, 1861-09-27
STATEMENT OF LIEUT.. HARRIS.
FF.om the st. Louis Democrat, 26th,1

Lent Harris, Of Capt. John B1rnep's CON-
Fsny OF First Illinois Cavalry, reached our
CITY this morning. He was il the fight q: Lex |
i gIcn from TIE commencem ent until the sur.
zlnder, End bears evidence to the galiantry OF
ali the men engaged
Lieut.. Harris states that he disguised him-
set in the uniform Of the enemy after the sur-
r.nder, aud passed through their lines without
molestation. He therefore escaped without
taking the obligation. He says that Price
reached Lexington at noon Of the 18th. and
commenced the attack between three and four
O'clock ofthe same day; It Was al eannoaad-
Fuleed by Col. Mntligan. This Was the only
approach they made towards the entrench
u ents with their infantry. The balance ofthe
firing was from their artillery during the day.
utes, when the enemy fell back. As soo1 as
they 1etreated, the federal pickets were again
STINT ou1, snd there was lively firing between
tlem. Federal scouts were sent ont, bnG
they were captured.
From the i2th ito the 18th the rebels kept
| up constant fire Of muaketry from the house
| tops and windows Of the town upon the en-
t1tnchments. The loss Of the Federal troops
the first day was about 10-the Confederate
| loss between 400 and 500.
On the morning Of the 10Th the attack was
| renewed In force, and was continued for three
Gays and nights. During this time the troops
lad only one meal, and great scarcity Of water.
There were plenty of provisions, but they had
l DEG LILLE u ts1ls T IQHl VI ufENk Guc AEA NGIt
shot in Fgoing after water, which was done
during the darkness Of the night
On the first day, the 18th, the rebels suor
c; c;eded In placing their flag upon Mu1ligan's
entrenchments, but the Federal troops charg
ed upon them, drove them back and took
| their flag.
The laat three days Of the fight the enemy,
| nom their great numbers, we're enabled to
keep up a continued firing Of artillery and
E1nsu arms, both day aud night, which kept
. 1 H. %64.N - n51 T.
exhausted their strength, as they were not a.
lowed to eat or sleep.
On the 21st, the day of the surrender, the
fighting was severe. The enemy flled the
town, and made their approaches upon our
camp steadily. They collected all tue hemp
fc1ncd them into breastworkE, under cover
Of with they we're enabled to annoy ou1
: troops and save themselves. Every stump
: and tree Was sought as shelter from which
e they would fire, but after the first attempt
upon our entrenchments they never showed
Themselves in force upon open ground.
When the attack Was made to carry off ths
: | b.ats the enemy took two pieces Of cannon
o tut these we're rctahen after sharp contest
= ty our men.
1itiou, and knowing that rcinf nforcements wert
4 cut cf by the seizure OF tt ferry boats, con
c]tded to surrender. This was done agains
= the strongest protest Of Col. Aplligan, whs
Ii proposed to attack the enemy With th
t. rs, ouet, and die with arms in their hands
q The men were willing to follow him, but wer
- 60 exhausted that they co1ld have made bu
u an Indifferent resistance. Sill Col Mnllizal
t wanted TO dc It.
y After consultation It YVES finally agreed t
= toist the white flag, which Was done By Malo
= Barker. The enemy then entered the er
se nchmepis, hauled down the American fass
l. tore it into pieces and burned it. The
IN t1tated onr men we'll after the surrender
- Lieuterant harris gives the loss Of the;Cor
N t.cerates at upwards Of l. 100 killed, and ,4G
as wounded. The loss Of the United state
troops Is put down 1t 40 Killed, and about Is
j., wounded.
10 By the capture Of Lexington the rebels r
is ceiTed quite large sum Of gold, seTen cannol
el 4,f0 1jtles ard muekets, the equipments N
~ arms Of Marehail's cavalry regiment, besid
. pumber Of wagons, Quantities Of provision
DC, &c.
u There we're bat {, 400 men engaged upon Il
"a Federal side, the balance being sick Or absen
-, The enemy reported his force at $1,000 e
e eaged, ard 10, ,0c0 cut OF camp On maraudil
OF | EXPEDITIONS.