The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-08-21
[frOm the Palmyra courier, Aug. l5]
THE FATE OF GUERRILLAs--
FIGHT AT KiRKSVILLE, MO.


FIGHT Az AlRhStALLE, MO-
On Monday night Porter encamped at
Bolden's Well, and on Tuesday night or
Wednesday morning reached the pleasant
town OF Kirksyile.
We are not advised whether Colonel Nc
Neil followed these good retreaters upon
their precise trail, or whether by awaiting
himself of q straighter line of march he !
gained rapidly upon them in. their sinuosi-
ties. However the case may be, the rebels
bad not more than disposed their forces in
and about Kirksville when the glitter of
bayopets shone through the clouds of dust,
and Col. McNei's forces debouched into the
open grounds east of the city, which was in
a few hours to become the scene of fearful
conflict. asr .Aee3
We have now to record a fac specimen
of Col. Porter's Strategy" Causing the
town to be evacuated by its inhabitants, be
filed the houses, both private and public,
with his soldiers. Probably six or seven
hundred men were thus slowed away, with
rifles and shot-guns deadly, ready to pour
consuming fire upon any foe which might
have the temerity to place themselves with.
| in range of their missiles. The remainder
of his ferces Col Porter drew up in line of
battle near the edge of the woods, and a
! quarter of q mile west t-of the town. They
| were dismounted, and their horses hilched
in the timber behind them. Between them
and the village was an open space. East of
| the place also, the ground is open and
/ level The road from Edna enters Kirks-
Vile from the East, and passes due West
.L.ougu .tne town, TOWARDS Milan
The guerrilla chief having thus arranged
| his plans, fall before Col Mcneil came up}
now dispatched message to his pursuer,
kindly informing. hini that he had drawn
his men in line of battle west of the town,
i where he should be happy to meet him in a
4 fair field fight. But he failed to make men,
ton of the zoo men in ambuscade. Upon
reaching the open ground in front OF the
town, COL Mcneil called halt, and order
: ed a reconnaissance of the village by ten Of
Merrill's horsemen. They approached the
suburbs OF the place, and passing within
range of the concealed rebels the latter could
not restrain their iinpatience. to FIRE. Out
borseman was killed and another wounded
The remainder retired. = This was sufficient
TO indicate to Col. Mcneil "iwhiclf way th,
cat jumped" Ordering up Two small iron
| field pieces, and one brass h0wi,zer tho reb
els we're complimented with their contents
These, however, did not alarm them yer,
much. for the explosions were not yery
loud. and, at that distance, the shot was no
{ very effective. .,a.... as,. ea.7.. "A. s-
In Col. McNeil's command was sectior
, of the Indiana 81 Artillery, under com
: mand of Lieut.. Arlington. y II consiste
3 of two 6ne brass six Founders, provides
" with conical ehot weighing thirteen pound:
: Thus detachment had been sent from Jeffer
son City. At the commencement of th
r fight these pieces had not yet come up, thei
. horses having become j4ded down by th
: long and forced marches made. Fresh bor
ses were speedily sent back and these piece
T were he 7ied to the frouf, where they al
rived just in time to turn the merriment {