USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 28
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William Vossen, who had turned "State's evidence" at the pre- liminary trial, and revealed all the particulars abont removing the spikes, fish plates, iron rails, etc., by which he implicated himself and the other five prisoners, making them all guilty, again testified. The trial lasted a long time-extending the December term of the court into January. It was a hotly contested case and created great excitement. The jury, after having the matter under consideration for nearly a week, reported that they could not agree upon a verdict, and were thereupon discharged. It is reported that seven were for conviction and five for acquittal.
The defendants, Lloyd and Newport, called for a change of venue, and were sent to Miami County for trial. There, in the following summer (that of 1887) Lloyd was tried and acquitted. Newport then turned "State's evidence," and plead guilty to "manslaughter in the first degree." It is believed that he plead guilty to manslaughter by the advice of the prosecuting counsel, for the purpose of strengthen- ing his evidence against the others, with the understanding that he
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should not be punished. His evidence was substantially the same as that of Vossen. There were now two of the defendants ready to tes- tify against the others. Lloyd was tried in Miami County for the murder of Horton, and after acquittal he was arrested and held for the murder of Carlisle.
Hamilton had his second trial in September, 1887. The great fight was now made; Vossen, Newport and others testified against the de- fendant. The prosecution was controlled by the attorneys of the Mis- souri Pacific Railroad Company. Great efforts had been made, on ac- count of the defendants being members of the Knights of Labor, to implicate that organization and hold it responsible in the estimation of the public for the crime committed. Unfortunately for the prosecu- tion, this had the effect to make it appear to the public that instead of its being a prosecution by the State against individuals for the crime of murder, it was a prosecution by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Com- pany, backed up by other corporations, against the organization of the Knights of Labor. This served to arouse the sympathy of that class of people who are always predjudiced against large corporate bodies, in behalf of the parties charged with wrecking the engine, and thus committing the murders. It had become very difficult to obtain a jury of "twelve good and lawful men" who had never read or heard enough about this affair to enable them to form an opinion as to the guilt of the parties charged with the commission of the crime. But finally, in the case of the State against Hamilton, such a jury was found, and after hearing all the evidence, the argument of counsel and the charge of the court, they retired for consultation, and on Sep- tember 12, 1887, brought in a verdict of " not guilty."
The attorneys on the part of the prosecution now recognizing the fact that they could not select jurors from the more intelligent class of people, the class that read the news and formed opinions of their own, and the further fact that much predjudice had been aroused against the railroad company, and believing that further prosecution would be of no avail, advised the dismissal of all the cases pending against the al- leged train-wreckers, and they were accordingly dismissed.
Several other persons charged with committing murder have been tried in the Wyandotte District Court, some of whom have been found guilty, and have been sentenced to the penitentiary, while others have been acquitted.
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CHAPTER XV.
FREEDOM AND SLAVERY-FIRST REGIMENT KANSAS VOLUNTEERS-IN- FANTRY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY-FIFTH REGIMENT CAV- ALRY-SIXTH REGIMENT CAVALRY-TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY- TWELFTH REGIMENT CAVALRY-FIFTEENTH REGIMENT CAVALRY- SIXTEENTHI REGIMENT CAVALRY-FIRST REGIMENT KANSAS COL- ORED TROOPS-ROSTERS OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN FROM WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
I since have labor'd
To bind the bruises of a civil war. * * * *
* Our armours now may rust, our idle scimeters Hang by our sides for ornament, not use .- Dryden.
NDER treaties between them and the United States, that portion of the territory now con- stituting Wyandotte County belonged to the 8 Indians, when the contest between freedom and slavery, between the free-State men and 80 the slave-State men, began in Kansas. It was not open for settlement by the whites until after the treaty of 1855, between the United States and the Wyandotte Indians, and no active settle- ment by the whites took place until 1857. In 1860 there were only 2,420 white people in the county, and they were mostly in that part known as the " Wyandotte Purchase." The bloody struggle that existed in the Territory of Kan- sas from 1854 until it was admitted into the Union as a State, did not prevail to any considerable extent in what is now Wyandotte County. Of course the early settlers here were interested in the affairs, some being in favor of a free State, while others favored a slave State, but no important events or fights took place here while the struggle was going on. However,
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the territory of the county was crossed and recrossed by the contend- ing parties. A few of the early settlers took part in the struggle at other points, and a few were with and assisted Capt. John Brown in his war against slavery.
