, 1861-06-22
THE BATTLE OF BOONVILxE.
Full Description OF tho Engaremens

THE BATTLE OF BooNv1LEE.
FUN Description OF tho Engagement
{Co7ctpondenee Of the St. Louis Democ1nt1
HEApquARrEns DErAnrNnHr or TnE WEST,
,. BeoHy1rlz Mo, June H..
| Of Louisiana, left Jefferson City yesterday a.
tetnoon, 1t two o'clock, and reached point
q mile below Providence last night, where Il
| ,Was thought best to lay up q few hours. Three
companies Of Bnrnstein's regiment, under
bis command, were left to protect the Capital.
town of Marion as ne passed them yesterday
evening: This morning We took an early
start, and reached Rocheport before six o'clock,
where we made short stop, but found the
people mostly euIly and not disposed to be
communicative. We learned, however; that
miles below this place. and preparing to make
vigorous defence. Leaving there, and tax
ink the steam ferry boat Paul Wilcox with us,
we ran up steadily TIL We had passed the foot
Of the island eight miles below here, and See
Ing battery On the bluff, and scouts hasten
point opposite the foot Of the island, end at Z
o'clock, 4. h., dssmba1ked On the south
shore, where the bottom land between the
river and bluds is some mile aud half wide.
! No traitors were visible there, and the troops
at once took the river road for this city. Fol
lowing this road somewhat over 8 mile and q
half ITO where It ascends the btnfKs, several
shots from our scouts announced the driving
In Of the enemy Is pickets.
We continued to ascend q gently undulating
slope for nearly half nile, when the enemy
we're reported il full force neal. the Summit
dred yards from our 'front.' The enemy were
exceedingly well. posted, having every nd
vantage IN the' selection Of their ground, but
'ns Jon will see, 1t has been clearly demonstra-
to many morc than his equnl number.
Arriving It the brow Of the ascent, Cant,
Totten opened the engagement by throwing o
few 9pounder explosives into their rauks.
while The infantry filed obllque right and lelt
and commenced terrific vOl1ey Of musketry,
which was for short time Teu replied to,
the balls lying thick and last about cur ears,
and occasionally wounding man on our side.
The enemy we're posted IN q lane running to-
ward the river from the road along which the
grand army Of the United States we're advan
cl.g, AID In . brick house On the northeast
corner Of the Junction Of the two roads. 4
couple OF bombs were thrown through the
East wall Of that house, scattering the enemy
in all directions. The well directed fire of the
Ge1man infantry, Lieut.. Col. SchaefIer on the
right, and Gen. Lyons company of regulars
and part Of Col Blair's regiment on tie lett
OF the road, soon compelled the enemy to
Ires ent an ing1orIous aspect They clambered
over the fence into field Of wheat aud again
formed In line just on the brow of the hill,
Ihey then advanced some twenty steps to
meet us, and for short time the cannons
Eere worked with great rapidity and effect
Just st this line the enemy opened q CALLING
fire from grove just on the left Of our centre
apd from shed beyond aud still farther to
the left.
The tkirmish now assumed the magnitude
Of battle. The commander, Gen. Lyon, ex-
hibited the most remarkable eoo1ness, and
preserved throughout that undisturbed pres
ence Of mind shown by him alike In the camp,
ia private life, and on the field Of battle.
Forward on the extreme right, Give them
another shot, Capt Totten," echoed above the
roar Of muFketry clear aud distinct from the
lips Of the Genera, Who led the advancing
column. Our force WAS 1000 in all, but not
over SEQ participated at any one time in the
battle: The enemy, Us We have slnce been re-
1aably Informed, we're over 1000 strong, and
yet twenty minutes from the time when the
inst gun was fired the rebels wcrc In
full retreat, and our troops occupying the
ground on which they first stood In line.
