The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-10-25
CAMP FREMoxr. oct. II. 1861.
Pilot KNOB,


CAMP FREMONT, Oct. IT, 1861. r
Night before last, We proceeded on a
march about Is miles from here to ascer-
tain whose forces were stationed there, aud
to look aboEt generally. We arrived with
in eightmiles of the town, (Fredericktown),
and was informed that it was JEFF. Thomp-
son, with about 5000. There was then 3
meeting of the officers, and it was deter
mined to send back to Pilot Knob to for
ward regiment of Infantry, and some ar
tillery. We waited until very nearly day
light, and as there were no evidences of
their coming, we proceeded on our march.
1t was dreadfuIly foggy morning, and
when we came within about miles of the
town, the picket guard halted US. We
charged or them, and routed them. About
mile further, we came face to face with
body of men. Maj. Gavitt was in front.
They asked, "W bose men are your" The
Major asked, "Whose men are you?7 They
answered by asking the same question
back. The Major again repeated his ques-
ton, whereupon they answered, "Jeff
Thompson's." They had scarcely got the
word out of their mouths, when bang /
WCnb ZIG Dt5tOi5 HuN GhLSlHCGs GAcu lC1l OU
all sides, but tue enemy suffered the most.
They retreated, and we followed, until we
came in sight of the bridge, which led into
the town, and on the bridge were placed
four brass cannon. We then cut into a
field, took our position, and waited there
for tive hours, planted the American flag
on top of hay-stack, but providentially
they did not attack Us. think it was our
impudence alone that saved us. A vote
was then taken whether we should fall
back upon the infantry and artillery, which
was carried. We came up to them about
two miles back, and we then turned around
| for the purpose of attacking them the sec
ond time, and recovering our wounded from
house which we had monopolized as Il
/ hospital. We got information on our way,
| that the enemy were over 5000 strong, at
! least, and well fortified, while ours was
about 500 Upsn consultation it was
/ deemed best not to attack them. The Ma
jor and Col. Alexander then proceeded to
the hospital, where they met with two sur
/ geons from the enemy, with flag of truce,
who had come out to at end to our wound
ed and their own. They are perfect gen.
/ tlepen in every respect. The Major and
/ Colonel accompanied them to their liue,
when the officers OF the regiment were
drawn up in line, and exchanged salutes
| We then secured our wounded in wagons,
aud retreated. We had gone but short
| way, when II was discovered We We're toll
lowed by the enemy's cavalry.
/ The infantry were then stationed in am
/ bush, with one piece of artillery concealed
Our cavalry then made desperate noise az
if retreating rapidly. The thing took we'll
| they gallOped after Us furiously, until they
! got between our infantry, and IN range oil
our artillery, who then opened FIRE upon
! them, and the effect vas frightful; there
must have been at least forty killed, and We
have no idea of the wounded. We then
! proceeded home, and were met on this side
of Pilot Knob by about 200 reinforcements
! who bad heard report that we had been
cut to pieces. The citizens here also raj.
lied with guns to go to our relief, as We
are we'll liked by them.
We received heavy reinforcements last
night and 1t would take 30, 600 men tC
| tSl<g 1tis place now. Lowe and rhcmpgon's
combined forces are stationed at Frederick
town, but think they are too smart to at
| tack as.
You may judge of my surprise, when
we we're standing opposite Fredericktown,
| 30 have Bridget Meagner's brother come ur
to me. He Is captain in Col. Alexander
Regiment. He looks WE'LL and have nc
| doubt is q good officer. Col. Baker did moi
I accompany Us on our expedition, and be
| was out Of his senses with delight at seeing
as return in safety. Our loss will be about
three killed, and ten or twelve very serious
~ wounded.