Wow, I didn't realize the real result would be so anxiously awaited!
Now, the real outcome!
Here is the quick(er) version, the full report can be read farther below:
The officer from whose prospective this scenario is based on is Captain L. E. Whybark, commanding a detachment of the 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. After the approaching force did not identify themselves, the troops under Whybark's command opened fire on the intruders. This caused the unidentified troops to quickly scatter in every direction, leaving behind four horses and their firearms but escaping otherwise unscathed. None of the militiamen were able to hit their targets in the dark. However, the identity of the late night visitors was not discovered until the next day when both groups met once again. The scouting party under Whybark was the first to discover the others. In the daylight, the unknown group had the look of bushwhackers, many were dressed in civilian clothes. Whybark formed his troops thirty yards from the others, but they held their fire. After Whybark's small command had formed, they had been discovered, however no shots were exchanged. Whybark advanced and called out to the potentially hostile group (who numbered around 20 men). This time both groups identified themselves to the other. It was then that it was discovered that the unidentified force from the previous night was actually a
friendly unit - another scouting party sent out by a detachment of the 3rd Missouri State Militia, who was operating to the northeast. Their number was overestimated, that night the 3rd MSM scouts had actually consisted of only 10 men, who came upon Whybark's camp. It is unknown why they failed to identify themselves when ordered. The horses and equipment "captured" the night before was returned to the ill-equipped 3rd MSM and the two forces departed. I have yet to find a report stating if Whybark found the bushwhackers that they were trailing.
Overall, not the proudest moment of the militiamen.
Here is the full report:
JULY 18-21, 1864.- Scout in Shannon County, Mo.
Report of Captain Levi E. Whybark, Fifth missouri State Militia Cavalry.
HDQRS DETACH. FIFTH CAV. MISSOURI STATE MILITIA,
Salem, Mo., July 22, 1864.
SIR: I just returned from down in Shannon County. I started Monday night with sixty men to capture some bushwhackers reported to be on Rock Creek, about sixty- five miles from Salem, or at what is known as the Hay Hollow, in the southeast corner of Shannon County, where they were herding their stolen horses. I traveled all night Monday night. Tuesday I got to the place abut 2 o'clock, but they had left an few days previous with their stock. They left some eight young horses which they could not get off with, which we brought in. They were stolen from Union men in this county, which I gave to them. I then camped and scouted around there until morning. Found no rebels, but plenty of signs. Wednesday morning I divided my men in three squads; sent one squad up Jack's Fork and Current and Gladen Valley, under Sergeant Neff; one squad up Current to the mouth of Big Sinking,then up it to the head,under Lieutenant Ringer. I and Lieutenant Fisher took the other squad, coming up Brushy Creek and then Big Creek to the head. I camped Wednesday night on head of Big Creek. There I heard fourteen rebels had passed up the evening before. We camped in a meadow. Abut 1 o'clock some dozen or so came on us. Would not make themselves known. We fired a few rounds into them and they scattered in every direction, leaving four horses and equipments, and their arms. The brush was so thick and it dark we did not kill any.
Next morning, Thursday, I followed on the divide in the southeast corner of Dent County, some twenty- five miles from Salem. There I came across some twenty of the Third Missouri State Militia from Centreville. They were dressed every way; some with citizen hats and in their shirt- sleeves. I took them to be bushwhackers; did not fire on them. They discovered us and halted. We called on them. They soon saw we were Federals, as were all in full uniform. I formed within thirty yards of them before they discovered me. I halted and made one advance; found they were all right. They were under command of a lieutenant, and had sent ten men on Big Creek and they were the ones we fired on. I turned over the horses and equipments to him, as they were his company. So it all was a mistake, but was in the fault of the commander of the squad, as they could know who we were. The best and reliable information of Freeman is he was on Ash Flat himself. One hundred of his men were on the Warm Fork of Spring River; the rest of his command on the North Fork of White River. Shelby is with Marmaduke. Freeman's is the only force I could hear of,and McCray was some place close to Batesville, and had some men on Seven Point conscripting. There is no large force near the line that I could hear of,though the women told us Shelby was in that county with 10,000 men, in order to get us away, but all stuff. Plenty bushwhackers on Jack's Fork. The citizens that live there say there are more in that county now than has been since the war. Fine crops of corn on Current River and Jack's Fork. Most of the men have been at home and made their crops and now all gone of with Freeman. I will endeavor to keep you posted in regard to any rebel force.
Respectfully,
L. E. WHYBARK,
Captain, Commanding Detachment.
Source: Official Records of the Civil War: Series I, Vol. XLI, Part I, pp. 74-75
Bringing the