President and Directors resolved to run the road, declaring they were only common carriers, evidently indifferent whether the rolling stock fell into the hands of the enemy. This they must have known would have been the case. So, sure enough, on Tuesday they dashed into Knoxville and captured their best passenger train and three locomotives. On the same day our little force at the Plains was withdrawn by railroad to Bristol. On the morning of the fourth the enemy pushed up to Mossy Creek, captured a train, and then run into Joneswith four hundred men, and there took another. A small company of cavalry, under Captain Jones, at this latter place, after firing a volley into the enemy, made their escape. Two females were wounded by the Yankees in the encounter.

By three of the detachments nothing particular was discovered, except evidences that the guerrillas inhabited these woods. Captain Cole-boro, one hundred miles distant from Knoxville, man, of the Ninth Kansas, who commanded on the extreme left, in the course of the day fell upon a trail, by following which he soon came upon Quantrell's own camp. He promptly attacked it, killed two of the guerrillas, captured some forty horses, destroyed all their subsist- The enemy then pushed on to Carter's bridge, ence stores, all their bedding, clothing, ammuni- where was stationed a small force of infantry tion, and some arms. The enemy fired but one and one section of artillery, under the accomvolley, and at once disappeared in the thick un-plished Captain McClung, and demanded its surderwood, where pursuit was impossible. render; when, upon refusal, they retreated toward Knoxville.

Too much credit cannot be given to Captain Coleman for the ingenuity, courage, and energy with which he conducted this as well as other attacks upon guerrillas, or to the zeal and bravery of the men of his command in seconding the labors of their chief.

The effect of this surprise and capture is most damaging to the designs of Quantrell in making another raid upon Kansas. The loss of horses and clothing is to him worse than the loss of men, as the country is denuded of both.

The bushwhackers have within a day or two
burned a splendid flouring mill at Lone Jack.
To-morrow morning I shall start an expedition
to endeavor the capture of another camp of the
guerrillas.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM WEER,
Colonel, etc.

Doc. 163.

BATTLE OF LIMESTONE STATION.

RICHMOND ENQUIRER ACCOUNT.

Having learned the above facts, General Jackson, who was at Bristol with the principal body of his forces, with a regiment of Kentucky cavalry and some other forces that had recently joined him, made a forced march for Jonesboro, at which place he arrived on the morning of the seventh. Here he learned that the enemy was returning in full force by railway, so he promptly threw forward a battalion of cavalry, (Colonel Giltner's regiment,) a section of artillery, and a detachment of infantry. A few miles below Jonesboro they found five or six hundred of the enemy, and a train of cars, unable to proceed on account of the destruction of a small bridge, effected by our scouts the day before. An attack was at once made upon them, Colonel Giltner commanding the cavalry, and Lieutenant J. E. Graham the artillery. They were driven back near a half a mile, but the enemy gaining a shelter, our forces were compelled to fall back to their first position, having, at the risk of losing our cannon, incautiously advanced too far.

Seizing this moment of temporary advantage, the enemy gained the railroad and got away with JONESBORO, TENN., September 10, 1863. their train. Having previously sent a squad of BEFORE giving an account of the flight of the cavalry to destroy the railroad in their rear, our Ninth, I will give some light as to the state of forces, now joined by Lieutenant J. W. Blackwell, affairs in Upper East-Tennessee. It is well known with a three-inch rifle gun, pursued with vigor, to you that about the twenty-seventh of August, expecting momentarily to capture the train and General Buckner, with his entire force, withdrew forces; but our scouts had so ineffectually done from Knoxville, leaving the country east along their work that the enemy passed down to Limethe line of the East-Tennessee and Virginia Rail- stone Bridge, seizing the heights and woods road to Bristol to be guarded and defended by around the block house at the bridge, and sendGeneral A. E. Jackson's brigade. Notwithstand-ing their train toward Knoxville for reënforceing the evacuation of Knoxville and the abandon-ments. Having now possession of the block house ment of the country, except by the small force and the thick woods around it, the enemy reabove alluded to, the Directors of the road (the Pres- solved to make a bold stand. idents, Colonel John Branner, being then at Knoxville) continued to run their trains into Knoxville for three days, although a large force of the enemy was known to be within fifteen or twenty

General Jackson at once ordered Colonel Giltner's cavalry to cross Limestone Creek to cut off the retreat of the enemy, while our artillery---one rifle gun and one small one-pound mountain

Doc. 164.

gun-opened fire upon the depot, block house, and other buildings occupied by the enemy, PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR VANCE. while Major McCauley's detachment of Thomas's legion was posted in rear of the battery.

