Doc. 5.-fight near Waynesville, Mo.
Sirs: There have been many accounts of unequal fights published during this war,but if there is any that will beat the following, I should like to hear of it:
Lieutenant C. C. Troyford, of company H, Fifth Missouri militia cavalry, while on a scout with seven men of his company, was attacked in a house about eighteen miles south of Waynesville by two hundred and fifty rebels, under Colonel Love; the boys fought three hours against this overwhelming force, when their ammunition was exhausted.
The rebels crept up and set fire to the house; the boys then came out, and threw down their revolvers and surrendered.
The rebels lost five killed, seven wounded, and some that could not be counted by the Lieutenant.
Also, seven horses were killed.
Among the mortally wounded is Colonel Tucker, alias Bent Woods, the notorious guerrilla and stage-robber.
Not one of our boys was wounded in any way, but they were stripped of every thing.
Lieutenant Troyford had three hundred dollars in greenbacks, which he managed to hide and keep.
The boys were paroled, and returned, and are now safely in camp.
It appears that the forces of Colonel Love and Colonel Freeman contemplated an attack on Waynesville on Sunday last, but hesitated, and put it off till the next morning; then, hearing of the return of Major Fischer from pursuing Joe Shelby, beat a hasty retreat and came upon the little squad of company H, gobbled them, but found a bitter pill.
The boys say, that if it had been a decent house, the rebs would never have got them out of it.
I remain, very respectfully, yours,
R. B. Kelley, Sergeant.