The New York herald., 1863-05-06
lMTEREsTlme FROM aalssovEi.
BATTLE AT CAPE GIRARDEAU.
ADVANCE OF THE REBELS.
The Attack---The Repulse---The
Pursuit.
THE SITUATION IN DIXIE,
&s., &s.s &ss

Oar Cape Glrardeau Correspondsncs.
A Carr GaAaDsAU No., April %, 1883
The gallant fight sustained by garrison OF this place
days ago already been announced through tho
country by telegraph Though the battle not 6 long
duration the heavy compared with most OF
the actions In which troops have been engaged,
was In reality affair OF considerable importSnee.
THE INVASION PR1ooEcERrKD. rst
II ssems that ths invasion OF Missouri has bsen for
some tine past contem pation by the rebel leaders In
February General Price arrived at Little Rock, and COM
menced preparations for advance toward the North
Hitherto all the invasions Of Missouri, the attempts
At invasion, have been into the Southwest, striking at
Springfield as the key point Of the region The occupa
ton OF that portion Of the country both by the rebel
troops and have completely stripped Of supplies
and forage wasbut recently that portion OF the army
or the frounter was obliged to fall back to Rolla In
ordor receive its supplies OF forage from st. Louis
This exceeding scarcof food and forage induced Gen.
Price ts change the uap routine and make an attack
upon the Southeast Cape Gardeau the point to be
aimed at.
COMPOSITION Or THE REBEL FORCE
Batesvie, the White river, was made the base line
for the movement and the rebel forces assem-
bied They were gathered from various parts OF Arkan
aas but chiefly from Little Rock and consisted Of forces
from Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. The command
Of the army OF invasion was given to Brigader
General Marmaduke and consisted OF four brigades OF
about two thousand each. The brigade commanders
were ColAnels Carter, Burbridge, Shelby and Green.
Carter's ibrigade consisted Of the Nheteenth and
Twenty rst Texas Piats battery OF artillery and two
battalons OF mounted men. sheby's brigade was
composed - Missouri troops and Burbrdges chiefly Of
Arkansas men, while Green's was variousy made up.
All the men were mounted and formed that nendescrpt
kind Of soldier known among the rebels cavalry Most
we're armed with rifles and shot guns few Of them
red sabres Twelve pieces Of artillery accompanied
them.
In their march northward, they encountered Colonel
Smart small command at Patterson, and after brief
skrmish compelled 1t to leave the town, and retreat
10 Pilot Knoo. Here Marmaduke divided his ferees
sending brigades under Burbrdge. BY way Of Bloom
field, while himself, with the remainder, pushed on
through Frederckown. At Bloomfield they expected 70
surprise and capture Gen. Mcneil with small force, but
that prompt to report the rebel advance
and had fallen back oCape Grardeau The rebel advance
arrived Bloomfield only few hours after Mcneil left
itsoo late to mako the capture they much desired.
Tho only alternative left them to push on to Cape
Girardeau, and attempt the capture OF that point.
nroRTAScs THE MOVEMENT.
The occupation OF Cape Grardeau by the rebels would
have been 70 them very important movement The
town stands high bluff overlooking the Mississippi
Four fourts the town. two Of which completely
command the river, both above and below Once In
possession Of they would be dsodged with great
dinouy and only By gathering large force against
them During hoir occupation they would cut on all
oomhunication the Mississippi and would also be able
70 into Illinois and destroy portions Of the
Illinois Central Railroad only twenty miles distant. From
the point of land opposite this town 10 only thirtynve
miles 70 Cairo force Of cavalry transferred 70 the
Illinois osuld speedily make its way 70 Cairo and
destruction Of public property before
sucieut force could be gathered to rspel them The
Importance the neht Of Sunday easily bs realized
| by supposing the rebels 10 have been successful.
sKRMM NEAR TOWN
On the srnoou OF Saturday, the 26th the rebels
rived within nve miles OF the town. and met by
companies OF the First Wisconsin cavalry, under
| nand Of Captain shipman skirmish Of half hours
| duration eusued, at the end OF which Captain Ship
/ man discovered that he was surrounded by the
| rebels. They had purposely brought but few men
forward to oppose him. In order 70 give
the remainder Of their force opportunity to get In bis
rear. As soon as Captain shipman observed the move
ment lie headed his and gave the word TO charge
They succeeded in cutting their through but with
loss OF four men, Captain shpman himself receiving
severe wound the right thigh He fell into the hands
OF the Rebels who Afterwards sent him into lines BY
| Gag or truce
| PRESENTATIONS
General Mcneil had arrived with his force from Bloom
field on Friday morning. and at set to work to make
ready for his assaants He found the forts in good
condition and well supplied with ammunition. Each Of
these contained garrison sufficient for working the guns
ana O small reserve force contained Ia them for
supplying the places OF such should fall. The In
fantry consisted OF the FIRST Nebraska, the Thirty
| second Iowa and 2S5 o. the Missouri enrolled
militia The cavalry consisted OF the Rrst Wisconsin
and Second Missouri the latter being General McNels
old regiment Captain wefreys battery OF six field guns
was the only light artillery on the ground The heavy
guns in the forts manned BY Captain Miners and
Captain Jacobys companies OF Missouri heavy artillery
The whole force less than two thousand strong while
It known that the rebels were not Tar from eight
thousand.
| REMOVING NoSooxsArASrs.
On Saturday General McNiel notified the citizens thai
they must expect TO hear the sound Of strife around
them by morning. and offered 10 furnish many or then
as wished TO 90 with transportation across the river
Many took advantage OF bis oer and on Saturday, th
25th Of April, Cape Girardeau presented spectacle
as moving as that on the LIST OF Nay II
New York. Immense quantities Of private good
| were transferred 10 the Illinois shore for safety
| Tho public stores were moved as precautonar,
measure In case the rebels should obtain possession OF h
town. Il was well known that one object Of their ra'
was 20 gather supplies, and u was our design 10 giv
them q little possible. The torch was made ready
destroy what was not taken away. The steamer Mar,
Forsyth, 90 her way from g. Louis 70 Memphis, va
seized 70 be used for fsrying the ctssns scross Hs
oncsn and passengers showed every attention 70 thos
who were taken 90 board. large number were no
landed on the Inoh shore, but remained On board
one time there we're than four hundred children o.
The steamer, and the noise said 70 havs been on
squallsd when oil the babies o. Barnums great shot
raised their voices q oucs.
DEMAND euRnnHpsa
Aitse past three O'Clock on Sunday morning. Gensr,
| NcNen received Summons 10 surrender The deman
came By Dag Of truce, and was signed BY Colonel O.
Carter, "By orders Of Major Gen. Price" Thirt