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ANUEL WEIGHT, Editor and Proprietor.
VOLUME XXXIV, NUMBER 6..]
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WAR NEWS!
THE VAR IN VIRGINIA.
_Highly Important from
Pope's Army.
Battles Friday & Saturday.
Terrific Contest.
REVERSE. A. RETREAT AND A
VICTORY.'
STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY.
ens Overwhelming and Unexpected
Reinforcements.
7Cleta,l3As of the. 313a.ittlam.
Itzcswr MCATICENTS
By some strategy, not yet manifest, the
.rebels succeeded, about ten days since, in
'turning our right flank at Warrenton, and
marched upon Manassas almost unperceived.
As soon as Gen. Pope became assured of
this, he ordered Hooker's division to march
upon Manassas Junction rapidly from Al
exandria. with five days' cooked rations, in
light marching order, but with a good sup
ply of ammunition. 'looker sprang forward
with his gallant fighting division, and,
meeting the rebels under Ewell, at Kettle
Run, several miles south-east of Manassas,
gave him a sound thrashing, and drove him
from Bristow Station and the tailrond, over
which our large army, near Warrenton, was
being supplied with stores; and although
et re rebels had made a raid upon Catlett's
Station, and destroyed a small portion of the
bridge and track at Cedar creek, this move
ment of [looker prevented Longitreet from
getting in our rear with a large army, and
entirely severing Pope's communication with
Washington. Thus the army of Virginia
was saved from annihilation or ignominious
surrender, which must have followed a want
of supplies, as there is no forage in that
country.
It will be plainly seen from this that
Longstreet fwas at least to bold in check
what he supposed to be our entire army at
Warrenton, while Jackson moved through
Centreville on to Leesburg, via the turnpike
road over Goose creek, over the Potomac and
into Maryland.
Longetreet apparently fell back when
Heintzelman came up with the balance of
his corps to reinforce Hooker, and upon his
arrival at Gainesville opened communica
tion with Jackson, who is said to have been
moving toward Gum Spring, twenty miles
northwest of Centreville, at the time, and
informed Stonewall of the condition of af
fairs, which, being fully appreciated by the
latter, he at once turned about and struck
for the Warrenton turnpike, intending to
join Longstreet at Gainesville.
In the meantime, Gen. Pope moved his
army up from Warrenton as rapidly as pos
sible; /McDowell, with his own and Sigel's
corps, and Reno's division, moving to the
left, through Greenwich, towards Gaines
ville, which movement, Gcn. Pope says,
caused the rebels to retreat through Thor
oughfare Gap, to return reinforced.
The BATTLE or FRIDAY
On Friday, after a tedious night advance,
alcDowel, Sigel, and Reno carne upon Jack
son, six miles west of Centreville, as he was
retreating to Gainesville, and a severe
pitched battle took place, which lasted all
day, and the geld was stoutly contested.—
This was a drawn battle, but Jackson's loss
vracvery heavy, and observing the trap that
bad been set for him. be endeavored to re
treat.acrose.Ball Run on Friday night, but
from some cause be did not get his army
Patirely over. Oar forces moved after him
that night, and by daybreak yesterday morn
ing•bad-driveo- the -enemy-over-Oatharpin
Greek. Fp to tits date of General Pope's
despatch, headed "Groveton, near Gaines
ville," we had captured all of Jackson's bag-
IlagaraSOPlN and , camp alaiPage , sad a
larie,enialier of Primmer'. The fields Were
said to have been roll of rebels overcome
with exhaustion, hunger, and thirst, who
readily gave themselves up. Some of these
saintratate that they started out from Thor
oughfare Gap in light marching order, with
ten'days'- rations of very poor quality, and
that this had been all consumed. If this be
true future victories over him will be easy.
TEX BATTLE or SATERVAr.
