Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-11-01
From the Columbus Ky News Oct. 81.
Particulars of the Fight aS Fred
ericktown, Mo.

We are pleased to have it in our power to Law be-
fore our adsrs the Arue state Of the in regard
to the 6cent engagement between the Federals
and Missourians under JEFF. Thompson. We have
our information from eye witness and gentle
man of undoubted veracity.
1t seems that by some previous arrangement there
was simultaneous movement of two columns of
the enemy--one from Cape Giradeau, the other
from Pennington, some place on tie Iron Noun
tain railroad. These columns were both moving in
the direction of Fredericktown. Gen. Thompson
advanced his army from Greenvile on the road that
led TO the same place. By good fortune Thompson
captured messenger, bearing dispatch from the
commander of the Cape Girardeau force to the
commander of the other column, by whom he as
ceraned that it was proposed to unite these forces
around FredericktOwn, where it was supposed
Thompson was then encamped. Being thus put
upon bis guard, the daring leader determined to
cut off the enemy advancing from the Cape and
then turn his attention to the force approaching
from the opposite direction. he laid his plans ac-
cordngy. But alas
"The best laid schemes OF men or mice
Gang oft agee."
When the scouts reached the road by which the en-
envy must pass, ii was discovered that they had
gone on and were at Fredericktown. Thompson
then moved his army up to small stream, the st.
Francis, about three-tourths of mile from the
town. and putting his army, about ] 100 strong in
Oh DOOIy awaited lIle result. LUIS was
not made, however until the junction of the two
wings Of the enemy. When this took place the en-
tire force moved against the Spartan band standing
ready to receive them Our brave soldiers received
the shock like a wall of admsnt, and pouring in a
terrible and rapid discharge from cannon and
musketry caused the enemy to recoil in dismt y.
In cornGed, around which Thompson had placed
the right wing of his army, the dead men lay like n
.swarh before the reaper. At this point Col. Lane,
who was in command Of the right wing, was killed,
falling at the bead of his regiment
When the enemy retreated General Thompson
found himself restrained from pursuing by pruden-
tal considerations, but availed himself Of the
sion TO fall back aud take up more eligible posi-
ton few hundred yards in his rear. To this point
he was afterwards pursued by large force OF the
enemys cavalry, acting on the idea that he was re-
treating. SO soon however, as a sufficient number
of the foe had turned the crest of an intervening
hill, party Of brave men as ever touched finger TO
mistake. Al the discovery of the band of heroes
under the command of our neighbor and friend,
Major Thomas Brown, they halted and those in the
rear not understanding the matter, closed up and
hudded themselves together until they were litter
ally packed. Then our Missouri boys turned loose
upon them with their deadly rifle and shot gun
The effect was terrible. Every saddle was emptled;
not man escaped. Terror, dsmay and fear seized
those in the rear, ana they fell back 10 the town
This end d the fight
The army under Thompson did not exceed l. 100
while that Of the foe exceeded 5000 This render
ed an attack upon their encampment madness, and
therefore return TO GTeenyie was ordered