Peter H. Burnett, Recollections
and Opinions of an Old Pioneer (New York: D Appleton and Company, 1880),
59-60.
Burnett wrote, "John
"Estes, one of Bogard's men, who was in the fight, escaped and came to
Liberty the same day, and gave information to General Atchison. The latter at
once ordered the Liberty Blues to march to the battleground, and there await
further orders. I was a member of this independent militia company.
We made ready, and were off before night, and marched some
ten miles that evening, under General Doniphan. The next day we reached the
scene of conflict, and encamped in the edge of the open oak-woods next to the
prairie that extended from that point to Far West (the town being in the open
prairie), and on the road that Patton had traveled to attack Bogard, and about
one mile nearer Far West than Bogard's camp. We were joined by soe of Bogard's
men, so that we numbered about one hundred. The first night after our
'encampment was cold and frosty. I remember it well, for I was on guard that
night. . . . The next day was warm and beautiful, and was what is called
"Indian summer." I went upon the battle-field and examined it
carefully. The dead and wounded had all been removed; but the clots of blood
upon the leaves where the men had fallen were fresh and plainly to be seen. It
looked like the scene of death. Here lay a wool hat, there a tin cup, here an
old blanket; in the lop of this little tree hung a wallet of provisions; and
saddles and bridles, and various articles of clothing, lay around in confusion.
The marks of the bullets were seen all around. I remember that a small
linden-tree, three or four inches in diameter, that stood behind Patton's men,
seemed to have been a target, from the number of shots that had struck
it."
