The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume], September 19, 1862, Image 4

About The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865

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THE INDIAN WAR.
DISPATCH FROM COL. SIBLET.
A Fla AG OF TftllCE,
Little Crow Sends a Message
to Col. Sibley.
STAT WENT OF THE MESSENGERS;
BEPE I* OF COE, SIBE&P.
llVillc Prisoners in the Hands
of the Indians.
Projected Indian Attack on St
Peter and Mankato.
Letters from Missionaries,
&c. &c. &c,
DISPATCH FROM COL. SIBLEY.
Headquarters in Cami\ j.
Near Fort llidgley, Sept. 8, 18G2. J
Adjutant Gen. O. Malmkos, St. Pauls
Sir: —l received dispatches from officers
: at New Ulm, Winnebago Agency, and
from Col. Flandrau at South Bend, last
evening, representing everything to be quiet
in that quarter. On the 6th, I dispatched
Capt. McLarty’s company of the 7th regi.
i meat to New Ulm, at the earnest request
of the people there and iD the vicinity, who
l represented that the settlers had been seized
with a tresb panic, and would leave unless
more troops were sent.
With a view to obtain some knowledge
of the condition of the prisoners, by indu
eing Little Crow to send me some half
breed with whom I could communicate on
the subject, I left a communication for him,
attached to a stake, near the spot where I
interred our men killed in the attack upon
Major Brown’s camp, coached in these
i terms:
| “If Little Crow has any propositions to
make to me let him send a half-breed to me,
and he shall be protected in and out of my
camp.
“ H. H. SIBLEY,
“ Col. Com. Mil. Ex.”
Last evening a mule aDd buggy came into
view from the camp. I immediately dis
j patched the officer of the day to escort the
: occupant or occupants in safety to my tent,
i a white flag having been conspicuously dis
; played from the vehicle. He returned ac~
i companied by Thomas Robertson, son of
the late superintendent of farming and teach
; ers among the Sioux, (oDe-eighth blood,)
and Thomas Robertson, a half breed, son of
a quondam trader of that name. They
brought me a response to my note to Little
i Crow, of which the following is a verbatim
: copy:
“ Yeilow Medicine, Sept. 7th 1862.”
j Dr Sir,
for wbat reason we have commenced
this war I will tell you it is on account of Maj
Galbrait, we made a treaty with the Govern
ment a beg for what little we do get and then
can’t get it till onr children was dieing with
hunger—it was with the traders that commence
j Mr A. J Myrick told the Indians that they
j would eat grass or their own dung. Then Mr
, Forbes told the lower Sioux that were not men
then Robert he was making wih his friends
how to defraud us of our money, if the young
braves have push the white man I have done
| this myself. So I want you to let the governor
Ramsey know this. I have great many pris
\ neer women and children it ain’t all our fault
the Winnebagoes was iu the engagement, two
i of them was killed. I want you to give me
1 answer by the barer all at present
yours truly
his
Friend LIT I'LEX CROW
mark
, Addressed to “Gov H. H. Sibley Esqr’ (
‘‘Fort Ridglej”
I have questioned the two men very
closely with reference to the prisoners,
their number and condition, the loca
tion of the Indian camp, the intention
of the leaders, and state couciseiy the sub
stance of their replies: They say the white
women and children number 10J or more,
that no violence has been offered the for*
j mer, that they are as well taken care of by
j the farmer Indians as circumstances will
j permit, that they are allowed full liberty
during the day, but are guarded at night,
; that ODly one half-breed, L. Sabatbe, was
killed, and he wonld not have been had he
I not resisted. The other half-breeds are kept
: as prisoners, although unguarded. It is
announced to them that if they attempt to
escape, they and their families will be killed.
They have in many instances been forced
to participate in the fights that have oc
curred under penalty of being killed. They
say many of the Sioux, indeed all of the
lower bands, were in favor of giving up
the white prisoners, but one upper Indian
objected, which brought on a general wran
gle among them.
To-day I send back the bearer of the
truce flag with a note in these words:
“Little Crow You have murdered many
of our people without any sufficient cause,
i Return me the prisoners under a flag of truce
; and I will talk with you like a man.
“ H. H. SIBLEY,
“Col. Com. Mil. Exp’n.”
