Ambushes and killing a 'Bad Character'

On the 7th of March, 1862, when the Battle of Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern was raging across the fields and in the gullies and ravines in the mountains of northwest Arkansas there was a different kind of combat being waged near St. Charles and Marshall, Mo. This day was a very good day for the Confederate Foxes and consequently a very bad day for the Union Hounds who were all from Missouri and were fighting one another! The Foxes were experts at the art of ambushing and did not hesitate to use this tactic to great success, but even when they were successful they often suffered significant losses inflicted by the Union Hounds. The following incidents are edited and the complete texts are located on pages 330-333 in Series I, Vol. 8 of the Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Headquarters, St. Charles, Mo., March 10, 1862

Sir: On Thursday morning last I was advised that on Tuesday last a number of strange men entered houses in the neighborhood of Flint Hill, in St. Charles County and forcibly disarmed citizens. At 2 o'clock the same day one Jacobs called upon me and said he knew of a succession camp near Chain of Rocks and that the taking of the guns was done by persons from that camp. After satisfying myself of the good faith of the deserter I ordered 120 men (cavalry) under Officers Windmueller and Heyn to proceed at 10 o'clock p.m. to the camp, crossing Cuivre River at 5 a.m. and attacking the camp at daybreak. The officers and men proceeded as instructed, crossed the river at the hour designated, but on inquiry it was found that the camp was at Bob's Creek in Lincoln County, 5 miles distant. The officers proceeded and when nearing the camp the guide (Jacobs) fell back (that should have suggested something to officers, but apparently it didn't) and the advance guard was fired upon (from ambush)! In the rush (charge) made on the camp a squad of our men ran upon the ambushed squad and here three of our men were wounded -- one I fear seriously. The body of (our) men rushed on, drove the enemy from the camp, killing from 12-15 and pursuing them as long as one could see them. Everything in the camp was taken; provisions and forage (feed for livestock) was burned. A large tent, three horses and a lot of blankets (not a good thing to lose in the middle of the winter) were brought away. Thirty men, with the wounded and property taken at the camp were detached from the command to report here (at St. Charles). The officer in command had failed to notify me of his further movements, I concluded to strengthen the force. I dispatched 40 cavalry at 10 o'clock that night to Perugue Bridge and I took the 3 o'clock morning (railroad) train with 50 infantry for the bridge. Both commands reached there at 4 o'clock a.m. and at 5 o'clock started for Chain of Rocks, which we reached at 8 o'clock and there learned that Windmuellers command had gone to St. Charles by the Salt River Road. Finding everything quiet I proceeded with the cavalry to St. Charles by way of the Mississippi Bluff Road.

Respectfully,

(A. KREKEL, Lieut. Col., 1st Bat. Mo. S.M. Cav.)

(Note: There obviously was a distinct failure to communicate in the Union Chain of Command and the disappearing Captain Windmuller and his command resurfaced as described in the following report)

Headquarters, St. Charles, Mo., March 10, 1862

Sir: Capt. Windmueller returned with his command of cavalry this evening.On Sunday morning (9th instant), while approaching a camp on Big Creek, they passed a house occupied by one Hill, from which a large number of persons sought to escape. Three of them were killed, one the notorious Tid Sharp who killed Dr. Cleveland at the Virginia Hotel a few years ago. Tid Sharp was a notoriously bad character. The camp found to be deserted. A boy gave valuable information in conducting the command and I would ask for authority to retain him until the war is over, as he cannot return safely.

Capt. Windmueller's command returned to St. Charles without having heard from Captain Heyn, commanding the infantry which I sent up Sunday morning.

The men who had assembled at Hill's were the men (Confederates) who escaped from the Bob's Creek fight. There is a force yet under Henderson annoying the county of Lincoln and adjoining neighborhood, but I think I shall soon be able to dispose of him, which will help matters in our vicinity.

No new losses have occurred to us and the wounded are all doing well.

Respectfully,

A. KREKEL, Lieut. Col., Commanding.

Boonville, Mo., March 13, 1862

Colonel: On the 7th of this month I proceeded by your order to Saline County. On arriving at Marshall I was informed that a secession camp was between that place and Waverly, which I started to disperse. I found a troop of mounted men, who fled in all directions on my approach, not giving me a chance to take any of them prisoner. On returning to Marshall I took 4 prisoners, who were reported to me to be jayhawkers.

I again started from Marshall on the 10th in the direction of Miami (Mo.) to break up a company of recruits for Price's Army, which was committing depredations in that neighborhood. I divided my force in small squads, sending them in several directions. One of these squads met a party of 40 men and had a slight engagement in which one of our men lost his horse and saddle. The enemy lost one man killed. Another squad brought in six prisoners, one breech-loading rifle, two double-barreled shot-guns and four contraband horses. We also succeeded in finding two government wagons which were hid by a man by the name of R. McNeil. Said wagons were robbed from the government some time last year by the rebel Captain Shelby. I had to leave these wagons at Marshall, not having sufficient horses to bring them here.

I was then on may way returning to Boonville when I received your dispatch ordering me immediately to Lexington and I resolved to start the same night. We were marching about two hours when it was reported to me that Sgt. Rhein with 11 men who were acting as advance guard were cut off and taken prisoners, which fact, unfortunately, proved to be correct. I was at the same time advised that a large number of rebels were in ambush with the intention to attack us. Under such circumstances, with worn-out horses and poorly armed, I resolved to return to this place and prepare for (the trip to) Lexington via (of) Sedalia.

Respectfully,

John B. Kaiser, Capt. Co. A, Boonville Bat, Mo. S. Militia."

The Confederate ambush on March 7 was successful! However, the prudent decision by Capt. Kaiser averted another Confederate ambush and enabled the Union Hounds of Co. A. to fight another day!