Atom , rite. I learn that during peter
dayAbe battle continued all day without
stay decisive results, the fighting being de
eultnivand'both armies-being almost nt
tiebrlzbateetedt'
FITZ JOHN PORTER DOES NOT COME Ur
The enemy had now retreated for some
, distance and was back of Gainesville. Me
-1 Dowel, Sigel and Reno still held the enemy
at bay, and waited anxiously for the arrival
of Gen. Porter's corns of fresh troops from
Manassas. but from some unaccountable de
lay he did not arrive. The probability is
that his men have been overtaaked with long
marches, and want of proper comforts, they
having left their camp equipage and over
coats behind.
THE BATTLE OF SUNDAY.
SI SO
The city is full of rumors to-day about
the battle going on- to-day in the vicinity of
Bull Run. The excitement runs high on
the Avenue in consequence of the circula
tion of these reports. I am happy to say
that I have just seen an officer of high rank,
this afternoon, who has given me some most
important news.
Gen. Pope seems to have met with a tem
porary reverse to-day. lie was successfully
driving the enemy during yesterday, whom
he supposed to be under command of Gen.
'Jackson, but about four o'clock a tremen
dous cloud of dust was seen on the right, and
Gen. Pope became convinced that heavy re
inforcements fur the enemy had succeeded
in getting through Thoroughfare Gap, and
were marching towards his right, with a
view of turning it, and getting in his rear.
Re accordingly wisely determined to with
draw his jaded troops Cross the immediate
field of action, which the enemy at once took
possession of. It was mortifying for Gen.
Pope to do this, but necessity knows no la . w,
and Sumner and Porter had not arrived to
save the day. Centreville is a most impor
tant point, and Manassas Junction is equal
ly so, and no one can fail to see that it is
absolutely necessary for us to keep posses
sion of thorn.
This morning the rebels renewed the battle
at day-break, and it has been raging fu
riously all day. An attempt was made to
turn our right, but the brave Stun, with
his trusty Germans and the batteries he
knows ~o well how to manoeuvre, was at
once ordered to the right, and the enemy
was driven back with heavy loss. SIGEL
headed "a. bayonet charge in person, it is said,
and in this new position distinguished him -
self. Then a bold stroke was made at our
centre, which was handsomely repulsed by
McDowell. After this a. desperation was
fearfully evident among the rebels' and
there soon emerged from tho dust a long
solid mass of mon coming down upon our
poor worn-out army at a bayonet charge on
the double-quick. By the description of
those who saw this line of bayonets, I am
satisfied that in the distance it must have
presented a spectacle at once awful, sublime,
terrible, and overwhelming.
TIIE REBELS CLEM= o Us.
On came the demons, as if emerging from
the earth,in well-caparisoned myriads,reach
ing in solid column as far as the limit of
hum= vision. But we were fully prepared
to meet this onset properly, and our men
stood, pale, but full of courage, awaiting the
resuit, fully determined to die nobly fighting
for the stars and stripes, if die they must;
and they saw no safety in retreat.
A CHANCE OF TACTICS.
Perfectly astounded at the confidence and
courage of our men, the rebels came, un
handsomely within good range, and taking
our fire on eemi•orderly commotion was ob
served in their ranks. While this encour
aged our men, Gen. Pope saw whit was the
intact of it all.
TELE REBELS TURN' OUR LEFT.
Almost as quick as thought the bugles
sounded the order to the rebel phalanxes,
and instantly the huge mass of the rebels
was hurried against our left wing. The
gallant divisions of Reno and Shenk—he
roes and victors of other fields—stood their
ground for a short space, but were soon
overpowered, and gave way. Setting up a
yell of triumph, the rebels pushed over piles
of their own dead men and the corpse of
many a patriot, using the bayonet at close
quarters with our troopg.
Tin ORDER TO FALL BACK
The rebels were slow in re-forming.—
They had not driven us back without con•
Adorable loss, awl they did not make an
other advance until half an hour after, about
noon .twday.
• Tuts CAXPAION DECI9ICE.
A rebel officer who was taken prisoner in
the charge remarked vehemently, "You can.
not whip us—our fate depends upon our
success in this campaign."
