The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-15
PRICES INVASION OF MISSOURI,


ReIiabIe Account of ROsecEans' Opera
tiORs Against the Enemy-CavaIry
Operations of MRiOr-GenerRI PIeRsou.
tOn-Infantry Cooperation of Major
General A. ,. .SmIth-Number of Prices
Army, and his LOsses-UniOm Losses
and Result of the Campaign.
Sr. LOUIS, November lO.-Since the month OF
Nay last it was well understood that Price would
invade Missouri, but it was believed that the
militia, assisted by whatever troops could be
spared from Arkansas, would be sufficient to
either repe him or prevent him from infictng
any considerable amount of damage on the State,
for almost all the troops then under Mai0r-Gene-
raj Rosecrans were ordered away to assist Sher-
man in Georgia.
This, as a matter of course, left General Rose.
Grams pretty much at the mercy of circumstances
and he was obliged to do the best he could, and
reap honor or dishonor with very dull tools. He
had hve important posts and depOts to protect
viz. st. Louis, Pilot Knob, Rolia, Springfield,
and Jefferson City. Price had at least 10000
lsome estimates place his force ut 25000) effective
men, with three hundred wagons Of ammunition
and eight pieces of artillery.
He crossed the Arkansas IN perfect safety, under
diversion made in his favor by Shelby, behind
Steele, and concentrated at Batesville. From that
point there were three of invasion through
West Plains to Rolla; by Pocahontas to Pilot
Knob; or up White river to Springfield. He
chose that by Pocahontas, perhaps because 1t
led more directly to st. Louis, as il has already
been demonstrated by the battle in the Arcadia
valley that Price was there with his main force,
If not his entire army, and intended dashing upon
this city.
The official report of Brigadier- General Thomas
Ewing will better show this, however, and il need
not be argued here. He could strike either st.
Louis or Rolla once at Pilot Knob and the addi-
honal advantage may have decided him to invade
oy the Pocahontas route. Every preparation
that could be was made but 1t was evident to the
General commanding that assistance must be had
nom without and he requested that the division
under Major General A. j. Smith, just arrived
At Cairo, on its way to Georgia, be sent to Mis-
souri,
This was complied with, and the Sd Division
Aoth Army Corps, was sent up TO Jefferson Bar
racks just about the time Price was entering tn
State. Generals Washburn at Memphis am
Steele, at Little Rock, had earlier information o
Prices movements than General ROsecrans, 81
the former ordered Movers Division, includinc
2500 cavalry under Colonel Winsow, from Mem.
Price.
AS soon as Price appeared in Southwest Mis-
souri,, IL was not certain what route he would
take, or whether he would divide his force but it
was at once determined by General Rosecrans 70
occupy the whole length Of the Iron Mountain
railroad, and TO prevent getting around and strik-
ing St. Louis. The stores at Pilot Knob were
saved and sent hither by General Ewing, and that
officer instructed to hold the enemy long enough
to determine If his whole force was there. As
soon as that was definitely Rscertaned, Mcneil
at Rola, and Sanborn at Springfield, were ordered
10 gather in all the property, and the latter TO
take all his cavalry 10 ROla, and TO make such
necessary leves as the situation demanded. In
the meantime Brown was ordered to concentrate
with Fisk az Jefferson City, and place il in state
or oeten'e, Tor the enemys main force was ascer-
tanned 10 be moving on it as rapidly as possible.
AS soon as SanbOrn reached ROlla, he and
Mcneil were ordered 10 Jefferson City, as wcs
FISK, so that when Price reached the Usage bridge,
he found before him the combined forces of those
officers, and adequate defenses 70 hold the city
against any attack he could make. He forced
the passage OF the Usage, and demonstrated on
the capital, but finding it more defensible than
he anticipated, he turned his forces westward,
and hasteued 70 BOonyille
General Fisk was the ranking officer at JeiIer-
son City, and might have made a better thing OF
his opportunity, If he had had sufficient military
skill and experience % sally forth and attack
Price as he reueated. Fortunately, at this time
Pleasonton arrived and assumed command. He
sent Sanborn out on the pursuit at once, and
waited for Winslow's Cavalry to pursue in per-
son. Price reached Boonville with Sanborn on
his rear. lie crossed the Lemoine, burned the
bridge, and then went 70 Glasgow, where he COB
bled mp Colonel Harding and part Of his regi-
ment, the 43d, twelve months men.
And now commenced the brilliant cavalry
operations OF Major General PleasOntOn. The
cavalry, about 5000 strong, with eight Rodman
guns, were concentrated at Sedaia, and on the
morning of the 18th of September he placed him
self at their head, and commenced the pursuit.
The movement would have taken place sooner,
but the troops had 10 be marched overland, owing
10 the low stage of water in the Missouri. They
reached the line Of the Blackwater having
marched by way of Jefferson city and Upton,
and felt for the enemy in the direction of Mar
shal, Wayerly, and Lexington.
After severe days march, A. j. Smith also
reached the line of the Blackwater and was
within supporting distance Of Pleasonton on the
ooh but the latter, finding the enemy gone, by
rapid march reached Wellington on the Dist, and
Smith reached Lexington the same morning.
The action of the pursuit became more eYentful
at this time, for the enemy had reached the Blue
river, and seemed determined to contest its pas
page. He had three guns in position, and received
Pleasonton's advance with determined fire.
Two brgades, Sanborns and McNolls, were
thrown forward and a charge made on the
enemys line. He yielded after loss of three
guns and number of prisoners. He was driven
through Independence, where he left his wounded,
and several dead unbured. Browns and Wins
lows brigades coming up, were ordered to take
the advance. WinsOW engaged the enemy all
night fighting him over six miles of road. Brown
was ordered 70 attack in the morning. This he
failed to do and was relieved, and his command
transferred 20 Colonel Phillips. He opened the
attack, and fight Of five hours at Barry's Ford
took place, resulting in the enemy being forced
10 retreat on the HaIrisonyille road. The divi-
sions Of Marmaduke and Pagan were engaged.
Shelby was engaging Blunt.
While this was going on, the infantry under
Major General A. j. Smith had marched 70
Chapel Hill in order 70 strike the enemy's line of
retreat, as il was believed 10 be southward by way
of Hickman's Mills. 1t was expected that he
would move so rapidly that Smith would have 20
go still further down, but early In the afternoon
smith received dispatches requiring him 10 assist
.Pleasonton at Independence, as II was believed
by all that Price would give battle thereabouts.
Smith started and arrived at Independence at
1--WE o'clock p. NJ, 22d, TOO late of course 10 get
his hand In, for Price did not give battle, and
Pleasonton had already driven him south on the
Fort Scott road.
Shelby was driving Blunt towards ansas City
but the line he moved on lay across that Of
fleasentOn, and brought the latter on his right
nAnk, compelling him 20 turn sOuthward, on the
Fort scott road, vigorously pursued. That night