(Transcribed as written with the exception of paragraph insertions to make reading
easier. Anything in [ ] is my comment.)

1862
Clinton Henry Co Mo Aug 22ond

Dear Parents, Father & Mother
Through the mercies of an alwise being, my life is still spared, and blessed
with good health, also with the privilege of writing to you the fate of my dear
and beloved Comrades.  On Seventhday [Saturday] the 16th inst [of August]
George Wilcoxon, Albert J. Hall and Franklin Barnard was killed in the
Battle at Lone Jack, Jackson County Mo.  Also Oliver Powel Mortally
Wounded.  I do not know enough about this affair to give you the full accounts,
but I will do the best that I can.  On the 14th inst Genrl Warren and all his
available forces [including Harrison B. Talbert] left this place [Clinton] and
went North on a Scout.  We soon got on the trail of about 4000 Rebels and
was following them up, us one day behind.  On Seventhday [Saturday] the
16th we heard they had a Battle at Lone Jack, the Rebels gaining a victory and
capturing two pieces of Artillery.  Firstday morning [Sunday morning August
17th] we started for Lone Jack 12 miles distant.  About 10 O clock A.M. we
was within one mile of Lone Jack, here we could see plenty of Signs of the
aforesaid battle.  We still advanced on the Town not knowing whether the
Rebels was there or not.  And the Citizens could not or would not tells us
whether they were there or not.  When within a short distance of the town I
saw, at a little frame house at the side of the road, some of our boys.  I jumped
off my horse and ran into the house.  When to my utmost astonishment I
found it a hospital for our own wounded boys.  I first met Jacob Rice with a
flesh wound in his thigh.  Next was Martin Stone with his right elbow all
shattered by a ball.  On the other side of the house lay Lieut Devlin with two
severe wounds.  One ball passing through his testicles, an[o]ther through the
lower part of his abdomen.  Very doubtful about his recovery.  By his side lay
orderly Sergt Scott with a wound in his shoulder. Thus they had layed for 24
hours without any medical aid.  And but little assistance from any person.  I
turned my attention to Martin Stone when he addressed me thus; Harrison,
says he, George Wilcoxon, Albert J. Hall, Franklin Barnard is killed, and I
suppose Oliver Powel is dead by this time.  At this instant they called for us
to come to our posts and I had to leave with out getting in more inflammation
[information].  Oliver Powel and all the rest of the wounded (except what I
have mentioned) was at some other house.  We have since heard that five of
our men was killed and sixteen wounded out of about 30 men.  A force of 500
State Militia and this [battered] section of our battery had left Lexington Mo
a few days before in pursuit of a small band of rbls.  Sixthday [Friday] night
they camped at Lone Jack.  By daylight next morning they were surround[ed]
and fired into by from 3,000 to 6,000 rebels.  And them having all advantages
and ten men to our one.  And against such odds the State Militia done first
rate.  But in spite of all their efforts they were compelled to surrender, losing a
great many lives and two pieces of artillery.  The most of our men escaped, and
I do not no whether any of our own boys were taken prisoners or not.  They
treated our wounded first rate.  Firstday [Sunday] evening ambulances  came
from Lexington under a flag of truce and took all our wounded to Lexington
Mo.  I will now go to where I left the house and went to the guns.  We
marched on to a field and formed in line of battle.  Reports soon came to the
Genrl that they were surrounding us. And on account of us having only about
800 men and a very poor position the Genrl ordered a retreat.  We fell back
about one mile on a nice prairie where we waited for reinforcements, which
were about 8 miles off.  Genrl Blunt with 2000 men and 6 pieces of artillery
from Kansas was after the same band.  In about two hours Genrl Blunts
command came up and while consulting what to do news came that the rebels
were retreating south.  
We pushed out after them and about dark came up with their rear, but it was
raining and dark pitch so we had to lay by til morning.  Next morning they
were gone.  We started out on their trail and followed them about 75 miles
south or rather S.W. and did not overtake them.  But I am sure if our Genrl
had a managed right they would of overtaken them.  The rebls traveled both
day and night and never stopped to feed but twice in going the 75 miles.  
People that saw them pass said they had our two cannons with them and a
secesh flag stuck up on each one.  We got back here [Clinton] last evening
after being gone 8 days and we stared with only 3 days provisions, wer got
along without suffering but fared very rough not a tent along with the whole
command.  While we were gone this post was moved to Sedala.  We were
going on there but heard last evening that [Union] Genrl Totten was coming
here [Clinton] with 3 or 4000 men on his way to recapture us, him hearing that
it was Genrl Warren that had the battle at Lone Jack, also heard that all
Warrens force was captured there.  Totten has now learnt the strait of things.  
And I don’t no what we will do.  I haven’t time to write any more, and have
wrote this in an awful hurry.  Remember me while far away from home and
now destitute of dear friends that seemed to me like brothers.  Your most
obedient son     H. Talbert
  P.S. I haven’t received a letter from any person since I left Jeff City.  Direct
[letters] to Clinton Henry Co Mo  Care Leut H.T. Thomas Comandin


In an excerpt from another letter written to his Aunt Mary on Sept. 17th, 1862,
Harrison writes:

…Poor George and several others of my friends are done receiving letters in
this world.  They have paid the debt that we yet owe.  You can imagine how I
felt when I went into the hospital at Lone Jack and took hold of Martin Stones
hand when he addressed me thus, Harrison; George Wilcoxon, Albert J. Hall,
Franklin Barnard is killed.  And I suppose Oliver Powel is dead by this time.  I
was struck with horror and dismay at this news.  Not knowing until that
minute that it was our boys that was in that battle the day before.  And just as
he finished telling me this our Lieut holloured [hollered] out for the gunners.  I
left the house, the floor of which was covered with wounded and started for
the guns expecting to go right into battled but such was not the case.  I will
not say anything more about this at present for doubtless you have heard all
about it before this time.  You know without me telling what cronies me and
George was.  I took him to be one of my best friends on earth.  And he seemed
as near to me as a brother.  Also Stone, Hall, and Barnard was three
respectable young men as the country could afford.  And no doubt but their loss
will be deeply regretted by all their friends.  Charley Hunglford has lately died
from the wounds he received at Lone Jack.  The rest of the boys that were
wounded there are getting along fine.  Our boys are now all at Jefferson City
except this section.



Letters written by Harrison B. Talbert; 3rd Indiana Battery