The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-01-17
FAYETTE, Howard Co., Mo-,
january 8, 1862.

FAYErTE, Howard Co., Mo-,
january 8, 1862.
Editors Missouri Democrat:
The anniversary Of the battle of New
Orleans was celebrated in this county by
one Of the hardest fought battles of the
campaign in Missouri. considering the
number of men engaged and position Of
the enemy.
Our forces had been engaged for sew.
eral days in great hunt. aud had scour-
ed the county as thoroughly as did Dam
tel Boon many years since, but after diff
ferent game The whole county was full
of reports about the movements of the
secesh, and it was difficult to asccrtain
accurately as to their number or where
abous; but we were not to be foiled in
these, if indefatigable energy and sndur-
ance of officers could accomplish it, and
these Majors Terrence aud Hubbard pos
sesssd. Reconnaissance in force were
made in all directions from camp near
Fayette. and reports promptly made dur
ing the preceding week. It was found
that one Col Poindexter was recruiting
in various places in the county, and that
he was encsmped with his principal force
of from FIVE hundred to seven hundred
men on Silver Creek, and had other camps
ready to reinforce him when ready to
move, to the number of twelve hundred
to fifteen hundred strong.
They further reported that he had
pledged himself to his men that he would
clean out the federals in the county Of
Howard 10 very few days. Night after
night was selected to surprise our camp
with his whole force, but through some
mishap they never appeared. On the
morning Of the 9Th inst. all was in mo-
ton in our camp, under orders from Ma
jor Terrence to hold ourselves in readi-
ness to move with all our able bodied men
at an early hour. We took up our line
of march at Roanoke, aud after moving a
few miles we were joined by Major Hub
bard's command. Our forces now CON-
prised portion Of Merrilrs Horse, I'M
der Major Hunt, one company of the 4th
Ohio, under Capt Foster, part Of the
Missouri First, under Major Hubbard,
and four companies of the FIRST Iowa. un-
der Major Terrence. After passing the
town of Roanoke the whole column NOV.
ed rapidly about five miles. and halted to
have position and duties assigned to the
several commands. Learning that the
enemy were in strong position on the
creek, where it probably would be impos-
sible to charge them with mounted men,
it was determined, if necessary, to dis
mount and fight AZ infantry.
Capt. Foster was assigned the advance,
followed by Merrill's Horse and the Mis-.
souri, First, all armed with carbines The
First Iowa we're 70 make the charge up
on the camp with drawn sabre, and if I'M
possible to make charge mounted. they
we're to dismount and move ON foot
Lieut.. Dustin, of the First Iowa, with ten
men, formed the advance guard. All be-
ing in readiness we moved forward very
rapidly, and following the tortuous wind
ings Of narrow road. leading through
narrow lanes and thick timber, till the
sharp crack Of a.rife told us that we were
upon their pickets. This was the signal
for MS to rush forward, which We did With
a-will. On, on, through underbrush and
down de6les. till the advanced guard
rushed TO the entrance of their camp, and
found the enemy drawn up in line Of bat.
tie. This was 10 unexpected by them,
that they stood in mute astonishmeut at
the audaci:J of = lieutenant and ten men
holding the entrance to their camp, but
they soon awakened to their danger Is our
advancing column came rushing up to his
relief. It WAS now found that the thick
timber and underbrush forbade us charg
ing upon the camp, and the order TO dis
mount passed along the lines ike magic,
and a eolumn of armed infantry emerged
from our lines on the roadside, resdy for
the onset. The battle now commenced
in earnest, aud volley after volley Of mus
kerry told US that the work Of death had
begun.
They rushed from their line Of battle,
after their second volley, into the en-
trenchment formed by the creek. and be-
hind trees, logs. &c., and opened fire mp
on our lines, which was promptly answer
ed BY our forces armed with carbines, by
continued Are. Major Terrence now
ordered his men forward with revolver
and sabre to make charge on the camp.
and with yell along their lines they ad-
vanced, and In the face Of the eaemy'sI
FIRE, rushed into camp. guidons tying to
the breeze. So great xaa the eagerness
to move fa1xard, that three companies |
claim the Lonor Of being first il the
camp.
The enemy nov, true to their time
honored custom, gave way and ran most
from their camp, leaving guns,
horses. camp equipage, and large guam
lity of new clothing for mea in Price
lrmy, sent, 20 doubt, By their friends, in
.ars Of Poindexter; siso ! quantity of