No. 2.-report of Col. William W. Lowe, Fifth Iowa Cavalry.
Sir: I have the honor to report the result of an expedition sent out recently from this post in the direction of Paris and Dresden for the purpose of intercepting some supplies of medicines, &c., taken from Paducah for the use of the rebel army; also a brief statement of what has been done since the result of that expedition became known to me.
Having received information that the rebels were being supplied from time to time with various contraband articles, I sent Maj. Carl Shaeffer de Boernstein out with parts of three companies, in order to break up this trade.
Failing to obtain any satisfactory information, he pushed on to Paris and Dresden.
After passing through Paris Claiborne's command of rebel cavalry succeeded in getting in rear of him and pursued him to a point called Lockridge's Mills, when he was overtaken and a severe skirmish ensued, the rebels numbering 1,280, while the force under Major Shaeffer [de Boernsteinj consisted of 125 men.
Our loss in killed and wounded was as follows, namely:
[882]
Our loss in prisoners cannot as yet be actually ascertained, but will, I presume, number about 60, as Captain Nlott has reached Paducah with 58 men and 48 horses.
The loss of the enemy is not known, but they were seen to haul off two wagon loads of wounded.
They stripped our wounded and dead of all their clothing.
Major Shaeffer [de Boernstein] was robbed of his coat and boots while still living.
As soon as the news reached me I at once made preparation to go with the few remaining companies here in pursuit of the enemy, and, the Fourth Minnesota Regiment passing at this time, I took the responsibility, as indicated in my dispatch, of disembarking them, to aid me in the progress of the expedition.
I started on the evening of the 6th instant, and on the evening of the 7th encamped near Paris and within a few miles of the enemy.
My purpose was to have gone on that night, but soon after going into camp I received a dispatch from the commanding general directing me not to pursue them.
The next morning I commenced my return, but sent several parties into and through Paris, without, however, being able to bring out the enemy in pursuit.
Since my return I learned that Claiborne has received a reenforcement of about 1,000 men, and is now occupying the country between Paris and Jackson with a view of entering this neighborhood for the purpose of procuring forage and rations.
Under these circumstances I have thought proper to retain the Fourth Minnesota Regiment, and trust my course will be approved by the general.
I have again to urge the necessity of having at this post a small additional force.
With one more regiment and a battery I could easily hold and occupy the country for 30 miles back of the river, and as there are many good and loyal citizens in this vicinity, they should receive all possible assistance and protection.
Should the rebels again get possession of this section of the country, it is their intention to take off everything in the way of forage and provisions.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
| Killed. | Wounded. | |
| Officers | 1 | 3 |
| Non-commissioned officers | 1 | |
| Privates | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 6 |
W. W. Lowe, Colonel Curtis' Horse, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Department of the Mississippi, Monterey, Miss.
