Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-25
MOVEMENTS OF JEFF. TmomPsO,
.Ioooasf, iron, tie .',rshe,H Press.


We take the following Federal account of the
operations of a detachment under Gen. TLonP-
son, at Big river bridge in Missouri, from the ST.
Louis Republican, of the 18th. 1t corroborates
our previous adyices as to the success Of the
Coufederates in-accomplishing the object of their
movement. That the Federal force was larger
than admitted by the Republican, we have no
doubt:
The FIGHT At THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE
Capt. J. II. Elliott of company f. 33d Illinois
regiment, arrived in this city on Tuesday even
ing from Big river bridge and has favored us
with a statement of the fight at that point, and
the subsequent burning of the railroad bridge.
he states that a little over three weeks ago q de-
tachment Of his company, himself in command,
were sent 10 that point for the purpose Of guard
ing the bridge.
They sncamped in a suitable place near it on
a slight emineIre the better to observe the local.
ity. After a lapse Of three weeks of perfect
quiet there, they were suddenly attacked on
Tuesday morning, a lIttlc after daylight. The
picket guard, stationed about three or four hun
dred yards rom camp, were driven in and one
of the guards fired, which gave the alarm. They
raised the cry, " They are OH us ' The shot
awakened all the camp who were resting ou
their arms, and were soon in fighting trim.
Capt. Elliott at first thought the alarm was a
false one but he was soon convinced otherwise.
and took a muszet which he found lying in his
quarters. As he left the tents the bullets came
pouring in from all sides. from the brushwoOd
near; and seeing the enemy he eHdeavored to
use the weapon, but the gun missed fire. lie
found the orderly sergeant lying dead. and tax
ing the soldiers gun he got his men behiud-a
little breastwork, which was IN course OF con-
strucsOn, but by no means completed.
The little band, by having this defense saved
their lives; otherwise they must nearly all hav,
been killed. The balls came Tattling in periec
shower, and SO soon as a man would raise hi.
head above the wall volley of bullets was dj
rected at him with uneuing aim.
The firing was continued hot on both sides fol
some minutes, when suddenly the attacking par
" GOT around. hanking them right and LEFT, am,
a strong body appeared IN their rear, firing con
tiuuallv They had been fighting in this way
shout twenty minutes, when a force of cavalT,
was observed coming upon them on the right
There being no possible chance TO escape
Capt Elliott pulled a white blanket from sici
man, and stuck 1t on a bayonet as flag o
truce. The blanket was perforated with twenty
OF thirty bullet holes in an instant, and then tht
firing ceased.
The attacking party then came into the camI
and asked the company TO lay 70wu their arms
Some of the muskets were thrown upon thu
ground, and others were broken by the men
Tue attacking force rushed in on all side.
Men calling themselves Brig.-Gen. NJ JEFF
Thompson, Col. Jack Smith, and Col Mcdowell
demanded an unconditional suTende1@
The detachment were required to sign parol
not 10 serve again against the South without al
exchange Of prisoners. Capt. Elliott wished t.
remain prisoner rather than TO take bis Liberty
on such conditions, but Brighten. Thompson
replied that, IN that case, they would have q
eat him, which was an entirely too expensive
luxury.
As Lear as Capt Elliott could Judge, the op
posing force ia sight numbered from lou
hundred to five hundred, which had attaczet
the little camp, f thirty-fve fighting men. Fou
or nvs % tA' men were sick, and not in tl
skiImi1h
JEFF Thompson himself took Capt. Elliott.
brace Of ufvy rcvolveTs, sword ana sash and
pair Of ps-taloons. Capt. Elliott describes thi
partly rs being motley crowd, with no uniform
arms & an inferior character. and ua discii
line. Ee saw plenty Of colonies and majors bu
no captains, Ieutenants or private soldiers.
was sid that some Indians were seen alnUnrs
Them.
The little band We're permitted to depart, an
they aw the bridge burning and falling in befoT
they left
Tie enemy Acknowledged that they ha
twenty-five killed and q number wounded. The
boosted that Iront0n and Pilot Knob would 500
beiakcn by them, if twenty-five thousand me
were sble 10 do il.
soon after the surrender of the little band Il
enemy attacked and drove back Capt Lippil
iotf's company, which was coming TO their "a
sistance.