After Wyandotte County was organized, and Kansas was admitted as a free State, and the great rebellion against the Union of the States was inaugurated. her citizens arrayed themselves on the side of the Union, and began to organize and enlist soldiers for the First Regi- ment Kansas Volunteer Infantry. A brief historical sketch of the history of this regiment, is followed by a roster of the soldiers serving therein from Wyandotte County. This regiment was raised be- tween May 20, and June 3, 1861. The men rendezvoused at Camp Lincoln, near Fort Leavenworth. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, June 3, 1861, the staff officers being Col. George W. Deitzler, of Lawrence; Lient. - Col. Oscar E. Learnard, of Burlington; Maj. John A. Halderman, of Leavenworth; Adjt. Ed- win S. Nash, of Olathe; Q. M. George H. Chapin, of Quindaro; Surg. George E. Buddington, of Quindaro; Asst. Surg. Samuel D. Smith, of Elwood, and Chap. Ephraim Nute, Jr., of Lawrence.
While the regiment was lying in its original camp, a rebel flag was displayed at the village of Iatan, across the river in Missouri, about eight miles above Leavenworth. Sergt. Denning, with a squad of six men, proceeded, without orders, on June 5, to hanl down the insolent rag. Three of these men were wounded, but they brought the flag to camp as a trophy and evidence of their success. In due time the regiment broke camp, and moved toward the field of war, and on July 7 it effected a junction with the army of Gen. Lyon. Afterward, on August 10, it participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., where it suffered considerable loss in killed and wounded. It then fell back with the army to Rolla, Mo. Soon after Beauregard evacu- ated Corinth, Miss., the First Kansas arrived at Pittsburg Landing, where the great battle of Shiloh had been fought on the 6th and 7th of the previous April. Reinforcements not being necessary there, Gen. Halleck sent the regiment to Columbus, Ky. The regiment led the pursuit of the rebels, as part of Gen. McPherson's brigade, after the battles of October 3 and 4, 1862, at Corinth. It participated in the campaigns against Vicksburg, in Mississippi. After February 1, 1863, the First Kansas was mounted, and for the next eighteen months it served as mounted infantry, being a very effective branch of the army. After the fall of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, it was ordered to Natchez,
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Miss., to hold that post. In October following it was returned to Vicksburg, and stationed on an outpost on Black River Bridge, with picket posts on both sides of the river. It also accompanied Gen. McArthur's expedition up the Yazoo River ..
Upon the expiration of its term of service (June 3, 1864), all of the men, except recruits whose terms of enlistment had not expired, and two companies of re-enlisted veterans, embarked on board the trans- port Arthur, and moved to Leavenworth, where they were mustered out, June 16, 1864. The veterans of the regiment continued in the service in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, until after the close of the war, and were mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., August 30, 1865.
The roster of officers and enlisted men, from Wyandotte County, in the First Regiment of Kansas Volunteer Infantry, is as follows:
William Y. Roberts, mustered May 28, 1861, as captain of Com- pany B; promoted major May 12, 1862; promoted colonel June 15, 1863; mustered out with regiment June 17, 1864.
George H. Chapin, quartermaster, mustered June 3, 1861; re- signed October 25, 1861.
George E. Buddington, surgeon, mustered July 24, 1861; resigned March 12, 1863.
Joseph Speck, surgeon, mustered June 3, 1863; assigned to vet- eran battalion May 28, 1864; mustered out August 30, 1865.
Avery G. Norman, mustered June 3, 1861, as private, Company B; promoted regimental quartermaster-sergeant July 2, 1863; mustered ont with regiment.
John P. Alden, mustered May 28, 1861, as first lieutenant of Com- pany B; wounded in the battle of Wilson's Creek August 10, 1861; promoted captain May 12, 1862; promoted captain and A. C. S. Vol- unteers July 2, 1863.
John W. Dyer, mustered June 3, 1861, as first sergeant of Com- pany B; promoted second lieutenant June 8, 1861; killed in battle of Wilson's Creek August 10, 1861.
Hubbard H. Sawyer, mustered Juue 3, 1861, as a private in Com- pany B; promoted June 8, 1861, as first sergeant; promoted second lieutenant September 1, 1861; resigned July 5, 1862.
Jason Morse, mustered June 3, 1861, as a private in Company B; promoted corporal July 17, 1861; promoted first sergeant August 19, 1862; reduced to ranks April 19, 1863.
Philip Knoblock, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant in Company
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B; promoted first sergeant September 18, 1863; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
Aaron W. Merrill, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Company B; promoted second lieutenant July 8, 1862; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
Theodore Battles, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Company B; reduced to ranks July 16, 1861; discharged for disability May 9, 1862.
Orson Bartlett, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Company B; discharged for disability June 8, 1862.
