The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-10
OUR ST. LOUIS CORRESPONDENCE.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. ], 1861.
The Rebels Reported in Possession of Warsal-P,ice'
army at Decentralization Gone into Winter Quarters
Progress Of the Mississippi Expedition Preparations
Miscellaneous Ne1os dc.
lady who arrived last evening direct from Warsaw
having left that Thursday mornng-states thai
at the time OF her departure there about six hun
dred rebels in possession Of the place. They from
Prices army which they represented be Osceoa
its way Lexington and other along the Missouri
river though they did not all agree upon the story
part OF the gang asserted that Price had left Spring
field and would come further north until the return OF
weather; while still others assured their listeners
that the rebel army Stockton. All agreed that
McCuoch had not treated them properly having desert
ed them the Union army was withdrawn, and
taken up his line Of march for Fort Smith, where he
pected to winter These returned rebels say they have
come home to spend tho winter in their houses,
where they get well clothed and shod, and prepared
to the field again in the spring They claimed
protection from federal soldiers Office holders as
Serted with much vehemence, that they could not be
troubled after they had voluntarily left the rebel army
Frcmonts treaty with General Price is the shelter
which they attempted to hde and great was their
prise and chan when they learned that it had been
nuled by Fremonts successor. 1t is, however, quite
likely that they will not be molestod while their
homes OF their loyal nehbors choose in
These returned rebels thiny clad some
are badly off for Shoes but the them appear in
good health and confident Of ultimate success They
evnce n deepseated hatred and fear Of General Segel
and would doubtless march against him with much
reluctance and many msgivings. General Sturgs was
the least obnoxious to them Of all division and brigade
commanders.
In contrast with our kind treatment and non molesta
ton of rebels lines the abuse and outrage heap
ed upon loyal citizens Of Missouri wherever the traitor
army in power Yesterday saw a line Of some
thirty wagons just arrived from the Southwest and
ing the families and household goods of Union VINO had
been driven out in consequence OF their loyalty Those
saw were but a small fraction Of the number that has
already passed through st. Louis to seek asyum in
some of the Northern states and they told that there
ful ten thousand now on the way hher. Many
nearly everything Of value before driving them away
have known repeated instances Of families depending
upon the charity Of the people here to aid them
In crossing the river and getting again
their way. The ladies' Of Baruums Hotel
are this morning busy in making collections
all the cast OF clothing about the premises, with the
view Of distributing 1t among the needy and thny
clad refugees They have gathered quite array Of
coats papts, dresses and many numerous and nameess
etceteFas Of male and female apparel, and will make
glad the heart Of many poor shvering outcast ton
of such old clothing could be easily distributed where
would do much good, among most worthy recipients.
Despoied of every thing and driven destitute upon the
world the approach or winter for no other than
that Of loving the Union tho refugees Of the Southwest
seem particularly deserving OF sympathy.
The gunboat Benton which Is to be the aghoat Of the
feet, will be in condition TO receive her in
three days. She will not take her guns board
here but will proceed to Cairo for that purpose the
other gunboas have done fast completed The most
Of her sheathing has been put rendering her almost
completely shot and shell proof AT little distance one
would hardly dare say what kind OF craft she shod be
called Long, low, black with sopng sides, a convex
roof, completely ironclad, and with whechouse or
pilot box visible could easily imagine her to be the
hull Of some mammoth canal boat turned bottom upwards