New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-19
A BATTLE I'm SOUTHERN KANSAS.
OF The Il. Y. Tribune.

FJRI LINCOLN Sept. ii, 1861.
As many strange reports have gained circulation IN
regard 70 military matters in Southern Kansas re-
quest space in your wdeiycirculaled paper TO give
true statement Of the stirring events of the past few
days.
Gen. Lane having put Col. Montgomery in command
of all our cavalry 100 men, about one-haf Of whom
are armed with Sbarps rifles and navy revoyers, the
balance with rcvolvers and sabers, and he about
10 make IN advance movement into Missouri when, on
Saturday Angus. 81 reliable intelligence was reces ed
that the various squads Of rebels that Lad been prow
ing about our border also the main army under com
rland of Gen. Price had moved South All this intel
Eyence was true except the last, and that was 70
alroitlv lixed up with q formerthat it generally
believed Sunday Sept. /, the whole camp was
little ease and careless, until about o'clock when
Iaessengr came in informing Col Weir that tie enemy
had coe in and driven off the mules attached 90 his
tfain, ,sur cavalry was soon ln hot pursuit, ana IN
sw moi:sns sharp conflict ensued, within sight Of
l,ort Sect, between bis guard and the companies
IL Capts Ntale and Williams. 1be enemy fed. carry
Ilg of tEco or three o! ms dead. Two 81 our men
eere slip ty wounded. Such the bOldne's OF this
iloyemeSt that no doubt remained that the enemy
IA force : nj position near by. NeAt mo nlDg Co.
MOntgOser with 15D mounted men, WIS early in
cotton kltl orders 10 ind the enemy recOmoer his
position .scerin biz strength, the nature Of his arms
5 fgbE qualities hut in no case TO expose his men
l be e. Gan by largely superior force. An advance
E.iard o \ lie euemy found on the wet bank Of
10 Dry Wood, Email stream u miles east ~ Fort
y oft re OF bis pickets was killed, two were made
IsisOuel y and the main detachment fled across tie
i. Elk - his camp. lie was holly pursued 10y
united {henen across the -tream, ana into his strong
hold. ~ enemy was behind ridge IN the head Of
=, Inc Aii line OF battle IN the ioTm OF q semi
style, kUing on the inside Montgomery determined
T. 1--WE "a little fighting. Col johnson gallantly
~ the at, Montgomery the left ard CAPT. Moon
i-ut w his l&-pound hUwilzer was posted in
1 ~ cent Our dismounted and while only six
81 bel be horses in The rear the balance crept up
1pgh a. grass TO the corner Of the ridge a1d 10
STRAIT 4 UnditiOn poured into the enemy deadly fire.
IL. Ope a. his cannon upon our troops before they
,,,re z in a half mile OF thelbatleGeld and every
~ fol- more than an hour went at least ten
80 Ov u our heads. Sharp rifles siienced one
Z tue y leCes and Captain Moonlight another.
.gs go n a. the fighting had fairly commenced, Col.
= uigUS v commenced q careful examination Of the
,pngti 4 The enemy before him. lie was satisfied be
r at q 4 600 strong, and had about ? 900 cavalry
~ EeY K pieces Of artillery. The fight had now
- inut bout one hour and half our boys cartridges
W @ tlg low, the eneiny's guns were getting into
zion, f,n attempt being made 10 turn left
fla, x: al Col. Montgomery having fulfilled his mis-
Eli tn \ ht il time to leave. But 10 get his little
- QUIZ The reach Of an army Of such strength
~ sHal b natter. Nearly all his men were raw re-
e-uls AZ al the crossing of the stream but three
l.iss col 30 made 70 cross, and there other
OK .ing 4 hin three miles. The CoOnels plan was
rs ed INK moment. lie avoided sounding the bugle,
asse9 along the line aud said to the officers cOOlly
"a, Een0$ Fall back, boys, Tile Left march, The
md, tbelf elves did not know they were reIcating
wsal lhk rider was given and the enemy did not sus-
neg anyS ~ OF the kind till half the column had
q , ed l. 4 stream. We lost but one man killed IN
pe0 sug Az y, and two missing.
E'T emil loss was two killed eight wounded, and
tvs nssit, OF the enemy 81 were killed, about 100
w,.l aded Eud two prisoners were taken.
Sort Slktt is an iudefensibe place. and Gen. lane
this next ~ moved all our army stores 70 Fort Lin
COa, - les north, on the Osage, for safety; and
pregned be could moi hold Fort Scott 70 burn it to
III Eroum[
llat life fight was most fruitful in good results.
Tla enenf was preparing TO attack Fort Scott the
ne Il DAY. Gen. Price cent into this region for
thu yery Srpose. But, though be oulnumbered us
twot0 onl in all respects, he dare not make the al
tack Int hat little fight his infantry broke and
twice. GEn Rains was ordered to charge upon us
via lis CT alIy, but his would obey, and the
next day gains was put under arrest. These and
some Otherr hings we learn from pressed and nelli
gent deserlsr. On tine Sd inst, the enemy struck bis
tents ana marched in eaSery direction, aud Col.
johnson j. TOW pursuing him. Southern Kansas may
now lie con ideed safe but Gen. Lanes force should
be increased 10 az least DO 0J0
CHATHAM THIRD REGIMENT