As 000 D As TILL "SLOGAg.,,
Now everything looks like a groat defeat
to the arms of the Onion, but God has not
willed it so. We are never to be defeated
at our near Bull Run again. Our reinforce
ments are in eight at last. Sykes, with his
invincible regulars. is in eight. It is the
vanguard of Fitz John Porter's °ups.—
They are coming up from Manassas to
give the rebels some of tho "touches" they
applied to them so artistically at Gaines'
Mills. Ws fire is delivered in the enemy's
flank, and the rebels stagger beak.
SUNINE6 IS SIGUT.
The rebels seem three to our ono, when
cheering is heard in our roar. 4od the dust
rises in clouds seemingly for miles in extent.
Half an hour passed by and puts Somas,
with his augmented and regenerated corps.
in the advance. The troops that have fought
so hard and so long fell back to Centreville
km Manymf - thew awalaligittiloiow,
"NO ENTERTAINMENT SO CHEAP AS READING, NOR ANY PLEASURE SO LASTING."
'COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 6,186 g.
and, eo,,led by the rain that was falling,
were soon fast asleep dreaming of home and
all that is lovely and beautiful in life, while
the roar of cannon was still ringing loudly
in their ears, stupefied with the sudden re
lapse from extraordinary excitement of the
past week.
FRANKLIN ARRIVES
Shortly after noon to day Franklin's
corps moved on from Centreville, and took
an advanced position.
SCUENCK AND SYKES WOUNDED.
Generals Schenck and Sykes have both
been wounded in the hand—the former se
verely, the latter painfully but nut seriously.
OUR CAPTURES
It is said that our captures of prisoners
and stores, camp equipage. &c., are ha
mense. The various trains returning from
the battle fields ere loaded with tons of
stores of every description, taken in the re
cent battles.
GENERAL BANKS
The army corps of Gen. Nathaniel P.
Banks is at Manassas Junction. lie has
rendered most important services, although
not actively engaged with the enemy. It is
understood that ho was anxious to move
into the valley and prevent any reinforce
ments from reaching Jackson, but it was
thought best to leave him to hold the Junc
tion, and keep communication open between
our army and Washington.
THE BATTLE OF SATURDAY,
Present Position of the Armies—Cen. Pope
Heavily Reinforced—Gen. Banks' Divi
sion at Centreville—The Battle not Re
sumed.
WASITINGTON, Sept. I.—Dispatches re
ceived from Fairfuz Court House, about
seven miles from Centreville, state that no
firing has been heard up to 12 o'clock yes
terday. Gen. Banks' forces were heard
from last night in a favorable position for
joining Gen. Pope's army.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS
WASHINGTON, Sept. I.—A gentleman who
returned from the battle-field this morning
reports that in Saturday's fight the left
wing was commanded by Gen. McDowell,
but owing to the murderous enfilading fire,
was compelled to fall back. Sigel com
manded the centre end Kearney the right.
It appears that our forces attacked the
enemy in the woods, from which the latter
opened numerous batteries, causing great
slaughter. The Rebels suffered equally as
much as our own troops. Our men, fear
less and determined, fell back about a mile,
leaving our dead and wounded on the field.
Our informant says our main forces were
five miles from Centreville on Sunday, in
battle array, and prepared for all emergen
cies, having been strongly reinforced.
All the wounded have been removed
from the battic-field of Thursday and Fri
day, which was yesterday still in our pos
session, but not so at the latest advices, the
scene of conflict of Saturday, the enemy
still occupying it.
The cars came in this morning from the
the first named field, bringing many wound
ed—some to Alexandria and others to Wash
ington. The most devoted attention is be
ing paid to this description of our soldiers.
The Ladies Soldiers' Relief Society of
Washington were engaged all day yester
day, most of the night, and again to-day,
in preparing lint and bandages; making
compresses, Sc. They have made a good
use of their linen sheets, 4:43. Many ladies
of the city have made liberal contributions
from their private stores. In fact, the peo
ple of this_District are acting nobly, and
not a few men have volunteered as nurses.
Our informant, when passing through
Centreville, saw thousands of stragglers at
that place—men of different regiments, all
mixed up, and exhibiting a scene of disor
ganization. An officer remarked that these
men would "all be right the next day, after
they recovered from their fatigue," and so
it proved. Our informant, while returning
to the city this morning early, saw them all
marching back, propdrly compattioned, to
their respective regiments. They arpeared
to be cheerful, and anxious to rejoin their
comrades.
