The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-20
BURNING OF THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE.

Captain ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. - Swtzler.
BURNING OF THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE.
ATTACK OF THE REBELS, UNDER JEFF. THOMPSON, ON
THE UNION GUARD-PARTICULARs OF THE sKIR-
MISH--THE ALARM AT PILOT KNOB--TIiE REBELS
THREATENING THE PLACE IN LARGE FORCE
From the st. Louis Democrat, Oct II
Mr. Fred King, United States Mail Agent on the Iron
Mountain Railroad, who reached this city from below
yesterday morning about three O'Clock, gives us tho fol-
lowing of the burning Of Big river bridge, ard
the condition Of affairs Ut Pilot Knob and along the rail
road.
Mr. Killing left Pilot Knob Tuesday morning, the
regular tram at nine O'clock the regular time Of depar
ture. On reaching Mineral Point, station few miles
above otos they got Of the attack upon the guard
at the Big river bridge and the burning or the bridge ny
a large force Of rebels under Jci, Thompson.
The news was brought to Mineral Point station by
number Of wounded soldiers belonging the force Of forty
fifty which had been stationed at Lawsons, few
miles above and which, on hearing the firing that morn
ing had rushed the road to the Of the force at
the bridge but reaching there too late were driven back
Mr. King states that as soon as the train arrived at
Mineral Point, tho Major in command there, belonging
either to the Thirtythird or Thirty eighth Illinois rce
ment ordered the train back TO rotosi three miles oil, for
reinorcemenls. In short time the achievements, con
ssting Of three companies along the train and
about 10 push Tile road when council OF war
called md it decided to 60 down 10 Pilot Knob
for troops for IL ascertaned that the rebels
were large force The train sent back by Colonel
Carn command at the Knob who instead Of forward
ing troops despatched the cars back to Mineral Point,
him. he was seriously threatened from the direction Of
Pennington. The train before going down ran up the
road from Mineral Point TO Blakweis station just at
the bridge in order to pick up the wounded and
such baggage the enemy had left. Mr. King says he
found the bridge entirely destroyed the tmbers burn
ing the railroad track torn up for q short dis.
lance and three telegraph poles cut down and
tile wires clipped. There no persons remaining
the ground but the wounded four Of whom rebels
and ieacras. From these he gathered the following
account OF the light
The enemy discovered approaching the bridge on
Tuesday morning, about seven O'clock by "a German
picket, who gave the alarm. Our troops, numbering
about fifty, Immediately prepared for fight and
though the force against them overwhelming, num-
bcring from 600 to 500 under the personal lead Of Je
THOMPSON they stubborny stood their ground aud from
wood rcks and stone piles did good execution with their
guns Being completely surrounded, they were finally
obliged TO surrender Their loss is killed 1.-THE orderly
sergeant and six wounded The rebel less Is five killed
and four Wounded.
Immediately after tho capture tho federal prisoners
were sworn by Ic. Thompson himself not TO take arms
against tho Southern confeGeacy and wercset at liberty
The rebels then proceeded to destroy the bridge and
having done so speedily retired.
Mr.. King states that he and the express messenger
forded Big river short distance below the site OF the
bridge, and walked TO DE Solo, distance OF nine miles,
whore they found transportation tram on which they
proceeded 20 this city They left at De Soto the five com
faaes Of the Eighth Wisconsin regiment which were sent
down the road Tuesday afternoon.
Whei Mr. King left Pilot Knob Tuesday morning an
attack from the rebels was momentariy expected. Col
Carln was making every preparation in his power to give
them warm reception His force consisted Of the Tween
ty-l.st, 1hrty-third and Thirty eighth Illinois and de-
tachment of Indiana cavalry One company Of the latter
he had sent ont towards Pennington, ascertain the
whereabouts and force Of the rebels There rumors
that Je Thompsons force consisted Of not less than
thnus and men, and one report In lust before Mr.
King left that they but six miles or. Mr. King
that NIL Of the bridges from Mineral Point to De
Soto deserted the troops having been called to
Pilot Knob, and that Y Is in the power Of the
enemy TO do the road an incacuabe amount of injury
JET THOMPSON approached the bridge from the north
showing that he had made wide circuit of country
no plocf iuapn M
bridge tho road gives strong color to the probability
design upon Pilot Knob and, with n vastly superior
force against him and no chance of immediate reinforce
ments, Col Carlin will find himself in uncomfortable
position. Mr. King states that an attack fully
pcctcd last night.
LATER pmTctr ARs-Lnr OF KrrIRD AND WOUNDED
Capt Isaac II. Elliot Of the Normal regiment who was
in command Of the company which was attacked at tho
bridge, arrived in city late on Tuesday night He
states that he had but thirty five Of his in the fight
the rest of the company Of about hundred being
tered up and down the road for distance Of fifteen miles
He the fought bravcly and inflicted the
punishment on tho enemy. Jeil Thompson himself ad-
mitted twenty killed. In the rebel force gang OF
Indians, persons disguised such, who, during the
Tight kept up great shouting The sick and wounded OF
Captain Ellots company were brought mp to the city
with him. and have short leave of absence. The
mainder Of his company, dytwo in number, are at Vic
tora.
The following is the list Of killed and wounded
George G. Foster Orderly Sergeant Of Company Z, from
Galesburg, H. shot in the head, and killed instantly
WOUNDED.
Captain H Elliot, Company Z, from Princeton, IL
shot in the arm.
Thomas Royce, Company +, from Lamolc; shot in tho
shoulder.
W. Evans, Company E, from Polo; shot in the leg.
David Kitchen, Company L, from Abingdon shot in the
hip.
Prince G. Rigsley Company E, from Arlington; shot
In the side and through the hip
Albert Kaufman, Company f. from Princeton shot with
bnckshot in the head, breast and arm.
A, G. Miller, Company X from Abingdon shot through
the arm and escaped back to Piet Knob.