I am very auxious to secure the safety
! of the many prisoners before attacking the
camp, as they will doubtless be placed in
; tbe most exposed situation. The number
I of fighting men among the lower bands is
i 517, according to actual enumeration, of
| Wakpetons about 250. and that they have
been reinforced by 600 men from the Yank
ton and Sissiton bands, and that the Yanc
tons or Cut Heads, will be down as soon as
they arrive from their hunt,
We have therefore to meet, according to
Mr. Riggs, and other competent authority,
2,700 or 2,800 men, and I have from the
beginning, believed and acted upon tbe
couviction, that the lower bands wonld not
attempt to escape, but would make a deter
mined stand. Their in .in camp is at Yel
low Medicine, and it is said by the Robin
sons, that the Upper Sioux have refused to
allow them to go to their country, bat tell
them they must fight where they are.
From what I can gather, I am satisfied
that they will make a desperate fight, and
that we must expect night attacks, am
bushes, aud every epecies of annoyance in
our advance. In view of the great impor
tance of the results of the movements of this
column, and the fact that 1 am without any
disposable force of mouuted men (there are
not more than 60 or 70 left,) I must urge
the absolute necessity of having cavalry
fully armed and equipped to the number of
at least ODe regiment, and tbe infantry
force increased to 2,000 men. This expe
dition, if properly suppled with men and
materials, can crush this emeute at a blow,
and wipe out the murderers, but should it
meet with a repulse, or take the field against
a vigilant and desperate enemy, without
sufficient supplies, no one can foresee the
horrible results. The scouts, as well as
the bearers of tbe flag of truce, assert that
all outlying parties have been called in, in
view of the menacing position of this corps,
and the latter further state, that the party
that attacked Major Brown’s camp consist
ed of 349 men, who left the Yellow Medi
cine with the intention of separating iuto
two colnmns at this point, and simnitane
ously attacking St. Peters and Mankato,
and that they hud no idea of the force which
met and repulsed them being in the neigh
borhood.
I hope tbe Third Regiment will be or
dered to join this column at once, and that
men, and cartridges, and rations, and cloth
ing will be pressed forward with all expe
dition. Let us exterminate these vermin
while we have them together I will re
port to you in my next the amount and de
scription of ammunition on hand, and what
is still wanted.
In accordance with yonr suggestions I
have sent to New Uim 83 muskets of dif
ferent kinds and 2,800 cartridges, which
have been turned over to the Sheriff of the
county for arming the settlers.
I learn from Col. Flandrau, that he
would leave for St. Paul to hurry up rein
forcements and supplies for tbe south side
of tbe river. While I concur iu bis report
of the necessity of adding to his strength,
I hope you will not forget than in all prob
ability this corps must meet tbe main at
tack, and that the Third Regiment, being
discip ined, is indispensible as a nucleus and
an example to the entirely raw officers and
men composing the large majority of the
6th and 7th regiments.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. H. SIBLEY,
Colonel Commanding.
LETTERS FROM INDIAN MISSIONARIES.
LETTER FROM REV. G. H. POND TO GOVERNOR
RAMSET.
Bloomington, September 8, 1862.
Mr. Pond, after ailudiDg to the attack of
the Indians on Captain Grant’s command,
at Birch Coolie, says .
It is a fact that oar troops will always
be in most danger, when they expect it
least. This is not an exaggeration. The
Indians will attack only when we think
them to be “ thirty miles off,” because then
we shall be unprepared for them They
will never risk an attack by day, unless
they feel sure that they are not expected
Ordinarily, they will not be seen by us
during the day which precedes the night of
attack. They will closely watch all our
movements, every day, without beiog seen,
and will know precisely where we encamp
at night. They will be able to describe
our position so accurately that every In
dian who hear 3 it, can approach us pre
cisely at the point he wishes to, in the dark.
They will never once let pass unimproved
an opportunity to shoot ut us in the night
when ice areasleep, and it will make r.o differ
ence to them whether we are one thousand
strong, or only one hundred.
We have to meet them as they are.
Would it not be well to caution year
military officers in relation to these matters ?
It seems to me that our troops should ne
ver take an exposed position for the night,
nor march into one by day, and especially
when no Indians have been seen. Every
encampment should be made with particu
lar reference to an attack. The men should
never be allowed to sleep by their camp
fires, nor in their tents, until they know ab
solutely, tbat there is no danger, and then
they cannot be too cautious. Indeed, I
doubt whether the men ought, under any
circumstances to sleep during the latter
part of the night, and when they do sleep
it should be with the expectation of being
roused by musketry and whizzing bullets,
aDd the groaos of the dying.
