The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-22

PoLosE, No, Oct 13.--We have the
following account of the attack on the
Big River Bridge
The enemy was discovered approach
ing the bridge about 7 o'clock yesterday
morning by a German picket who gave
the alarm. Our troops, numbering be-
tween 40 and 80, instantly prepared tor
action, and although the force against
them numbered somewhere about COO,
under the lead Of jeff. Thompson him
self, they stood their ground, and from
stone hills and other places OF shelter did
good execution. They were iraIly sur
rounded aid Obliged 10 surrender. Their
loss is one killed and six wounded The
rebel loss is five killed and four wound
ed. Immediately after the surrender the
federal prisoners were sworn by jeff.
Thompson not 10 bear arms against the
Southern Coufederacy and released. The
rebels then burned the bridge and speed
iIy retired.
WAsHlNGroN, Oct 1t.--Special to the
Tribune. Before leaving St. Louis this
morning the Secretary of War by letter
ordered Gen Fremont to discontinue rs
unnecessary, his field works around the
city and chat which lie is building near
his residence for his body guarl of 800
cavalry, and ordered him to apply all the
money in the hands OF the d,sbursing Of
fcers 10 the payment Of the current ex-
penses of his army in Missouri, and 10 let
all his debts in ST. Louis. amounting 10
SIS, 600, remain unpaid until they can
be properly examined and sent 10 Wash
ington for settlement.
He also ordered that the dobur5ing
officers should disburse their funds and
not transfer them TO irresponsible per-
sons, who do not hold commission from
the President and are not under bonds.
He further ordered that hereafter all con
tracts necessary 10 be made, be made by
the regular discussing officer of the ar
my.
Gen. Fremont was also Informed that
payment would not be made to officers
appointed by him. Ii is said there are
over goo of them whose commissions do
not bear the Presidents signature. and
that paymaster Andrews bad been YER
baily instructed not to make such pay
mcnts. Special exceptions were made
in favor OF officers Of volunteers,
RoLLA. Oct. 14.-The report brought
here day or two ago that a battle took
place on The 27lh uIt between "a body of
federal troops under Montgomery and
Jenplson, an tie advance guard OF Me-
Culloch's army and some State Guards
under Judge Chenaul, is confirmed by
parties just arrived from Springfield.
The battle commenced near Shanghai,
in Barton Co., and the rebels were driv-
en- back with considerable loss some 40
miles; Montgomery then fell back on
Greenfield
A band Of 800 maraulers rebels en-
camped at Wilson's Mil, on Bryand's
Fork Of the White River, in Douglas c..
Were attacked some days since bya boIy
OF Home Guards, aud % Of them killed
and 20 wounded.
WAsnlSGroN, Oct. l5-Special to the
Post-The War Department has deter
mined to invest Gems. Mcdowell, Stone
ana IrhtZeIhan with the commands OF
different divisions Of the army. Geuer-
al Scott is in excellent health.
A detachment Of the rebels last night
approached the position occupied by the
Federal troops OF Gen. Smiths division,
near Townsville, and threw shot and
she'll into the camT, but were driven oil ;;
none Of our men were injured. The sud
denness of The attack, however, led to tie
belief that more serious demonstration
was intended, aud the troops were kept
under arms during The night.
The Federal army. this forenoon, al
vanced 10 position Two miles beyond
Lewiusviis
NAsnISCroN, Oct l6.--lt IS rumorel
the order IN relation 10 lie exchange Of.
prisoners which has just been issued from