The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-06-29
THE BATTLE OF BooNvILLE.

From the st. Louis Democrat of the 2lst
we have received full and accurate account
of the most important battle which has as
yet occurred in any part of the country. We
condense from it statement of all the
facts narrated for the information of our
readers.
The fleet consisted of the steamers A.
Mcdowell, Ialan and City of Louisiana.
They left Jefferson City with Gen. Lyons
command on Sunday, the 18th, and disem-
barked eight miles below Boonville at seven
o'clock A. NJ on Monday, the 17th-the
anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill.
The Rebels numbered 1900 men, the
Americans 2 900. The fighting commenced
near the bluff, in close proximity to Boon
vile. The traitors possessed the advantage
in the ground, numbers and artillery.
CARRYING at the brow of the ascent,
Capt. Totten opened the engagement by
throwing a few nine FOUNDER explosives
into their ranks, while the infantry fled OBJ
lique right and left. and commenced ter.
rrfc volleY of musketry, which was for
short time well replied to, the balls flying
thick ard fast about our ears, and occasion
ally wounding man on our side. The
enemy wei e posted in lane running toward
the river from the road along which the
grand army of the United States were ad-
vancing. and in brick house Oh the north
east corner of the junction of the two roads
A couple of bombs were thrown through
the east wall of that house, scattering tie
enemy in all directions. The well directed
| fire of the German infantry, Lieut.. Col.
Schaeffsr on the right, and General Lyons
company of regulars and part of Col. Blair 8
regiment on the left of the road, soon COM
PEELED the enemy to present an inglorious
aspect. They clambered over the fence
into field of wheat and formed line on the
brow of the hill. They then advanced
some twenty steps to meet us, and for a
short time the cannons were worked with
great rapidly and effect. Just at this time
the enemy opened CALLING fire from shed
beyond and still farther to the left.
The skirmish now assumed the magnitude
of battle. The commander, Gen. Lyon,
exhibited the most remarkable GOODNESS, and
preserved throughout that undisturbed pres
ence of mind shown by him alike in the
camp, in private life, and on the field OF
battle. Forward on the extreme right -
'Give them another shot, Capt. Totem
echoed above the roar of musketry clear and
distinct from the lips of the General, who
led the advancing column. Our force was
1000 in all, but not over 400 participated
at any one time in the battle. The enemy,
as we have since been reliably informed,
were over 1000 strong, and yet twenty
minutes from the time when the first gun
was fired the Rebels were in full retreat, and
our troops occupying the ground on which
they first stood in line. The consummate
cowardiee displayed by the Seceshers will
be more fully understood when add that
the spurs or successive elevations now be-
came more abrupt, steep and rugged, the
enemy being fully acquainted with their
ground, and strong positions behind natural
defenees, orchards and clumps Of t:ees Ct
fering themselves every few yards"
The next stand was made by the Rebels
at Camp Vest, but FIRE from the Mcdowell
regiment in the rear and Capt. Totten in
front, soon proved that cone Secessionist is
hardly superior to many more than his
equal number" They again took to theiI
heels The camp and all its belongings
were taken possession of. On the other
side Capt. Cole pushed on to Boonville
driving before him force double his own
A large number of prisoners were taken, but
ten times as many ran. The fighting and
running ceased at II o'clock, when the
Americans entered Boonville, and were cor
daily received by all classes of citizens
Two on our side were killed and nine
wounded. The enemy lost about fifty.