Col. Joseph Gravely Goes After Missouri Bushwhackers-- Part 2

AUGUST 14, 1864

Marched near Maysville, Arkansas, , but found no enemy.  Learned from reliable sources that enemy in the vicinity of Cowskin Prairie had gone south and no rebels left in that sector except some bushwhackers.  They hide in the bluffs and caves when any Federal soldiers are nearby.

Checking Confederate trails he was confident that rebel officers Captains Rusk, Roberts and Robinson, who attacked Major Burch about August 6 had left for Stand Watie near Fort Smith.  there was no possibility of overtaking them.so returned to Neosho.

Ordered all units back to their posts.

On return to Neosho, his advance guard  severely wounded two bushwhackers>  They returned fire and slightly wounded one  man of the 6th Provisional Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia.

--Old Secesh

Joseph J. Gravely Goes After Missouri Bushwhackers-- Part 1

From RootsWeb.

Gravely was evidently with the 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry before assuming command of the 15th Missouri Cavalry.  James Bolin served with him later in the 15th Missouri Cavalry.

Report of Col. Joseph J. Gravely, 8th Missouri State  Militia Cavalry (Union) to Brigadier General John B. Sanborn.

AUGUST 18, 1864    SPRINGFIELD, MO.

He had complied with Special Orders No. 213,  headquarters District of Southwest Missouri and returned to Springfield, his post.

His mission was to ascertain Confederate strength in the area and kill as many Confederate bushwhackers as possible.

On August 13, he had assumed command of several designated units at Neosho, Missouri, (near Joplin).

AUGUST 13

To Cowskin Creek.  Advance guard saw six men and killed one of them.

AUGUST 14:

Captain Kelso killed Lieutenant  Baxter, a noted bushwhacker, whom we learned from the ladies of the house where he was staying and killed, that he had carried dispatches from (Confederate) General Stand Watie to the companies in that vicinity to join Stan Watie near Fort Smith.

--Old Secesh

North Carolina, 153 Years Ago: January 1863

From the North Carolina Sesquicentennial Timeline.

JANUARY 1--  Emancipation Proclamation issued "all persons held as slaves" within rebellious states "are, and henceforth shall be free."

During the month of January, Thomas' Highland Legion hunts for bushwhackers in French Broad Valley.

JANUARY 8--  Shelton Laurel Massacre, showdown between Unionist and Confederate forces in Laurel Valley.  Unionists attack Marshall, stealing salt, merchandise and foodstuffs.

They ransack the house of Colonel Lawrence Allen, commanding the 64th North Carolina Regiment.  They harass his wife and three sick children.  Colonel Allen and James Keith (also of the 64th N.C.) attack from East Tennessee with 500 men.

They go to Marshall and Laurel Valley and execute 13 "prisoners."

--Old Secesh