The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-10-09
From the Richmond Dispatch lst inst.
LATEST NORTHERN NEWS.

| Aue oaItle OF exlnRCOn-f0slClOn OF
the Contendlng Forces-The Surren.
der-Etc., Etc.
We have received, through special
source, the New York Herald Of the
25th inst, containing the following in.
telligence respecting the disaster to the
Federal forces at Lexington Missouri
We gave on Saturday the news Of the
battle at Lexington, from the Herald of
the Oath. The particulars given below
corroborate those given 10 that issue. and
include the official report Of Gen. Ere.
mont. From the dainty manner in
which the Herald deals with the details
OF the battle, it may be Justly surmsed
that the defeat of the Federals was not
only most disastrous. but humilisting in
the extreme.
FREMoNTs OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE DIS
AsTER.
WAsHINGros, Sept. 24.-The follow,
lng dispatch was received at the War
Department this morning from the head.
quarters Of the Western Military Depart.
ment. 1t follows the announcement by
Gen. Fremont Of the fall Of Lexington !:
'Sr. Louis, Sept. %, 1861.
"NothiDg since my dispatch this morn
ing announcing the surrender Of Lexinc,
| ton.
"Our loss is thirty nine killed, and one
hundred and twenty wounded.
"Ihe loss Of the enemy was 400
killed and wounded.
sour non commissioned officers and
! prvates were sworn not to bear arms
| against the rebels and released The
commissioned officers are held rs prison
ers. Our troops are gathering around
the enemy.
81 will! send you from the field more
details in few days."
The above, in regard TO the Federal
loss, does not, OF course, comprehend The
loss in prisoners, aud is at best most
unlikely story as to their loss in killed
and wounded.-EDs. DIS.
THE SITUATION OF LEXINGTON.
The general direction of the Missouri
river at the city Of Lexington is from
East to West, the city lying on the South
bank. Old Lexington is the early settle
ment, situated back on the hill. II has
been superseded by New Lexington, fur
ther up the rver, where the steamboat
landing now is. New Lexington is the
main city. There are scattering houses
along the buff between the two, AID
both are now united undsr the name OF
Lexington.
Colonel MuIIigan's fortiica,ions were
between the two locations, consisting OF
heavy earthworks, ten feet in height,
with ditch eight feet in width. These
Notifications surrounded a college build
ing, which was used as quarters for the
Union soldiers, and had been stregthened
TO resist an artillery attack. The lines OF
the Notifications weie extensive and ca
Paole Of containing force Of 10000
| men.
The main body Of the army Of Gen.
Price was located At Old Lexington, from
which poiut the attack was made, though
the fort was assaied on all sides. The
occupants OF the fort had a skirmish on
Thursday Of last week with n party Of
rebels-not, however, under Price at the
time-who sheltered themselves 10 the
houses in Old Lexington. To deprive
them Of this advantage, the old town
WAS afterwards shelled and burned, bv
order of Col. MuIligan. New Lexington,
or Lexington proper. was in possession Of
the rebels, but the city was not the
theatre Of the conflict. Col. Mulliga
could easily have shelled and DESTROYED
it but this, Of course, he would no, do
The line OF the Qualifications run down
10 the river bluff, and from the bluff to
the waters edge there is a wide, shelving
beach. The boats reported TO be cap
tured laid At the waters edge, within the
direction OF the lines OF the fort, and on
this beach is where n severe struggle en-
sued on Tuesday for the possession OF
the boa.s.
| THE FEDERAL FORCE.
Col. Mulligan's forces consisted Of his
own regiment, Col. Marshalrs cavalry
regiment, and Pesbody's command Of
about six hundred Home Guards aud
Kansas troops, the whole amounting TO
from $500 to 1000 men. As to their
supplies OF provisions and anmunilion,
little Is known.
oe"' TCe sueHRth u not ascerthine0,
but may be put down anywhere between
$4,000 aud 10000 men. He had plen.
" OF artillery, but was short Of pow der
and sho,, for he bad no adequate stores
to draw upon since the Springfield battle.
THE SIEGE AND THE SURRENDER.
The following accounts of the siege OF
Lexington, (says lbe Heraid,) is furnished
10 the st. Louis Republican, by Henry
Broadburn, one OF Co! Mulligan's sol
diers, who left Lexington on Saturday
morning.
The Fort was surrendered on Friday
afternoon. The men fought for fifty nine
hours without water, aud had only three
barrels Of vinegar to quench their thirst,
During all that time there were no
springs or wells Of water in the camp
ground, as has been stated The supply
Of water was entirely from the river
There were bresstworks all around the
camp, with the exception Of the portion