New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-26


and we will not anticipate the statements which,
at the proper time, he will doubtless make. Lex
ington may for the present be charged against the
General We will merely say that as soon as
information reached headquarters that Lexington
was invested four powerful columns were started
for its relief An entire lack of transportation
delayed their movements. The Notifications ut
Lexington were i'll supplied with water and the
garrison was forced to surrender before the reen-
forcements could reach them.
As soon as practicable Gen. Fremont LETT st.
Louis in pursuit of Price. The plan of the CAM
pagn was simple, bold, and comprehensive. The
Gotilln he was building could not be ready Tor
service before the LIST of December, and there
fore the expedition down the river could not start
before that time. But On expedition into the
Southwest, promised to restore to the Union
valuable region, relieve from oppression a loyal
people, and place column within easy reach OF
Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas from winch
point operations against Memphis might begin
with the advantage of having hanked the enemy's
position. II is true the enterprise was difficult,
battles must be won, rivers crossed. long marches
made hardships encountered, but these ore the
incidents of war. The General did not shr'ik
from them, and he was confident of the ability to
inspire his troops with his spirt.
On the 9th Of September he left 81. LOUIS
with about thirty thousand men. They were raw
levies, with but little discipline, and imperiectly
armed. Some Of the regiments had several xmas
of arms. The cavalry which was numerous and
We'll mounted, was very deficient in arms. Col.
Cases Cavalry the Sd Illinois, 100 strong, had
no sabers, except the commissioned and non-com-
mssoned officers.
On the l4tl of October the whole army had
been concentrated between Sedalia and Upton,
and on that day the divisions of Sigcl and Asbo'h
marched toward Warsaw. The column was
divided into five divisions, under Gems. Hunter,
Pope Sigel, McKinstry, and AsbOth. 1t num-
bered 80 600 men, including Sc pieces of artillery
two-thirds of which were rifled guns, and
about 5000 Cavalry. Sigel was ordered
to proceed from Sedalia, by way of Cole
Camp. Asboth from Upton, McKinstry from
Syracuse; Pope from near Bonneville, and
Hunter from Upton, by way of Versailles.
sturgis, Lee, and Wyman were ordered TO
ioiu the main column south Of the Usage. The
, whole ARM was IN need of wagons and drauaht
animals. All the Government wagons procurable
had been brought on, and the country had been
secured for mules, horses, and farmers wagons.
Hunter, McKinstry, and Pope did not move lot
lack of transportation aud stores. But Sigel,
with characteristic energy, collected all the
oxen he could fnd and, followed by Asboth,
without any food, except fresh beef, set out for
Warsaw. The General, with small column
Of picked troops, consisting of the Body-Guard
Benton Cadets and battalion of Sharp
shooters, accompanied Asboth. Had tho army
been able to move from Upton four days
earlier, Price would have been oyertakcn
north Of the Osege. He was eleven days IN
crossing the river at Papinsyille and did no,
complete the passage until the llth, tho day
Fremont left Upton. A march of sixty -three
miles was made in three d0ys, and on Wcdnes-
dsy. Oct II, Gen. Fremont entered Warsaw,
which had been occupied by Sigel the evening
before.
The Usage presented formidable obstacle.
The river Ia eight hundred feet wide, with q
rapid current, and bold banks. There is diff
cult ford, and never practicable for anything
but horsemen, and the ferry was a crazy flat
boat, drawn across by hand. with stout
cable TO the top Of each ba.k, up which it was
almost impossible for the best mule team TO
drag q loaded wagon. In the night the river
rose aud two of the Fremont Hussars were
drowned in crossing the ford. bridge was
needed. There was neither saw-mill, nor lum.
Der, nor tools, but forest stood on the banks
Of the stream. Under the energetic direction
of Capt. Pike, and animated by the enthusiasm
of their General, the troops Laid aside their
arms, cut down the forest, fashicned the trees
With their axes, aud in five days a substantial
bridge was built, sixteen feet wide and ten feet
above the water, over which the whole army,
with its trains, might pas in twenty.four
hours.
Impatient of the delay, the General crossed
the river before the completion of the bridge,
and st preceded by the indelatigable Sigcl,
pushed forward toward Springfield. Near
Quincy, Lane and smrgis came up, having
made march o. one hundred and fifty miles
in ten days, and at Bolivar Wyman reported
bis command from Roa, by way OF Linn
Creek having defeated the enemy il series
& engagements. The triumph OF the Body
Guard at Springfield inspired the troops and
accelerated their march. Sigel occupied Spring