When the ambulances in large numbers
reached the late battle field yesterday, to
bring away the wounded, a stampede com
menced among them; the drivers having
turned the heads Of their horses toward the
road leading to Washington, and com
menced a hasty retreat with their empty
vehicles. Some frightened driver imagined
that Stuart's cavalry was coming up, and
accordingly gave the alarm. The panic
spread almost with the speed of electricity,
and doubtless would have been protlifie of
serious consequences had not the guards on
the road rushed forth with pointed guns and
threatened to shoot the drivers unless they
returned to the field. This conduct on the
part of the guard had the desired effect.
After a while the ambulances again reached
the battle field and performed their appropri.
ate duty in bringing away the wounded.
There seems to be no doubt that the
enemy's pickets were hovering around the
Persons'engaged in their humane work on
the field, but up to an early hour this morn
ing they had not been interrupted.
Ambulances are constantly arriving here
with the wounded aO4 rs small proportion
of sick.
Prom all that an be gathered, though
we have suffered severely; our men are
confident of retrieving our loss of Saturday.
It was wmias to their - imPettlosier and Ur-
ing, in charging the enemy in the wood,
that they suffered so many casualities.
A number of stra.gglers, on their way to
Washington and Alexandria, were picked
up by the enemy during last night.
The writer of this letter yesterday SAW a
silver watch belonging to one of the officers
of the Excelsior Brigade, which, while in
the left side pocket of his - vest, was struck
by a hall, completely reversing its shape
from convex to concave. This watch acted
as a shield, and saved his ]ife. The officer
—Webb, it is believed—was afterwards
wounded in the arm, and is convalescent.
Our city to-day is lively in a military
view, but sad as to the constant exhibitions
of returning invalids.
There was no fighting of consequence on
Sunday, only occasionally skirmishing or a
few shots poured into the woods from time
to time on the enemy, as if to try the range
of our guns. From the severe conflicts
previously it was evident both armies were
engaged in repairing damages.
About eleven o'clock yesterday evening
several trains of cars at Manassas Junction,
with ammunition and stores, were burnt by
order of thf military authorities, to prevent
them from falling into the hands of the
enemy, which seemed to be imu.incnt, the
bridge at Bull Run having been destroyed
by the Rebels, and the property, therefore,
being cut off from returning to a plade of
safety.
Gen. Taylor, wounded in the recent bat
tle, died last night in Alexandria.
The residence of W. W. Cocoran, Esq.,
the banker, has been taken for a hospital.
The grounds will accommodate five hundred
tents. Other houses in the District of Co
lumbia will be occupied for similar pur
poses.
Gen. Patrick, commanding a division in
McDowell's Corps, is reported among the
killed in the late battle.
Surgeon General Hammond is the only
one, at present, having authority to grant
passes to the army lines on business eon
ueeted with the wounded.
Hundreds of physicians, from Pennsyl
vania and other States, arrived here to-day.
All available hacks, omnibuses and other
vehicles, including express and store wag
ons, were pressed into the service of the
Government to-day for public purposes.
Some of our citizens have already re
sponded to the request to receive wounded
soldiers into their houses.
A train has just arrived from the battle
field with a large number of wounded.
TRE BATTLE OF SATURDAY.
The great tattle of Saturday last, on the
south side of Bull Run, could hardly he
called an engagement until perhaps five P.
M., when the action became general. By
six P. M. the enemy, who had nrinaged to
break through Thoroughfare Gap in the
course of the afternoon, with the whole of
his reinforcements, massed his troops so
heavily upon Pope's left Wing, under Mc-
Dowell, supported by Fitz John Porter, as
to drive that back half a mile, with great
loss. There it made a stand, successfully
checking the further advance of the enemy
until night put a atop to the battle.
