Smyrna times., 1861-07-18
Recent Engagements.

Dsriug the past week several sharp battles
have taken place in Missouri and western Vir-
ginia, asd the appearances indicate that there
will soon be some decisive engagements:
The BATTLE AT CARTHAGE MO.-From q
condensation of Col. Sisgel's dispatches to head
quarters in st. Louis, we have an authentic
account OF the battle which took place at BrIer
Forks. near Carthage, on the 5ih inst. The
iorces engaged were about twelve hundred
Nationals, with ten pieces OF artillery, against
about six thousand rebels, with fve pieces OF
cannon, but having the advantage ofa consld.
cradle body of cavalry. Col. SIsgel commen-
ced the attack on the enemy's line of battle at
% O'Clock in the morning, and succeeded, after
about two hours fighting, in slencing his ar
tillery. The rebel cavalry then made a move
ment to out.fank him, and make an attack
upon his baggage-train, but Col. Siegel man.
Guvred in such admirable style that the attempt
entirely failed. The National forces retired
until point was reached where The road runs
between too high bluffs, the opening being
occupied by the rebel cavalry; when By ruse
he drew them into a solid body to within
hundred and fifty yards of his position, where
he opened upon them with a cross.fre of ar.
ttllery, and charged them at double-quick with
his infantry, scattering them in every direction.
The enemy finally retired to Carthage, and
Col. SiegsI fell back on Sarcox;e, and the
next day went to Mount Vernon to await rein
fOrcements. We lost eight killed and forty
live wounded; Fepulsed the enemy. four or FIVE
thousand strong silencsd their artillery; took
eighty horses, and killed and wounded large
number. Our two batteries did most Of the
Sighting. and lost six horses.
BATTLES AT LAUREL HILL AND Rich MOUNT
AIN Va.-We have intelligence Of two import
ant battles in Western Virginia-sne at Lasrei
Hill, where Gen. Mcclellan commanded the
National forces in person, and the other at
Rich Mountain. where our forces were com.
mended by Gen. Rossncranz. The former.
according to our dispatches, was fought in pur
sHancs of The plan foreshadowed in the latest
advicCs received on Thursday HighL Gen.
Mcclellan turned the enemy's position al
Laurel Hill. and gained a most decided victory.
capturing The entire csmp-guns, tents. wag-
ons, etc and many prisoners, among whom
were several officers. The loss of the enemy
Ia reported to be sewers, while euTs was very
smalI-a fact probably attributable to the su
peEIority OF our artillery. The other battle was
fought on Thursday afternoon, two miles east
Of Roaring River, in Randolph County. Ths
rebels numbering absut two thousand. under
command Of Col. Pegram, were strongly in.
trenched. Gen. ROsencrsnz had under his
command portions of the Eighth, Tenth and
Thirteenth Indiana. and the Ninsteenth Ohio
Regiments. He made difficult march Of sew.
en- or eight miles from Roaring River, cutting
q road through the woods, and succeeded 10
surrounding the enemy, when desparste hgh
took place, lastiAg about an hour and half
snd resulting in the total rout Of the rebels
who efl behind them elk cannon, a large nun
ber of horses, wagons camp equipage, etc.
and lost sixty killed and large number wound
ed and taken prisoners, the latter including
several officers The loss Of the National foTee e
was about twenty killed aud forty wounded
proving it to have been the most desperately
contested battle whick has yet been fought.
ENaAoEmENr AT MONROE STATION Mo-
Sixteen hundred rebel cavalry, under Gen
Harris. attacked 500 UaiIed States troops
near Monroe station, thirty miles from Hsnni
bal, Mo-, on the Hannibal and ST. Joseph rail
road on Wednesday morning. and were rspul
sed with the loss Of four killed. five captured
and several wounded The United State
troops also took seven horses. OnT men pur
sued the snemy, were again attacked and vic
toriOus. They then took up q position and sen
for reiniorcemenis, and while there were sur
had the advantage Of them. Twelve hundrs
infantry and cavalry, under Ex Governor Woo
aud General MstheT, were Immediately sen
from ST. Louis TO the assistance OF the Unite
States troops; 500 more had been sent troG
st. Joseph and 700 FROM Hudson, go that if al
these detatehments reach Monroe the Unite
States forces will number 1900. The strengt
of the whsls force of the enemy 10 estimate
: by another dispatch at 1000. and they hs
burned the railway station, cut the telegTap
wires, and made an abortive attempt TO seiz
, a train Of cars, but it escaped them.
, Attempt TO Blow UP FLRET.-The rebel
ct Aqua Creek, on Sunday last, made an at
tempt to destroy the Potomac feet with infeI
nal machines, but il was q very bUngling at
tempt, and proved unsuccessful. The Freeborr
Resolute, Pawnee and Pocshontas, were a
anchsr in the stream, when two large oil-tsnk
were discovered floating towards them will
the tide. When they had approached With
quarter Of . mile, however, q boat was sen
out to reconnoiteF, when their character wa
discovered. One Of them was sunken, but tn
. other was secured. and 10 now at the Washing
ton Navy-yard. II weighed about four huu
dred pounds. and was loaded with very de,
tructive materials, which must have cause
great havoc among the feet had it exploded a
Intended by the rebels.