Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-07
WAR DEPARTMENT, }
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct. Z, 1861. {

WASHINGTON CITY, Oct. z, 1861.
Major General Dir, New York.
In recent dispatch it was mentioned tina
General Sherman was taking measures to pro-
tect his communications from the rebel forces
operating against them. Dispatches received
last night show the tulflment OF this eXpecta
ton. Major General George H. Thomas was
sent TO Nashville to organize the troops in his
district and drive Forrest from our lines, while
the attention of General Sherman was directed
to the movements OF the main rebel army in the
vicinity of Atlanta.
On the 4th Of October, the Rebels had cap
tured Big Shanty but were followed closely
up by Sherman. On the 9th q severe engage
mentwas fought by our forces under General
John E. Smith, and the rebel forces unde,
General French, in which the rebels were
driven from the field with heavy loss, lea wins
their dead and wounded in our hands. Details
are given in the following dispatch from GEM
Thomas:
"NAsHvILLR, TENN, II 80 p. M, Oct. S, 1861
Hon. Edwin N. Stanton, Secretary of War The
following telegram just received from Chatta.
nooga: General Smith, who left here yester.
day, 5th instant, telegraphs that the enemy re.
treated last evening from Altoona, moving in
the direction OF Dallas, leaving his dead and
from four to six hundred wounded In our
hands. Our loss about one hundred killed and
two hundred wounded. Railroad bridge near
Ringgold washed away yesterday.
Gas. b. MOORE, A. A. GU
ssThe Resacca bridge will be repaired by to-
morrow, and the trains will be able to run as
far as Alatoona, going via Cleveland and Dial.
ton.
'Nothing further has been heard from Sher-
man since my dispatch Of yesterday; but the
retreat Of the enemy towards Dallas indicates
~ hn aI@
toona. Have not heard from General Rosseau
or Washburne to-day, but presume that they
are pushing Forrest rapidly as the condition
OF the roads will admit. We have had heavy
ana continuous rains for the last five DAVIS,
rendering the roads and streams almost fmnas
SABLE. have just received the following dis.
patch from General Granger, dated Huntsville
Top m. 9Th:
"The courier reported drowned crossing Elk
river is in. He lost the dispatches while eros.
sing the river. He reports that two rebels were
captured yesterday, who say that they left
Forrest at Lawrenceburg the night before, eros
sing South.
sGeneral Morgan's advance was skirmish
ing with the enemy this a. m. ON Shaw's Creek,
he being unable to cross the creek on account
OF high water. He hopes to be able to cross to-
morrow morning, when he will push them still
further on.
"The Alabama Railroad will be repaired from
here to Pulaski in one week.
GEORGE H. THOMAS, Major General
Another and unofficial despatch reports as
follows:
"Telegraph repaired to Allatoona to-day
The action yesterday was severe-French at
lacking with his division, seven thousand
strong, and suffering heavily, leaving his
killed and wounded in our hands, to The mum.
Der Of one thousand, while we lost only three
hundred. Fight lasted six hours altogether.
"From Florence we learn that Morgan has
Forrest cornered, has captured his transporta-
ton, and that the gunboats prevent all retreat
across the Tennessee.
Satisfactory reports Of the operations In pro-
gress before Richmond and Petersburg, have
been received, but their details are not at pres
emit proper for publication.
A despatch from Gen. Stevenson reports an
officer OF Sheridan's staff Just arrived. Gen
Sheridan was still at Harrisonburg. His sup
ply trsins were gong on all right, occasionally
interrupted by guerrilla parties, the only rebel
force on the road.
This officer brought in the remains Of Lieut..
John R. Meigs, of the Engineer Corps, (and
only son of Srevet Maj. Gen MeIgs, Quarter
master Generally who was killed by BUSH
whackers on Monday last while makinga mill
itary survey. In the death of this gallant
young officer the Department has occasion to
deplore no ordinary loss. Last year he gradu-
ated at the military academy at West Point
with the highest honors, at the head Of his
class; was commissioned as lieutenant of
engineers, and Immediately sent into the
field. He performed mertorious and dis.
tinguished services during the campaigns of
last year on the fortidcations at Baltimore, at
Harper's Ferry and at Cumberland, and was
made chief Er gineer In the Army Of the Shen.
andoah. In the campaigns he accompanied the
army under Sigel, Hunter and Sheridan. In
every position he gave proof of great profess
sional skill, personal courage and devoted
patriotism. One of the youngest and brightest
ornaments of the military profession, he has
fallen an early victim to murderous rebel war.
fare.
Gen. RosecranZ reports that "Gen. Ewing
made good his retreat to Rolla, losing only a
few stragglers and the killed and wounded BY
the way, which were very few. From the
number Of wounded (rebels), the enemy's loss
will not fall much short of a thousand hors du
combat"
EDWIN M STANTON, Secretary Of War.
THE SOLDIERS VoTE.-The admirable order
Of Secretary Stanton, designed to insure to the
soldiers full opportunity to exercise the cleo
tive franchise, EFFORTS praise from even the