Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-08
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.
81 GEN. PrIce,s 0fieIaI Report. 7ey
HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI STATE. GUARD,
s.-- CAMP WALLACB, =
Lexington. Sept. %. 1861.

SAA1' W AlsLACEs
Lexington, Sept. %, 1861.
To the Hon. Claiborne r. JacEson GoUernor of
the State of Missouri:
| / have the honor to submit to your Excel
| lency the following report of the action
which terminated on the goth inst. with the
surrender of the United States forces and
property at this place, to the army under my
command:
After chastising the marauding armies of
Lane and Montgomery, and driving them out
| Of the State and after compelling them to
abandon Fort Scott, as detailed in my last
| report, continued my march toward this
point with an army increasing hourly in
| numbers and enthusiasm.
| On the 10th inst. just as we were about to
encamp for the day, mile or two west of
Rose Hill, learned that detachment of
| Federal troops AID Home Guards were
| marching from Lexington to Warrensburg
| to rob the bank in that place and plumber
aud arrest the citizens of Johnson county, in
accordance with Gen Fremont's proclamation
| and instructions. Although my men were
greatly fatigued by several days continuous
| aud rapid marching, l determined to press
| forward so as to surprise the enemy, if pos
-ible, at Warrensburg. Therefore, after
resting few hours, we resumed the march
| at sunset, and marched without intermisSion
until two O'Clock in the morning; when it be-
came evident that the infantry, very few of
whom had eaten mouthful in twenty-five
hours could march no further. then halted
them and went forward with the larger part
of my mounted men till we came about day
break, within view of Warrensburg, where L
ascertained that the enemy had hastily fed
about midnight, burning the bridges behind
them. The rain began to fall about the same
time.
This circumstance, coupled with the fact
that my men had been fasting for more than
twenty four hours, constrained me to aban-
don the idea of pursuing the enemy that
day; my infantry aud artillery having come
up, we encamped at Warrensburg, whose
citizens WED with each other in feeding my
almost famished soldiers An Unusually VIC
lent storm delayed our march the next morn
ing till about ten O'Clock; we then pushed
forward rapidly, still hoping to overtake the
enemy. Finding it impossible to do this with
my infantry, again ordered detachmant
to move forward, and placing myself at their
head, continued the pursuit to within two
and half miles of Lexington, when, having
learned that the enemy were already within,
town, and it being late. and my men fatigued
by forced march, and utterly without pro-
visions, halted for the night.
About day-hreak the next morning a sharp
skirmish took place between our pickets and
the enemy's outpost. This threatened 10 be-
come general. Being unwilling, however, TO
| risk doubtful engagement, when short
| delay would make success certain, fell back
| two or three miles and awaited the arrival of
my infantry and artillery; these having come
| up, we advanced upon the town, driving the
| enemy's pickets until we came within
| short distance of the city itself. Here the en-
/ envy attempted to make stand. but they
were speedily driven from every position,
| and forced to take shelter within their en-
| trenchments. We then took position within
| easy range of the college, which building
they had strongly fortified, and opened upon
them brisk fire from Bledsoe's battery,
which, in the absence of Capt. Bledsoe, who
had been wounded at Big Dry Wood, was
| calamity commanded by Capt. Emmett Nc
| Donald, and by Parsons battery, under the
skillful command of Cap. Guibor.
Finding after sunset that our ammunition,
the most of which had been left behind on
the march from Springfield, was nearly ex-
hausted, and that my men, thousands Of
whom had not eaten particle in thirty-six
hours, required rest and food, withdrew to
the Fair Ground and encamped there. My
ammunition wagons having been at last
brought up and large reinforcements having
been received, l again moved into town on
Wednesday, the 18th inst, and began the
final attack upon the enemy's works.
Brig. Gen. Rains division occupied strong
position on the east and northeast OF the for
tifications. from which an effective cannona-
ding was kept up on the enemy by Bledsoe's
battery, under command, except on the last
day, by Capt. Emmett Mcdonald, and anoth.
er battery commanded by Captain Churchill
CLARK. of st. Louis. Both these gentlemen
! and the men and officers under their com