New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-18


at Hunters; bis name was Whitaker.
| am tonight in charge of Lieut.-Col. Burgess,
18th Illinois, and take occasion to remark that this
officer il an instance Of the benefit practical scIen
tfc man can be TO those whom be dlrects; ior
being an excellent physician, his experience readily
suggests TO him multitude Of things beneficial to his
mon and his scientific knowledge leads lin to re-
duce disorderly elements to a harmonious condition.
COL Burgess fought under COL Fremont aud the bear
flag in California, when such wonders in marching
and fighting were performed.
The enemy is about two days march ahead, and a
lively apprehension prevails in camp that he will
be frightened, and elude us. The geography OF the
country is such that it is favorable for this for
series of sturdy ridges, ntersectedby swamps,
that extend through all this part of the State aud
knowing the country he has great advantage
of us.
Nor. 6, o'clock D. n.-The progress OF the army
has been very slow to day. owing to bad roads and
to bad luck. The breaking of a harness, or any
other accident, delays the whole hundred wagons,
and even when the road is toleraby good it becomes
bad for the last of the train.
5p. m-Encamped on the banks of Little River,
81 miles from Commerce, and 10 from Bloomfield.
The woods are full Of fat hogs, and they fall every
minute by scores before our rifles. We have conis-
Gated at least twenty fine horses and mules, and sew
efal darkies. We have also quite lot OF prisoners,
some being spies, which will be examined tonight.
Hasty preparations are made for supper, and the
hogs are dressed by skinning them.
The doctors complain Of not being informed IN
time Of the movement, in order to prepare for the
sick, and now we have not an ambulance.
About o. m. our advance cavalry came upon a
small detachment of the enemy at the ford OF Little
River. They were cooking, but left suddenly, and
their victuals were soon disposed of. Five miles
beyond. the road crosses the river again, and here
il is crossed by bridge for it is not fordable To
this point our advance proceeded, and reached 1t
just in time for the enemy had piled the puncheons on
the three bents, and had set them on ire. little
action took place. One of our men was hit in sew
eral places, and horse was shot with Elk balls and
yet seems likely to recover. We emptied three sad
dies, and got the horses.
Nor. z, 5 p. M, eight miles from Bioomteid-
Crossing little river again. Marched about three
times ten miles acress Negro Wool Swamp, which
derives it's name from q moss which resembles me-
gro s hair, covering the ground. The road ia dry,
since there has been no rain for several weeks, but
the continual passage of the heavy army wagons cut
up the soil in manner similar TO working lime NOR
tar or putty when stiff and with like eject Some
wagons broke down, and they will not all get in to-
night. Here we learn that Col. Ross has reached
Bloomfield from Cape Girardeau with ] eco men and
four cannon, which, united with ours, will make a
force Of 1900.
Heavy details are going back into the swamp TO
get out the wagons. Several are broke down, and
the rest are up to the axle in the mud. barrel OF
bacon and three barrels Of bread were abandoned
yesterday. Col. Wallace, from Bird Point, with
large force s coming TO meet u.s. also the force from
Pilot Knob. JEFF. Thompson is enyeloped by our
forces, and Ia probably lost. The camp is in grea,
confusion in getting ready for the chase.