Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-22
Adyices from the United States

dispatches TO the Louisville Democrat
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.-Herald's Dispatch.
This afternoon, soon after five o'clock, a
small detachment of rebel infantry, and a
squad of rebel cavalry, approached near to
a house occupied By widow Childs. about
| three miles from Minors Hill. A body OF
our troops who were out on foraging expe-
dition. advanced upon them, when a sharp
skhmish ensued, and for short time the
firing was constant on both sides, when the
rebels were driven from the house. One Of
our men was wounded. 1t is impossible to
ascertain the rebel loss. 1t is believed that
a number lad secreted themselves in the out
buildings, but that, after the firing of the
first she'll from Minors Hill, they left.
Tins Dispatch.-I am satisfied that, for the
present, our troops will remain where they
are, not moving forward or falling back, but
quietly awaiting the action of the rebels.
The weather is extremely cold, with heavy
white frost this morning.
A special dispatch to the Tribune says =
Before leaving St. Louis. the Secretary of
War; by letter, ordered General Fremont to
discontinue, as unnecessary, his field work
around the city, as also those which he is
erecting around Jefferson City. Also to sus-
pend works on the barracks he is building
aronund his residence, and his body guard of
800 cavalry. He also ordered him to employ
all the money in the hands of the disbursing
officers to the payment of the current expenses
of his army in Missouri, and to let all his
debts in st. Louis, amounting to 81, 800, 900,
remain unpaid until they can be properly ex-
amined and sent to Washington for settle.
ment He also ordered that the disbursing
officers should disburse their funds, aud not
transfer them to irresponsible persons, who
do not hold commissions from the President,
and are not under bonds. Also, that hereaf-
ter all contracts to be made, be made by the
regular discussing officer of the army.
Gen. Fremont was also informed that pay
ment would not be made TO officers appoint
ed by him. 1t is said there are two hundred
of these whose commissions do not bear the
Presidents signature, and that Paymaster
Andrews had been verbally instructed not to
make such payments. Special exceptions were
made in ia, or of officers of volunteers. The
number of forts planned by General Fremont
for the defense of st. Louis is eleven.
An intelligent contraband, who came into
General McClellan's camp this morning, re.
ports that when he left Fairfax Court House
Yesterday at P. NJ, no movement OF the
rebels was on foot. The rebel troops, be
saws. are destitute of nearly everything, ex-
cept fresh beef. They had plenty of blankets
but there was great scarcity of shoes.
They were tearing up railroad tracks to vi
emma, and hauling them to Fairfax Court
House.
Should there be battle tomorrow, no
sufficient accommodation could be bad for
the wounded. At present the hospitals are
filed with sick soldiers.
The number discharged, because physic al
IL unfit for duty at the time OF enlistn' ent,
was very large. Colonies aud Captains have
shown themselves too anxious to raise mel
to see THAT are theygood. New buildings
are, however, in process of erection sufficient
for all contingencies.
RoLLA, No.. Oct. 1.-THE report brought
here day or two ago, that a battle had Ia
ken place on the y h ult, between body of
Kansas troops under Montgomery and Jenni-
son, and the advance guard of McCulloch's
army. and some State Guards under Judge
Chenault is confirmed by parties just arrived
from Springfield.
The battle commenced at Shanghai, in Car
ter county. and the rebels were driven back,
With considerable loss, and pursued some 40
miles. Montgomery then fell back on Green
field. Great alarm was felt in Springfield,
lest Montgomery should attack that place,
and the troops there had rested on their arms
several nights. Montgomery is said to have
had 5000 men, and the rebels 2 400. This
statement can hardly be relied upon, as we
have had no previous adviees that such
force of Kansas troops were in that vicinity.
A band of maraudering rebels, encamped
at WILSON'S Mill, IN Bryant's fork of White
river, in Douglas county, were attacked q
few days since, by a body of Home Guards,
and fifteen of them killed and twenty
wounded.
1t is reported here that the Thirteenth IL
linois Regiment, under General Wyman, had
surprised and taken Lebanon, in Laclede
county, with all the stores and provisions of
the rebels, but this needs confirmation.
FoRT MONROE, Oct. l4-The Spaulding
returned from Hatteras Inlet this mornin 2,
bringing Gen. Mansfield, who has to-day ia
ken command at Camp Hamilton.
The entire loss OF the 20th Indiana Regi-
ment, in its recent retreat, was AZ. No
changes have taken place at Hatteras within
the last few days. Eleven contrabands came
over last night from Sewall's Point.
They say there are 400 Confederates at
that poiut, and large number this side of
Norfolk.
Lieut.. Maury of the gunboat Louisiana,