Second U. S. Volunteers

MAY 20, 1865.--Affair near Pawnee Rock, Kans.

Report of Capt. Benjamin Reisdorph, Second U. S. Volunteers.

HDQRS., Fort Zarah Kans., May 20, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to state that this morning about 8 o'clock, near Pawnee Rock, a party of Indians attacked two men coming from Fort Larned to this post, killing one man of the Second Colorado Cavalry by the name of Kuhn. The other made his escape. I have sent Lieut. Ehle with a party of men in pursuit.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. REISDORPH, Capt., Second U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg. Post.

Lieut. ROBERT S. ROE, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Upper Arkansas, in the Field.

Source: Official Records PAGE 286-101 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LX. [Series I. Vol. 48. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 101.]

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Reports of Maj. William F. Armstrong, Second U. S. Volunteer Infantry.

HDQRS., Fort Dodge, Kans., June 9, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report:

On the 8th day of June, 1865, at 3 p.m., a party of Indians, fifteen or twenty in number, made a dash on the herd of stock at this post while the stock was grazing, not more than half a mile from camp. The Indians came through a ravine that runs through the hills. They were dressed in U. S. uniform, or at least they had blue overcoats, army style. They came down toward the river on a slow gallop, and rode to the river, watered their horses. Their horses were not the pony, but large horses. Then they rode down to the stock. The herdsmen said they were watching them, but did not once suspect that they were Indians in our uniform, so they did not look as sharp as they could if they had not had our uniform on. The Indians rode in among the stock and then commenced yelling and shooting at the horses, which convinced the herdsmen that they were Indians, when they immediately took after the herd and Indians. They (the herdsmen) made a dash through the herd and succeeded in turning about ten in number. These horses were brought into camp and saddled and mounted by cavalry and infantry, who continued the chase until dark, and they finally succeeded in recapturing some fifteen or twenty more horses and mules. Everything was done that could be done by me to save the stock. Our cavalry force was small, all the horses being out grazing. We might have kept eight or ten ready all the time in case of an emergency, but we have no forage whatever at this post and we are compelled to let the stock run out to graze. The Indians finally succeeded in driving off twenty-one head of stock out of fifty-five or sixty that they started with. I have sent Capt. Molony with a party of cavalry on a scout to follow the trail and to ascertain, if possible, the number of Indians and where they are encamped, of which I will report on his return of his success.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. F. ARMSTRONG, Maj., Cmdg. Post.

Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Upper Arkansas.



HDQRS., Fort Dodge, Kans., June 12, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report:

On Monday morning, June 12, 1865, the Indians, between 300 and 400, made an attack on this post, in which they succeeded in capturing all the horses and mules at the post except eight horses. We had 3 men wounded and 2 captured or killed, whose bodies have not been found. There was a very heavy fog in the early part of the morning, under cover of which the Indians hid themselves in the ravines close to camp and waited there until the fog cleared up; and before the pickets could give the alarm the Indians were between them and camp. It is supposed that the Indians crossed the river some eight miles below camp from the south side. At the time they made the attack on the camp some 200 showed themselves on the south side of the river. They drove the herd of horses and mules some three miles up the river and crossed, then moved in the direction of Mulberry Creek. I would respectfully request that there be sent to this post two pieces of artillery. The force for duty is very small, and we are liable to be attacked by superior numbers any night. Having no mounted men or transportation at present here, and rations rather short, I think the post is in rather a dangerous situation.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. F. ARMSTRONG, Maj., Cmdg. Post.

Lieut. J. E. TAPPAN, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of Upper Arkansas.

Source: Official Records PAGE 311-101 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. LX. [Series I. Vol. 48. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 101.]