The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

September 26.—Capt. Stewart’s cavalry, numbering seventy-five men, to-day encountered forty rebel cavalry at Lucas Bend, Ky., whom they pursued into Jeff. Thompson’s camp at Belmont. Four rebels were killed, five captured, and many wounded. The remainder escaped to the woods. The Federal troops captured all the guns and pistols they could bring away with them. No Federal troops were injured.

—the Thirty-fifth regiment of Ohio Volunteers took possession of Cynthiana, Kentucky.

—at Louisville, Ky., W. G. Querton, formerly one of the editors and proprietors of the Courier, was arrested for aiding the Southern rebellion.—The turnpike bridge over Green river, near Mumfordville, was burned by rebels.
—J. B. Archer, Captain of the steamboat Commercial, was arrested, but bailed in ten thousand dollars. The beat was also seized, but released on security being given to surrender her on demand to the Federal Government.— Louisville Journal, September 28.

—The Twenty-first regiment of Ohio Volunteers, left Findlay for Camp Dennison.—Ohio Statesman, October 2.

—Is accordance with the recommendation of the President of the United States, published August 12th, this day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer.

September 25.—At Trenton, New Jersey, the Grand Jury came into the United States Court, and made a lengthy presentment “that complaints have been made before this Grand Inquest concerning certain newspapers published in this State, and copies of the following papers issued during the last few months have been submitted, and carefully examined, namely: The Newark Evening Journal, The Warren Journal, The Hunterdon Democrat, The New Brunswick Times, and The Plainfield Gazette; that during the most critical period, while the capital of the nation has been besieged by armed insurgents, while eleven States in actual rebellion have been striving, by invasion and treachery, to plunge other States still remaining loyal into open opposition to the National Government, these newspapers have been, up to a very recent period, persistently denouncing and libelling these to whom the great duty of National defence is necessarily intrusted; in thwarting their efforts for self-preservation, and fomenting rebellion by discouraging and opposing the only means by which it can be put down. While they cherish a due regard for freedom of speech they feel it their duty to repudiate and denounce the conduct of these journals; that while the Press may freely criticize public men and measures in the peaceful contests of party, yet in a war for the life of a nation, the Press, as well as individuals, should uphold the existing Government or be treated as its enemies. They consider their duty fully discharged in reference to these newspapers by this presentment, leaving them to the wholesome action of public opinion. They recommend all loyal citizens, all public officers, all municipal corporations, vigorously to withhold all patronage from such newspapers as do not hereafter give their unqualified support to the National Government.”

—Smithland, Kentucky, was occupied by the National troops to-day.—Stocking-knitting associations were organized by the ladies of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania,

—This day General William F. Smith, with a force of several thousand men from the camps in the vicinity of the Chain Bridge, on the Potomac, proceeded to Lewinsville, Va., for the purpose of reconnoitring and obtaining forage. Upon arriving at that place his troops were permitted to rest from about half-past nine o’clock A. M., till three o’clock P. M., when there came in sight a large force of Confederate troops, consisting of four or five regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and six pieces of artillery. They came from Fall’s Church, and in a few minutes opened a fire of shot and shell upon the National troops, without, however, doing any other harm than slightly wounding one man. Their fire was returned by the batteries of Captains Griffin and Mott, who had thrown only Twenty-six shot and shell when the secessionists deemed it prudent to retire from the field. Their loss is not known. The object of the expedition having been accomplished, Gen. Smith, at about five o’clock, returned to his camp. He brought with him ninety-two loads of hay and corn, twenty sheep and twenty beef cattle— the sheep and cattle being the property of Quartermaster Means, of the Confederate service—and one prisoner, who mistook the National pickets for his own. He represents himself as an aid of Gen. Stuart. The Union troops of the expedition consisted of the New York Seventy-ninth, Third Vt., Nineteenth Indiana, and a portion of a Wisconsin regiment, with eighty regular cavalry, Griffin’s West Point battery, and a section, two guns, of Mott’s New York battery.

—This afternoon Lieut.-Col. Letcher, with a detachment of Col. Woodward’s regiment, captured James B. Clay, with sixteen of his men, while on his way to join Zollicoffer. They were taken to Camp Dick Robinson. John C. Breckinridge was with their party in Cincinnati, Ohio, but escaped.—National Intelligencer, Sept. 28.

—Lieutenant McCrea, with the steamers J. Bell and Seminole, made an attack on a rebel battery at Freestone Point, on the Potomac River.—(Doc. 59.)

