considered very great, but it could not be helped. When I found it impossible for the rear guard to get an animal along, I had it killed, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.

Very respectfully, major, your obedient servant,

ALF. SULLY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Major J. F. MELINE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Department of the Northwest.

P. S.- By actual count the number of my prisoners is 156 - men 32,

By actual count the number of my prisoners is 156 - men 32, women and children 124. I would also beg leave to say that in the action I had of my command between 600 and 700 men actually engaged. My killed number, as far as ascertained, 20; wounded, 38.

Return of Casualties in the United States engaged with Indians near White Stone Hill, Dakota September 3 and 5, 1863.

[Compiled from nominal list of casualties, return, &c.]

Killed. Wounded.

Command. Officers Enlisted Officers Enlisted Aggregat

. men. . men. e.

September 3:

6th Iowa ... 9 1 21 31

Cavalry

2nd Nebraska ... 2 1 12 15

Cavalry

September 5:

6th Iowa ... 2 ... ... 2

Cavalry

2nd Nebraska ... 4 ... 1 5

Cavalry

Total ... 17 2 34 53

NOTE.- Lieutenant Thomas J. Leavitt, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, mortally wounded September 3.

Numbers 2. Report of Colonel David S. Wilson, Sixth Iowa Cavalry.

IN BATTLE-FIELD OF WHITE STONE HILL,

September 3, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit to you an account of the participation of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry in the battle of White Stone Hill on the 3rd of September, 1863.

As you are aware, the command left the mouth of the Big Cheyenne on the 21st day of August last. Nothing occurred to vary the monotony of the usual hard marches until the date above. On the morning of that ay I received an order from you to detail from my command one battalion. It being the turn of the Third Battalion to scout, an order was issued directing Major A. E. House to report to your headquarters for instructions, which was promptly done. Company M, commanded by Captain V. J. Williams, of said battalion, having their horses used up by constant scouting, it was unable to proceed with the detail, it place

36 R R - VOL XXII, PT I