APRIL 1, 1862.--Skirmish on the Little Sni, Mo
Report of Capt. John B. Kaiser, Booneville Battalion Missouri Cavalry, Militia.

PINK HILL, MO., April 1, 1862.

COLONEL: I avail myself of this opportunity of informing you of the result of the expedition sent by you under my command.

I reached this point the same day I left Lexington. The only thing I have done of any importance is the capture of 10 kegs (25 pounds per keg) of Parker's powder and a small skirmish with Quantrill's and Parker's bands of jayhawkers. The particulars are as follows:

On Sunday, the 30th, I received a dispatch from Captain Peabody, stating that he had found the enemy and wanted a re-enforcement. I immediately sent Captain Murphy, with 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants, 5 corporals, and 41 privates, to assist him. They went about 9 miles, and found the enemy on a high bluff on the waters of the Little Sni. They had chosen a strong position, where nature had given them breastworks of rocks of the most formidable character. Their position was such as to cut off communication between our men and Captain Peabody, of the First Missouri Cavalry, and they had got in direct range of the enemy's muskets before they discovered them and our men upon all open prairie; but they opened fire upon the rebels, to which they vigorously replied. After a few volleys the enemy gave way and left his camp in our possession. Our men could not ascend the bluff on horseback, and by the time they hitched their horses and scaled the bluff the enemy were entirely out of our reach, but not without loss. They had 5 men killed and 6 wounded and 1 taken prisoner. Our loss was 1 private, of Company C, severely wounded in the shoulder by a ball from a Mississippi rifle; also one of the First Missouri Cavalry received a mortal wound in the abdomen. This comprises the loss sustained by us, with the exception of 2 horses, which were shot, both belonging to Company A, of my command.

The Union people here are suffering greatly from the hands of these ruffians. They are daily driven from their homes and many of them are caught and either hung or shot. No Union man is safe 1 mile from camp unless a force is with him. Parker's and Quantrill's bands now number nearly 200 men, as near as I can learn. The peaceable citizens here are very anxious that I should remain some time, but if I do I think it would be very necessary to have one piece of artillery to drive the rebels from the brush and to dislodge them from their strongholds. I would also suggest the propriety of having one company of infantry to guard the camp, so that I could take my command to catch these bands; and I think it will be necessary, for I learned yesterday evening that a band of 200 rebels, under a man by the name of Griggsby, had crossed the river for the purpose of helping Quantrill and Parker to attack me, and a great many of the rebel citizens are joining Parker for that purpose, and indications are very strong that such a move is on hand.

I am, colonel, your obedient servant,

 JOHN B. KAISER.

 Col. JOHN D. STEVENSON.

P. S.--Lieutenant Meller has just arrived from a scout and brought in one wagon.

 

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