George C. Brown, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; promoted sergeant September 25, 1861; discharged for disability June 25, 1862.
Velmoor C. Clemmons, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; promoted sergeant August 19, 1862; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
George R. Ingersoll, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Com- pany B; reduced to ranks July 17, 1861; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
John Warren, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; transferred to Company H November 3, 1861; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
George W. Garno, mustered June 3, 1861, as a private in Com- pany B; promoted corporal July 17, 1861; reduced to ranks Janu- ary 18, 1862; discharged for disability June 11, 1862.
Dennis Castello, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; promoted corporal September 1, 1861; reduced to ranks Septem- ber 18, 1861; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
William Lloyd, mustered Jnne 3, 1861, as private of Company B; promoted corporal September 1, 1861; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
John O'Donnell, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; reduced January 15, 1862.
Patrick Collins, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; promoted corporal September 25, 1861; discharged December 16, 1862.
John O. Flaherty, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; reduced December 28, 1862.
John Fairall, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; promoted corporal in 1862; died at Vicksburg, Miss., in March, 1864, of wounds received in action.
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John Johnson, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; promoted corporal April 5, 1862; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
Richard Burland, mustered June 6, 1861, as corporal of Company B; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864.
Henry J. Fairbanks, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Com- pany B; promoted corporal August 19, 1862; mustered out with regiment.
Thomas Grady, mustered June 3, 1861, as private Company B; promoted corporal November 14, 1862; promoted sergeant November, 1863.
Valentine Rheicheneker, musician, Company B; mustered June 3, 1861; mustered out with regiment.
John Moody, musician, Company B; mustered June 3, 1861; trans- ferred to Company C, Second Kansas Cavalry, May 20, 1862; mustered out April 23, 1866.
The following were all privates of Company B, First Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry, all of whom mustered in with the regiment:
Henry Boyle, mustered out with the regiment.
Cyrus Bowman, discharged for disability September 21, 1861.
Daniel Collins, deserted June 18, 1861.
William J. Carlisle, wounded in battle of Wilson's Creek; dis- charged for disability September, 1861.
Dewitt C. Dennison, wounded in battle of Wilson's Creek; dis- charged for disability February, 1862.
Daniel Donahoe, transferred to Company E November 1, 1861; died in Trenton, Tenn., September 9, 1862.
Daniel Emmons, deserted at St. Louis, Mo., October 26, 1861.
David Flemming, deserted at Chillicothe, Mo., August 14, 1862. Robert Good, deserted October 16, 1861.
Briau Henry, wounded in action near Wilson's Creek, Mo., An- gust 18, 1861; mustered out with regiment.
John Killen, mustered out with regiment.
August Kreiger, deserted at Fort Riley, Kas., August 14, 1862.
Martin Lawler, killed in battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10, 1861.
Sylvester T. Smith, mustered as a private; promoted second lieu- tenant Company H February 11, 1862; promoted captain of Com- pany H October 24, 1862; resigned February 27, 1863.
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William H. Nichols, mustered out with regiment.
Francis Tracy, died at Natchez, Miss., August 21, 1863.
John Van Fossen, discharged for disability May 1, 1862, at Fort Riley, Kas.
John Wilson, mustered out with regiment.
Charles Wilstoff, transferred to Company F July 1, 1861; de- serted at Memphis, Tenn., January 16, 1863.
Ely L. Zane, deserted at Wyandotte, Kas., March 16, 1862.
Additional enlistments, Company B:
William S. Camps, mustered June 6, 1861; transferred to Com- pany D March 1, 1862; mustered out on fulfillment of service at Vicksburg, Miss.
Hugh Gibbons, mustered February 18, 1862; transferred to Vet- eran Battalion May 26, 1864.
Enlistments in other companies of the First Regiment Kansas Vol- unteer Infantry:
Company F .- Joseph Gilliford, mustered June 1, 1861, as ser- geant; promoted second lieutenant September 1, 1861; promoted first lieutenant May 26, 1862; resigned June 14, 1862.
Fred W. Smith, mustered June 1, 1861, as a private; re-enlisted veteran.
Jacob Arnold, mustered June 1, 1861, as private; wounded at bat- tle of Wilson's Creek; re-enlisted veteran.
Joel Armes, mustered June 1, 1861, as private; killed in the bat- tle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10, 1861.
Henry Cooper, mustered as private June 1, 1861; deserted at Lit- tle York, Mo., July 27, 1861.
Joy Casey, mustered as private June 1, 1861; deserted at Little York, Mo., July 27, 1861.