Finding his men and horses that had
been in the engagement completely worn
out fur the time being, General Pope, when
the battle ceased, threw his whole force up
on the east bank of Bull Run (continuing
to hold the crossing of that stream, on the
direct road between Centreville and Man
assas,) and posted his army on the slope of
the ridge stretching down to Bull Run. That
is to say, covering the slope for a apace of
about twelve miles in length and two and
a halt miles broad. General Franklin with
his fine division, had reached him by an
early hour yesterday, and in the course of
the day he was joined by the whole army
corps of Gen. Sumner.
Yesterday evening Gen. Banks joined
h' . .En also, with his whole corps. That is,
without the loss of a man, in executing his
order to fall back after having so completely
destroyed the railroad and ito parapherna
lia from Manassas Junction towards the
Rappahannock as to render it impossible
that it might be used by the enemy for any
purpose whatever. It is not proper for us
to mention the extent of the reinforcements
which Franklin, Sumner, Banks—and last
night, Couch, with his division—have car
ried to Pope. They are sufficient, however,
to make up ten fold for his losses in the bat
tle of Saturday, when he doubtless fought
the whole force of the Rebels.
So there need be no apprehension, we
take it, that he will not be a match fur
them when the next shock of battle comes
off. The fact that the enemy did not seek
to renew the engagement yesterday, ere
Pope's reinforcements arrived, augurs either
that he has suffered so much in the four
days' fighting, and is so short of munitions,
food, &c., as to be incapable for the time
being of taking advantage of his success of
the day before, or was preparing for a flank
movement, against which Gen. Pope is
surely on his guard.
The fact that he fired cut-up railroad iron
for cannon balls, and that his men are liv
ing on hard crackers, and coffee made of
roasted wheat, lead to the' impression that
inability is at the bottom of his inactivity of
the day, and indeed until 9 A. M. to-day,
at which time the engagement had not been
renewed.
flimsy reinforcements of veteran troops
for Gen. Pope have been landing all night
and this morning at Alexandria, who will
sU hiivejoined him, we proume, by day
break to-morrow morning. It is inferable
that he did not propose himself to renew
the fight until they come up with him, by
way of making assurance doubly sure.
We have no means of estimating our
losses in killed, wounded and missing of the
battle of Saturday last. They were prin
cipally of the troops composing McDowell's
and Fitz John Porter's command; and are
variously stated at from three to five thou
sand.
The Expedition down the Mississippi
ON BOARD 11. S. R. 131 SWITZERLAND,
Aborts Vicksburg, Aug. 21, 1862.
An expedition that has been crowned
with greater success even than was antici
pated is deserving of mention from your
correspondent. I will, therefore, proceed to
narrate events in the order in which they
occurred, with such accuracy as the occasion
warrants.
On Saturday morning, the 10th inst., the
rams Lioness, Monarch, Sampson, and
Switzerland, comprising Col. Ellet's ram
flotilla, accompanied by the gunboats Ben
ton, General Bragg, and Mound City, be
sides the transports McDowell and Beckett
(with the Fifty-eighth and Seventy eighth
Ohio regiments and a battalion of cavalry,
commanded by Col. Wood), started from
[Wens, Arkansas, bound on an expedition
that had been agreed upon by Gen. Curtis
and Commander Davis.
A SPECIMEN SECESSIONIST
Sunday afternoon we secured possession
of some "contrabands" who were "paddling
their own canoe" on the turgid Father of
Waters. From them the information was
gleaned that a rebel steamer had proceeded
up stream the day previous. As a planta
tion was close at band a party landed to as
certain from the owner of the place the truth
or falsehood of the statement. On being
questioned, the planter denied emphatically
that any boat had passed, but his hands as
sured us that he was fibbing. The truth
was the man was a secessionist, and like all
of his persuasion was willing to lie fur the
cause, even when lying was of no avail.—
We asked him for 'provisions; he denied
having any, nevertheless abundance were
found and taken. In return secesh callcd
for coffee, a luxury he had not enjoyed for
some time, and be was given a sufficient
quantity to whet his appetite, and. like Oli
ver Twist, be called for more. But he didn't
get it.
TIM REBEL STEAMER FAIR. PLAT CAPTURED.
