New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-13

valescent soldiers able to bear arms were brought
from the hospital wards and assigned to companies.
The entire force was ordered under arms immedi-
atey The few officers present held consultation,
and agreed never 10 surrender while hope OF sue
cess remained. =,
The troops available for the defense numbered
about 1900, and excepting majority OF the con-
yalescont soldiers and 800 Of the 18th Iowa Volun-
tters, they were all State militiamen mounted us
cavalry. The horses were Of course dispensed WITH,
and every man served az infantry. The only srtii-
lery in the place consisted Of two field pieces, ok
FOUNDERS which were Of course brought into reqasi
ton. One Of them being upon stationary carriage
in one Of the recently erected forte, could not DC
used to advantage TO repel the first assault OF the
Rebels. :,
On Thursday yesterday morning the first sklr'
mishng took place, Oh tho estate Of the Hon; John
s. Phelps, about four miles from Sprngheid. a
party Of cavalry after the gun had been hren, cap
tued it, but not until spike had been driven IN by
one of the artilerists. This piece was manned Ny
convalescent eodiors belonging 10 batteries III the
Army Of the Frontier.
The defense Of the town was kept up vigorously
from the houses, and by the 18th Iowa, 80 that In
every attempt 10 gam access 70 the heart OF the pace
the Rebels were repulsed. Once they almost reached
the public square, put the musketry from the houses
was too severe, and they retired with severe loes
At p. M they occupied a school-house opposite the
Cemetery, on the Ozark road, where they concern
trated for final attack. Our particulars OF the
progress Of the fight necessarily meager having
been telegaphed at various times and under circum-
stances not at all calculated 10 give Us any very
elaborate statements.
The Rebels had six pieces Of artillery, and with
unparalleled strocity opened fire with shell upon the
town, without allowing the slightest time Tor re-
moving the women and children The cannonad'
ing, however, proved comparatively harmless, AZ
The aim was Dad, and the shells failed TO explode A
few chimneys were knocked over, and q temporary
panic cauled, but no further damage. The Rebels
thea charged upon the rix-pouuder held by our
forces, wbich discharged grape and canni'ter INTO
Their T1nks with great rapidlty. They were Teiured
the fret time, bat taking advantage OF AN interval,
drove back the Rebel advance and captured Twelve
prisoners who reported the Rebels 90 strong and
that IL. eniorcelnents were e1pected-an assertion
set down a falsehood.
Gen Brown was wounded about o'clock IN the
afternoon in the arm, shove the elbow. Amputa.
ton will be necessary TO save the life OF the sufferer
The telegraph operator Gays Gen. Browa behaved
win great bravery. He seemed TO be ubiquitous,
aud inspired bis men with his own coarage. With
this exception no disasters TO our men are reported.
On the contrary, III every dlsphlcu Tie sldIencnl
WAS reiterated, NO Casualties.
At last accounts troops bad nearly all retired,
excepting a few tkIrmishers, 10 Fort Lyon, where
the supplies Of ANN unton, small arms, &c. are ex'
nanstless II is asserted by military men that thu
I tort Is impregnabic 20 assault
The remaining field piece will be vigorously used
wi, hout doubt. The Rebels have doubtless gained
the public square by this time and destroyed the pro-
Visions and storee gathered IN the warehouses there
tor the of the army of the frontier.
HEY have gathered twelve or fifteen hundred sick
and wounded soldiers ia tho hospitals, but II they
decline TO be psroled, the Rebels Will Ind hnge
elephant Oh their hands.
Gen. Schohelds army s;il remains In Arkansas.
It's return TO Missouri will bee hasiened by the events
above described. In haste, yours, D.