They had better sleep on some eminence
by day, and expect an attack by night. It
seems to me tbat it wonld be better to carry
spades than tents, and selecting their place,
throw up a little bank of earth each nighi
for protection. Tents might be of use to
deceive the enemy, and a trap should be set
warily every night.
These thoughts and many better ones in
relation to these matters, may have occur
red to you before, and probably have. If
so, well. I shall feel easier for haviog
written them. I hope you will be able ef
fectually to caution the troops against sur
prises. They evidently need it. He who
fights with Indians mast endure hardness.
Yours, &c. G. H. POND.
LETTER FROM REV. 8. R. RIGGS.
Camp Fort Bidglky, Sept. 8, 1862.
To Governor Alex. Ramsey:
My Dear Sir:—A week ago today, I
reached this place, and was kindly received
by Col. Sibley. I placed in his hands your
communication, and accordingly have been
recognized and appointed by him as Chap
lain of the expedition.
During tbe short time I remained in St.
Paul, and as I passed up and down the
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
river I became pretty well acquainted with
the feeling that there existed in regard to
the expedition, that the movements were
too slow and cantious. I confess that I
sympathized somewhat in this feeling, I
came up with the hope that I should be
able to exert some influence in forwarding
the movement, and especially in securing,
if possible, the safety and liberation of the
captive white women aDd children, to
gether with such half breeds and civil
ized and Christian Indians as have been
forced into their measures, and are really
held in captivity and compelled to
dress like Indians. The night after I bad
reached this camp, a refugee from Big
Stone Lake brought intelligence that Mrs.
Huggins with her children, and Miss Julia
Lapenbrim were then at Loogee’s trading
place, on the North side of the Minnesota,
at the old Mission Station at Lac qui
Parle. My desire was that a detachment
be instantly sent up on this side of the river,
to effect their rescue. Bat the revelations
of Tuesday and Wednesday—the Indians
pitching into aDd catting up so terribly the
camp of those who had gone up as the es
cort of a burial party—fully satisfied me
of the un-wisdom of such a plan as I had
proposed. It did more thaD that—it satis
fied me that the greatest caution and pru
dence are demanded in conducting this cam
paign. At present the Indians have all the
advantage in the war. Their passing with
celerity from place to place on horseback—
their mode of shooting aod flying—their
perfect knowledge of the country, its ra*
vines and hidiDg plains—their bushwhack
ing and ambushing—all give them a deci
ded advantage in fighting with our troops.
The lesson we hive learned at Birch
Coolie, will not, I trust, be soon forgotten.
Wisdom should bejustilied by her children.
In looking at the past and the present, I
am satisfied tbat Col. Sibley has acted
wisely in not advancing until he is well pre
pared for ofience ar.d defence. The safety
oi his command require it. He is anxious
to go forward at tbe earliest practicable
moment. At the same time this necessary
delay for ammunition is likely to work good
in regard to the prisoners. If so, we shall
none of us regret it.
I am yours very truly,
Wisconsin Chippewas Want
to Fight the Sioux.
LETTER FROM TWO CHIEFS TO GOV.
RAMSEY.
Eon du Lac, St. Louis Reservation, )
Sept. 2, 18G2. f
His Excellency Governor of Minnesota :
We the undersigned, Chiefs of the Chip*,
pewas of Lake Superior, do petition,
through you, to the President of the United
States, the Great Father, as hereinafter set
forth :
My Father, we have heard, and do hear
every day, through our children, the half
breeds, who are more enlightened than we
are, that you are in trouble; that you have
been in trouble with your own people; and
that they are very strong. We hear that
one of yonr Bed children has taken up the
knife and tomahawk against you ; that they
have killed and murdered both meD,
women and children. They have destroyed
everything they could lay their bauds on.
