A third force under Colonel Burris of the Kansas Infantry was ordered to move from Kansas City and try to catch Thompson and Quantrell before they could join Coffee.
Thus it looked as if the Confederates were hemmed in, and if everything went right, could be captured.
Lawrence decided to join the expedition under Foster.
Foster's little army left Lexington on the morning of the fifteenth of August, and by a rapid march reached the vicinity of Lone Jack by evening. Here at nine o'clock at night he surprised Coffee in camp, routing him, his men fleeing in confusion.
Foster took possession of the abandoned camp and waited until morning. Warren had not been heard from.
Lawrence still was in command of his scouts, and he volunteered to see if he could find Warren.
The night was dark and they had to be careful.
"If we only had Harry and Bruno," sighed Lawrence to Dan, as they were groping their way along as best they could.
"If we had we wouldn't be going at this snail pace," answered Dan.
They could find nothing of Warren and started to return. On the way back they came to a cross road and halted in doubt as to which road to take. While debating, the sound of approaching horses was heard.