WHERAS, a number of public meetings have Just at this time Lieutenant-Colonel M. A. recently been held in various portions of the Haynes, of the artillery, and Lieutenant-Colonel State, in some of them threats have been made of Walker, with a detachment of Thomas's legion, combined resistance to the execution of the laws were ordered from Jonesboro to reënforce of Congress in regard to conscription and the colGeneral Jackson. After this fire had been open-lection of taxes, thereby endangering the public ed some forty minutes, Colonel Haynes brought peace and tranquillity, as well as the common gallantly forward at a gallop Lieutenant Gra- cause of independence, which we have so solemn.. ham's section of artillery, (Burrough's battery,) ly engaged to defend; and, whereas, it is my which also opened briskly. The enemy's sharp- sworn duty to see all the laws in the land faithfully shooters in the woods, meanwhile, kept up an in- executed, and quiet and order maintained within cessant fire on the batteries. By this time Col- our borders: onel Giltner had taken possession of the south side of the bridge, dismounted and deployed his men as skirmishers, and, after a spirited engagement, drove the enemy across the creek, and held the railroad and south end of the bridge. In this latter engagement, and up to the time of the capture of the enemy, Colonel Giltner had the valuable services of Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Bottles, of the Twenty-sixth Tennessee regiment, who, being absent from his command at Chattanooga, volunteered his services for the occasion.

Now, therefore, I, Zebulon B. Vance, Governor of the State of North-Carolina, do issue this, my proclamation, commanding all such persons to renounce such evil intentions, and warning them to beware of the criminal and fatal consequences of carrying such threats into execution. The inalienable and invaluable right of the people to assemble together and consult for the common good, together with its necessary concomitants-the freedom of speech and the press-are secured to you, my countrymen, by the most sacred comJust as this feat was accomplished by Colonel pacts. They shall never find a disturber in me. Giltner, Lieutenant-Colonel Walker's battalion, Yet you will remember that the same instruments of Thomas's legion, was thrown out to the left, which guarantee these great rights also limit you through a skirt of timber on the left of the ene- to the exercise of them within the bounds of law, my's sharp-shooters, and the artillery, led by and impose upon me the solemn duty of seeing Colonel Haynes in person, advanced to within two that these bounds be not transgressed. The Conhundred yards of the roads occupied by the ene-stitution of the Confederate States, and all laws my, and opened a rapid fire of shell and canister upon the sharp-shooters. At the same time the infantry, upon the left of the artillery, drove in the enemy at a double-quick, where they took refuge in the block house and other buildings, from which they kept up a rapid fire.

Advancing at a trot, Colonel Haynes threw the guns into battery in the midst of a shower of balls, upon a height, not more than two hundred yards, and promptly fired several rounds of shell into the block house.

passed in pursuance thereof, are the supreme law of the land. Resistance to them by combination is treason, and, without combination, is a high crime against the laws of your country. Let no one be deceived.

So long as these laws remain upon the statutebook they shall be executed. Surely, my countrymen, you would not seek to cure the evils of one revolution by plunging the country into another. You will not knowingly, to the present desolating war with the common enemy, and the At this moment the enemy raised a white flag, horrors of eternal strife and entire subversion of and Colonel Haynes galloped forward and receiv-law and civil authority! You must not forget ed the flag and sword of their commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Haynes, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio volunteers, and the surrender of near three hundred of the enemy, rank and file. Captain B. W. Jenkins, formerly of General Marshal's staff, volunteered for the occasion, and LieutenantColonel J. L. Bottles was in at the death.

The enemy's loss was twelve killed and twenty wounded; our loss is six killed and ten wounded. The officers and soldiers throughout behaved with gallantry. The artillery, first under Lieutenant Graham at Telford's, then Lieutenant Blackwell, and finally under Colonel Haynes, at Limestone, acted with coolness and intrepidity throughout. More anon..

the enviable character which you have always maintained as a sober, conservative, and lawabiding people; nor would I have you to forget the plain, easy, and constitutional method of redressing your grievances. Meet and denounce any existing laws if you think proper-you have that right-and instruct your representatives in the Congress or the State Legislature, as the case may be, to repeal them. Your own chosen servants made these obnoxious laws-they can report them, if such are your instructions. If you regard them as unconstitutional, our Supreme Court sits ready to decide upon all cases properly brought before it. Its decisions are final in the State of North-Carolina, and shall be executed while the power remains in our Executive to enforce any law. There is no grievance to redress and no proposition to be made, but can be most beneficially effected in the way our fathers marked out by the ballot-box and the other con

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