Jacob Heiter, mustered as private June 1, 1861; mustered out with regiment.
Leopold Hipp, mustered as private June 1, 1861, and mustered out with regiment.
William Ridler, mustered as private June 1, 1861, and mustered out with regiment.
John Reheis, mustered as private June 1, 1861; discharged for disability March 18, 1862, caused by a wound received in battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo.
Adam Reinochl, mustered with the regiment; died October 21, 1861, of wounds received in battle of Wilson's Creek.
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John Roeser, mustered with regiment; drowned in Missouri River June 7, 1862.
Gustave Sels, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability March 1, 1862, at Lawrence, Kas.
Joseph Muenzenmayer, mustered June 16, 1861, into Company I; discharged for disability December 24, 1861, on account of wounds received in battle of Wilson's Creek.
Hugh Gibbons, mustered February 27, 1862, into Company B; mustered out February 17, 1865.
Jacob Arnold, mustered March 29, 1864, into new Company D; mustered out August 30, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Frederick W. Smith, re-enlisted and mustered into new Company D January 5, 1864; promoted corporal July 1, 1864; mustered out Angust 30, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was raised in May, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service on the 20th of June following. According to the adjutant-general's report, Wyandotte did not contribute more than one or two men to form this regiment. Robert B. Mitchell was its colonel. After the battle of Wilson's Creek this regiment fell back with the army to Rolla and to St. Louis, and from the latter place it returned to Kansas, where it was mustered out October 31, 1861, for the purpose of re- organizing as a cavalry regiment. The rendezvous for the reorganiza- tion was at Fort Leavenworth. New companies were organized, which together with four companies of Nugent's regiment of Missouri Home Guards, were organized into a new regiment known as the Twelfth Kansas Volunteers. In March following, the name was changed to that of " The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteers-Cavalry." The field and staff officers under the new organization were as follows: Colonel, Robert B. Mitchell, of Mansfield; lieutenant-colonel, Owen A. Bassett, of Lawrence; majors, Charles W. Blair, of Fort Scott, Julius G. Fisk, of Quindaro, and Thomas B. Eldridge, of Wyandotte; adjutant, John Pratt, of Lawrence; quartermaster, Cyrus L. Gorton, of Leaven- worth; surgeon, Joseph P. Root, of Wyandotte; asstistant surgeon, George B. Wood, of Wyandotte; chaplain, Charles Reynolds, of Fort Riley. A portion of the men composing this regiment were contrib- uted by Wyandotte County, and a roster of their names will follow a brief historical sketch. Hollister's Battery, a force of 150 non-com- missioned officers and privates, was formed from this regiment, and with their six ten-pound Parrott guns, did excellent service on many occasions.
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Entering the field, the regiment chased and routed several Southern raiding parties, and on October 4, it was sent to Newtonia to re- enforce Brig .- Gen. Solomon. Afterward, on October 20, 1862, it did good service at Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn, in Arkansas. A Confeder- ate battery, consisting of four guns, was captured by this regiment. It was manned and was thereafter known as Hopkins' Battery, and continued to act with the regiment. In November, following, the Second Kansas moved with the army of Gen. Curtis toward Fort Smith, Ark., and participated in the action near Rhea's Mills on the 7th, and in the action near Boonesboro on the 28th of November. Again on the 6th and 7th of December, following, it was engaged in the action on Cove Creek, near Fayetteville, Ark., in all of which the Union forces were successful.
It also bore a prominent part in the expedition which, on August 23, 1863, crossed the Arkansas River to Holly Springs, in the In- dian Territory, and afterward captured Fort Smith, in Arkansas, and drove the enemy from the northwestern part of that State. During the winter of 1863-64 this regiment did effective service in Arkansas, capturing a goodly number of prisoners. During the spring and sum- mer of 1864 it served under Gen. Steele in Southern Arkansas, and did much effective work. It continued to serve in that State and the In- dian Territory until its final muster out. It received many recruits in Arkansas after helping to drive the armed enemy out. It did very effective service, and its history in detail would make a very readable book. Some of its men having served their full time were mustered out in April, 1865, at Little Rock; others were mustered out June 22, 1865, at Fort Gibson, Indian Ty .; others were mustered out at Leavenworth, Kas., at different times; still others were mustered out on different dates at several other places; the greater number of the regiment, however, were mustered out at Leavenworth.
Roster of officers and enlisted men from Wyandotte County, in the Second Regiment:
Joseph P. Root, surgeon, mustered December 28, 1861; mustered out April 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
George B. Wood, assistant surgeon, mustered January 1, 1862; resigned on account of ill health, September 27, 1863.