After the occurrence of the foregoing lit
tle episode we held on "the even tenor of
our way," and rapidly passed through the
tortuous channel of the river. Monday
morning we arose early and paced the deck,
ever and anoh casting a sharp look ahead,
hoping, like Alicawher, that "something
would turn up" to relieve the monotony of
river life.
Presently something did turn up, for in
the distance we espied a transport boat,
which subsequently proved to be the Fair
Play. Several feminine rebels were on
board, reposing in a peaceful sleep, doubt
less imagining that the stern reality of war
would never approach them. But when
aware that Uncle Sam's gunboats were after
them the fond delusion was dissipated.—
They fled for protection to the Naiads of the
wood, who received them and kindly afford
ed them shelter. Subsequently a deputa
tion, headed by the Captain of the gunboat
Benton, went ashore, and like chivalrous
gentlemen assured them that our kind
hearted Uncle warred upon men—not wo
men—and offered them all the protection
the stars and strips afforde3. All listened
and a majority were convinced. They re
turned and had no cause to be ashamed of
the treatment they experienced. On board
the Fair Play we found any quantity of
arms, ammunition, and army equipage gen
erally. Of Enfield Rifles there were say
twelve hundred; of new muskets upward of
four thousand, with accoutrements to tach.
Four mounted howitzers, a considerable
amount of ammunition, and some small
arms completed the inventory. Altogether,
the capture of the Fair Play was a success
equal to anything of the kind achieved since
the war commenced. General Thomas O.
Madman must have felt considerably an
noyed when he heard the news. His noon
day siesta in the Little Rock Armory will
probably be somewhat less pleasant for some
time to come, when he reflects that hie rag
ged and unarmed militia must continue,
owing to this summary seizure, to still go
ragged and unarmed.
TUE ENEMY Dzscorsezn—Tusta RETREAT
AND OCR PGRAVIT.
A Louisiana regiment which had been
stationed near the shore, for the purpose of
conveying the arms, etc., with which the
Fair Play was laden, to a point convenient
of access to Gen. Breckinridge's co.nmand,
was next discovered. The order was passed
to proceed on shore, and, if possible, effect
their capture. But the Louisianians bad
no intention of being taken by the '•Yan
kees;" so they skedaddled—in other words,
fled, each man for himiself, although keeping
together generally, and taking counsel of
one another as to the most feasible route to
pursue. In this case the proverb that "in
a multitude of counsellors there is safety"
did not justly apply. Eight miles we pur
sued them, and when we arrived at Rich
mond, the capital of Madison pariah. Louis
iana, we found we bad on band about half
a hundred prisoners, arms in abundance,
and some baggage wagons, wbioh proved
very servicaable in carrying off the spoils.
$l4O PER YEAR IN ADVANCE; $2,00 IF ACTIN ADVA'
Richmond contained a railroad depot, a
bridge, several cars, a court-house and a
newspaper office. The depot, bridge, and
cars were destroyed, thus cutting off connec
tion by rail with this point and Vicksburg,
via Shreveport. Our.return to the flotilla
was the occasion of much hilarity, and all
showed their joy over the result of the expe
dition thus far.
THE VICKSBURG CUT-OFF.
Our toils were not yet ended; further
work was in store for us. Monday night
we continued "feeling our way down the
Mississippi, and came to anchor in the vi
cinity of the mouth of the "Vicksburg cut
off,"
which belied its name, and proved that,
although, as Sam Slick says, "some things
can bo did as well as others," our engineers
had failed to do them. The river had fallen
to within a half a dozen feet below the bot
tom of the ditch, with the prospect of con
tinuing its downward tendency. The Vicks
burg boys are rather smart—in fact, so
smart that their shrewdness sticks out in all
directions. They had the audacity to send
a flag of truce on board to inquire whether
we had any prisoners to exchange. As we
had none, of course they returned not hav
ing succeeded in their mission in one re
spect, while they did another, for they
learned the number of vessels we had, their
armament, and other facts of importance.
