MAY 3-11, 1863.--Scout in Cass and Bates Counties, Mo.
Report of Col. Edward Lynde, Ninth Kansas Cavalry.

PAOLA, May 11, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, on the 3d instant, I left camp with small detachments from Companies A, D, E, F, and K, of this regiment, for a scout in Cass and Bates Counties, Missouri. I scoured Cass County and found no enemy; then turned into Bates County, and when about 10 miles north of Butler received your letter of instructions, dated Fort Leavenworth, _____ ___,1863; also your letter dated Fort Leavenworth, May 5, directing Company D, Captain [Charles F.] Coleman, to move his company from Rockville to Butler, Mo., which was immediately complied with. I moved on to the Osage, intending to cross to Hog Island, but found the river too high, and did not cross; then turned east, and on the morning of the 8th, on Double Branches, found a gang of bushwhackers, under Jackman and Marchbanks, Quantrill having left on the night of the 6th instant for Henry County, Missouri, with 40 men. We found Jackman and Marchbanks with about 20 men, who fled by ones and twos, and then escaped, except 7, who were reported killed by my soldiers. I found county rapidly filling up by bushwhackers' families, who are returning from the South under the impression that Price is coming up, and had again taken possession, with their stock. This stream, called the Double Branches, is their rendezvous, and has been since the outbreak of this rebellion; but four loyal families live on it, and they are doubtful. About fifty or sixty families inhabit that country bordering on that stream. I notified them to leave and go south of the Arkansas River. A great part of them positively refused. I burned eleven houses, inhabited by bushwhackers' families, and drove off all the stock except that belonging to the reported loyal persons. We broke up four camps of bushwhackers and pursued them to the eastern side of Bates County. I think for the present no danger need be apprehended from that quarter. I will keep a close watch, for I am satisfied they intend to organize a force somewhere in that country; I think in Henry County.

The stock we took consists of a few yoke of oxen, mares and colts, young horses one and two years old, cows and calves, and young cattle; in all about 350 head; also about 300 sheep. I believe it all to be property of bushwhackers and rebel sympathizers. In view of the fact that pasture is scarce at Kansas City and plenty here, and the stock the kind our Kansas farmers would like to buy, and some of it may be proved away, I most respectfully ask for an order that will authorize the sale of it at this place.

Permit me to ask the question, How am I to send the rebel sympathizers and female rebels, who are plentiful where I have been for the last ten days, south of the Arkansas River, particularly those who have no way to go and those who refuse to go? I can see no way except to gather them all up and send them in a Government train, and reimburse the Government by selling their stock.

Company C, Captain [John E.] Stewart, has not yet reported at Olathe. Scouting parties are constantly moving from the different counties. Can I have your consent to go into the counties of Henry and Saline on our next scout, if I find no enemy in the border counties, or if they run into those counties?

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

 E. LYNDE,

Colonel, Commanding.

 Capt. H. G. LORING,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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