The American Civil War

October 13.—Eighteen miles northeast of Lebanon, Missouri, near the Wet Glaze, Major Wright, with two companies of United States cavalry, routed about three hundred mounted rebels. The rebels were gathered on the side of a hill, drawn up in line, with the road in front, and the summit of the hill behind them. Here they remained an hour and a half, evidently awaiting the approach along the road of a Union force, when suddenly two companies of Federal cavalry, under command of Captains Montgomery and Switzler, led by Major Wright, advanced over the brow of the hill, in the rear of the rebels, and plunging forward to within one hundred paces, delivered a murderous volley, which scattered the rebels like chaff before the wind. They fled precipitately up the ravine, toward Lebanon, tearing through the brush, in a perfect rout.

A number of saddles were emptied, and horses were galloping riderless about the field. They were taken so completely by surprise that they had hardly time to return a few strangling shots. The action was over in five minutes—it was a dash; a gleam of firo on tlie Federal side, and a wild scamper for life on the other side. The latter were seen running over a hill half a mile distant. Thirty prisoners were taken, and it is supposed that about Twenty rebels were killed. The United States force lost one man. —(Doc. 82.)

—A skirmish occurred at Beckweth’s farm, about twelve miles southwest of Bird’s Point, Mo., between a squad of twenty men, under command of Lieutenant Tufts, and a body of rebel cavalry, one hundred strong, resulting in the loss of two killed, five wounded, and three missing of the National forces, and twelve killed and wounded on the part of the enemy. The rebels first appeared at the outskirts of the timber in small force, and retreated into the woods upon the approach of the Nationals, who pursued them. As soon as they had entered the woods, the whole rebel force attacked them with vigor, they repelling their attack with an effect worthy of greater numbers; but owing to their inferiority of force a retreat was ordered, but not until they had inflicted serious damage upon their overwhelming foe, the effect of the fire of the little band being such as to prevent their being followed up by the enemy. One of the Federals, who had previously been stigmatized as a coward, here sought and most heroically succeeded in restoring his fair name. He had been noticed to fight with much valor during the action; and, upon Lieutenant Tufts ordering a retreat, he wheeled his horse in the face of the enemy, took deliberate aim at the rebel captain, and brought him from his saddle, after which the National force made good their retreat.—Louisville Journal, October 23.

—The brig Granada, from Nenvitas, for New York, was captured by the privateer “Sallie,” of Charleston. The Sallie is a fore-and-aft schooner, of about one hundred and forty tons, painted black, mounts one long gun amidships, and has a crew of forty men, and is commanded by Captain Libby, formerly of the ship Gondar, of Charleston. She ran the blockade from Charleston on the 10th inst. She was formerly the schooner Virginian, of Brookhaven.—N.Y. Evening Post, October 24.

—A Detachment from the Twenty-ninth Illinois regiment, and the Second Illinois dragoons, went to Shelby Thompson’s farm, near Cairo, Ill., and seized three thousand bushels of corn, a large number of horses, mules, cattle, &c., and took two prisoners. Thompson is an officer in the rebel army.—Captain W. H. Parish was to-day appointed provost-marshal of Cairo, Ill.—Missouri Republican, October 15.

October 12.—A convention of citizens of North Carolina, loyal to the Union, was held in Hyde County, N. C. Charles H. Foster, of Hertford County, addressed the assembly. He told his hearers wherein almost every article and section of the Bill of Eights of North Carolina had been violated by the Confederates, and expressed his sincere belief that, should the secessionists be successful in the present war, a monarchical or military despotism would be speedily established. “Even now,” he said,” the well-known wishes of the people are disregarded, and it is openly declared that a poor man should not vote. North Carolina gave the overwhelming majority of thirty-five thousand for the Union, and over one thousand against holding a convention to discuss the treasonable subject of secession. But such a convention had met, and when they had succeeded in passing a secession ordinance, they, well knowing what its fate would be, refused to submit the obnoxious document to the people, and the State was declared out of the Union, against the express wishes of a majority of thirty-five thousand of her citizens, and now they were denied the privilege of voting at all. Each month of August, for years past, they had been called upon to vote, either for a Representative to the National Congress, or a Governor of the State, but, in the August past, no such election was held or called.”

Resolutions expressive of fidelity and adherence to the Government were adopted, and a committee appointed for the purpose, drew up a paper which was accepted by the convention as a statement of grievances. — (Doc. 77.)

— Capt. P. G. D. Morton, captured at Chelsea, Butler County, Kansas, a train of Twenty-one wagons, four hundred and Twenty-five cattle, Twenty-five ponies, and thirty-five prisoners. The train was on its way from Pike’s Peak to the Cherokees, who seceded some weeks ago. — N. Y. Times, October 20.

— Eighty of Major James’ cavalry, at Cameron, came upon two hundred and fifty or three hundred rebels, in a cornfield, twenty miles south of Cameron, in Ray County, Missouri. The advance guard of nine of the National troops routed them, the rebels seeking refuge in the timber. The guard was then reinforced by thirty of the cavalry, when they completely drove the rebels from that section, killing eight and taking five prisoners. Four Federals were wounded and one killed.

