The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-06-22
The War In Missouri.

No, alluded to in our last calling for 80,
600 volunteers to exrel the federal forces
from Missouri. left Gen Lyon, at St Louis,
no choice but to commence offensive ope-
rations against the traitor State govern
ment. Having made up his mind on the
subject, he seems to hayc proceeded to
the execution of his purpose with vigor
and promptness quite uncxampled in the
! prosecution hitherto of this unfortunate
war Gov jackson having followed up
the issue of his proclamation by the in
! famous act Of destroying several bridges
on the Pacific Railroad, tho States own
property, Gen. Lyon waited not a moment
/ in pushing forces forward towards .Jeiier
son City to protect the balance of the
road He also, at the same time, sent
forces northwar.l, to protect the North
Missouri Railroad against the vandalism
of this demented Governor He did more
still With force of some $500 men he
proceeded up the Missouri river to Jeffe-
son City to arrest the traitor Governor and
prevent his organizing an army. Gen. l..
: and army appear to have arrived at effer-
son City on Monday, finding the place de-
serted by the Governor and his ragamutiin
army, and TIE citizens overjoyed to re-
ceive him The Governor and his army,
numbering two or three thousand, had
fled to Boonville.. Thither Gen Lyon fol-
lowed without delay, and overhauled them
in an entrenched camp
OF the battle that cnsued, we have 50
many different accounts, that it is difficult
to arrive at the facts except the prominent
ones in which all substantially agree
These are. that General Lyon landed his
forces about five miles below Boonville,
and advancing, opened 4 cannonadc gainst
the rebels, who retreated and dispersed
into the adjacent woods, from whence,
hidden behind bushes aud trees, they
opened brisk fire on our troops Gen.
Lyon ordered hasty retreat to the boats,
and the rebels, cucoura ged by this movo
ment, rallied and followed the troops int
a wheat field. Lyon now halted, faced
lis troops about, and, bringing his whole
force of artillery to bear, opened muir
derous fire on the rebels, killing, as va.
riously reported, from 80 to 800, and
taking 600 prisoners. The balance fled in
all directions, leaving their arms on the
field Gen. Lyon then moved forward and
took possession of Boonyille
Gen. Price, previous to the battle, had
had quarrel with the Governor, and re.
signed and went home The Governor
viewed the battle from distant HILL and
fled for parts unknown after the defeat OF
his forces The latest dispatches say he
has gone to Arkansas.
The scattered secessionists, to the mum.
Der of SIX or eight hundred fled to SYRIA
cusc, where they were attempting to max
another rally.
Besides the affair at Boonyllle, there ap
pears to have been q small slsirmish neal
Independence on the 18th. \ detachmcn
Of Federal troops, under Captain Stanley
with q flag OF truce, visited the camp O
the State troops to ascertain the purpose
: Of Capt. Holloway. During the conference
Stanley Observed that movements wer
being made with design to attack him
and ordered the retreat of his detachment
While retiring he was fired on by the Stat
, troops at an order given by private, br
, the fire was so irregular that they killed
their own commander, Capt Holloway
and j. L. ClanaiIar, and severely WOUNDED
several others Of their own men. an
lcys troops did not fire, having received
orders not to do SO under any circnm
stances. Stanley retreated to Kansas City
and reported the affair, wien Captain
| Prince, with strong body Of troops, al
: tackled ana routed the State forces, cay
: t;lriug thirty horses and large lot {
+ baggage
1 BY these prompt operations, the rebc
n lion in Missouri may be regarded as rbou
squelched. 10 keep the rebels in the sta.
u quiet hereafter, Gen. Lyon has his force
: disposed about as follows;
$500 of whom are stationed at HERNIA
IS and Jefferson City, 300 at Rclla, the te
e minus of the southwest branch Pacific raj
n road, Z,3OU at 81 Joseph ana along In
6 Hannibal and ST. Joseph railroad an
- loco on the North Missouri railroad, al.
I, 1000 at Bird S Point opposite Cairo. In a.
g. dtion to these thers is force of $500 J
- naming at, ST. Louis which can be il
creased to seven thousand in a few hou
by accessions from neighboring camps
n Illinois; these troops hold the entire Sta
Al north of the Missouri river, and the sout
. east Quarter living between the Mlssissip,
and 4 line drawn southwest from Jefferss
&c City to the Arkansas border, giving ii
or federal government the important poin
fc of st. Louis, Hannibal, ST. Joseph al
n. Birds Point as basis of operation, wi
>. rivers and railroads As means of transpol
~ alton
&c
Coon SIGS IN MIssoUM-The ST Lou