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CAMP AT BLOOMFIELD, March 23, 1863.
Brigadier-General DAVIDSON,
Commanding District of Saint Louis:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that from my scouts and spies I get information leading me to the conclusion that Marmaduke is not on this side of Pocahontas, if he has ever left Batesville.
Lieutenant Poole, who has been with a party beyond Pitman's Ferry, found Reves, with his guerrillas, 12 miles beyond the ferry, acting as advanced pickets. Captain McClanahan and Lieutenant Poole each killed a picket, Poole getting his horse shot.
There are about 1,000 men at Gainesville and Scatterville, on Crowley's Ridge. They are badly armed and scattered, in order to subsist. I shall beat up these quarters early this week.
I called on Colonel Livingston for help in the way of infantry. Finding soon that I would not probably need it, I notified him. I thought if Marmaduke crossed the Saint Francis in large force, while my movements of artillery would be impeded by lack of horses, he might cut off my communications with the point of supply, by getting between me and the Castor. I have now found I can prevent that. You will see the report of an observation of the road by which he must come. If he crosses the Saint Francis, my point is well indicated, and I can there hold three times my force. I have sent a company of the First Wisconsin, with a good officer, to repair bridges, culverts, and mend the roads, that we may get there with least possible delay when the time comes. If he entertains any ideas of crossing at Chalk Bluff, I will soon put an end to them.
I inclose you copy of report of Lieutenant-Colonel Pomeroy,* and am, your obedient servant,
JOHN McNEIL,
Colonel, Commanding.
HDQRS SECOND MISSOURI STATE MILITIA CAVALRY,
Bloomfield, March 23, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I left this post on the evening of the 19th instant, for the purpose of making a tour of reconnaissance west of the Saint Francis River. For this purpose, I took with me 75 men, 25 of whom I left at Williams' Crossing, on the Saint Francis River, under command of Lieutenant [J.] Donahoo, to guard two ferry-boats, one of which I captured on the Mingo, and the other at Punches' Crossing, on the Saint Francis, together with several canoes, all of which I floated won stream to the point above indicated, about three-fourths of a mile south of the junction of the Mingo with the Saint Francis River.
Shortly after daylight next morning, I crossed my party, arriving that evening at Poplar Bluff. Here we were enthusiastically hailed by the few inhabitants that remain, and who express more Union sentiment, and are more truly loyal, than any people I have yet met with in Southeast Missouri.
Aware of the small force at my disposal, and being now 40 miles from any support, I deemed it prudent to withdraw from town,and encamp at the foot of the bridge over Blackwater River, on the east side of the village, there holding a position that no enemy could well force. Not being able to ascertain any information relative to the reported advance of Marmaduke's army, I resolved to push still farther in the direction of Pocahontas, until I could meet his advance or capture his pickets, or strike his trail in case he had moved north.
About 1 o'clock next day [21st], I surprised a picket, consisting of 5 men, who fled at our approach. They were stationed about 20 miles from Poplar Bluff, at the junction of the Pitman's Ferry and Doniphan roads. I captured 3 of the pickets and killed and remaining 2. I will here state that the two who were killed had good horses, and exhibited a degree of bravery worthy of a better cause. Being well mounted, myself and Captain [Perry D.] McClanahan, commanding Company C, of this regiment, soon took the lead of our men and each singled out his man and pursed him. Several pistol shots were exchanged during the chase, and not until we were within 3 miles of Doniphan could we get fairly up with them. Here my antagonist shot my horse, and at the same instant I killed his; both horses fell together, and we (my butternut friend and myself) rolled over and over, when he broke loose and attempted to get away on foot, but I soon caught him and put an end to the desperado.
At some little distance I found my friend McClanahan, standing over the remains of him he pursued. We were both exhausted,and had to wait until our party came up.
I must make special notice of Corporal Blurton, of Company B, for his zeal and bravery throughout.
From the pickets captured, I learned that Marmaduke's main force as still encamped in the vicinity of Batesville, and that Jeffer's Clark's, and Lewis' men were acting as his advance guard, making their regular reports to him, and being guided and instructed from his headquarters. One of the prisoners captured was lately from Little Rock, Ark., and seemed to have been acting in the capacity of postmaster, as the inclosed package of communications, found upon his person, will indicate.
The road from Bloomfield to the Saint Francis is tolerably good, passing over gentle ridges and plateaus, or glades, through which levees have been constructed, with the necessary culverts. A train of artillery, in good weather, could easily pass over, with some repairs being done to the bridge over Lick Creek. I would calculate the distance at about 18 miles. Forage very scarce.
From the Saint Francis to Poplar Bluff the roads are excellent, with the exception of about 1 miles through the Blackwater bottom, passing over a high, barren, and uncultivated ridge.
A couple of thousand bushels of corn might be collected at poplar Bluff from the farms on the Blackwater bottom. This is all an army could depend upon. I must be nearly 20 mils from Williams' Crossing, on the Saint Francis, to Poplar Bluff. From Poplar Bluff to Pitman's Ferry it must be about 35 miles, and about an equal distance to Doniphan. The roads are good and practicable for trains or artillery. But few cultivated farms, and forage very scarce.
The telegraph constructed by General Steele has been completely destroyed and strewn carelessly along the road. I had several horses thrown by it in the charge, and some of the riders seriously injured.
Before concluding this hurried report, I would state that, in the neighborhood of Pitman's Ferry, I found Saint Louis newspapers of a more recent date than we could obtain at Bloomfield, thus clearly demonstrating that the rebels are in direct communication with that city.
My command arrived safely at this post at 1 a. m., having been absent four entire days. We took with us but a limited supply of hard bread; marched 150 miles during that time without either tents of blanket, and during the entire trip I never heard a murmur.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRED. R. POOLE,
Regimental Adjutant.
Colonel JOHN McNEIL,
Commanding Southeastern Expedition.