The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-08
CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON, NO., By
THE CONTEMPORARIES


The following news about the capture Of Lex
ington Missouri, together with the Yankee army
stationed there, is from Federal sources. The
rebels" Gas the Yankees call our forces) gained
great victory at Lexington, certain:
HUDSON, No, Sept. %.
The following account Of the siege of Lexing-
ton is furnished to the ST Louis Republican by
Henry Bradburn, one of the Federal soldiers:
The fort was surrendered Friday afternoon. The
men fought for ifty-nino hours without water, and
had only three barrels Of vinegar to quench their
thirst. During all that time there were no springs
wells OF, water in the camp ground, as has been
stated The supply Of water was entirely from
the mob. There were breastworks all around the
camp, with the exception Of the portion next the
river. 1t was here that the hardest fighting took
place.
The rebels procured large number Of hemp
bales and rolled them in advance, and under their
cover gradually succeeded In securing position in
the rear They then cut Off the supply OF water,
and had the fort completely surrounded.
They made but few charges upon the breast
works during the entire siege. Their object
seemed to be to surround the fort and cut off the
supply of water, and having succeeded in this,
they waited until Col. Malliean compelled to
yield to a foe terrible than the u 900 rebels
who surrounded him.
Previous to his surrender, he offered to take
position level spot of ground and give Gen.
Price the odds of four to one in fair and open
fight, but no attention was paid to it.
Gen. Price would have been poorer officer
than we take him to be, if he had listened to any
such proposition, when he had the entire Yankee
army in position from which they could OF cx-
tricatc thcIusclycs.l
After the surrender the rebels mounted the
breastworks and seemed mad with joy and delight.
As soon as the surrender took place the rebels
took down she Union lag, and trailcd it i'll the
dust
An immense amount Of Gold supposed to be
about $Z50, GEO. fell into the possession Of the
rebels. 1t was taken from the banks aud buried
by Col. Mullean in the camp ground some time
ago, but the rebels speedily discovered and I'M
earthed it. Colonel Mulli-an wept like child
when he found hiusc.f compelled to surrender.
The morning after the surrender, the men were
all released parole and fcrrcd across the river.
The officers were retained.
The loss Of the rebels Is not known, but it is
thought to be not less than 900 killed and
wounded. TDorbtfuLJ
The First Illinois Cavalry were lady cut to
pieces. Their horses and all their arms were re-
tanned by Gen. Price.
Our non-comniss Toned officers ana privatcs
were sworn not to boar against the rebels and
released. The commissioned officers are held as
prisoners.
The siege Of Lexington commenced on Satur-
day, Sept. / i, on which day Gen. Price informed
Acting General hiugan, the commandant of the
Yankee works, that he would give him till Mon
day afternoon to SUIT nder or take the alternative
Of battle. The Yankee force consisted Of $500
men.
RoLLA, No, Sept 22.-Dcspatchos were read
on Thursday last ut EDrnucell t. the rebels that