New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-15
THE AFFAIR AT MONROE.

We find the following account Of tho dilemma Col
Smith Of the 10th Illinois placed in prior TO iii
being REINFORCED when be routed the enemy, in TIL,
81. Louis Republican (Secession Of the 18th inst:
From John ii. Bowen, agent of the Hannibal and
81. Joseph Railroad, who arrived yesterday morning
from Hannibal, we get q statement substantially
follows. Mr.. Bowen went up the road to within tbt rec
miles Of Monroe CT " and received is intelligence
from Conductor Colt Of the railroad and United States
Marshal ytrachan:
Oa Monday, Col. Smith of the 10th Illinois Req.
ment, went ont from Hannibal with three companies
Of his own camp and one company OF Hannibal Home
Guafds--in all $50 men. At Monroe City he formed
junction with three Iowa companies and from there
proceeded to Florida, understanding that
Der Of State troops, under Gen. Harris, encsmIed
there.
A scouting party was sent out, and werc met by an
advance Of Harriss men, $50 in number, nine ues
south Of Monroe Station, where skrmsh occurred 10
which Capt. McAlster of the 10th Illinois Regiment
was badly wounded, having received five shots, sup
posed TO be mortal
After this fight tue State troops fell back toward
Monroe City, Smith command following. Between
and O'Clock next day, Col. Smith met detachment
of $50 mounted men, whereupon there was another
short fight, only two volleys being fired, when the
State troops again proceeded North In this engage
ment the other the Federal troops captured six
prisoners. horses, and thirty shot guns and
mon rifles.
While these skirmishes were going on, Captain
Owens, Of Marion County, in command Of about 800
iuscctcu ClOnroS Oiiy ANU Dulutu bic ucpOt
and nineteen He alec tore up the railroad track
for considerable distance. At Monroe City Union
man. named H0ichkiss, was killed. lie was ped
dler, and it is said did not belong TO any military com.
pauy.
About o'clock, Wednesday, Colonel Smith took
possession of Monroe City, Captain Owens having,
with his force, previously evacuated the town. II
seems Owens expected the Federal troops to follow
him. and was in f0iDess for attack supported by
acsessions from the adjacent country. The cavalry
gradually approached the town, and Colonel Smith
go. bis command into large tlreo-story brick build
Ing used US a female seminary, and proceeded TO
throw up earth-works around The ground story. in
order TO hold bis position until ho could be rtuforced
At last accounts, which wss up 10 12j o'clock Wed.
nesday affairs the Federal SIDE were in statu QUO,
but the troops the seminary besieged by fifteen
or sixteen hundred mounted men who were RAPIDLY
being reinforced. The following copy Of the dir
patcn sent by Col. Smith to al officer at Quincy:
Send up at once as many cartridges as can lie
spared, with raiions The track IL torn up this side Of
Monroe. Have had two fights with saccess but aie
now surrounded by coo mounted men a Monroe City
Start boat at once and bring down cavalry and sol
diers."
Six hundred cavalry troops went over from Quincy
"Wednesday night, destined TO Col Smiths assistance.
Col. Grants regiment of infantry arrived al Hannibal
Wednesday morning. Palmers regiment left Canton
the Ene day for Hannibal route for Monroe City.
Mr.. Bowen says none Of the Fedefal troops were
killed, aud but two, including Captain otchkss were
wounded. lie also states that Of iafIiss men il
known TO have been killed, and that two or tlgee
others were seen being carried or the field. TIC one
known 10 be killed was brought into Monroe City
alive, but died shortly afterwatd. lie was pierced
through the body.