— The steamer Theodora ran the blockade of Charleston, with Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and their secretaries, on beard, destined for Cardenas, in Cuba, it being their intention to proceed to Europe by steamer from Havana. — N. Y. Evening Post, October 30.

— This night an attack was made on the United States fleet lying at anchor near the South-West Pass, by the rebel fleet, consisting of six gunboats, the battering ram Manassas, and a large number of fire-ships, which filled the river from shore to shore. The United States fleet consisted of the steamers Richmond, Huntsville, Water-Witch, sloops-of-war Preble and Vincennes, and storeship Nightingale. The fleet when attacked, were at anchor inside of the Pass. The ram Manassas came down and drifted foul of the Richmond, knocking a hole in her quarter and stern, doing but little damage. To avoid the fire ships the squadron immediately got under way and drifted down the river. The Richmond, Preble, and Vincennes got ashore on the bar, (the Nightingale also went ashore,) and while ashore were attacked by the rebels but without doing any damage to the vessels, or to life. But one shot took effect, and that struck the Richmond on the quarter. They were beaten off by the Vincennes with two guns, she having thrown overboard the rest of her armament, with her chains, anchors, &c., to lighten her, as she was very much exposed to the rebel fire.— (Doc. 78.)

—A Party of twelve, of the New York Zouave regiment, were taken prisoners by the rebels, a short distance above Newport News, Va. Lieu-tenant Zellen, who was in command of the party, was arrested for cowardice.—The Iron Bridge, over Green River, at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, was blown up by the rebels.

—A communication in the Cincinnati Commercial, headed “The Contraband Institution,” objects to the return of fugitive slaves by the soldiers—because it exhibits the Government as a voluntary patron of slavery; and degrades the soldiers.— (Doc. 79.)

—This afternoon, at a point fourteen miles south of General Rosecrans’ advance, and eight miles from the Rebel encampment on Green River, in Western Virginia, a detachment of forty men of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment attacked three hundred rebels, half of which were cavalry, without loss, killing five and wounding three. The whole rebel force was driven back beyond Bacon Creek.—Baltimore American, October 15.

—About 3 o’clock this morning, a party of about forty horsemen, twenty-five of whom were Federal troops from the regiments commanded by Colonels Hobson and Pennebaker and the remainder citizens, all under command of Captain Sam Taylor, from Camp Andy Johnson, in Kentucky, approached the residence of Cy. Hutchinson, in Barren County, without the knowledge of the presence of one hundred and fifty rebels, who were warned of their approach and who were thoroughly prepared to receive them. The first intimation that Captain Taylor received of the presence of the enemy came in the form of a peremptory order to halt, which issued from the opposite side of a plank fence. The order to halt was followed by a discharge of musketry ere Captain Taylor had time to form his squad for action. Under a galling fire, however, Captain Taylor’s gallant party dismounted and formed in battle array, promptly returning the enemy’s fire with Enfield rifles and Colt’s navy revolvers. The rebels were fortified behind the fence and fired through in opening near the ground. In the darkness of the morning, the Federals fought with little certainty as to the whereabouts of the enemy, but their rifles and pistols did good execution, for they acknowledged a loss of two of their party, while it is known that at least four of the number were killed, and that several were rounded. Of Captain Taylor’s command, three were reported killed—Frank Lacey, orderly of Captain Taylor’s company, private Michael Lisle, and a citizen whoso name is not known. —Louisville Journal, Oct. 15.

—Five hundred men of the Piatt Zouaves occupied the town of Winfield, twenty miles below Charleston, on the Kanawha, Western Virginia, whence some rebel cavalry had fired upon a steamer with United States stores a few days previously. Lieutenant-Colonel Toland, in command of the Zouaves, learned at Winfield that eight hundred rebels were encamped at Hurricane Bridge, fourteen miles from Winfield, and at once marched against them, but they abandoned their camp upon his approach and fed.—(Doc. 85.)

—The rebels advanced in large force in the direction of Lewinsville, Va., driving in the National pickets. The divisions of Generals McCall, Smith, Porter, and McDowell were promptly prepared for an apprehended emergency, but nothing further transpired beyond the firing of a few shots from the rebels, which fell short. About three rebel regiments showed themselves, and the expectation was that a general advance was imminent. Great excitement prevailed in Washington, and throughout the Federal lines.

—Tire Eighth regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, under the command of Col. Murphy, left Madison for St. Louis, Mo.—N. Y. World, October 14.

—A skirmish took place between a detachment of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment and a squadron of rebel cavalry, at a position near Upton’s, fourteen miles below Camp Nevin, Kentucky. The rebels were repulsed with a loss of five killed and three wounded.—(Doc. 81.)

—Colonel Serrell’s regiment of engineers and artisans, New York State Volunteers, otherwise the engineer officers’ and soldiers’ regiment, took its departure from its camp on Staten Island for Washington.

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Late addition to Volume 3:

October 12.—Commodore G. N. Hollins, C. S. N., received from the Department of the Confederate States Navy the appointment of Flag Captain of the New Orleans naval station. —Louisville Journal, November 20.