—An action took place at Chapmanville, Va., between a force of National troops under Colonel D. A. Enyart of the First Kentucky Volunteers and a party of rebels. The latter were completely routed and lost sixty killed and seventy taken prisoners. The rebels in escaping were intercepted by Colonel Piatt of the German Ohio regiment, who surprised them and killed forty beside capturing a large number of prisoners.—(Doc. 59½.)

—A Skirmish occurred near Osceola, Mo., between a part of National troops of General Lane’s army, and a body of rebels, the former losing one killed and four slightly wounded, and the rebels having ten killed.—(Doc. 60.)

September 24.—Louis Philippe d’Orleans, Comte de Paris, the heir of Louis Philippe, (the eldest son of his eldest son,) and Robert d’Orleans, Duc de Chartres, the brother of Louis Philippe d’Orleans, were duly commissioned as captains of volunteers in the service of the United States, and attached to Major-General McClellan’s staff as aids. These young princes made it a condition of their service that they should receive no pecuniary compensation.

—General Prentiss, U. S. A., assumed command of the National forces at St. Joseph, Mo. No man in the whole Western army could have been sent there who is more acceptable to the people north of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad; and, under his command, the Union troops, whether Federal or State, are willing to do battle.—National Intelligencer, Sept. 28.

—A Portion of Colonel Geary’s force had an action to-day with five hundred rebels on the Virginia side of the Potomac, near Point of Rocks. They were sheltered on a high point on the Catochin Mountain, and in houses at the base. They were driven away by the rifles and battery of Colonel Geary, and the houses burnt. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded. None of the Federal troops were hurt.—N. Y. Times, Sept. 26.

—The Fifth regiment of Vermont Volunteers, under the command of Col. H. A. Smalley, passed through Jersey City, N. J., on their way to the seat of war. It numbers one thousand and seventy men.—Idem, Sept. 25.

—This night a party of about fifty mounted rebels rode into Warsaw, Ky., and broke into a building in which there were stored some arms belonging to the State, and carried them off. Six or seven Union men came up just as they were leaving, and were fired upon. The Union men returned the fire, killing one of the rebels and wounding several others. One of the Union men was wounded in the arm. The Union men had taken the locks off the guns that were stolen, intending to keep them off until they had organized their company.—Dubuque Times, Sept. 26.

—The Louisville Journal of this day has the following:—Last Saturday night (21st) lock No. 3, on Green River, was blown up by order of Gen. S. B. Buckner, commander of the Confederate forces at Bowling Green, Ky. We are informed that the other two locks have also been destroyed. General Buckner’s order for the destruction of lock No. 1 has fallen into our hands. It was intrusted to a spy named James Barnham, who was arrested at the ferry across Mad River, and, making an excuse to step aside for a few moments, he tore the letter in pieces, but his captors put the fragments together and read the following:

Bowling Green, Sept. 19, 1861.

Mr Geo. W. Triplett— My Dear Sir: Your letter is received. Lock No. 1 must be destroyed. I rely upon our friends at Owensboro’ to do it: not an hour must be lost. The destruction is a great deal to me in crippling our adversary. Assemble our friends without delay in sufficient force to accomplish the object. One of the best ways is to open all the gates but one, and to dig down behind the wall at both gates, to put one or two kegs of powder behind the wall, to apply a slow match, and blow the wall into the lock. If possible, it should be done in such a way as to leave a strong current through the lock, which will empty the dam. Provide every thing in advance; do not fail; it is worth an effort.

S. B. Buckner.

The Union men, on learning Gen. Buckner’s intention from this letter, attempted to guard the locks, and rallied five or sis hundred men for the purpose; but, ascertaining the approach of a greatly superior force of cavalry, they retreated, and the work of destruction was done. For this deed, Gen. S. B. Buckner, sooner or later, will have to render a terrible account. The locks and dams of Green River were a portion, and a large one, of the pride and wealth of Kentucky. We all remember at what cost of money and labor they were constructed. They were one of the most important and valuable internal improvements ever made in Kentucky. They opened a river market for the whole of the immense population of the Green Hiver section. But as a mere military manœuver they arc ruthlessly swept away, remorselessly annihilated in a night by a renegade Kentuckian, who brings an army for the conquest of his native State. Railroad bridges, railroad tracks, locks and dams, river packets, public and private property of all descriptions, are reclessly sacrificed by the invaders in the pursuit of their accursed purposes.

—the Twentieth regiment of Indiana Volunteers, under the command of Colonel W. L. Brown, left Baltimore for Fortress Monroe.— Baltimore American, Sept. 25.

