continue this course they will probably attempt to cross the Osage at Duroc or some point near Warsaw if they get away from my troops.

JOHN B. SANBORN,

Brigadier-General.

Major J. W. BARNES,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The band of rebels was two miles north of Lebanon this morning. The early part of the night was so dark that the troops lost the trail, but or now in pursuit, and I think will come up with the rebels to-day. The rebels killed Lieutenant Stroup, enrolling officer, and Mr. Breakfield, by cutting their throats after trying their hands behind them, and hung the sheriff of the country, Mr. Harris, and broke his skull. This was done one mile from the place where this party was captured. The probability is that Lieutenant Johnson and the five soldiers are also murdered, but I have no information from them yet.

JOHN B. SANBORN,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., May 18, 1865.

Major JOHN SMALL,

Commanding at Lebanon, Mo.:

Where did the rebels cross the Wire road, and at what time? Keep your command after them as far as the Missouri River if they do not overtake them before.

JOHN B. SANBORN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

LEBANON, May 18, 1865.

Brigadier-General SANBORN:

A man released by the rebels has come in and reports that Captain Kelly was within five miles of them at 1 o'clock, who was wandering through the hills and robbing the citizens on the Mingo River. They crossed the Wire road eight miles east of this place. Our scout has evidently come up with them before this time. I will dispatch again when I hear from them

JOHN SMALL,

Major, Commanding.

LEBANON, May 18, 1865.

Brigadier-General SANBORN:

SIR: The scout found where they camped. The rebels went on the west side of this, and the night was very dark, so we could not keep on their trial. I sent scouts in all directions. After they captured Lieutenant Johnson and squad [they] went one mile and murdered Lieutenant Stroup and the sheriff and Mr. Breakfield by trying their hands behind them and them cutting their throats; the sheriff they hung and them and then cutting their throats; the sheriff they hung and then knocked him on the head. They had Lieutenant Johnston at Mr. Harman's, ten miles north of this place, and in a few