New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-01

Regiment of Sheby's brigade. iney represent our |
Are a. having been very DESTRUCTIVE 10 tnem: Iney
acers Being either killed or wounded. The whole
Number Of their killed 10 estimated at ~, and Of
their wounded 300 Owing to the great disparity OF
their forces and ours Gen. Mel did not pursue them
and 80 they had time to take away most OF their
dead and wounded, ,..
In ore instance they charged upon one OF our bat.
teries but were driven back with slaughter. Ihe
Union forces had every advantage in position, weis
we'll armed we'll managed, the batteries wsre 40.
mirably handled, the siege guns from the Powsnai
fortifcstion "a high eminence, overlooking tne
whole eld) were fired with great precision, 20 that
more decided victory was gained, with small loes,
end the Rebel hordes from Arkansas were terrioiy
repulsed and driven from the suburbs OF the CITY.
Our whole loss is but six killed, and as many
wounded.
had summoned the surrender ofthe place with great
pomp, pretending to do it BY order OF MAJ. 'Gen.
Sterling Price, commanding, who, suspect, was
not within thousand miles, and had offered Gen.
McNiel half hour to make up bis mind; 10 the
reply, conveyed back by Col. Strahan, Volunteer
Aid to the General the Colonel claimed thai they
should credit Gen. McNiel with twenty mine
minutes, as he bad decided IN just one minute 70
hold the post himself. Their defeat is undoubtedly
terrible disappointment and humiliation, for they
| had double purpose IL view.
They not Only expected to make great capital out
Of the capture Of Cape Girardeau and raise the
hopes of Reteldom and the CoPperheads Of the
North, but they were also bent on plumber. Their
army, as Represented by Maj. Blackwell and Aojt.
Edwards, is destitute Of provisions, and they ex-
pec,ed large supplies and great spoil at Cape
Girardeau Az 1t is, they have robbed the farmers
houses in the vicinity, but they will scarcely take
ANYTHING away out Of the country, should they DO
| so fortunate as 10 escape with their lives.
| In this battle Gen. John Mcneil displayed his
! ACC ustomed bravery. He was cool, collected, and
determined ygilant day and night taking but little
sleep and seeing to il that all his plans in their
utmost details, were executed. He knew that q
great stake to his country and himself rested on the
issue. To have lost Cape Girardesu. an important
military position in Missouri, and midway between
| Caro- aud ST. Louis, and Immediately opposite TO
southern Illinois, would have been great disasters
I and for John Mcneil to be taken prisoner would,
as he SAID, have left Mrs. Mcneil widow, and bis
children fatherless.
The Southern Confederacy has set price upon
his head for his prompt execution of their guerrilla
bands IN Missouri, and TO get him into their possess
sion would afford them an opportunity Of Cutting
their vengeance, winch they are not hksiy soon 70
obtain, for Gen. Mcneil will never be taken by
| them alive. y o.
Throughout the day the Genenl received import
snt aid from Col. Slrahan Of Northeast Missouri,
who came down from st. Louis, on hearing OF his
peril 10 render bis assistance, and acted as yelon'
teer aid de camp throughout tho battle. his Assst-
ant Adjutant. General, Lieut. Poole, and Lieut.
Williamson, and Lieut.. Kramer, Post Adjutant, act
ing rs aiGs, eredimporant and valuable service;
and among the heroes OF tie fight WAS Lieut.. Col.
Baumon Of lst Nebrlsks Infantry, whose head wac
lVrazsd with bullets, and who led his men into the
TIL ekest Of the fray, and came out unframed.
Nueh praiss Ia also que TO Acknowledgment n. H.
Iarrb Of The same regiment, who remained on the
field all day with his corps OF ambnances ready Tor
,esvice and to Surgeon VIM. Mcclellan Of the Post
General Hospital, who yas frequently on the field,
and had every preparation Tor receiyingA large num-
her of wounded men. lrrI Ir.r. ..l....
Just as he battle was nearly ended, the steamer
Ocean Nave arrived from ST. Louis with reinforce
mcut, CO. sis.iDg vi tie 3!th Regiment Of Illinois
Jsfsy Il Dlcnkl, fonra conpsDies Of the SO1i
Iowa Infantry, and two pieces OF cannon, acoonpa-
MED by Col. Livingston Of the LIST Nebraska Regi
ment, who had been absent at sc. Louis. They
marched out TO tho field Of battle, but too late
10 take any part in the engagement.
! Col. Livingston has the reputation OF splendid
officer which is justified by his appearance, and bis
regiment 10 proud Of him. But, seeing his Lieut..
] Colonel covering himself with iaureis, the Colonel
declined 10 take command at the close Of the fight,
and allowed Lieut.. Col. Banner 10 finish what he
had 90 nObiy begun, namely, 10 carry bis regiment
succe ssfully through the battle. .-...
After O'clock, p M, the soldiers began to search
the battlefield We saw one with an elegant shot
! gun which he found by the aide Of dead Rebel. |
| But generally everything had been carried of
| We rode over the field with the Rev. DR.. Wood, |
Chaplain of the Cd Mo. Militia Cavalry, and had the
satisfaction Of viewing many points OF interest.
During the battle had taken my position with the
ar,eriss in fort b. where, from the great eminence
of the fort, beheld the whole scene in its awful
sublimlty-saw the flash Of the cannon, witnessed
the fall of killed and wounded men, and heard the
roar Of the dread artillery shake the heavens and the
solid ground !
AT frst as went out toward the fort q mingled
Sc, DC OF awe and fear me, but tie fascns
ton OF the see drew NE on, TILL when had got
among the men, and saw their cheerful aud deter
mined courage, and heard their deafening cheers and
4 - l,af ...At Tho. ,..t.vx lasL /
came almost irresistible TO take up q weapon and
step into the ranks. .L "a.
And here ought to mention that there were sew
era instances of this kind the part Of patriotic
Union citizens of the Cape, all OF them Germans, who
brought their shUtPuns and rifles and took part In
the battle. All honor TO the German element in our
American civilization. II is always found true to
freedom and the rights Of humanity.
I'm contrast with this might mention that several
natiye-born citizens Of the town got on the steam
boat provided for the women and children, and LETT
for the other side of the river.
The scenes on board the steamer Mary Forsyth
were full OF interest. The commander Of this line
steamer Capt N. 5. Green, took every pains to re-
ceiye aud accommodate all the women and children
who CAME on board They filled his cabin to over
flowing, and he gave them mattresses and places to
sleep, aud food, and kept them on bis boat two
nights and nearly two days, showing them the Ut
most consideration and Kindness being himself also
detail ed IRON IN important trip TO Memphis, aud
obhSed 10 lahd Niuch Vi hiS ireisnt Oh Tue Ainon
shore.
All this hindrance and loss be bore not only with
pateuce and patriotic resignation, but with actual
cheerfuness For his noble deeds IN this emergency
and his generous sacrifices he will be gratefully
remembered.
This morning, long before day, Gen. McNiel had
made every preparation for renewal Of tbs attack
from the enemy, knowing them to have large force
III reserve. But morning came and the sound Of
cannon OF "a larger caber than those Of the enemy
WAS heard In tie distance.
1t must be that Con. Vandever had arrived from
pilot Knoh and aim nod he enem. in the rear and