After recovery from his wounds, Wild Bill left Rock Creek Station and
went to Leavenworth, where shortly after his arrival, he was appointed
wagon master of a train Gen. Jno. C. Fremont had ordered to Sedalia,
Missouri. On the third day out and as they were about going into camp
for the night, the train was attacked by a company of Confederates and
several of the wagons burned and the mules run off. Bill could offer
little resistance, as he had less than a dozen men with him, all of
whom surrendered at the beginning of the attack. Nevertheless, being
mounted on an excellent horse, he gave battle single handed, and when
called upon to surrender, his reply was: “Come and take me.” Knowing
that Col. Jameson was at Kansas City, he started for that place,
pursued by more than fifty of the Confederates, who fired their pistols
at him until they were distanced, but he escaped without a scratch; not
so his pursuers, for four of the more advanced ones fell victims to his
unerring aim.
Upon his arrival in Kansas City Bill at once reported to Col. Jameson,
who immediately dispatched two companies of his command to the scene
of the first attack, and on the following day succeeded in recapturing
most of the stock and repairing the damage to the wagons, so that
the train was able to proceed to Sedalia. His valor in resisting the
Confederates was acknowledged by his appointment as Brigade Wagon
Master with Gen. Curtis’ army, and, while serving in this capacity, he
engaged in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he performed most valuable
service as a sharp-shooter, killing no less than thirty-five men, it is
stated, from a single station.