EXPEDITION UP Tilt Yazoo
At noon on Tuesday three of the rams
and the gunboats Benton and Mound City,
having on board a detachment of the Forty
eighth and Seventy-sixth Ohio Regiments,
commanded by the gallant Major Dexter,
parted from the remainder of the flotilla for
an excursion up the Yazoo river, with the
intention of sinking or capturing all the
transports the enemy had up there, if that
were possible; if not possible, then to take
what we could get. On arriving within
hailing distance of Rayne's Bluff, we dis
covered a party of Confederates actively en
gaged in raising earthworks on the bluff to
prevent the passage of Uncle Sam's floating
castles. The Benton opened the ball; her
example was contagious, and soon caused
a heavy shower of shot and shell to play
upon the lccality where the foe ought to
hare teen. But the rebels fled on the first
premonition of the approaching storm, to
the great discredit and dishonor of the lion.
Jeff Davis, their prophet and friend. Our
boats were sent ashore, and the battery
seized, together with its armament. We
secured two 42 pounders, one of which was
rifled; two 32-pounders, one-20•pound how
itzer, a brass 12-pounder, with between six
and seven thousand pounds of powder, and
about one thousand shot and shell. Twenty
muskets were also found. Lacking suffi
cient means of transportation, we blew up
the four heavy guns, and wetted a large
portion of the ammunition. Several "re
liable" contrabands paid us a visit, and ex
pressed much astonishment at the advent
of our Western boys. They desired to take
passage far the North star; we yielded to
their solicitations, gave them free quarters
on board the transports, and otherwise made
them feel betterthan they ever had imagined
they would.
AGAIN' ON TEE MOVE -WITAT wAs Dose
All night long we laid by, and these who
could not sleep, surrounded by mosquitoes,
the especial torment of the denizens of the
Mississippi, thought of the past and talked
of the future. Tues.:ay morning we start
ed and steamed up as far as the mouth of
the Big Sunflower, beyond whicb point the
gunboats could not go. The rams Lioness
and Sampson were despatched up the Sun
flower for the purpose of "taking posses
sion" of any Rebel craft they might find by
the way. Twenty miles wasj the limit of
their movements—further they could not
proceed. Singular to relate, they were then
only five miles of where some Rebels boats
were lying, but the lowness of the water
blasted all hopes of their capture; accord
ingly the two rams returned to their con
sorts. Alligators abounded, and those who
choose had a crack at them with their
pieces, but the bullets glanced off the backs
of the scaly monsters, doing apparently no
injury.
EMT!
I have but Hula more to add. The expe
dition was a bonefide success, and cheaply
purchased. Great credit is due to all con
cerned, and especially to our vigilant com
manders. With them to lead and Western
lads to-follow, what cannot be accomplish
ed?
THE WAR IN KENTUCKY.
A severe Battle—Line of Battle formed three
times—Oar Troops Retreat to Lecin9lon
Gen. Nelson Wounded.
Cmcomart, August 31.—0 n Friday af
ternoon the rebels beyond Richmond, Ken
tucky, drove in our cavalry. General Man
son, with the Gfith and 71st Indiana, moved
up, and, after throwing a few shells, the
enemy retreated rapidly beyond Rogersville,
leaving one gun behind. General Manson
bivouacked for the night. On Saturday
morning General Manson advanced with
two regiments and four giros, and coming
up with the enemy a fight began, with
heavy losses on bath sides. The enemy
attempted to turn their left flank, when
sharp fighting occurred between the skirm
ishers.
The G9tb Indiana advanced through a
dense fire of shot and shell to the relief of
our skirmishers, and behaved like old sol
diers, but the rebels finally turned our left
[WHOLE NUMBER 1,62:
flank, and advanced in 4:ull force oil our
column. Gen. Manson ordered a retreat,
and fell back three mile, and then reformed
the line of battle on high hills, with artil
lery in position on the right and left flunks.
The firing by artillery was kept up briskly
by both sides. After fighting about two
hours, the enemy:advanced on the -right
flank, under cover of the woods, and, after
severe fighting,"succeeded in turning it.
21 retreat immediately took place to our
original camping ground. Ilere General
Nelson came up and after great efforts, suc
ceeded in rallying the men, and formed
another line of battle. Our artillery ammu
nition was nearly exhausted, and some of
the guns were loft without men to work
them, all having been killed or wounded
General Nelson was wounded about three
o'clock P. M., when our men again fall
back, retreating to Lexington.
