SEPTEMBER 4-7, 1863.--Scout from Cold Water Grove to Pleasant Hill and Big Creek, Mo., and skirmishes.
Report of Lieut. Col. Charles S. Clark, Ninth Kansas Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS TROOPS ON THE BORDER,
Cold Water Grove, September 8, 1863.

GENERAL: On the morning of the 4th of September, 1863, I ordered a scout of 40 men from Companies E and G, of the Ninth Kansas, to accompany me to Pleasant Hill, where I had previously instructed Captain [C. F.] Coleman to march and join the scout from this station, with Companies D, of the Ninth Kansas, and M, of the Fifth Kansas, which he did on the 5th instant. The same night we marched 15 miles east, concealed our men in the brush, dismounted, and sent out four parties, of 12 men each, under Captains Coleman and [H.] Flesher. Killed 6 bushwhackers, remounted, marched 4 miles south; divided the command; the scout from this station to scour Big Creek, in the direction of Pleasant Hill; Captain Coleman, with his command, was to take in those run off Big Creek, and scour the brush east.

The scout on Big Creek, under Captain Flesher, and myself included, surprised a party at a house; killed 4, captured 8 horses, saddles, and bridles, and some Lawrence goods, and wounded, as I think, 4 others. Our loss, 2 men slightly wounded, viz, Corpl. John Walters, Company E, and Private S. Pentico, Company G, and returned to this station the 7th instant.

Captain Coleman was to remain in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill two or three days, to watch Quantrill's movements. I found a trail of about 100 men 5 miles east of Harrisonville, who had passed the night of the 3d, twelve hours in advance of my scout, the trail taking a northeast direction.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

 C. S. CLARK,

 Lieutenant-Colonel Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Comdg.

 Brigadier-General EWING.

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