The consnmmate coTardfce displayed Dy
the scceshers will be more fully IN
derstood when add that the spurs
OF successive e1evations now became more
abrupt, steep and rugged, the enemy being
fully acquainted with their ground, and strong
Positions behind natural dtfences, orchards
and clumps of trees Offering themselves every
OF the flying fcgitiVes until about one mile
West OF the house of VIM. II. Ado,ns. where
they were first posted. Just there was Camp
Fest, and q considerable force seemed pre-
pared to defend the approach to It. Mean
Mcdowell announced to To- Us 'i' tat ca1.aIa ~ an
Capt Richardson's company Of Infantry.
who were 1efs in charge Of the boats, were
commencing operations On the battery over q
mile below Camp Vest. This but increased
and Capt. Totten had but to give them . few
fonnds before their heels were again in r-qul-
eit'on, aud Captains Cole and Miller, at tho
head OF their companies, entered aud took
possession Of the enemy's deserted breakfast
tables.
About twenty horses had by this time ar-
rived within our lines with Sacant saddles,
and the corps reportorfal ware successfully
mounted on chosen steeds. The amount Of
plunder secured In Camp Vest, or Bacon, as
The citizens here call i, from the name Of the
gentleman owning fine house close By, was
very large One thousand two hundred shoes,
twenty CT thirty tents, quantities Of ammu-
11tlon, some afty guns Of various patterns,
blankets, coats, carpet sacks and tYo sece3-
etonIaags were included in the Eum total.
Leaving Captain Cole In command Of the
tAA4A1 ~ Nc Pa'4S4 uu l0HA1u bo0aVille, chA3-
ing the coWard]y wretches, who outmauned Us
two to one, The Mcdowell now came a1ons
up In the rear and off to the right from our
troops, aud having more distinct view Of the
enemy from the river, and observing their In.
tentfon to make another stand at the Fair
grounds, one mile. east Of here, where the
State has an G1mJ e1temporixed, Capt, Woes
ter again eent them his comp1!ments from the
old howitzer's mouth, which, with q couple Of
shots from Capt Totten, and rolley from
Lcthrops detachment Of rifles, ecattered the
now thorosghly alarmed enemy in all di1cc.
snaaa fona Ihei5 c fight through The village com
ned until after eleven. somo Tires hundred
crossed the river, many went south, but the
ouIE Kept on TestHnrdly. 4 good many per-
sons were taken at the different points Of bat
tle, but 1t is believed the enemy secured mona
Of ours
Capt. Richardson had lnnded below. and
With the support Of the howitzar from the
steamer Mcdowell, captured their battery,
consisting Of two 6-pounders with which they
intended to eink our tleet), twenty prisoners.
one caiaaon, acd eight horses with military
saddles. The enemy did not fire shot from
1sef cannon; Speaking of prizes, The bril-
Of the First Regiment, BE lad % cdarse
Of q party Of four men, two mounted
and two On foot, with which to take
charge OF the wounded. Ascending the brow
OF hill, he suddsnly came upon company
Of twenty-four rebels, armed with ra7olYsrs,
and fully bent upon securing place Of safety
Tor their carcasses. Their Intentions, hoBcT- |
er, were considerably modified when the par-
eou ordered them to halt, which thcy did, sur
rendering their arms. Surrounded By the
squ.d Of fyc men, they were then marched On |
board the Louisiana, prisoners Of War. The |
pa1son also captured two other secessionfsts |
during the day, and at one time, needed a |
wagon and horses for the wounded, and find !
Erg friendly suggee tlons wasted on stubborn |
old rebel, placed revolver at his head, sud |
the desired articles were forthcoming. In
time Of peace the preacher had prepared for |
war. |
After passing the Fair Grounds, our troops !
came slowly towards town. They So. ,na, +
on the east side Of the crs.saa by Judge MilIer.
u me District Court, and other proaainenE |
clHzens, bearing q flag Of truce, In order to |
assure our troops Of friendly feelings sustain |
ed o. thfee-fourths OF the Inhabitants, and If |
possible prevent the shedding of innocent |
blood. They were met cordially by Gen.
Lyon and Col; Blair, who promised, # no re.
eistanee was made to Their entrance, that no
harm need be feared. Major O'Bnns soon
Joined the party from the city, aud formally
surrendered 1t to the Federal forces. The |
troops then advanced, headed By the Major |
and Gen. Lyon, and we're met at the principal |
corner Of the street BY q party bearing aud va. |
ring that beautiful emblem under which our |
armies gather and march forth conque1ing and |
to conquer. The flag party cheered the troops,
who Justify returned the compliment. Amerl. |
6L-.-