—At St. Louis the injunction suppressing the Evening News was removed, and C. G. Ramsay, proprietor, and D. M. Grissom were released; assurances having been given that they would not publish statements about military matters as facts without first learning their truth, and that they would not publish any thing injurious to the interests of the National Government. The News has always been a strong Union paper.—Ohio Statesman, Sept. 26.

—To-day, while the Second Michigan regiment were performing picket duty at Bailey’s Cross Roads, in Virginia, a flag of truce was brought in by two Colonels and a Major, belonging to the rebel army at Munson’s Hill, asking a suspension of hostilities between pickets, which was acceded to by the commander of the National forces.—N. Y. Times, Sept. 26.

—The Ninth regiment of Maine Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Rutherford Rich, of Portland, left Augusta for the seat of war. The regiment numbers one thousand one hundred men, hailing from Calais, Canton, Hilton, Cornish, and Aroostook Counties—all parts of the State being represented. They consist of mechanics and laborers, and though comprising a number of Germans and Irish, are mainly native-born. Physically, they will bear comparison with any regiment in the field. They have the regulation uniform, of excellent material, commissariat wagons, and camp equipage.—N. Y. Times, September 26.

Sept. 23.—At Fortress Monroe, Va., Ross Winans, one of the Baltimore members of the Legislature, having taken the oath of allegiance, was this morning released.—Commodore Stringham was relieved by Captain Goldsborough.— Baltimore American, Sept. 24.

—This night a successful effort to burn the barn and haystacks around Munson’s Hill, Va., was made by Major Frank Lemon and Lieut. Chas. Dimoud, of the California regiment. At the forge of some blacksmiths they made some fifty or more conical slugs, and with these and a Sharp’s rifle they started for the line of our pickets, built a fire, and commenced heating shot. One of them with a cloth would drop the shot into the muzzle of the rifle, and the Major, being the best shot, blazed away. At the second shot the hay-ricks were in a blaze. In two more shots the barn caught. Out rushed the rebels, and made for the hill.

—Lieutenant Wilson, with a squad of the Fourth Cavalry, proceeded to Unity, a small place in the northern part of Anne Arundel County, Md., and seized a quantity of sabres, pistols, and muskets, in possession of secessionists in the neighborhood. They were a portion of the arms given to a volunteer company raised at the time of the John Brown raid.

—Five Hundred of the Fourth Ohio, with one piece of artillery; and Ringgold’s cavalry, seventy-five in number, under Colonel Cantwell; and four hundred of the Eighth Ohio, under Colonel Parke, make an advance from New Creek toward Romney, Va. They drove the rebels, seven hundred strong, out of Mechanicsburg Gap, and advancing stormed the town, causing the enemy, whose force numbered fourteen hundred infantry and cavalry, to retreat to the mountains with a loss of about thirty-five killed and a large number wounded. The National loss was three killed and ten wounded.

—At St. Louis, Mo., Charles G. Ramsay, the proprietor of the Evening News, was arrested this afternoon by order of the Provost-marshal, and taken to head-quarters for examination. His offence is publishing an editorial article today, entitled “The Fall of Lexington,” reflecting in bitter terms on the campaign of the military authorities in the department of the West. His paper has been suppressed, and all the manuscript found in the office was seized, and the building is now in possession of a provost guard.—(Doc. 58.)

Sept. 22.—This evening, eight pickets of the Iowa Seventh regiment, out at the Cross Roads, a mile and a half from Eliott’s Mills, eight miles above Columbus, Ky., were suddenly approached by fifty or sixty rebel cavalry. The pickets fired, when the rebels turned and fled. Two or three of their number were seen to fall, but were carried off on their horses. One of their horses was killed. The accoutrements and pistols fell into the hands of the Iowa boys, and a riderless horse from among them also fell into their hands. Their wounded and dead were carried away. The rebels returned the fire before fleeing, but did no damage.

—A skirmish took place near Hunter, Mo., four miles below Norfolk. Three of the National troops and four horses were lost—N. Y. Tribune, Sept, 24.

—General A. S. Johnston, of the Confederate Army, having assumed command at Memphis, Tenn., issued a proclamation relative to the armed occupation of Kentucky.—(Doc. 57.)

September 21.—General Lane’s command surprised a superior force of rebels at Papinsville, Missouri, and, after a severe engagement, routed them, losing seventeen killed, and a large number wounded. The rebels lost forty killed, and one hundred prisoners, and all their tents, wagons, and supplies.

The gang of rebels who recently sacked the town of Humboldt, Kansas, was defeated by a force from Fort Scott, and their leader, Mathias, killed. On his person was found an order from Ben McCulloch for the enrolment of the Quapaw Indians.—National Intelligencer, Sept. 28.

