The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-10-27
THEY ARE In FULL RETREAT.
OUR CAVALRY AFTER THEM.
The War in Missouri.
St. Louis. Oct. %, 1861.

flank, when | gave HIM heavy blows TOT
several hours. | have heard firing In the
East, and just recided messenger from
Gen. Pleasanton who is fighting on the
other side. ~
Leayeuworth papers of the Goth furn-
ish the following:
Gen. Blunt, with 1000 cavalry and
four howitzers, entered Lexington on
Tuesday. On Wednesday Price attacked
him with an overwhelming force, and af
ter sharp fight drove him from the city.
Blunt fell back to the Little Blue River,
fighting desperately and retarding the ad-
vance of the enemy. On Thursday and
Friday skirmishing continued between
the Little and Big Blue.
Yesterday something of an engagement
seems to have occurred between the main
force of Price and Curtis, but the locality
of the battle is not known or has anything
been received at headquarters here since
Curtis's dispatch of last night. Blunt
lost about 80 men in the fight of We'd
nesday.
Gen. Pleasanton is believed to be Co
operating with Curtis aud Rosecrans, and
\. J. Smith is near by
Kansas City, No, Oct. %, 1861.
The fight yesterday between the Little
Blue River and independence, was very
gallant affair. We fought Prices entire
army five hours. McLean's Colorado
Battery silenccd the Rebel guns.
Col. Hoyt made a gallant sabre charge
with battalion of the 18th Kansas
The I'd Colorado lost sixty killed and
wounded Among the former is Major
Smith, commanding the Regiment. Our
total loss was over 400.
We evacuated Independence, falling
back on the Big Blue. The militia have
arrived This morning We hold the line
of the Big Blue. General Curtis, Blunt
and Doe.tler were OH the ground.
About 10 O'Clock this morning Gel.
Jennison, with the 10Th Kansas and sew
eral guns, was attacked at Byron Ford by
heavy column of the enemy At about
2 O'Clock in the afternoon the Rebels
forced the ford, Jennison falling back to-
ward Crestport and the State line.
Col. Moonlight went to his assistance.
Both commands got separated from the
main force A portion of the Kansas
militia fought near Picknow's Mills, but
were compelled to retreat, and falling
back to Shawneetown, the main body OF
the militia marched to Kansas City,
where their headquarters are now
They occupy entertainments aud are in
good spirits.
Coils. Jennisor Moonlight and Major
Hart: witn Gen. Curtis's body guard
fought the enemy until after dark, driv-
,ng them four miles over an open prairie.
Our loss was inconsiaerable, that of the
Rebels more than 400. We captured
$50 stand Of arms, and took prisoner the
Rebel Capt. Van Valkenburg, brother Of
the New-York Congressman
Jennison aud Moonlight are at the
State line. Price is at Wagon Farm,
moving rapidly in three columns at sun
down
\ message has been received from
Gen. Plcasanton stating that ne was press
ing Price with twenty thousand men, he
had fought them on the field of yester
day, drove them from Independence, and
was pursuing them sharply. Price is head
ing for Kansas, and may cross the State
line on his retreat We move i'll Olathe
soon.
Our rear had sharp skirn,ish with the
Rebels at the Big Blue this evening, cap
turing ii and killing l.
Kansas, City, Oct. %, 1861.
A general battle has heen fought and a
victory won. Prices whole army is re-
ported to be retreating rapidly South
Our cavalry is in hot pursuit, altogether
with Pleasantons force numbering 1900
men only.
The enemy may strike for Fort Scott,
but will be too closely followed to do much
damage. Pleasanton closed yesterdays
battles at Independence by capturing
large number of prisoners and three pie
ces Of artillery. This morning our line
was formed five miles South Of Kansas
City, on the West Point Road.
Skirmishing continued several hours,
when tho whole force advanced and heavy
lighting ensued. The enemy rapidly fell
back and formed a new line mile and
half from the first position. An artille-
y engagement succeeded, our infautry
meanwhile slowly advancing. Fighting
vas kept up for ten miles from this point,
.he enemy gradually falling back.
Pleasanton then came in on our left
md grand charge followed, resulting in
he total route of the enemy
When our informant left the front our
whole cavalry was in vigorous pursuit,
he infantry following them.
Gen. Blunt had command of the vol. |
lnteer force on the left, and Gen. bet
eler that in the center, composed of mi
tia, who behaved gallantly.
The I'd Colorado Volunteers, Colonel
ford, in the thickest of the fight, made
everal brilliant charges.
Gen. Detseler, Gov. Kearney and Gen
jurtls were constantly with the advance.
Our loss was not heavy; that of the