O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLI/1 [S# 83]
JULY 6-30, 1864.--Operations in Western Missouri.

No. 11.--Report of Capt. Edward P. Elmer, Second Colorado Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS STATION,
Pleasant Hill, Mo., August 1, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to transmit the following supplementary report of scouting and escort done by Company K, Second Colorado Cavalry stationed at Pleasant Hill, Mo., since July 10, 1864:

Sergeant Cotton and thirty-four men of Company K, Second Colorado Cavalry, left this station July 11 for Kansas City, with six-mule team, ten days' rations, with detachments of C, F, and I of Second Colorado Cavalry, under command of Major Smith. Arrived at Kansas City July 12; distance, thirty-five miles. Left Kansas City on the 13th in the steamer Emily. Arrived at Weston 12 m.; distance, forty-two miles. Lieutenant Parsons, of D Company, took command of the detachment; left same day. Arrived at Camden Point 4 p.m.; distance, twelve miles. Found the enemy there; had a fight with them; killed several, and completely routed them. Lost 1 man killed, 1 wounded. Pursued them about one mile with the command; then leaving it and pursuing the enemy about ten miles, went into camp for the night. Broke camp at daylight 14th. Arrived at Smithville; distance, four miles; fed. Left about 7 a.m., returning back to Camden Point, scouting through the brush; distance, fifteen miles. From there went to Platte City; distance, ten miles. There joined the command and remained there until the next morning. Broke camp the next morning at daylight, taking southerly direction. About I p.m. stopped and fed. Left the command there: went to Kansas City, escort for Colonel Ford; distance, thirty-five miles. Left Kansas City on the morning of the 16th. Arrived at Liberty about noon; distance, sixteen miles. Camped there until the next day. Left for Kansas City on the 17th with Colonel Ford; distance, sixteen miles. Left on the 18th for Liberty; distance, sixteen miles. Left on the 22d with the whole command, taking a northerly direction, arriving at Union Mills; distance, thirty-six miles; fed; moved on about three miles; went into camp. Left 23d, taking a westerly course, meeting a command of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Passed Camden Point, taking a southeast-erly direction. Went into camp about 5 p.m.; distance, fifty miles. Broke camp about daylight on 24th; passed through Smithville in a southerly direction after traveling about thirty-five miles, there leaving the transportation and taking the enemy's trail. After following about twelve miles stopped and fed. A party of men were out foraging, and they ran onto the enemy's pickets. Fired on them and killed 1; the command then pursuing and overtaking them, completely routed them, killing 2 of them; then went into camp about sundown; distance, fifteen miles. 25th, broke camp about sunrise, taking a southerly direction, arriving at Liberty about 1 p.m. Camped there for the night; distance, twenty miles. 26th, broke camp at daylight. Arrived at Kansas City 6 a.m.; distance, sixteen miles. Left on the 27th for Pleasant Hill; distance, thirty-five miles.

July 21, Sergeant Wright and six men on a scout to Sni Hills and vicinity. Saw plenty of signs of bushwhackers. Returned on the 22d; distance traveled, forty miles. On the 27th Sergeant Weir and nine men went to Kansas City for commissary stores. Returned on 31st; distance, thirty-five miles. Whole distance about 495 miles.

Your most obedient servant,

E. P. ELMER,
Captain, Commanding Station.

Capt. J. H. STEGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
OR Ser 1, V41, Pt. 1, pp. 62-63

......

FORT LEAVENWORTH, July 14, 1864--9.50 p.m.
Brig. Gen. E. B. BROWN,

Warrensburg:

Colonel Ford charged on the rebels at Camden Point last night at 5 o'clock killing 15 to 20, completely routing and scattering rebs in every direction. He reports this evening from Platte City that Lieutenant Parsons, Company K, Second Colorado, has just returned, having followed the enemy ten miles east from Camden Point, from which they skedaddled in small squads, going south. Colonel Ford intends moving toward Liberty and Sibley in the morning, and suggests that you go to the crossing of the Missouri above Sibley.

C. S. CHARLOT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
(Same to Major Suess, Kansas City.)
OR Ser 1, V41, Pt. 2, pp.187