The enemy's forces numbered froin 15,000
to 20,000. Our forces engaged were the
95th Ohlo, the 12th, 16th, Gfltn, and 71st
Indiana, with Mundy's and Metcalf's
cavalry. The loss in killed and wounded
is heavy on both sides. The number is not
yet known.
Lieut. Col. Topping and Major Kunkle,
of the 71st Indiana, were killed.
Gen. Wright left this morning to take
the field. Gen. Wallace leaves to-night to
join him. A large number of regiments
are en route for Lexington.
LOUISVILI.C, August 31.—1 n the battle
fought yesterday, near Richmond, Ken
tucky, the Federal force, as near as can be
ascertained, was between 8,000 and 9000.
It commenced by General Nelson driving
the rebels back, until about 4 o'clock P.
M., when the rebels were largely reinforc
ed, and, crossing the Kentucky river, they
captured nearly all our artillery, and routed
our men.
The rebel force is estimated of 15,000 to
20,000 men. The Federal loss is reported
150 to 200 killed and wounded. Tho rebel
loss is not known, but is said to bo
Gen. Nelson was wounded slightly; Colonel
Warner, of the 18th Kentucky, and Col.
Topping, of the 71st Indiana, reported
killed.
At Lexington, last night, the bells were all
rung, and all the male citizens were ordered
out, and slept on their arms. Major Gen
erals Wright and Wallace are at Lexington.
The union men are fully prepared, in case
the rebels make an attack.
General Nelson left on route for CinciO
nati to-day. ,
A bowling Green dispatch says that a
large rebel force, under Buckner, is at
Tompkinsville.
The rebels destroyed the telegraph line
to-day at the State line, thus .cutting off
the communication with Nashville. - • ;
Gov. Morton and suite aFrived 'at the
Galt house this evening. There is cor! - -
siderable excitement in the city.
From the Indian. War.
NEW ULM NEARLY AIL BURNED
CIIIPTEWAS SAID TO BE IN LEAGUE.
Col. Sibley has not yet collected force
enough to risk marching to their relief, and
the post is completely cut off from all coat
munication. The last beard from it was
the despatch from Lieutenant Sheehan on
Thursday last.
From despatches received at the Adjutant
General's office from Col. Sibley, dated at
St. Peter on Sunday last, we, learn that ho
arrived there with the three companies
under his command ou Friday night.
Major Fowler, with a command of fifty
mounted men, left for a reconnoissance on
the Fort Ridgely road Saturday morning,
and returned about two o'clock on Sunday
morning, bringing with him the bodies of
an old man and:two women, who were kilted
within two miles of St. Peter. Major
Fowler reports that the destruction of prep.
erty by fire along the route for miles:ea
both sides of the road in-the direction of the
Agency was beyond calculation sliowing
that small bodies of the enemy, supported
by heavy forces in their flank and rear, were
engaged in currying out the same systemat
ic plan of murder and devastation
has marked the brief progress of - hostilities
hitherto.
The mounted force under Major Cullen
reached Henderson late Saturday evening,
and the infantry under Col. Crooks were
supposed to have reached the same point
at a later hour.
New Ulm was attacked on Saturday, aid
the fight continued till late in the evening,
and great apprehensions were entertained
that the farce of Judge Flandrau had Leen
cut off. The reinforcement sent by Colonel
Sibley, of one hundred and twenty men on
Saturday, failed to reach him in season,
owing to the ferry communication having
been destroyed by the enemy. Judge Flius
dran had sent outreventy of his most efficient
men on a reconnoitering expedition' on thii
side of the river, who were thus prevented
from returning to aid in the defenie"Of
• -
New Ulm.
Jack Frazer, an old Indian scout, cuts*" d
from Pert Ridg,ely on WedneWday night--
Re reports that the garrison is well
plied and able to hold out; the only fear If
that the enemy may attempt to fire the;
roof of the stone building:
Colonel Sibley asks that :ttio'Setienth
Regiment, or companion to the numbei
MIMS
.