The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-29

tAAs the 1imbef was soon byoken and the
hOf1ss - repeatedly wunnded that they souId
not b held e their places, butran away with
both Ii and the caisson. Every one about the
gum had either left or been wounded by this
time, except Lieut.. Harris and his Sergeant
a few minutes after, the latter was shot
through the head while attempting to mount
his horse. Harris, all alone, yet fred his
gun twice, showsring grape among the close
ranks of the enemy as they advanced upon
him. At last his ammunition gave out, and
as he stood resting against n tree, he received
orders II he could not bring off his gun, to
leave It, At this moment, Brown 8 battalion
which had been placed in the rear Of the gun,
came on at a dou bie-quick, 10 cover the re-
treat OF Lows command. They attem pied TO
take OF the gun by hand and actually did drag
1t up hill considerable distance, but were
at last forced to leave 1t to the tender mercies
OF the enemy, as they received orders to take
ground to the rear and place themselves in
ambush, while Farmers I'd and Waugh's 4th
were ordered TO cover the retreat, which was
at this time commenced IN good order. Their
cavalry attempted only snce to charge, but
paid so dearly for their temerity that they
were, not heard from again for Browns bat
talon, In ambush, with one volIey moved
them down rs with seythe. Here fell their
Major Garrett, one captain and four lisuten
ants, and thirty rank and file. A private OF
Browns battalion-Prophet by name-leaped
over the fence into the road and captured the
Majors sword but only after he had thrown
number Of dead men off his BODY, the bul.
at this time had outfdnked us on the left our
cavalry having retired too soon But they did
not appear in great mum bers, aud seemed
loath to engage us at close quarters: for our
men kept excellent order, and no doubt
looked too formidable to be trfed with
They opened on us desultory fire at long
distance, to which we did not reply, but
moved quietly and quickly out of danger
The enemy Is said to have followed us abou t
ten miles, to where our trains had been left.
but which, ere the retreat had com msnoed
were ordered to move on, and was far on the
way TO Greenviila when our little band of he
rGee passed through, in most excellent humor
with themselves and well satisfied wit the
days business. Drs. IautdIng and Lamb
den, who had been left with our killed and
wounded, are just in and report that the en
envy acknowledge to having 5000 infantry
and two regiments of cavalry, besides nine
guns. Col. Ross was in command. Col SEQ
held had the artillery under charge, and Col.
RUNNER was present with the forces from
Cape Girardeau One of our men, last in
from the neigh bOrhood of Cape Girarieau,
says that 500 men came by the way Of that
place, and 5000 landed at St. Genevieve and
came by The way OF Perry vile. The balance
OF their forces came from Ironton. We lost
three men dead, which we brought to camp
the balance-l7 killed, q wounded, and 15
miSsing--fell into the encmy's hands The
enemy acknowledge 400 killed and wo de d,
and are much chagrined ut the day s results.
They insist that we must have had 600 men
The disposition of our forces was such as to
lead them into that error. Oar doctors we're
rather roughly handled they were robbed of
all their money and lost their horses. DIR G.
al one time was in arrest as spy, and remain
ed ia durance vile several hours this was,
however after Col. Ross ha6 left, and Col Car
lin was In command. Eight houses and their
contents were burn ed to the ground We ar.
rived at our present camp the 27th, with
oat encoUntering further trouble, and shall
mere remain few days to recruit. Hoping
this hasty account of our movements will
prove Satisfact tory, / remain,
Respectfully,
j. r. PURvis, Asst Adit Gen.