New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-24
THE FIGHT AT FREDERICKTOWN'
A RELIABLE STATEMENT.

Co,Ys,pondenoe Of The ST. Louis Democrat; 20 1851
PuoT KNOB, Oct. is, looi'
y,o+ordov ahont 10 o'clock a. M, the news came
into Pilot Knob of a revere bot short
having taken place near Fredericktown, pet"o 49,,
our forces and those commanded by Jef' -.
ard Col. Low, 1t seems that Capt. hawklns' W.
mapdipg the Indeuendent Missouri Cavsbyl VT
orJered on Tuesday to proceed WIN oe, as Led.
If forty men 10 reeoDnoiter ia the yicih,y oya
e,irktoyn. Having proceeded 10 within h'o oi,'
n half miles of town, his advance guard was -ao'
denly attacked by the rebels, aud two OF ny me.
taken prisosers; the enemy were however, ai''e-l
within the lines. Wednesday morning hi+adysnee
guard was again attacked, and four oil bis ~
CAPTURED. They We're, however, retaken; un,e
awaiting re-enlorcen ents from Pilot hnoel SaP''
Hawkins's command was three times attacked D!
the enemy during the day, who each time vas eu'
eessfplly repulsed and driven in. :, o,
Lste In the evening reenforcements arrived, CON
Sitting of six companies Of Major Gayltts ihdiH
Cavalry and five companies Of intntry, unIer Io az
Alexander Of the Twenty.frst Illinois. lhuisuay
morning at daylight, while on the march, Inc at'
vince guard under Lieut.. +. Francis, OF zap,
HawkiIs's command, was soon among lhe enemy
Slight skiruiRhing commenced, Capt. HAWKINS eo'n,
ing ND with the balance Of his command, snppOleO
by the whole battalion OF Major Gavtt, when tueIe
was some clean running done by the feDeis' f1'
two miles the road was strewn with bunke's, sau'
dies. shot.guns rifles, hats, caIs, &c.
Near town the enemy were IN considerable force
in The woods, Tickets, and brusb and attacked our
main force doug considerable damage before they
were driven from their position. Mejor Gavt'
charged upon them, driving them IN every direct on
wounding many, and killing three also, several
horses were taken.
In this charge, Capt. Hawkins's Company sut-
tanned severe lors. Lieut. Francis fell from his
horse and WAS carried oil MORALLY wounded. Sev'
erA Of his men were dangerously wounded, and u is
thought will not recover. This company, with buI
few exceptions, were Of recruits, never having
been under fire before. yet they stood up like sol
ders, receiving and giving yolley after voley. In
this attack, Capt. Hawkins received shot IN the
knee; bis horro was shot IN twelve places In TIN.
attack, Mai. Gavi,t had one man killed and several
wounded. The infantry having come up, and feeling
confident Of being attacked iy very superior force
Col Alexander ordered The command TO TALL back on
more advantageous grounds. AZ they were with
draw ing, they found the enemy were pursuing In
force Col Alexander then threw ont three or fOui
companies in ambush. The remainder then com
menced basty retreat, and the enemy, snpposlng
victory close at hand, ran into the rap, and were
completely routed, leaving the road trewn with
dead men and horses. IL was impoesibe 20 asoert-u
the number Killed OF the enemy IN the euiire engage
ment, as they were scattered all through the wood
though il do not fall short OF 20. During the
nght the entire force Of Col Alexander fell back tC
Pilot Knob. No advance has since been made AZ
that direction; however, they are completely en-
trapped, it is supposed, by movements not best q
make public. We are expecting hot times IN the
Sanfh he II