The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-07
THE FIGHT AT BENEFITS MILL.
Especial Correspondence Of the Missouri Democrat.

From gentleman who arrived here fr N Benefits
Mill last evening, have further particulars Of the at
tack made the Dent county Home Guard, stationed at
that place, by some three hundred and fifty rebels OF
Schnabes regiment The attack made by the latter
just at dawn of day Sunday morning. when most of
The Home Guard we're absent, there being only thirty
eight men present in their sleeping quarters under the
sheds in the Of cribs Fourteen OF the
men were out pckets, and twenty five were absent
making preparations TO bring TO Roa the eighteen prison
Stewart and Sergeant Bay absent Captain Pennett
away from home and Lieutenant Chandler had Just
before gone up 10 the captains house after some meal
when he was cut of from his command.
The enemy advanced stealthiy in two div isions and
fred on the small party OF Home Guards, who taken BY
surprise caught up their and resisted the attack
bravey for half an hour The enemy made their appear
in few moments after the alarm shots were heard
of the pckets The enemy, before advancing had picket
ed their horses the Snem and crcp around the
pckets, almost reaching the camp before alarm
given, They made rush first up ravinc, but fell
back, owing to the sharpness OF the Are poured in upon
them and afterwards they fred for time from the
of the trees and bushes At length the Guard
ordered TO retreat by Sergeant Fay, which Of
fected down bluff and up ravnc each man taking his
gun and scattering for himself.
When Lieutenant Chandler first heard the alarm he
detok to reach his men, but prevented by inter
vening force man fred on him with pistol, wound
ing him in the arm The lieutenant rushed for Captain
Benefits house seized ride and taking deliberate aim
at the man who had wounded him. sent bullet through
his heart. The gave spring, threw up his arms,
and fell backwards on his head.
The number of the killed ana wounded of the enemy
could he ascertaned. They filed large Michigan
wagon belonging to Lieutenant Chandler, with the dead
aud wounded, aud carried them off the field.
OF the Home Guard the following were known TO be
kiedA g. Stewart, Second Lieutenant Thos j. Estes,
private.
MORALLY wouNpED.
The following were also wounded
George Counts, arm shattered the who first in
formed Capt McFalls men Of the fight.
VIM Counts shot in thigh.
Thomas Howe, shot in shoulder
Thomas Holmes, slightly wounded in side Of head.
Lient. Chandler, flesh wound IN arm.
A. Ill. wounded abdomen
The rebels perpetrated singular blunder They APP
preached the house in which the eighteen prisoners,
taken from them the day before, confined and the
leader of the party saying, Here is party of the id
abolitionists, give 'em Ill., fired IN upon the latter
sduas "r the prisoners undoubtedly wounded as
on,mro nrd from the quarters in which they were
owshey belonged % when 9 o above s %
gained at Kirkwood, st. foa- OF thirty 1--WE men or.
Capt. Robert HARDWOOD, OF that coun,v Commanded by
by Them belonging formerly TO the St. Loufs ns carried
company were passing through in quest of TIM, This
| ing United States fsg.
Their true character being asccrtained they were a,
tackled in separate squads about the vicinity, an,
eighteen OF their men were captured above stated Tn
balance fearing capture losing two killed. conceaie,
their guns in thckct also forty 1--WE pounds Of powder
| and dispersed towards Salem. A party of the Vom
Guard were preparing expedition to search for thes
guns on the morning Of the attack at Benefits mill TIN
enemy decampcd from the latter place after the fight
and was left but few of the citizens and Canta
Bennett, who had returned Tie rebels took away he
tween thirty and forty horses belonging the Hon
No Information has been received from Capt McFal'
detachment, which left here Sunday evening pursuit
the above party.
INTERESTING FROM SPRINGFIELD
An intelligent and reliable gentleman arrived here has
evening having left Springfield late Friday evening III
confirms the opinion entertained here for some time TIN
McCulloch disguised and disappointed was moving to
wards the Arkansas border. He last heard from
| the Chalybeate Springs near Mount Vernon. He wa
moving with about 900 troo Of the Tennessee IOuisa
ma and Arkansas levies Some renforcements lately re
ceived from Texas were accompanying his movements
McCuloch left Pond Spring near Springfield Tuesday
week ago to-day. Another circumstance that was noticed
was the fact that McCullochs wounded in the hospa
were being conveyed 10 the Arkansas border towards Ben
| tonvie.
My informant saw McCulloch only once in Springfield,
since the battle. lie dressed as a private in blu
clothes Price and McCuoch have had quarrel and thu
latter was extremely disguised with matters generally
and particularly with the action of the Missouri Stat,
Guard upon the battle field.
add tho following for what 70 Is worth: II rnav hi
nothing new TO you in addition what is already know
OF the rebel army movements
Rams with the first division, passed Carthage on his
way to Fort Scott II was reported among bis parsaps
in Springfield that he had three engagements with Mont
gornery and was badly used He had to Sprngel
| for remforcements and six pieces Of artillery.
TN sunday, 10Th ut, Price, Parsons, Slack and Church
lmoved toward Bolivar with force estimated by nv
| informant at from ten to twelve thousand men.
When last heard from they squirting towards
Senerson City on the road between Bolivar and Warsaw
Only part OF McBrides division were left inSprngfed