Lieut. Col. Frederick W. Schaurte

SIR: I have the honor to forward to you the following report of the battle on Elk Creek, Creek Nation, July 17, 1863, in which my regiment was engaged:

I was ordered to get all my available force in readiness to march on Thursday, July 16, 1863. My command consisted of field and staff officers, Major [M. B. O.] Wright, Surg. A. J. Ritchie, Adjutant [Ezra W.] Robinson, Chaplain J. B. Jones, and Sergt. Maj. Ed. Baldrige; of line officers, 4 captains, 9 first lieutenants, and 5 second lieutenants; of enlisted men, 345, 10 of whom were mounted. Total, 368.

My command crossed the Arkansas River, below the mouth of Grand River, at 11 p.m. on the 16th instant. Three privates of Company F, Second Regiment Indian Brigade, were drowned while attempting to swim the river--Privates Huston Mayfield, Key Dougherty, and To-cah-le-ges-kie.

We moved forward on the Texas road (course west of south), and arrived at camp, to the north of and near Elk Creek timber, at 8:45 o'clock, July 17, 1863. About an hour afterward I received orders to get my command in readiness, and take position in close column of companies in rear of the First Kansas Colored Regiment.

The First Brigade, of which my regiment formed a part, moved forward in close column of companies, on the right of the Texas road, and formed in line of battle near and in front of Elk Creek timber. About 10:20 a.m. Blair's battery, consisting of four pieces, commanded by Capt. E. A. Smith, commenced firing. Soon afterward, the right section changed position from the right to the left of the brigade, supported by the First Kansas Colored Regiment.

As soon as the artillery ceased firing, I was ordered to deploy my command as skirmishers, and enter the timber. My command continued to act as skirmishers during the entire engagement, which lasted about four hours. The enemy was repulsed from the field, and pursued until pursuing became useless, they being well mounted and our men worn down with fatigue.

A little after 2 o'clock my command was ordered back to camp on Elk Creek, where it remained until 5 p.m., July 18, 1863, when we were ordered to march for Fort Blunt, on the same route pursued in going to the scene of action. We camped about 12 p.m., on the prairie 2 miles south of the Arkansas River. My command left camp soon after sunrise, and arrived at Fort Blunt at 11 a.m., July 19, 1863.

A stand of colors was captured by my men; also a quantity of arms; the number I could not ascertain, as the men threw them in a pile whenever they found them.

The casualties in my command are as follows: Private Huston Mayfield, Company F, drowned in the Arkansas; Private Key Dougherty, Company F, drowned in the Arkansas; Private Tocah-le-ges-kie, Company F, drowned in the Arkansas; Private Grass, Company B, wounded in left side, severely; Private Backwater, Company A, right thigh broken, wound mortal; Private Leach Rice, Company I, right hand wounded slightly.

I feel it my duty to state that the officers and men of my command behaved nobly and gallantly. They were the first who charged through Elk Creek and took position in the farther edge of the timber, opposite to where the enemy had massed their forces for the time.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. W. SCHAURTE,

Lieut. Col. Second Regiment Indian Brigade,

Comdg. Regiment.

ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,

First Brigade, Army of the Frontier.