Head Qrs. Sedalia Mo Oct. 7th 1864 The Comanding officers of companies and Detachments, Stationed at this post are hereby commanded to hold their forces in readiness to report promptly at these Head Quarters at the Sound of the Song Roll. ---- ---- They will have their soldiers sleep on their arms, and see that each man has at least twenty rounds of cartridge, and saddles and equipments where they can be used at any hour of the night, without confusion. The entire command is lia- ble to be called out at any moment, and all officers and men are urged to be fully awake to the responsibilities res- ting upon them. By Command of Col. Jno. D. Crawford Comd'g Post Chan. P. Townsley, Adjt. --------------------------------------------- Special Order Head Quarters 40th Regt. E.M.M. No 1. Sedalia Mo. Sept 30th 1864 Complaint having been made to the commanding officer of the Post that certain citizens belonging to the citizen guards refuse to come out when called upon. It is hereby order- ed that all such persons so refu- sing will hereafter be reported to { me and profoundly punished } these Head- [words between braces are crossed out] quarters, and be dealt with according to military discipline. The Col.commanding deems it proper to say, that it is the duty of every citi- ----- ---- zen, whether over or under age, whether --- exempt or otherwise, if he is able to bear arms and assist in the defense of his home to come forward willingly in response to the appeal from Gen. Rosecrans and other military authorities. As we are being governed by orders from Depart- ment Headquarters, I shall use all means within my power to do equal justice to all, and at the same time enforce obedience By order of Col J. D. Crawford Comdg Post. --------------------------------------------- H'qrs Sedelia Mo Oct. 20, 1864 Brig Genl E. B. Brown General: Being in command of the forces at this place where attacked by Genl Jeff Thompson on 15th inst. I deem it proper to make a brief statement of the facts and in doing so I shall make only such assertions as can be well authenticated by citizens and soldiers of this place. It may be well to stat that I was placed in command of the 40th Regt. E.M.M. while it was not in service to fill vacancy occasioned by resignation of Col Spedden. I found it a very arduous task to concentrate the men by reason of the depletion which had taken place in the Regt. while it was furloughed. One Capt, one first, and one second Lt were the only Com- -pany officers left in the Regt. with about four hundred men. Of this force I had about three hundred men together with about three hundred citgizen guards for duty. I had armed this force by procuring such arms as could be had in the country. I received no arms from the authorities. At the time the attack was made, my available fighting force was not more than three hundred men. On several occasions this force repulsed and drove off bands of rebels and guerillas under Todd and others that were constantlymen- acing the post. I erected temporary field works, opened communication with surrounding out-posts and kept my forces constantly employed in watching the movement of the enemy. About one oclock P.M. 15th inst, I was in- -formed through rebel prisoners captured by my scouts, that a body of rebels under Gen Jeff Thompson, numbering twenty eight [new page] hundred with artillery had passed in the rear of Genl Sanborn and were marching rapidly upon this place. I immediately ordered the citizen guards to the works and gave orders to the cavalry to hold themselves in readiness for prompt action at the same time sending out detachments to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. Capt. Donnohue of 40th Regt. with his company had scarely reached the inner line of pickets three quarters of a mile from town, when he was met by an overwhelming force of rebels and after a sharp fight the Capt fell back on the reserves. The enemy being in such strong force and opening upon the town with artillery it was impossible to preserve order among the ranks of the undisciplined and badly armed force of my command; yet every effort was made to prevent confusion and disorder but when the men saw they were being flanked by large columns of rebel cavalry moving rapidly to the east - and west - of town with the main force steadily advancing they evacuated the place barely in time to escape capture. Some of those in the woods were captured and paroled. Three men were killed on our side and according to Genl Jeff Thompson's own report 5 were killed and 13 wounded of the enemy. Among the killed was the Genl's Orderly. On several occasions my command shot at Federals because the rebels were dressed in our uniform. Every thing possible was done to hold the place, but with seven or eight - to one, with artillery against shot guns & muskets it was impossible to have a contested battle. The R. R. tank was all the property burned. All the arms found were taken by the enemy and a small amount of amunition with a portion of commissaries on hand. SOme merchants sustained heavy losses. The town escaped being plundered to any great extent. These are facts, and when I left the town with two disarmed men and a rebel prisoner, pillaging & house breaking had commenced.