—The British schooner Revere, of and from Yarmouth, N. S., with a cargo of salt fish, arrived at Boston, Mass., in charge of Henry W. Wells, master’s mate, and a prize crew from the United States steamer Cambridge. The Revere was captured while attempting to run the blockade at Beaufort, N. C.—N. Y. World, Sept. 23.

—The steamer War Eagle returned to Jefferson City, Mo., from an expedition on the Missouri River this evening. This steamer, together with the steamer Iatan, with the Indiana Twenty-second and Eighteenth regiments aboard, accompanied the steamers White Cloud and Des Moines, with the Indiana Twenty-sixth, as high up the river as Cambridge, where they captured the steamer Sunshine, seized a short time since by Green. They encountered no rebel troops. Union flags were flying at Glasgow. The White Cloud and Des Moines went on up the river to reinforce Lexington. While all four boats were lying up for the night, a short distance below Glasgow, two detachments were sent out to reconnoitre. They encountered each other, each mistaking the other for the enemy, fired, and before their mistake was discovered, four men were killed and several wounded. Among the wounded was Major Gordon Tanner, of the Twenty-second.—(Doc. 55.)

—A Large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Westchester County, in favor of maintaining the integrity of the Union, was held at Lake Mohican. The Hon. John B. Haskin made a most eloquent and stirring speech to the assemblage, and declared his determination to sink all party differences and to support the Government in all honorable acts for a vigorous prosecution of the war and the preservation of the best Government ever vouchsafed to man. Eloquent speeches were also made by Messrs. Depew, Bailey, and Ferris.

—Edward D. Baker, United States Senator from Oregon, was appointed a Major-General of Volunteers in the National army.

—This morning John Bateman, a citizen of Portland, Maine, arrived at New York in custody of the deputy marshal. The prisoner charged with high treason, with using seditious language against the United States of America and the President thereof, treasonable complicity with Southern rebels and their agents in Liverpool and other parts of Europe. It is stated that letters and papers were found in the baggage and on the person of the accused, justifying the vigorous measures adopted. He was sent to Fort Lafayette.—N. Y. Times, September 22.

—Gen. Robert Anderson assumed command of the State and Federal troops in Kentucky and issued a spirited proclamation, calling upon Kentuckians of all parties to assist in repelling the invaders of the State. Gov. Magoffin also issued a proclamation, directing Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden to call out the State troops to resist the invasion of the State, and Gen. C. accordingly called out the militia.—(Doc. 56.)

—The Fourth regiment of Vermont Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Edwin H. Stoughton, left its encampment at Brattleboro for the seat of war. The regiment numbers one thousand and eighty rank and file. Colonel Stoughton is a native of Vermont, and a West Point officer, having graduated from the Military Academy in 1854, and being breveted Second Lieutenant in the Forty-second Infantry, July 1, 1859.

September 20.—At Lexington, Mo., Colonel Mulligan surrendered to the rebel general, Price, after a fifty-nine hours’ fight without water; the only supply—from the river—having been cut off by the rebels, after a severe fight. The camp ground contained no springs or wells, and embraced ten acres, with breastworks around it, except the river front. The rebels procured bales of hemp and rolled them in advance, and under their cover succeeded in securing a position in the rear. They made but few assaults, their object being to surround the fort and cut off supplies of water, and this accomplished, wait till necessity compelled Mulligan to yield. Previous to the surrender, Colonel Mulligan offered to take a position on a level spot of ground and give General Price the odds of four to one in a fair open fight, but he declined. After the surrender the rebels mounted the breastworks, mad with joy, and trailed the National flag in the dust. A large amount of gold, supposed to be a quarter of a million, fell into the possession of the rebels. It had previously been buried by Colonel Mulligan, but was unearthed by the enemy. The brave Colonel wept like a child when he found himself compelled to surrender. —(Doc. 33.)

—The rebels troops evacuated Mayfield, Ky., this day. They numbered about seven thousand, under the command of General Cheatham, were nearly all armed, but poorly clothed and indifferently fed.

Mayfield is a small town, the seat of Graves County, on the railroad from Paducah to Union City, and midway between the two places. It is about thirty-six miles east of Columbus, Ky. —Chicago Tribune.

—A Federal scouting party from the Thirty-fourth N. Y. regiment at Darnestown, Md., went across the Potomac near the mouth of the Seneca, and were attacked by a superior party of the rebels. One of the Nationals was killed outright and several were wounded; one of the latter was shot through the cheek, but fled, pursued by the attacking party; on reaching a creek he threw off his gun and plunged in himself laying on his back and resting his head upon a stone with his mouth and nostrils above the water. He avoided his pursuers, and after three hours’ submersion he crawled to the shore of the river; his companions, who were concealed on the Maryland side, discovered and rescued him while making a vain attempt to swim across.

