The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01

determined to keep alive the rebellion IN
Missouri, they can adopt no method so
eftectual as keeping Fremont in command
of the Department of the West. At least,
this is the settled conviction of
COL. GEARY'S FIGHT NEAR HAIR
PERS FERRY.
INTERESTING AND ADDITIONAL DETAILS
From Correspondence of Philadelphia Press.
POINT OF ROCKS, Oct Ii, 1861.
suppose ere this you have heard OF our
first battle, which was glorious one for the
Twenty eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, Third Wisconsin, and Thir-
teenth Massachusetts,. On Sunday night
we were ordered to start on a secret expe-
dition. At eleven o'clock, everything being
ready, companies F and D, of the Twenty.
eighth, started for Point of Rocks, and on
arrival found train of cars ready to con-
vey us to Harper's Ferry. We arrived at
Harper's Ferry about nine o'clock. In the
afternoon we left Harper's Ferry and
marched through Camp Hill and Bolivar to
piece of woods occupied by a company OF
the Third Wisconsin. We were there only
a short time, when Col. Geary and Gov.
Sprague arrived. They both made highly
patriotic speeches. The Colonel ordered US
back to Camp Hill for the night. On the
following morning we were sent back to the
bill to relieve the Wisconsin companies.
The rebel pickets could be plainly seen
from our position, they being not more than
half a mile from US. In the morning, un-
der command of Lieutenant Parker, we
marched to Keye's Ferry; on reaching and
passing the night, we were ordered back to
the hill. A short time after we started, we
heard discharges of cannon, and not
knowing what was up, we started Oft,
double quick, for our quarters, and on
reaching an open place in the woods, the
mystery was explained there we beheld the
rebel battery sending shell over in our di.
rectiOn, while their cavalry were charging
over the fields. Thinking we might be cut
of, we took another direction, and reached
our quarters in safety, and finding the place
deserted and things looking squally, we
started off for Bolivar. AS we were going
up the road we we're espied by the rebel
cavalry, who charged up after US, but we
escaped from their shots. On arriving at
Bolivar and entering the town, we were
met by Captain Hammer and q part of
company D. They taking US for rebels,
were on the eve of firing when they discov-
cred who we were and cheered us Justify.
On our arrival the fight commenced in ear
nest. When the rebels reached the hill
they sent up shout, for they had captured
nearly all our blankets and overcoats. Our
batteries we're on the opposite shore of the
river, and the enemy's shot fell thick
around, and we were unable to return the
compliment. The arrival of Colonel Geary
gave US spirit and we went into it in ear
nest. The Wisconsin boys were rash, and
went right up to the enemy's cannon. We
finally routed them from the field, and cap
tured 32-pounder, after hard fight of
eight hours. The enemy we're 5000 strong,
while our force was but 500, and no artille-
ry for The first hour of the battle. The men
fought we'll, and were much applauded by
Colonel Geary. XENIA.
COL. GEAfY's CAPTURED CHARGER.
Col. Geary telegraphed to a brother
officer in the following amusing style:
SANDY Hook, Oct. Is, l86l.--I have
just ridden into camp on thirty>two
FOUNDER, captured from the enemy at Boil
var. JOHN w. GEARY.
Although the charger may not be as full
blooded as Col Geary's noble animal, doubt
less the Colonel felt as proud of the metal
of this his new steed.
The InteHigencsr says:
A dispatch from Gen. Banks army states
that detachment of federal troops crossed
lhe river yesterday and captured and
brought over thirty.two FOUNDER gun.
COL. GEARY's ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION.
Col. Geary's overwhelming defeat of the
enemy, outnumberng him as they did,
doubtless grew out Of the fact that his posi-
tion-Bolivar Heights, Immediately in the
rear of Harper's Ferry--is remarkably
strong one and the fact that the infantry
OF the attacking force were Virginia militia
pressed into the service.
THE VICTORY ACHIEVED BY COL GEARY.
The National lnteilgencer of Friday
says the Government has another dispatch
descriptive of the battle, from Gen. Banks,
in which he says:
"Col. Geary's overwhelming defeat of the
enemy, outnumberiDg him six or eight to
one, as they did, doubtless grew out of the
TACT that his position--Bolivar Heights,
Immediately in the rear of Harper's Ferry
is remarkably strong one, and the further
fact that the infantry of the attacking force
were Virginia militia pressed into the ser
vice.
"The Colonel Ashby reported killed is
Colonel Turner Ashby, of Fauquier, re-
ported to be the best cavalry officer in the
oligarchy's service.
s" 1t is evident to US that their pressed
troops had no heart in the battle, and only
fought under the compulsion of Ashby's
Cavalry.
"Such results are but the beginning of
the rapidly approaching end in Virginia"
THE REBEL ACCOUNT.
The rebel account of this battle fur~
nished by the Baltimore NesOs Letter, of
course. endeavors to detract from the i'm
portance of the achievement of our troops