The Van Buren press., 1861-07-17
Letter from tho Caup.

We give below. from our special cores
pondent, an account of the movements of
the troops and particulars of the capture of
the federal forces at Neosho. Our cores
poudent was along with the army, and his
account of the trip can be perfectly relied
on:
CAM WALKER, July 10, 1861.
According to promise, win give few incidents
Of the march Of our army into Missouri.
We left the camp with five days rations, for the
purpose of securing the Dutch army who were said
to be encamped at Neosho. to the number Of
2,7oo. We arrived at Neosho on Friday, the 5th
inst, and found the enemy had gone out to attack
Gov. jackson and Gen. Rains, leaving one company
here, which surrendered tous without firing gun
Upon entering the town, the citizens, who sup
posed we were federal troops. commenced shutting
their doors and windows, but soon our flags
were seen, they threw open their houses ana gen
eral shout went up from man, woman and chilo
The flag Of the Confederate States now floats over
the Court House at Neosho While here informa-
tion eceived that federal train its way
here, Capt Carroll, with his Cavalry Company
was sent out, and captured it two miles north Of
CRANKY, and nine miles north of Neosho the train
consisted of seven wagons, and an ambulance load
ed with provisions and suffers stores, and which
fell into our hands very opportunely, were
getting somewhat short of provisions, and item
Of the capture being eleven hundred loavcs of bread
We have captured about l06 prisoners. l3O stand
OF ams-Mississippi Rifles with sword bayonets-
besides the wagons, mules and provisions Early
on Saturday morning we started in pursuit of the
Dutch, who, we were informed, had been fighting
and retreating from Gen. jackson and Gen. Rains
since Friday morning. The fight commenced be-
tween the Missouri State troops and the federalists
about 10 O'Clock, and was kept up till night. The
attack commenced about two miles orth of Car
thage, and the federalists retreaied back through
Carthage, and on towards Sarcoxie, and on Satur-
day morning had reached Sarcoxie, distance ol
twenty miles. Upon our arrival at the previous
days battle ground it was found useless to pursue
them further, as they were fully thirty miles in
advance of us, in full retreat upon Springfield
Gov. Jackson's loss was two killed outright, and
forty seven wounded, of which it was supposed
that nearly one-half would die of their wounds
having been shot with Minnie balls The loss OF
the federalsts was large it is said they acknowl
edged, at Sarcoxie, to about three hundred Killed
and wounded they hauled off in wagons the mos,
of their wounded, and many Of their dead.
The Missourians haye been overawed, and, in q
measure. terror-stricken; but this battle and the
fact of going to their assistance has served to
give them confidence. and good report, hereafter
may be expected from them they are fighting 70,
their homes, their families, their rights and privil
eges. and all that they hold dear, and must, in the
the very nature of things, finally triumph over the
Hessian hordes that attempting to subiugat<
them.
We returned here. about noon, yesterday (Tues
day. glad to be at home, more. Notwithstan
ding the march was very fatiguing one, made
much more so by the clouds of dust which filled
the atmosphere, the troops stood the march well
and without additions to our sick list
I Gov Jackson's and Gems. Rains and Price.
troops to the number of 10 900 are now encampcd
on Cowskin Prairie, in Missouri, about ten miles
from our camp. and actively engaged in orga
nizing and drilling. If arms could be procured
they could, in a few days increase their force to
almost any desired extent.
learn that Gov. Jackson, who is now in our
camp, to- day received information that Gen. Lyon
was moving from Boonville with about 3, 600 men
and that II 900 men We're moving down the South
west Branch Railroad, towards Springfield, and it
is supposed that We will soon be on the march to-
wards Springfield to meet and give them battle
Our boys ready for the fray, in fact spilng for
fight.
suppose there are now in camp here and Gen.
McCulloch's camp, between seven and eight thou
sand troops, and companies are arriving daily Gen
eral good health prevails throughout the camp
Yo1rs Ixprx