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The Negro Regiment has a Successful Engagement with Guerillas.
HEADQUARTERS 1ST REG'T KANSAS COLORED VOLS.,
FORT AFRICA, on the Drage near
Butler, Bates county, Mo., Oct. 30, 1862.
A detachment of seventy men from the Southern batalion, (Col. Seaman's) and one hundred and sixty from Col. Williams, the latter under Capt. R. G. Ward, Co. B; the entire detachment under Col. Seaman, who acted under instructions form Major Hennitig, arrived here Tuesday afternoon, having left Fort Lincoln late on Monday. The enemy's scouts were seen in force when we arrived at this point, the residence of an infamous guerilla named Toothman, whose son is now a prisoner at Fort Lincoln. We were aiming to clean out a rendezvous near here, on what is known as the Island, a long marshy tract of land, lying in the Osage, which has been the resort of the Jackman and Cockerill bushwackers. We found the latter in force with a splendidly mounted and well armed body, variously estimated at from 400 to 800 men. The probability is that the first named was the correct estimate, but since our arrival he has been reinforced till his command numbers over six hundred. We encamped within Toothman's yard, throwing up a raid barricade and raising a flag. We named the place "Fort Africa." Sending back for cavalry and the rest of the regiment, we skirmished two days. Yesterday morning our skirmishers shot two scouts. After dinner the enemy succeeded in drawing out a small detachment and cutting it off from our main body. A sharp engagement ensued in the attempt to rescue our detachment. We lost eight men killed and ten wounded. — Captain Crew, Company A, First regiment, L. V. C., formerly of the Mansion House, was killed. Lieu. Jos. Gardner was severely wounded, but will be well within a week or two. The enemy report fifteen killed this morning, and must have as many more wounded.
It is useless to talk any more of negro courage. The men fought like tigers, each and every one of them, and the main difficulty was to hold them well in hand.
We have just received reinforcements, and have intelligence of a guerrilla force that renders a movement necessary. We have the guerrillas hemmed in, and will clean them and this county out. Saddle and mount is the word. These are the boys to clear out the bushwhackers.
R. J. K.
[Lieut. Joseph Lyon arrived here on Sunday with the body of Capt. Crew. He was in the engagement and fully confirms the report of our correspondent.
Capt. Crew had a wound through the heart and one through the groin and died immediately. His watch, which was stolen from him on the field, was afterwards found on the body of a bushwhacker, undoubtedly the man who had killed Capt. Crew, and whose death, at the hands of a negro, was another instance of a speedy and retributive justice. Lieut. Lyon says Missouri guerillas have the highest respect for black valor. — R. D.