The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-07-19

1 CLIFTON, MO-, jury -, lbo-.
Deur Ga,e:--AfAer . long tims lying
in kind Of chrysalis state, and sorming
around sitter mean seccsh, and hauling
men over the Goals of strong Union fires
and watching when they are done, we at
last have chase and fight. Major
James O. Cover. commanding post at
Gfinton. learning that Quantral had col.
lected $50 TO eco men for the purpose of
plandering and marauding, detailed
scout under Lieut.. Reynolds, who was alb
sent twcnty-four hours, and found him.
about 200 strong, on farm near the
brush. when he ordered charge upon
him and attempted twice to dislodge him;
but the column not coming upin order. he
ordered . retreat and returned to Clinton,
when Major Cover ordered reinforce
ments to meet him at the place where he
had q force composed Of detachments
from the LIST and 7th Missouri and seventy
men from Butler Of 1st Iowa, which.
added to dstachmsnts from Co. A of fifty
men and G Of forty men, made his force
ample TO pursue and attack two Guam
trails. We soon found the trnil-the LIST
| Missouri, about sixty men, were placed
in advance to teail him, the first Iowa
men in the center and 7th Missouri on
the left, now commenced grand chase.
The LIST Missouri were good on scent
The late rain helped to track them, and
AWAY we went across farms. laying down
fences, passing over short stretches Of
prnirie, through rayines, up the beds Of
creeks, right through thick under-brush,
winding around all points Of the compass
within two miles distance till the night Of
the 10th forbid our further persu:t.-
The next chase opened again with re.
newed vigor. and away we went to the
timber of Big Crock. Soon we were
within six hours Of his band, 300 to 500
strong, who kept off alta respectful dis
lance till about a. m, when the game
was started from . great anooze among
the thick brush on Big Creek. The track
was fresh. The game was only four
hours ahead and had no breakfast. We
all knew he WAS in the habit Of eating at
least twice day. and the day promised
fair for brush or hard chase. About
10 =. m. thu LIST Missouri struck their
pickets and chased about three miles.
wher all turned up sqsare in front of .
large two story house and barn, each
standing 1t right angles TO the other,
when the advance guard received tre-
mendous volley. and four men fell dead
on the spot. The remainder Of the
LIST Missouri rushed up and dismount-
ed and opened fire upon them with
carbines. 1t was all to no purpose
The bushwhackers had it their own way,
and the 1st Missouri rctrcated over on
the prairie out of range, leaving their
dead and our wounded there. The bush
whackers were ia extacies. They strip
| ped the dead Of all arms and clothing,
except shirt and pants. They. like
lends, took the wounded man and act
him up against tree and shot him dead
through the head. over the left eye. This
is said ~ It. Aallar mark Of revenge,
while the came fover the right eye is
Quantrars mark. Why was this! There
was something wrong. The LIST Iowa had
not come up; the lst Missouri had re-
treated. Allswas explained soon. Capt.
-. Of the Est Missouri, had disobeyed
the orders Of Major Cover, and thinking
be would get little glory, perhaps, Or
may may be he was SO apprehensive that
Quantrsl would run and gel away that he
ordered the charge. About one hour and
= half after, the lst lows came up, Go. G
WAS in advance, and Co. A followed hsrd
after, and away they went, on charge Of
four miles. through brush and over
ravines, till they reached the house above
named. There lay the bodies Of Eve dead
men, but al was quiet; but on, on We
went for about half mile, when the trail
suddenly turned in the thick black jack
and underground, among lodges and cliffs
Of rock, when the rapid volleys of mus.
kerry and yells OF the 'bushwhackers told
that We had driven them 10 thsir lair
and now they we're trying to rout us.-
Two mon fell dead from the advance o.