Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-24
"Details of the Fight OF the Iron Mountain
RaiIToGd-.BIg River Fridge HuTBed.
En-, L.. Ii RnrrhIicar 49,.


Captain |. H. Elliott, Of Company E. Thirty-third
Illinois Regiment, arrived in this city on Tuesday
evening from Big River Bridge. and has favored US
with statement of the fight at that point and the
subsequent burning Of the railroad bridge. He
states that little over three weeks ago 2 detach
meHt Of his company, himself in command. were
sent to that point for the purpose Of guarding the
bridge.
They encamped in a suitable place near it on
Sigh, emneHce the better 10 observe the locality
After lapse of three weeks Of periect qus; there,
they were suddenly attacked on Tuesday mOrnng.
little after daylight. The picket guard, stationed
about three or four handred yards from camp.
were driven in and one of the guards freed, which
gave the alarm. They raised the cry, "Fhey are on
Us" The shot awakened all the camp, who were
resting on their arms, and we're soon in fighting
trim.
Capt Elliott at first thought the alarm was q
false one, but he was soon convinced otherwise aud
took musket, which he found lying in his quarters.
As he left the tent the bullets came pouring in from
all sides, from the brentwood near. and seeing the
enemy, he enGeay0red to use The weapon. but the
gun missed fire. IL fou1d tie Orderly Sergeant
lying dead, and taking the dead soldiers gun, he
got his men behind little brcas.work, which was
10 course Of construction, but b. no Iaesns COM
pleted.
The Etle band By having this defense saved their
lives; otherwise they must nearly all have been kIlls
ed The balls came rafting II a perfect shower.
anl as soOn as would raise his head above the
wall, a v0liey OF shots was directed al INN with
unerriUg aim.
The firing was continued hot on both sides for
some minutes, when uilentLy the attacking party
got around h4nking them right ard left, and strong
body appeared in their rear. firing continually
They had been fighting in this way about twesty
minutes, wien force OF cavalry was observed
coming upon them on the right.
There bling no possible cdaGce to esCagc. Capt
Elliott pulled a white blanket from a sick CIsn ard
stuck 1t on blyoaet As flag of truce. The bian-
Ct was perforated with twenty or thirty bullet holes
In IN instant and t.5n the firing ceased.
The atta-k gg party then came into camp and
sskei she rt"ty go lay iowa their arms Some of
the mu ---- mrs a1 upon the ground, and
others ". g ,rJksE b. The men. The attacking
force Iusji-d 81 IN al lies.
aen calling yns;-- I've Brig. Gen. JEFF. Th)mp
son, Col Jack Smith, and Col. NCDOw we'll. demanded
an unconditional surrender
The detachmen. were required to sign parole
not to serve again against the Sou without an
exchange of prisoners. Captain Elliott wished
on such conditions, but Brig. G,nsTal Thompson
replied that, in that case, they would have to
cal" him, which was entirely too expensive
luxury.
As near as Captain Elliott could judge, the OPP
posing force in sight numbered from four hun
drsd to five hundred, which had attacked the
little camp of thirty five fighting men. Four or
five Of the men were sick, and not in the Skin
mish.
Capt Elliott hal only one man killed the orderly
sergesnt-named Geo. G Foster
There were six Or seven wounded.
Several OF he mea had their caps shot Of. owing
to their heads being but scarcely visible to the
my above the breastworks.
JET. Thompson himself took Capt. ElliOtL's brace
of navy PeYOlvers sword and sash, and pair of
pantalOens. Capt. Elliott describes this party as
being motley crowd with no uniforms-arms of