AUGUST 13-22, 1864.--Operations in La Fayette, Saline, and Howard Counties, Mo., with skirmishes.
No. 1.--Reports (4) of Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, U. S. Army, commanding District of Central Missouri.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Warrensburg, Mo., August 19, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major-general commanding, that on the 13th instant Captain Meredith, commanding Company H, First Cavalry Missouri State Militia, succeeded in overtaking a gang of bushwhackers in the eastern part of Saline County, killed 1 guerrilla and captured 7 horses. No casualties on our side. Lieutenant-Colonel Lazear, First Cavalry Missouri State Militia, commanding in the field in Saline, represents that the people of that county fully realize their situation and are determined to rid the county of guerrillas. On the 15th instant a detachment of Company C, Fourth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, under the command of Sergt. I.E. Wood, by moving through the brush dismounted, surprised and charged a gang of six bushwhackers, wounded 2 of the gang and captured 6 horses. Maj. G. W. Kelly, Fourth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, commanding at Chapel Hill, reports several bands, numbering from six to twelve, having recently made their appearance south and cast of that station, and that Quantrill, Todd, and Poole, with their respective bands, are reported to be some twelve or fifteen miles east of that place. Such measures have been taken as will, I have no doubt, succeed in breaking up and scattering this force, if the report should prove true.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Maj. O. D. GREENE,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Warrensburg, Mo., August 23, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major-general commanding, that on the 20th instant Lieutenant-Colonel Lazear, First Cavalry Missouri State Militia, commanding in the field, surprised a gang, numbering from forty to sixty guerrillas, in the vicinity of Dover, La Fayette County, killed 3 guerrillas and captured 4 horses, also a small rebel flag. Maj. Henry Suess, chief of cavalry, commanding steamer Fanny Ogden, reports that Thornton, Thrailkill, Yeager, Todd, Campbell, and Taylor held a consultation in Greenton Valley, La Fayette County, a week since, and on his return from this meeting Taylor was killed by the militia near Independence. Major Suess also reports that on the 19th instant a detachment of his command had a skirmish with a band of guerrillas southwest of Wellington, in which they mortally wounded 2 guerrillas, killed 1 horse, and captured one set of horse equipments. I would further respectfully state that the block-house now being built at La Mine bridge is being pushed to completion as rapidly as possible.

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

A. PLEASONTON,

 Major-General, Commanding.

Maj. O. D. GREENE,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Warrensburg, Mo., August 24, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major-general commanding, that on the 16th instant Capt. Joseph Parke, commanding at Boonville, crossed to the north side of the river with his command, Company E, Fourth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, and scouted the country in that vicinity for two days, during which time he encountered several small bands of guerrillas; wounded 1 guerrilla, and captured 3 horses, 3 double-barreled shotguns, and 3 revolvers. On the 22d instant a detachment of the First Cavalry Missouri State Militia, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lazear, encountered a small party of guerrillas on Davis' Creek, La Fayette County; shot 3 from their horses, supposed to be mortally wounded, and captured 3 horses. No casualties on our side in either of the above skirmishes.

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

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Maj. O. D. GREENE,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Warrensburg, August 29, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major-general commanding, that on the 22d instant a detachment of the First Cavalry Missouri State Militia, surprised a small band of guerrillas on the Tabo, La Fayette County, severely wounded 1 guerrilla and captured 6 horses. Lieutenant-Colonel Lazear reports there are but very few guerrillas at present in La Fayette or Saline Counties, and that he has reason to believe that the majority of them have gone south. The notorious guerrilla Poole, having boasted that he would neither allow the stage nor telegraph to remain in operation on the Lexington and  Warrensburg route, Colonel Lazear has ordered the arrest of a number of Poole's friends, intending to hold them as hostages for the security of the stage and telegraph line.

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

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Maj. O. D. GREENE,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.

 

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