Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-15
The Campaign in Nj issOuri--Ex-
tracts from "a Letter of B. Il.
Slmps on to his Mother.
PAOLA KANSAS, Dec. 2, 1864

PAoLA KANSAS, Dec. 2, 1864.
My DEAR MOTHER: l concluded the
first leisure time had to write you at
length of the late army operations in this
part of the world in which have been en-
gagged. But | can at best but give you
mere synopsis of tho battles for they sue
ceedGd each other with such rapidity that
they might all be termed one grand engage
ment. We marched from the Border of
Kansas on the 9th October, with about
25O0O cavalry aud one battery, penetrating
tho State Of Missouri nearly one hundred
miles. We came upon the Rebel army un-
der Gen, Price, at the beautiful town Of
Lexington, on the Missouri River, on the
10Th October. We Immediately formed a
line of battle with our two brave Kansas
Regiments, the 18th (my own) and llth,
and McFain's celebrated battery. The ad-
vance of the enemy numbered 5000 men,
these We easily held in check until o'clock,
old. Price developed line Of battle 20, 600
strong, and commenced enveloping our
fanks We fell back in good order, and
wherever the conformation Of the land would
permit planted our battery and made stand.
Wa fought this way until darkness came to
our relief, and the enemy were obliged to
suspend pursuit. That night We retreated
to the Little Blue, miles from Indepen.
dence. where we were reinforced by the
10th Kansas and I'd Colorado, At daylight
next morning, the fight opened with q
ferocity never saw cqualled in the West
ern army. The enemy hurled Brigade after
Brigade against our position, but the Kan
sas blood was up and we could not have
been more ilnmovable if we had been cast
in one of the Wheeling foundries, finally
about II o'clock the whole Rebel army was
moved into osition and sent against us. -
They advanced magnifcsntly in three lines.
They numbered not less than $4,000. Five
as brave regiments as ever pulled trigger
against traitorous foes were compelled to
give back, there was nohurry, no confusion.
About, face-Guide- -Center--march, and
while the Rebel shell burst amongst US, the
bullets falling like rain on the roof, the hope
OF Kansas moved back as coolly as on pa
rade, the Rebels shouted and cheered, twas
the first time Kansas soldier had ever
turned his back to the foe. Regardless of all
order without preserving their alignment,
they hurried forward, shouting and firing
as they came. But all at once Gen. Blunt
ordered the line to about face, present their
faces to the enemy and charge. No order
was ever obeyed more promptly, and the
brave traitors who were teo far in advance
Of their lines paid the forfeit of their temsr-
it,l WITH their lives Charging back
against the lines Of the Rebel army, the
colors Of Ave regiments waved through
mass Of retriating aud terre,-stricken
Southerners, and once more the tide Of
battle rolled in our favor, aud so through
out the day. Pressed back now by superb
ority Of numbers and now turning in per
feet desperation, and charging into the very
center Of the Rebels lines we would scat
ter as chat before the wind. But again the
friendly night put an end to so unequal a
conflict We had fought this day against
such great odds animated by the hope that
Gen. Rosecrsps's forces would attack the
enemy in the rear. But twelve hours Of
such fighting is enough to crowd into a
mans short life. We went into the fght
600 strong, and at dark $50 Of the gallant
18th we're killed or wounded. The other
regiments suffered 10 saUal proportion. The
Rebels were terribly damaged, advancing
With perfect conad dShos expecting bs shs