John McNeil, who then commanded at that place. It arrived at Fort Smith December 3d, 1863, and was at once placed under active duty by Gen. Thomas Moonlight, 11th Kansas Volunteers. On the 20th of this month, (November), by order of General Blunt, the regiment moved from Fort Scott (which was its place of rendezvous) en route for Fort Smith, Ark., under command of Lieut. Carney, soon had the requisite number of men recruited, and in November, 1863, the 14th Kansas Cavalry was in effect organized and placed in the field. Anderson, (afterwards Adjutant General of the State), aided by the efforts of Gov. Blunt, through his recruiting commissioner, Maj. Blunt had the order so extended and altered as to authorize the enlistment of a full regiment of cavalry for the current wants of the service. They were speedily obtained so speedily, indeed, that inasmuch as the necessity was at that time urgent for more troops, Gen. This was intended to be composed of four companies of picked men.
Blunt received authority from the War Department to recruit a battalion of cavalry as his personal escort.