Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-08

Hence we are shut up here to reports of travel
ers corners and goers from and to the battle
field, like the press is in the vicinity OF wash
ington, and can only give statements as we hear
them.
Hereabouts-and this expression includes the
district depending on Cairo its base. comprising
our forces in Western Kentucky and Tennessee
in this region matters are in very precarious
situation; not that there is any fear OF Union
defeat when this coup d'etGt OF the rebels has
been brought to end and the result shall be
summed up, but we are threatened and assalled IN
various directions; indeed at all points; and the
rebels so fully prepared for this movement, and
so perfectly acquainted with the LOCALITIES and
routes, and having such seemingly well laid
and well understood plan to work from, move
their forces with such celebrity, mass them at any
required point so adroitly and call up reinforce
ments at any required moment with such certain
ty that il requires the most unceasing vigilance
and herculean efforts to meet them. Indeed
and the fact can not be considered contraband-
they outnumbered us We are fighting at every
disadvantage. When we fought at Donelson a
rebel regiment was a motley rable OF from two
to FIVE hundred men. Now, when we meet re-
bel regiment, we find fully organized and well
disciplined force of at least one thousand men.
All the regiments opposed to us are quite as nu-
merous now las they were then. The secret IS
the rebels have been reinforcing their armies by
conscripti0n or draft, and instead OF emoodylng
the new levies in new organizations they nave
filled up their old regiments to the maximum
standard, thus placing raw recruits beside vete-
rams, and equalZing the standard OF perfection III
military drill, at the same time the elevation OF
the standard is rendered more easy and speedy.
This secret we should have acted upon when our
new leyies we're called for, which, had We done,
it would have given available and wieldy
force exactly three hundred thousand men strong
er than the Federal army now is.
This IS such plain fact that any school boy
can see it, and why the Secretary of War did
not see it is question that he will yet have to
answer to the American people. Had he seen 1t
as it was his duty to see it, how many OF the
thousands of brave men that have fallen in the
protracted struggles of the past week would have
been spared
But all this is far from my purpose in this COM
munication.
As early as Wednesday of last week, it was
known that the rebel General Villipigue was
moving northward on the Mississippi Central
| Railroad with force of ten thousand men. On
the above day he passed Grand Junction with
portion of his force. the remainder moving upon
the following day. On Friday he appeared in
the vicinity of Bolivar. His force was mainly
mounted infantry-an organization admirably
adapted TO rapid movements and operations in an
extended region. On Saturday he was assailed
/ by a accommodating party under Lieutenant Col
onel HOgg, of the ID Illinois cavalry, when oc
CURED the brilliant engagement, of which you
have heard all the particulars that have been re
ceived here, in which Lieutenant Colonel hOgg
/ lost his life.
! Saturday night other rebel forces were brought
up, and, throughout Sunday and Sunday night,
| the railroad north Of Bolivar was kept unceasing
| y busy in transporting rebel soldiers. In the
/ oil ba HQt
river at point short distance west of Bolivar,
and pushed on nOrthward with a column, making
/ his first manifestation at MedOn Station, half
way between Bolivar and Jackson thus effecting
disruption in communication with Bolivar by
rail, and interposing his own force against the
march of renforcements to that place. Suisse
Quently it ascertained that Price, with a
large army, was behind Villipigue. and, as soon
as the latter had crossed the Hatchie the former
stepped into his old campins ground, where his
forces rendezvoused. Having brought up his
army, Price proceeded to dispose of them so as
eifectually and completely to invest the little
town of Bolivar.
Vilpigue, in the meantime, pushed forward
| from Mendon, threatening jackson, destroying
the railroad in his march, and burning several
carloads of cotton that were found standing
upon the track at way stations. Yesterday two
regiments of Illinois troops, the Goth and 30th,
stationed at Estanaula, we're sent out to attack
Villipigue in his rear. They came upon him
about seven miles from Jackson, and, after a
short engagement, waged at most wonderful odds
in favor of the enemy, gave him severe drub-
bling, putting him to an inglOrOus rout. We lost
about half dozen in killed in this affair." and
less than fifty in wounded. The success of the
engagement reflects the highest credit upon Col
Dennis, of the 30th who had command The
enemy left one hundred and ten dead bodies on
the field. and their wounded are estimated at
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred.
This affair by means terminates the attack
on Jackson. Undoubtedly Villipigue taken
unawares, and bis forces must have been thrown
into confusion. 1t is scarcely credible that two
broken regiments could put to flight and perma
nenty dsorganize well organized force of ter
: thousand men. Vilpigue, indeed, is already
known to have reorganized his men, and still
menaces jackson. While he holds this attitude
reinforcements can not be sent from there to Boil
war.
Bolivar is well fortified and possesses natural
advantages of defense that will engage all thu
skill, muscle and metal the enemy can bring t.
bear at present TO take it. Its garrison consists
of about seven thousand men, including some o
the choicest regiments of the Army of the West
Ii is no doubt the enemys intention to take til,
} place, if such a thing be possible, but the small
4 garrison posted there for its defense will give
good account of themselves.
You have been furnished by telegraph with al
, the information we have here regarding Genera
Buell. His great battle of W ednesday and Thurs
day last, near Chattanooga, was doubtless one 0
> the grand events of the war. The information
We have here shows that he was attacked on ed
J nesday by overwhelming numbers, against whom
he stood with consummate courage and determi
nation. The fight lasted all day with varying re
suits terminating, however. with decided ad
vantage to the enemy. During Wednesday nigh
renforcements arrived to Buell's assistance, sen
forward by General Grant and on Thursday tn
battle was renewed with mutual earnestness. Tn
e wearied forces of General Buell. fought like he
! roes, determined not to give way while life lasted
j Their allies from Grants army stood by then
with equal frmness, and although the advantag
. in point of numbers was with the rebels, the
e were at length forced back, then their column
we're broken, and finally they fled in great con
fusion.
We have no statement of losses on either sid
in this affair, but are simply told that Buell. too
seven thousand prisoners This, of itself, is stuff
m cent evidence that undisputed victory wa
;. gained by our forces. The suspension of telt
. graphic communication between here and Coz
e NTH, which is the only channel of communics
n ton Buell. now has with the North, accounts fc
n the reception. as yet, of further particI
lars. 1t is hoped that the Columbus boat wi
bring up something more definite and full tt
night.
The greatest activity prevails at the naval d.
h pot in this city, though the precise nature of ii
, work being pushed is not open for publication
is Suffice it to say that should the rebels succee
t. in overrunning Kentucky and reaching the OH
IS river, they will find there barrier to preveT
Y their easy crossing iuto the Northern States.
i, they count on finding stage of water thel
J. that will enable them to ford the stream, al
IT at the same time prevent our gunboats fro
p mOleslng them, they will be greatly mistakes