New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-11
rzu BATTLE oF ATHENS.
The Union Forces Triumphant Against
Large Odds.
,a.,cs Of The N. Y. Tribune.

KEOKUK, Iowa, Aug. o, lool'
There was quite battle fought at the village
Of Athens, on the bank of the Des Moines river IN
the State of Missouri, about % miles west OF
this city, yesterday, between the hours of and
o'clock a. M, between Union and Secession
forces of Missouri, and about 100 men from
Iowa, who aided the Union soldiers Of Missouri.
The Union forces of Missouri numbered 45O men
in all; the Secessonist forces exceeded l,2Oo
strong. Col. Moore of Clark County, Mo-, COM
manded tho Union forces; and Col Green
brother Of the late United States Senator, "Jim
Green" led the Rebels.
Col. Moore has been for some time engaged 10
mastering regiment of loyal Missourians, and
had his headquarters at Athens. Night before
last word came TO this city that Green's Seces-
sion army was marching toward Athens, when
the home guards of this city, consisting OF about
100 men, volunteered bragely to 60 to the assis-
tance of the Union friends at Athens and arsiv-
ed there by special railroad train before day
light of Yesterday morning. The Des MONIES kIyer
at Athens is about 200 yards wide, and easily
fordel at almost any place, and our home guards
were stationed on the Iowa side OF tie river
along its bauks, to act as the exgences OF affairs
might require. Col. MoOres Missouri troops
were placed in proper position to guard against
surprise but the main portion, about 3OO s'roUg'
were stationed in liae in what is called the
Public Square of the village
| A Little alter o'clock yesterday morning, the
enemy approached the town in three columns
the main body having three pieces Of cannon
| AID moving directly on the rear of the village,
| while the other two columns fanked the town
| on each of its sides. The bntle commenced ny
the opening of the enemy's artillery, which was
Immediately succeeded by furious discharge OF
small arms on all sides. Owing to the uneven
character Of the ground on which the village
stands, the number Of trees interspersed through
IL. and the defenses afforded by houses and
fences. the battle soon assumed the character OF
Indian warfare, where each man fought more
or less on his own hook, as his covert gave him
opportunity.
The enemy's artillery, although it doomed
away continually, aud did much harm to prop
erty, injured very few of our men. Their shot
either went too high, or lost its force on natural
! obstacles. After the conflict had ragged some
what over an hour, Col. Moore ordered charge
with bayonet on the artillery and main column
Of the enemy. Three hundred of his men nd-
y,nced with rapid stride upon the enemy. lie
| encouraged them to show themselves soldiers,
and declared if any one Of them retreated, he
would run his sword through his back. This
was feast TO which the rebels did not feel in.
vited and before they could be reached with the
cold steel they broke and fed in wild dismay.
The rest of the enemy followed in rapid retreat.
They were followed several miles by Col. Moores
command, but with 10 decisive result. Three of
our soldiers were killed, and 10 wounded, some
of them very severely. Seventeen of the enemy
were killed, and some 40 wounded. Our soldiers
took from the enemy GO horses, 10 mules, q
number Of guns and pistols, and two flags.
The Union forces of Missouri give great credit
TO our Keokuk troops for their gallantry. 1t
was the aim of the right flank or wing Of the
enemy, numbering some 300 men, to get between
Col. Moore's command and the river; but the
steady aud constant fire of our Home Guard
across the river killed several Of them, wounded
many others, and prevented them from accom-
plshing their purpose. Our men were supplied
with rifles which will readily kill man at 500
Yards distance. Our Guard have arrived home,
and speak in utter contempt of the conduct OF
the Rebels in allowing themselves to be 60 soon
whipped by one-thrd of their number.
/ have every reason to believe that if our
Government would send $4,000 stand of arms
and good supply of ammunition to the loyalists
of Missouri they could and would speedily stamp
treason out of the soil of this State.
In reviewing the various battles which have
recently occurred, have noticed that the silk
stocking Chivary invariably shrink from close,
hand-to-hand fight and bayonet charge fiom the
mud-sils Of the North. Why Is this