A skirmish took place below Fort Holt near Cairo, Ill., between company I, of the Tenth regiment, and a small party of rebels, in which the latter were routed.—Ohio Statesman, September 24.

—Colonel Crittenden, from Indiana, who was the first to bring a regiment from another State into Western Virginia in aid of the Federal Government, and the first to come to the aid of Kentucky, passed through Louisville, with his regiment well armed and equipped. The troops were enthusiastically received at different points on the route—Baltimore American, September 21.

—Two changes have been made in Jeff. Davis’s Cabinet; Robert M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, has been made Secretary of State in place of Robert Toombs, of Georgia; and Braxton Bragg, of Louisiana, has succeeded Leroy P. Walker, of Alabama, as Secretary of War.—N. Y. World, September 21.

—A Grand Union meeting was held at Newark, N. J. Speeches were made by Daniel S. Dickinson and others. Large delegations from the surrounding towns were present. Resolutions were adopted, deprecating party movements as unpatriotic and prejudicial to the public interest; and proposed an inauguration of a people’s Union movement throughout the State. A committee was appointed for that purpose.

September 19.—At Louisville, Ky., this morning, the United States Marshal seized the office of the Louisville Courier, arrested ex-Governor Morehead, Reuben T. Marrett, one of the proprietors of the Courier, and Martin W. Barr, telegraphic news-reporter for the New Orleans press, on charges of treason or complicity with treason.—National Intelligencer, Sept. 21.

—The brig Hannah Eastel, with a forged clearance from New York for St. Thomas, having a large and valuable cargo, was seized at Elizabethport, N. J., this afternoon. The captain and crew escaped.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 20.

—The Seventh regiment of New Jersey Volunteers left Trenton, this afternoon, for the seat of war near Washington. The regiment is commanded by Colonel Joseph N. Revere, and numbers seven hundred and fifty men, who have been mustered and equipped during the last thirty days.

—This afternoon, about four o’clock, a skirmish occurred beyond Bardstown Junction, Ky., between the Boone Guards, Company H, Captain Paul Byerly, and a secession company, supposed to be the Bitterwater Blues. None of the Boone Guards were hurt, and, if any injury was done on the rebel side, the darkness concealed it. The secessionists made only a running fight, and a very poor one too.—Louisville Journal, Sept. 20.

—An immense Union meeting was held at Bangor, Me., this evening. Over five thousand people attended. The meeting was addressed by some of the most prominent citizens, and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested.

—The Quebec (Canada) Mercury wishes the South to persevere in its course, in order to “break up the hitherto boastful Union;” and it desires that England and France may recognize the confederacy as the speediest way of destroying the Government. After that work is accomplished, that paper thinks that England will, in a little time, by productions of cotton in India, make herself independent of the Southern States in regard to that staple, and that, it further says, would lead to the emancipation of the slaves, and the final overthrow of both sections.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 18.

September 18.—The Louisville Courier, having been found to be an advocate of treasonable hostility to the Government and authorities of the United States, -was excluded from the mails and post-offices of the United States until further orders.—Post Office Order.

The Seventh regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, numbering one thousand and seventy-two men left New Haven for the seat of war near Washington. The regiment is commanded by Colonel A. A. Terry.—N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, Sept. 19.

A correspondent Washington says that the Government has just discovered that the rebels are carrying on a contraband trade between Worcester County, Maryland, and Virginia. Large supplies of army stores have been transported to the rebels’ lines by this route. The necessary measures have been taken to stop the traffic.—A regiment has just passed down Pennsylvania avenue, headed by a soldier who 1ost a leg at the battle of Stone Bridge. He carried his musket strapped to his back. The spectacle excited the greatest enthusiasm among our citizens.

—The new gunboat Sagamore was launched to-day from Sampson’s yard, East Boston, Mass. Her keel was laid sixty days ago.—N. Y. Herald, Sept. 19.

—Yesterday a skirmish took place between the Home Guard and some of Gen. Zollicoffer’s men at Barboursville, Ky., without resulting in any damage. It was resumed to-day, when seven rebels and one of their horses were killed. One of the Home Guards received six wounds, and another was taken prisoner. The Home Guards numbered thirty-seven, and the rebels three hundred.—Two miles of the Covington and Lexington Railroad were torn up yesterday near Cyantheana.