They are blind; they do not appreciate
yonr kindness. The Great Spirit looks
down on tbat people with vengeance. We
raise the spirit of the Chippewa enemies to
aveDge the wroDgs perpetrated on their
white brethren. My Father, you know that
he is our enemy, therefore we beg tbat you
give ns a chance to show you that we are
your friends and wish to serve you, to help
you to preserve peace aDd tranquility among
your children. We are willing to go and
help you to put down the evil spirit ef my
old enemy Give us an opportunity to show
you that we are loyal to the Great Fat er
and to his laws, and that we appreciate his
ktDdnes3 towards us. We think that our
Great Father has euough to do down South
for his soldiers; let him seDd them down
there, and send us to fight our red enemy
We are ready to go; provide us the means
aDd we will go. We are willing to obey or
ders, aud be led by a white Captain, but
on tbe battle field we var.tour own cap
tains end fight in our own mode of fight
ing. Pay our txpenses and provide for our
families while we are gone. We also wish
to raise our men in our own way, as we
have been accastomod to raising men for a
“War Party.” We also think that it
would be just an 1 right if we should whip
them tbat their annuities should be paid to
those that would go and fight. My Father
give us your consent, and we will get the
Lake Superior Chippewas, with our half
breed children, to rise “eo masse” to your
help. Provide us with arms and ammuni
tion, and we are ready. My Father, the
door is opened for me to help you, shut it
not again to my face. We are willing to
go. Our Fathers have drove them from
this country, aod if you had not come be
tween us we would have chased him still
farther. Oar youDg men are anxious to go
and show yon that we are yonr frieDds.
We know that we cannot do and drill like
your soldiers, because we do not understand
each other—our talk is different. We
wonld offer you oar services as well to fight
your own people down were it not for that,
bat send as against oar own color and we
can fight. You will please answer and ad
dress to
JOSEPH GURROL, Bayfield, Wis,
NAW-GAW-NUB, Chief.
SHIN-GWACK, Chief.
—Clarksville, on tbe Tennessee river was
retaken on Monday. Col. Lowe with 700
troops left Fort Donelson on Sunday for
Clarksville, and early Monday morning,
just as they came near the town, they were
met aDd attacked by the confederates num
bering 1,500. A slight engagement ensued
in which the rebels were worsted aod inglo
rioußly fled, leaving twenty-five of their
number prisoners in our hands. The fed
eral troops here took possession of Clarks
ville without further opposition.
THE LATE BATTLES,
THE FIRST MINNESOTA II THE
POSITION OF HOSOR.
SEDGWICK’S DIVISION PROTECTS
THE RETREAT.
In the long accounts oi the retreat from
Centreville on Monday, Sedgwick’s Divi
sion, and the brigades of Generals Gorman
and Dana, are handsomely mentioned, as
having protected the retreat on Washing
ton. We copy from the Iribune :
Ou Monday, there was no fight till to*
ward evening. GeD. Howard, commanding
the Ist Brigade of Gen. Sedgwick’s divi
sion, made an armed reconnoisance on a
road leading northward from Centreville to
Stuart’s house, on the Little River turn*
pike. Gen. Sedgwick supported the move
ment with GeD. Gorman’s brigade. Near
the junction of the roads they came upon
the enemy’s cavalry pickets. The latter re
fused to be driven in, but opened a rapid,
scattering fire on General Howard and his
escort, who were in the advance. The en
emy were finally compelled to unmask a
line of battle extending along the turnpike
and in the woods nearly two miles, devel
oping cavalry and artillery, beside iDfaDtry.
It became evident that they were holding
tbe position to the right in force, or mov
ing by that road in heavy columns. In
consequence of Gen. Howard’s discoveries,
Gen. Kearney was sent to the support of
Gen Reno, who with his divisions held the
extreme right of our position.
I’be battle which followed in the evening
was fought during a storm of rain and light
ning and thunder, so severe tbat the cannon
ading was not heard at the front. Riding
at the time on a reconnoissance some miles
away with another General, I heard nothing
of the fight till it was over.
Fairfax next morning was a scene of ap
parently hopeless coniusion. Positions were
held on every side of it, and brigades were
marching to all points. Germantown was
held by General Dana’s brigade. Hart
suff’s was also in the rear. Their troops
were complaiDiDg for want of food, the only
hard usage which no soldier bears without
grumbling. Hooker held his ground to the
right and in rear of the town. Porter,
Sumner and Sige were sent out on the Vi
enna road to Flint Hill, and lay under
arms io the fields till the middle of tbe
afternoon. Here, if anywhere today, was
to be the battle.
No gun was fired till three o’clock. Tbe
rebels then observed trains moving out on
the road from Fairfax, which they knew
must accompany columns in that direction,
and opened suddenly with two sections of
artillery. Their shot flew wide, and got no
reply. Before the cannonade began, Por
ter was well on his way through Vienna,
and the colnmns of Sigel were filing along
the edge of the woods by the road. Sum
ner marched last, and of his corps General
Sedgwick’s division brought up the rear.
