, 1863-04-29

Especial Correspondence ofthc Chicago Tribune,} |
ST. Lor1s. april p, 1868.
There is no longer any doubt about the |
master head which planned the movement in
this State. Previous to the rebel attack on
Cape Girardeau, yesterday flag OF truce was
sent forward, with a demand for the surren-
der Of tho town, in the name Of Gen. Sterling
Price, through Col. Cross, commander Of the
First Division. The telegraph has probably
here, concerning the attack On Cape Girardeau
and the final repulse Of the rebels. Gen. Nc
Nell who Was in command Of our forces, has
gained frcsh 1aurcls by his vigorous defence
Of the place. His escape from Bloomfield,
and successful defence Of Cape Girardcau, fur.
nish another Illustration Of what it is possible
for c fearless, energetic officer to accomplish,
in spite Of apparently overwhelming odds.
It can be no secret to the rebels, and can rc.
suit In no harm, to inform loyal readers that
our forces at Pilot Knob have assumed the
defensive. Gen. Van Deyer left Pilot Knob on
Saturday afternoon, at the head Of large
force Of infantry, cavalry and artillery, for
FredericktoWn, were it was then supposed
the rebels we're concentrated. The enemy got
wind of lis approach, doubtless, and hastily
evacuated Frcdericktown. Van Deveryester-
day pushed forward to Patton, about ten miles
east Of Fredericktown on the Cape Girardcau
road abont thirty-two miles from Pilot Knob.
II is possible that the rebel forces attacking
Cape Girardeau yesterday afternoon, heard Of
| Van Devcr's coming, and rctrcated. Should
31eNicu sally forth from the Cape, and smitc
| the rebels in the rear, while Van Dcyee press-
cE down upon them in front, they will have
hard time escaping. This is too much good
luck for our side, however, and the chances
favor the probability that tho whole rebel
force is now rctreating at break-neck pace
toward Chalk Bluffs. The raid Of the rebels
has entirely failed, and they depart minus the
stores and munitions Of war hoped for.
| Had the rebels managed their raid better,
| they would have made q big haul. Apractical
| route was open to them for q raid direct upon
Pilot Knob without. troubling Patterson at all.
The delay in attacking Col. su1a1t's command
| Tas fatal to the rebels. 4 further blunder is
mentioned relating to tho Patterson attack.
The rebel advance, about one mile and half
from the post, foolishly discharged their ar-
tillery at o ecouting party OF about twenty
five men. The loud report Of cannon
alarmed the garrison at Patterson, and en-
ablsd them to make preparations for
retreat, and time. to burn their
surplus provisions. The starved condi-
lnstratcd By their conduct on entering Patter-
son. They deyourcd sugar like children, and
picked up kernels Of corn from the ground
where our horses had been fed, and parchcd
and ate them. Nothing was found IN the
5ds IN thf hs sstsbG lin a to reward the
they found, indiscriminately, from rebel sym
pathizers and Unionists. a hungyier set OF
devils, or . tanker, mcaner lot Of horsetesh,
never visited any community, than in the raid
toward Pilot Knob, just ended.
Tho attack on the Mill Greek bridge, on
Friday night, has been grossly exaggerated, fol
some cause. Happening to be on the ground,
Saturday morning, and conyersing with the
guards at all the bridges in the vicinity Of the
enc fired by the rebels, 1t was rather singular
ing to the attack on moro than one bridge,
until returning to this city. The railroad
I company had q narrow escape. The bridge
attacked was partially wrapped In flames f5z
several minutes, and was saved with great diff
teulty. On tue appronch Of the rebels, only
sharp resistance, which lasted about fifteen
minutes, the guards were all taken prisoners
They belonged TO Company 4, Of the LIST Mis-
souri, State Militia, under Lieut.. Hoffman
They were rescued by reinforcements from
the next bridge, consisting Of a company o
the 9th Missouri Volunteers, under Capt
johnson The rebels made good Their escape
The railroad brought into importance for nil
ita1y operations, 50 suddenly, is now strongly
guarded its entire length.
The greatest watchfulncss has been en-
Joined on our military commanders through
ont the State, and the movements Of the rob
els arc watched with tho utmost vigilance
The State, however, is full Of spies and trait
OTIS, and in spite Of Ill our efforts to th'
contrary, Price is daily rceriying full account!
/ Of all movements Two r.hnf Sr,it.a rr;tI
their pockets and hats stuffed full Of rebc
letters werc caught near Wayncs1il1c on Fri
day aud sent to Gen. HerTon's headquarters
near Ro!la- They were to be tried to-day b,
naation TO the enemy, and there is little douh
they will be convicted. II Gen HERON has
the power the spies will be hanged. Gen
Gartholow, one Of The numerous Brlgadie7s 0
tho guerilla militia in the interior
who vas kidaa'ppcda few nights ago on tn
tors on Friday morning, after u days dcten
| lion In the woods. Bartholow was canture,
by st!ategcm. His kidnapper belongs to
Eang known rs 5ackman's guerillas. Sha
the Enrolled Brigadicr firmly refused, bu
2tter while compromise was patched NJ
By which BartholoW obtained lis rclcase. Il
SIMPLY gave safe guard to u man name
hy minute men Tor hatborins gneril,as. 4
the enrolled militia arc resisting rebels an
guerillas at various points in the country, d
prisoners belonging to this force caught b
rebels are legitimate prizes, and Just as ayai
able for exchange as regular volunteer o
fcers.
Affaiss in the Southwest have assumed n
phase within few days, unless it be the II
creased vigilance Of our officers. 4 guerlll
camp was broken up near Newtonia, q fe
Cassvile and Ncwtonia are our outposts
10 Missouri at present Gen. Blunts force:
o. however, flank the northwestern part Of q
kansas, By holding the Indian country, au
my serious raid attempted by the rebels /
that section.
The invasion Of Missouri by Price's orat
has in all probability collapsed. The retire:
from the Southeast will settle the question |
a few days. The grand results predicted b
rebel sympathizers have failed, and the int
rioris comparatively quiet. The worst til,
can be said is the unusual confidence NJ
huoyancy among notorious sccessionists eo'
corning the success of their CAUSE The
have predicted a general uprising throughol
the country az soon as q respectable numb
Of rebels gained foothola in any pa
Of Missouri: Well, the rebels have arrive
I in An6 ce1H 1i.oorri reo+