July 27, 1863, Kansas City, Mo.,
Brigadier-General Thomas Ewing, Jr. to Captain J. A. Pike

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE BORDER,
 Kansas City, Mo., July 27, 1863.

 Capt. J. A. PIKE,
Commanding Aubrey, Kans.:

SIR: There was a large collection of guerrillas, under Todd and Quantrill, on the head of the Sni, in the eastern part of Jackson County, numbering from 300 to 500. Major Ransom, with 250 men, broke up and destroyed their camp on Saturday, the 25th instant, and scattered the force. I am advised, on undoubted authority, that Todd, with 160 men, or thereabouts, left the neighborhood of that camp yesterday for his old camping place on High Blue, near High Grove. I want you to rout him out of that, and for this purpose I will send you one or two companies, to be at Little Santa Fe to-night. You had better not start out with less than 125 men, and should keep after him until you get a fight, if possible.

I send today two companies of infantry to Pleasant Hill and Aubrey, by way of Little Santa Fe.

If you think it necessary, you may keep Company D, Eleventh Kansas, at Little Santa Fe until you get back from your scout; but if you do so, send word to companies at Aubrey, Coldwater Grove, and Rockville as to Todd's force, and have them to keep a very sharp lookout. Company A, Eleventh Kansas, however, must go over to Pleasant Hill to-morrow, unless your advices from there are such as to convince you that there is no danger to the companies of the Fourth Missouri stationed there. Those companies have only revolvers and sabers. Company A will want some cavalry for advance and rear guard; so you will furnish it to them. You will judge of the amount of such guard required. Send full report of your scout.

Very respectfully,

 THOMAS EWING, JR.,

 Brigadier-General.

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