Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-21
THE WORKS DESCRIBED.
MUCH DESPERATE FIGHTING.


Sr. LOUIS, Sept. 20-A gentleman named
King, who left point on the Missouri river
opposite Lexington, Wednesday night, arrived
here this morning. lie reports that severe
fight took place on Tuesday, for the possession
of three ferry boats, which lay at the evee.
Prices forces advanced on the boats in two
bodies, one from above and the other from
below the town, and after a very sharp en-.
gagement they were repused. The boats
were not in fair range of Col. Mulligan's guns,
his Notifications being so situated as to PIE
vent him from commanding them completely,
and his force was too small to admit Of
his making a sortie against Gen. Prices
overwhelming numbers but, Mr.. King says.
he saw twelve wagon loads of killed and
wounded rebels taken off after the fight. Mr..
King also says that Price assaulted Col. Null
ligan's Notifications four or five times on We'd
nesday, but was repused each time with
loss of between three and four hundred The
endorsements from the north, probably under
Gen. Sturgis, were expected to arrive late Oh
Wednesday; but as Price had possession of
the ferry boats they wouldn't be able to cross
the river, and of course could be of little or
no service to Mulligan. Mr.. Kings account
is quite incoherent, and entire reliance is not
placed in it here There is little question,
however, that battle has taken place, but the
details are yet unknown.
JEFFERSON CITY, Sept, 20.-Lieut Mont
gomery, Of Gen Fremont's cavalry, has just
arrived from Georgetown. and says heavy fir
ing at Lexington was heard at Bonneville all
dav Wednesday, and late into the uight, dis,
proving the story that that place surrendered
on Tuesday. 1t is believed that Gen Lane
has reinforced Lexington.
1t is believed at Bonneville that Gen. Price
could not take Lexington, but if lie should, it
would only be with terrible slaughter. Claib
jackson has, it is said, but $500 men, and is
surrounded on every side. He canuot escape
If defeated, nor hold Lexington if he takes it.
In Pettis county, all the rebels have gone off
in squads to join jackson. Nearly all the
Unonists have also left in fear. The county
is perfectly deserted; fine crops are standing
ungathered everywhere, No boats from above
have yet arrived, but one is expected hourly.
The rebels are greatly alarmed about Licking.
ton.
LATEST DISPATCHES.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 20.-The following add
tiona particulars in reference to affairs at
Lexington Eas been ascertained. The first at
tack upon the Notifications is said to have
been made ON Thursday of last week, but this
Pr dI NOT
leave Warrenburg, forty miles south of Lex
inglon, until Wednesday night. The attack
was probably made OH Monday as previous
advices state, with about 5000 men. The en-
gagement Taste twenty one hours, when the
rebels were repulsed with loss of 10U killed
and between 200 and 400 wounded Our loss
is reported five killed and several wounded.
The Notifications are situated at the edge
of the town, on bluff overlooking the river.
The works are OF earth, seven feet high and
twelve feet thick, with ditch of six feet deep
and twelve feet broad surrounding them.
Another and smaller work was erected inside,
and defended by ditch, the whole capable
of holding ten Thousand troops. The attack
on Wednesday was determined, and lasted
nearly all day. The reinforcements from the
north, under General Sturgis, probably num-
Der three thousand but should they be
unable to cross the river, which is quite
likely, the only aid they can render will be to
sweep with their artillery the points occupied,
by the rebels 1t is confidently hoped, how
ever, that the six thousand troops that left
Jefferson City, on Wednesday, by steamers,
cut their way through tie enemy's forces and
Join Col Mullgan. 1t is said that Muigan
expressed confidence in being able to hold his
position against any force not more than ten
times greater than his own.