True Democrat., 1863-05-27
Gen. Marmaduke's Expedition.

We have been furnished with an authentic an reliable account oi Gen. Marmaduke's raid into Missouri. Our space compels us to condense it. The division was concentrated on Eleven Points river. The country being destitute of forage in
 in the direction of Rolla, it having been devasta- ted by the enemy to prevent raids, 1t was deter mlne1 to march to the cast of lronton, capture a regiment of federals at Patterson, and strike Me- Neil, who was at Bloomfield. On account of the scarcity of forage the command was divided: one division, under Shelby, to march via Van Buren, Mo-, and reach Patterson on the 20th and tue other under Carter, to march via Doniphan to reach Pat
 terson on the same day. Col. Shelby threw out scouts far to the left to create the impression of force marching north westwardly.
 Gen. Marmaduke accompanied Col. Carter's division. and when within 30 miles of Patterson, detached It Col Gddings with force, to move by direct but unrequented route, to surprise the garrison. Twelve miles from Patterson, Col. Gid dings surprised and captured the whole federal picket-a lieutenant and 24 men-moving then for some cause, too slowly, and permitting his ar tillery to open when two miles off, the federal force, under Col Smart, 600 strong, took u alarm and fled to Pilot Knob, burning every thing they could, but leaving large supply of subsistence, and quartermaster's stores. Col. Giddngs pursued the retreating foe seven miles, killing, woundng and capturing number.
 Sheby's and Carter's divisions reached Patter- son on the 2Oth, Shelby having killed and captured 8 or 10 of federal picket he encountered. The two divisions again separated, on the 2lst Carter marching against McNel at Bloomfield, and Shelby to Fredercktown, to cut off McNeil's re- tured dispatches showing that McNel's force would be there on the 22d.
 Gen. NcNeil, after burning large amount of stores, left Bloomfield on the 2lst and learning of Shelby's column, retreated hastily to Cape Girar- deau. Col. Garter pursued him, hoping to inter- cept him, but was prevented by high water and bad roads. On the way, Carter with small detach- ment, charged federal guard of 60 men and cap tured 46.
 While at Fredericktown, Gen. Marmaduke sent detachment of 90 men, under Capts Lineback, Muse and It. Bledsoe, to burn bridge on the Iron Mountain railroad, who, on arriving there. found guard of 25O or 300 Yankees. These they charged and killing, wounding and capturing good many, and succeeded in leaving the bridge in flames. Gallantly done.
 At Cape Girardeau, the two columns united and drove the enemy's pickets and advanced forces into their works but finding them too we'll posted, having four large forts, mounted with heavy guns, field artillery and about 5000 troops, Gen. Mar maduke withdrew and encamped around Jackson. On the night of the 26th large force of cavalry and artillery, under Gen. Vandever. coming to the aid of McNeil, attacked Newton's regiment, on the Jackson and Fredericktown road, and killed two and captured six of his men.
 On the 27th, McNeil having been reinforced by water, Marmaduke found himself between two forces, Vandever on the west and McNeil on the