MAJOR: I have the honor of reporting to you the results of a scout commanded by me in the southern parts of Polk and Dallas Counties:
     By order of Brig. Gen. E. B. Brown I took command of a detachment of 50 men from Companies B, C, E, and H, of the Fourteenth Regiment Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and about 5 o'clock on the evening of the 19th instant marched in the direction of Buffalo. About 10 o'clock at night we reached the Pomme de Terre, 17 miles north of Springfield. Here we were overtaken by a shower of rain. Sheltering ourselves as well as we could beneath the thick foliage of the trees, we awaited the close of the shower. After waiting about an hour the rain ceased. I then divided my command into three parties. The first (consisting of 15 men) I placed under the command of Sergt. Pleasant Smith, of Company C, and sent into the Highfield neighborhood; the second party (consisting of 13 men) I placed under the command Of Sergt. John M:. Baxter, of Company H, and sent into the Mayfield neighborhood. In command of the third party I marched to Pleasant Hope, in Polk County. As I supposed that the rain would drive the bushwhacking rebels into their houses, I gave orders to surround the houses silently and then seize such rebels as might be found in them. This plan succeeded well, some being taken at almost every house.
     After traveling all night, meeting with some exciting, some amusing adventures, and running a good deal of risk, the three parties met according to agreement at Mose Bennett's, 8 miles south of Buffalo. My party had taken 17 prisoners, Sergeant Smith's 15, and Sergeant Baxter's 5, one a rebel lieutenant. After examining the prisoners I released 17 upon their parole of honor that they would within ten days report themselves to some officer authorized to administer the oath of allegiance to the United States. The remaining 20 I had guarded till the morning of the 21st, when I sent them to Springfield, in charge of Sergeant Smith, with a detachment of 16 men.
     After sending out a few scouts I marched with the rest of my command to Buffalo, where we rested till the morning of the 22d. My scouts brought in a number of prisoners, all of whom I released upon their taking the oath of allegiance except 5, whom I sent to Springfield in charge of 3 privates. I then sent out Sergeant Baxter with a small party to try and catch Capt. Thomas Lofton and his gang. With the rest of my command I marched in as public a manner as possible toward Springfield, intending, however, to turn back in the night and scour the country again in small parties. This I did, but with only partial success, few of the rebels who had escaped us on the first night having returned.
     By agreement we met on the morning of the 23d to rest and feed about a mile below Ben. Better's, on the Pomme de Terre, where we found great quantities of corn concealed. All the parties having come in except that commanded by Sergeant Baxter, I marched for camp, where I arrived at sunset, bringing 1 more prisoner, having released several where we stopped to feed.
     No casualty occurred to any of my command, with the exception of Joseph C. Powell, private in Company H, who accidentally shot himself through the left hand, inflicting a dangerous wound.
     Sergeant Baxter sent a messenger to me to let me know that he had discovered Lofton and his gang and wished more men, Lofton's force being superior to his own. This messenger did not reach me until I had arrived in camp and given up my command. I therefore sent an order for him to come in immediately. He obeyed promptly, traveling all night. He reports a skirmish with some notorious bushwhackers, with whom I am well acquainted and whom he found in arms. He killed one by the name of Arnold; another by the name of Greene was taken prisoner, but broke away and made his escape, badly wounded, it is thought, as he was seem to fall forward at three different shots. Greene's escape is quite unfortunate, as he is a notorious horse-thief well as rebel, and has broken from prison twice and made his escape One other prisoner (Isham Case) made his escape Two others were brought in, and I have just sent them to the provost-marshal. These make 28 that we have brought to Springfield. Some of these are clan-gerous and bad men, and would be no discredit to the Alton prison.
     This expedition occupied four days, during which time some portions of the command traveled 150 miles--sometimes over bad roads; sometimes without any road at all. We suffered some from hunger, but no one was heard to complain. The men showed an alacrity that would do credit to veteran soldiers. After two days and a night of toil, without sleep, not a man objected to standing guard when required to do so. With such men under my command I always consider success certain.
     The indefatigable enterprise of Sergeant Baxter deserves special praise. He merits a better position than he now occupies.
     Sergeants Gammon and Smith also showed themselves to be able officers and brave men. They will make their mark yet in the world.
     In regard to the rebels inhabiting the portions of country that I visited, they seem quite sanguine in the hope that the great rebel army of the South will drive General Curtis back and overrun this country. I did not succeed in discovering any secret organization, yet I believe such do exist, and that companies are prepared to rise up, as by magic, in one night, whenever a suitable opportunity presents itself. I observed some local nuisances, but these I have reported to the provost-marshal.
     These, major, are the principal facts that I have to communicate; therefore I will close by subscribing thyself, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

  Page 510
Report of Brig. Gen. Egbert B. Brown

     Houston must be the point McBride is aiming at. I had ordered the commander at Hartville to ascertain if there was a force at Houston and open communication and co-operate with it; part of the force at Hartville is the companies sent by Colonel Glover to Lebanon. The exposed condition of Cassville makes it necessary to retain a reserve here of cavalry to move in either direction.
     This reserve is quite small. The equipments and arms for the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia and First Battalion First Arkansas and equipments for Sixth Missouri arrived to-day. The horses for First Arkansas and Fourteenth Missouri State Militia left Rolla Wednesday.
     The Second Battalion First Arkansas Cavalry is about full and recruits are coming in rapidly. Can the Sixth Missouri add by recruiting two companies and make it a twelve-company regiment? Forty-six wagon loads of lead left Newtonia yesterday for this post.
     The muskets that have been gathered here are only partly supplied with equipments, requiring 700 cartridge boxes, belts, and bayonets and scabbards. They should be sent, but I cannot forward requisitions as Colonel Callender requires. They are needed to arm the militia. Can this be arranged?
     Refugees report the rebel forces on the Arkansas have all moved from Little Rock toward Helena. Rains is reported to have crossed Boston Mountains and moving to join Hindman.