Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-31
TEE WAR IN MISSOURI.
Battle at Frederic ktOwn-FuII @artEcu
fars ny ye-WItaess.
Correspondence Of the Memphis AppeaI

GREESvILLE, No, Oct 70 lS6I.-The ne newspapers
At St. Louis have published 50 many false and ex-
sggerated statements IN regard to the numbers
movements and actions Of the army un1er the
command of Gen n JEFF. Thompson, of this st tie
that deem il dua % the truth Of history 70 submit
to the public, through the columns Of your interest
ing ,urnal. a brief review Of the same since my
! connection with l.
| The fret important movement took place on the
| morning of the lZ.h instant when General Th0mp-
son at the head OF three hundred mounted men left
Spring Hill in S-Oiiard county. for the Iron Noun
tain railroad. directing the main body Of the army
under the command OF Col Lowe 10 move toward
/ Fredericktown where he intended to join him Ga
[ Tuesday, the 18Th inst, we reached cur pciuc OF
destination tc-Tit: the bridge over Big River, some
forty-fve or iity miles South from St Louis.
At no period before our arrival could we learn
tha number Of the enemy stationed az this place t.
protect Tie bridge which il OF the longest and
most important on TIE irOn Mountain BairOa some
statements representing them Ct one hundred, and
others to s ge hundred well drilled soldiers. Some
thirty minutes before sunrise With force Of only
one hundred men under the command Of Col John
Smith, to whose regiment tbs Mississippi GuerrIss
had been attached (the balance, tO-Wlt: two hun
dred having been thrown across the river at differ
ent points and for other purposes we made at
tack upon the enemy without knowing his strength.
but apprised that his position well selected and
his beasJwOrks formidable. Lead forward b. cur
gallant Colonel we rushed upon the enemy, and ia
one way OF reaching them, Ee opened fire upon
them.
Knowing that the necrest point Of assaanent vas
the bs5t for the double b8rrelled shotgun, with
which my command vas armed, ] advanced with
the Mssssippi GUerriilas within EeTenty five yards
Of the fOrtI6catOn, and posted them, and there
f,ught fer some thirty minUtes on the highest and
most exposed position lit b5ing the summit Of the
ridge On which the enemy surrendered, which they
did 80 s0On they heard the order given to storm
ran.-
ed Of forty five men, belonging 10 the Normal lii
nOis regiment. and we're protested by . fort con
sJructsd OF stone, which could only be assaulted on
the side By which we approached them. The fort
Oh the North was protected by deep cut in the
rail waT and on the East AMI West by pTecIpitOus
de9lviues. At TO time had we more than thirty
men engaged ~ the attack the balance being una
Die to can position where they could even see the
fOrtita l.ons Of tA1 eB3mJ VIC lest but two killed
and thrrg . .1lirl-2ne Of the latter belonging 10
py little c.El usnd-Rll Of whom fell IN my lmme-
Gigte vicinity hslg the most exposed TO the fire
of the enemy. Fhe &c ; of the foe double that
on our part immediately attsF the surrender my |
command was detailed TO burn the bridge, which |
order was promptly obeyed
So.ae hours alter this little affair, smother por-
ton Of cur force under Gen. Thompson, consisting
Of IS Or 40 men, attacked another detachment OF
the enemy, so strong, Stationed a few niles South,
and drove them from the field in confusion, dspefs-
iEg them from the wo5ds. In this contest we lost
not more than two 4! led and three wounded, while
that Of the enemy j. reported 30 have amounted to
20 This last ensagemeht DIP not witness having
reached the Geld Of b4ttle after it was ogsF So
'oOn as csc events beGGn2e knOWn, the different
attachments Of the enemy stationed Slong the rail-
Dad fled in confusion and dismay, either 20 Be-
louis or Ironton and circulated the runner thai the
orcs under Gen Thompson amounted 70 SIX thOus-
nd when. in fact, he had 10 81 e The railroad only
100 men divided three separate parties
.ving accomplished the eej-et Of his vst 10
be railroad Gen Thompson hastened TO 10 the ,
lain body of ms army waicn had been ordered to
On Wednesday, the 10th insty