Ivan D. Heath, mustered August 13, 1863; mustered out June 22, 1865, at Fort Gibson, C. N.
Joseph Sanger, mustered October 29, 1861, as corporal of Company F; transferred March 1, 1862, to Company H; promoted sergeant
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September 1, 1864; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Wendelin Krumm, mustered November 28, 1861, as private, Com- pany F; transferred to Company H, Jannary 12, 1862; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
John Myers, mustered November 28, 1861, as private, Company F; transferred to Company H, January 12, 1862; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Englehardt Noll, mustered November 7, 1861, as private, Company F; transferred to Company H, January 12, 1862; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
William T. Ainsworth, mustered December 2, 1861, as private, Company G; promoted corporal May 1, 1864; mustered out August 11, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas .; was prisoner of war, captured near Fort Gibson, C. N., September 16, 1864.
Wesley Boyles, mustered December 10, 1861, as private, Company G; mustered out January 13, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas.
Squire Boyles, mustered December 11, 1861, as private, Company G; discharged for disability, August 10, 1864, at Kansas City, Mo.
Elias Boyles, mustered January 7, 1862, as private, Company G; deserted May 26, 1862, while on detached service.
James Boyles, mustered January 7, 1862, as private, Company G; discharged for disability June 19, 1862, at Fort Riley, Kas.
Pembrook Harris, mustered November 13, 1861, as private, Com- pany G; transferred to Company K, April 5, 1862; discharged for disability October 14, 1862, in the field in Missouri.
Dionysius Harris, mustered November 13, 1861, as private, Com- pany G; transferred to Company K, April 5, 1862; deserted at Shaw- nee, Kas., May 1, 1862.
John M. Rusk, mustered November 2, 1861, as private, Company G; deserted at Quindaro, Kas., February 2, 1862.
Jacob Hammelman, enlisted March 20, 1862, Company G; trans- ferred to Company H, April 5, 1862; deserted at Leavenworth, Kas., May 26, 1862.
Theodore Praun, mustered January 3, 1862, as private, Company H; promoted corporal March 8, 1862; mustered out May 9, 1865, at - Leavenworth, Kas.
Augustus Luke, mustered November 7, 1861, as private, Company H; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
Joseph Praun, mustered January 3, 1862, as private, Company H;
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mustered out February 11, 1865, from general hospital at Little Rock, Ark.
John Burke, mustered December 7, 1861, as private, Company I; promoted corporal June 26, 1862; promoted sergeant September 11, 1862; mustered out January 10, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas.
Michael McLain, mustered November 30, 1861, as private, Com- pany K; mustered out January 2, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas.
The organization of the Fifth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was commenced in July, 1861, Companies A, D, E and F be- ing mustered into service in that month. Companies B and C were mustered into service in August, and other companies of the regiment, up to and including K, were mustered in during the following fall and winter. Companies L and M were not mustered until 1863. The original field and staff officers were: Colonel, Hampton P. Johnson, of Leavenworth; lieutenant-colonel, John Ritchie, of Topeka; major, James Summers; adjutant, Stephen R. Harrington; quartermaster, James Davis, of Leavenworth; surgeon, E. B. Johnson, of Leaven- worth; and chaplain, Hugh D. Fisher, of Lawrence. A small portion of the men comprising this regiment were from Wyandotte County, a roster of whom follows this sketch. Two companies of the Fifth Kansas left Leavenworth in July, 1861, and moved to Kansas City. Their first engagement was at Harrisonville, Mo., where the enemy was driven from the town. The regiment participated in the fight at Drywood September 2, and in the action at Morristown on the 17th, where Col. Johnson was killed. . It went into winter quarters at Camp Denver, and in February, 1862, Lieut. - Col. Powell Clayton became its colonel, and assumed command. The regiment was then thoroughly drilled and made useful. On March 19th, following, it made valuable captures at Carthage, Mo., capturing a company of guerrillas then and there forming. Afterward the regiment entered Arkansas, and in the summer following it ronted an Arkansas regiment of cavalry from the town of Salem, in that State, and a large force of Texas rangers on Black River, near Jacksonport. The detachment winning these victories was under command of Capt. Criets. Afterward at the battle of Helena the regiment won distinction, and rendered valuable service under Gen. Steele in the capture of Little Rock, Ark. On October 25, 1863, the Fifth Kansas had a hard fight with a Confederate force much superior in numbers, and lost thirty-seven men, but held its position, the loss of the enemy being greater. Following this the regiment did much service in Southern Arkansas and elsewhere in the
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