Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-11-07
speca' Cores p,ndence of the Appeal Battle in Missouri-Gen. Jeff. Thomp- sons Command Full Particulars by an Eve Witness

GREENvILLE, Mo, October 23, 1851.
 The newspapers at St. Louis have published so many false and exaggerated statements III re gard u the numbers, movements and actions ot the army under the command of General NJ Jeff Thompoon of this otate that deem t due to the truLh of history to submit tO the public, through the columns of your interesting journal, d brief review of the same scince my connection with it.
 The first important movement took place on the morning O. the l2th instant, when General Thompson at the head of three hundred mount ed men left Sgring Hill, in Stoddard county, for the Iron Mountain railroad, directing the main body of the army under the command oi Col. Lowe,to move towards Fredrckstown, ,wher4 he intended to join him. On Tuesday, the 18th instant, we reached our point of destination, to-wit the bridge over Big River, some forty five or fifty miles south from St. Louis. At no period before our arrlva! could we learn the number Oi the enemy stationed at this place to protect the bridge, which Is one of the longest and most i'm portaat on the Iron Mountain railroad, some statements representing them at one hundred and others to five hundred well drilled soldiers Some thirty minutes before sunrise with force of only one hundred men under command Of Col John Smith, to whose regiment the Mis
 
 ance to wit: two hundred having been thrown across the river at different points and for other purposes,) we made an attack upon the enemy without knowing his strength, but appraised that his position was well selected, and his breast works formidable. Lead forward by our gal lant colonel we rushed upon the enemy, and taking the best position we could, for there was only oue gay ot reaching them, we opened fire upon them.
 Knowing that the nearest point of assailment was the best for the double barreed shot gun with which my command was armed 1 advanced with the Mississippi GuerIilas within seventy-hvt wards of the fortlfication, and posted them, ana there fought for some thirty minutes on the high est and most exposed position Git being the sum init of the ridge on which the enemy were sta toned until the enemy surrendered, which they did so sooa as they heard the order giver to storm their entrenchments. The force oftht foe consisted of forty five men, belonging to the Normal Illinois regiment, and were protected hv q fort constructed of stone, which could only he assaulted on the side by which we approach. cd them. The fort on the north was protected by 2 deep,cut in the railway, and on the east and west by precipitous declivities. Atno time had wa more than thirty men engaged in the attack the balance being unable to gain position where they con!d even see the Qualifications ot the enemy. We lost but two killed and three woundsd-one of the latter belonging to my It. tla command-all of whom fell in my immedl ate vicinity, 1t being the most exposed to the fire of the enemy. The loss of the foe was double that on our part Immediately after the sur render my command was detailed to burn the bridge which order was promptly obeyed.
 Some hours after this little affair." another; mort on of the force under Gen. Thompson, @ spistng of 8 or 70 men, attacked another de- tarhment of the enemy, 80 strong, stationed a few miles south, and drove them from the field in confusion. dispensing them Tn the woods. Tn .h;. .L an,tost-w we lost not more than two killed and three wounded, while that of the enemy is renorted to have amounted to 20. This last en- ragement I did not witness, having reached the field of battle after it was over So soon as these events became known, the different de- tachments of the enemy stationed along the rail