The Union army, or rather a portion of it, was encamped at Warsaw, waiting for the completion of the Osage river bridge, which was being built by the soldiers, at that point. The division under the command of acting Major-General Sigel, had succeeded, after an extraordinary effort, in reaching the west side of the river, but it was impossible to convey the heavy trains which accompanied the army across, without something more than the small scow, which was termed a ferry-boat, and plying between Warsaw and the opposite shore.
The divisions under the command of McKinstry, Hunter, and Pope, had not yet arrived. Therefore the troops occupying Warsaw and its vicinity, numbered only about ten or twelve thousand. Under the incessant toil of the soldiers, who labored day and night, it was expected that the bridge would be complete by the time the rear divisions of the army arrived.
As a matter of prudence, it was deemed necessary to keep the rebel hosts in ignorance with regard to the situation of our forces. It was not expected that they would advance upon us, although many expressed a desire that it should be so, believing that Price would never meet our entire army, and that farther pursuit of that general was altogether fruitless. This opinion, however, was not general, and the more experienced officers were of the opinion that a few days would bring a great and decisive battle, but had perfect confidence in our complete success. They felt, that if the rebel leader possessed one particle of pride, he must make a stand, after the oft-repeated oaths that he had taken, to meet and overwhelm the federal troops.
Spies were reporting each day, that Price had sworn to meet, and give us battle; but the opinion among this class seemed to be, that he would fall back to the Arkansas line, and make a junction with Texan troops, said to be on the march toward Missouri. Many reports were circulated with regard to the strength of the rebel army, some saying it numbered over seventy thousand, while others declared there were not over thirty thousand armed men connected with it.
But the general commanding the Union forces, placing little reliance upon the statement of those spies, whom he believed could be bought upon either side by the highest bidder, determined to send known and trusty men into the very camp of Price. The delay of the army would afford sufficient time for doing so. It soon became known throughout camp that the general wished the services of some two or three daring spirits, for a dangerous enterprise, although what the nature of this enterprise might be, was not known, or whether the officers required were to take soldiers with them or go alone.
The headquarters of our army were situated on the hill at the upper and east side of Warsaw. The tent of General Fremont, which was of the Sibley pattern, modest and unassuming in its appearance, stood in the edge of an oak grove, near the house of the rebel judge Brown. In no way was it distinguishable from others which surrounded it, except that before the door, there was a single soldier of the body-guard, with drawn sword, acting as sentinel. Adjoining the general's tent were others of the same pattern, which were occupied by his staff. On the slope above, and almost concealed from view among the trees, was the encampment of the sharpshooters and the Benton cadets.
The reader will follow me along the main road, and passing headquarters some twenty rods, will see, on a parallel with the street, a line of tents, which were the staff officers' of the cadets. Just before reaching these we will turn a little to the left, and proceed for a short distance down a narrow lane. At the extreme right of the cadets' camp, stands a tent, of precisely the same appearance as those surrounding it, the entire regiment occupying the kind known as the Fremont tent. Let us enter.
It is occupied at this time by four men, who, by their uniforms, are at once recognized as officers. Two of these officers display the rank of captain, by their shoulder-straps, the other two that of first lieutenant. The dark blue and bullion of one of these lieutenants indicate a staff officer. He is the regimental adjutant.
"William Nettleton!" called one of the officers.
"Here, captain," was the ready response.