Sumner’s excellent corps had already
marched seventy-two miles since Friday—
had been on the road four nights in succes
sion, and had earned the right to be thor
oughly tired. They moved none the less
with promptness and precision. General
Sumner, a veteran soldier whom every one
trusts, sat on horseback, with his Staff, on
a hill tbat commanded the ground, watch
ing the movement of his troops, enjoying
the spectacle of their regular aud orderly
march as ODly a true soldier can. They
moved in three columns, all the wagons and
artillery in the road, with intervening brig
ades ol infaDtry, and infantry marching by
brigades of fours on either flaok. Away
towards Fairfax a house was burning bril
liantly—clouds of black smoke and flame
together. The rebels reopened with can
non as the brigades of Sedgwick’s division
started, but still were out of range. A road
through the woods to the left, which offered
a chance to brfog up guns to Flint Hill,
where the roads aud fields for some distance
in front are commanded, was blocked up by
felling trees across it, and tbe division then
moved on. There was a single regiment of
cavalry on the rear, which came, no doubt,
with the best intentions, but entirely failed.
Col. Sully, with the Ist Minnesota, was
ordered by Gen. Sedgwick to hold the hill
neat beyond the one from which the rebel
shots were coming, and to halt for a quarter
of an hour. Gen. Howard was soon after
ordered to take command of four regiments
and cover the retreat. With the 19th Massa
ebusetts, the Ist Minnesota, tbe 106th and
72d Pennsylvania, and a section of Tomp
kins's Battery, he baited at every eminence
commsßdiDg tbe road, and waited the rebel
attack till the rear of tbe column was well
on its way beyond.
The rebels pursued not more than a mile
and a half. About a hundred and fifty
cavalry showed themselves near the battery
just at dusk. They were instantly dis
p; rsed by a volley from the Ist Minnesota,
and a couple of shell from Capt. Tompkins.
While marchiDg away from the cannon
ade the troops moved briskly—once or twice
rapidly , but were kept steadily in their
ranks without difficulty. Gen. Sumner and
Gen. Sedgwick kept in tbe rear so long as
the firing lasted, and the constant personal
snpervision of the latter kept his column in
the most admirable order.
“That’s What’s the Matterl” —We
have at last found out tbe origin of this
popular phrase. A friend of oars who had
been absent all summer, returning a few
days since, called upon an estimable lady
friend. He was surprised to find her con
fined to a sick bed. After tbe salutations
were over, our friend remarked: “Why,
Mrs. , I am very sorry to find yon ill,
wbat is tbe matter?” Quickly reaching
over to the back of tbe bed, the invalid
turned down the coverlid, disclosing a beau
tiful infant, wrapped in the embrace of the
rosy god, and said triumphantly, “ that's
what’s the matter/”—La Crosse Democrat.
—Senator Fessenden has been successful
iD recovering the body of his son, who was
killed in tbe recent engagement at Bull
Run.
IMPORTANT ARMY NEWS
Rebels Attempt to Hecross
the Potomac.
REPULSED BY GEN. KEYES.
llcOlcllau After .Vacksoit.
Army of tlie Peninsula on
the March.
OUR ARMY IN LINE OF BATTLE.
REBEES JflOPMJra WEST.
Turning Tkeir Backs on Balti
more aud Washington.
SHARP CAVALRY SKIRMISHES.
Washington, September 10.—An officer,
just arrived from Poolesvile, which place he
left early on Wednesday morniDg, states
that a large party of Stuart’s cav airy came
down to Edward’s Ferry, with the intention
ol recrossing to tbe Virginia side ; and that
they were repulsed by our forces, under
General Keyes, who had previously occu
pied the place. The rebels retreated to.
wards Frederick again, with the loss of from
80 to 100 of their force takea prisoners.
Rockville, Md., Sept. B.—Today mat
ters here are assuming a more warlike ap
pearance. Tbe corps of Generals Banks
and Snmner passed through here last night,
w’thout creating much excitement.
This morniDg the Commanding-General
himself, accompanied by his staff, galloped
up to tbe principal hotel in tbe village, and
made inquiries which led to the supposition
that movements of great importance were in
progress. Following General McClellan
came cavalry, artillery and infantry in great
numbers, and they are still coming.
The whole Army of the Peninsula seemed
to be on the march in this direction.
If reports this morning are true, we shall
need it all in this vicinity.
Jackson is said to have established his
headquarters at Frederick, 28 mi!e3 distant.
Hill is reported to be at Poolsville. The
whole army is said to be marching on Har
risburg.
McClellan's presence leads many to sup
pose be is to assume tbe offensive at once,
and attack the enemy in the rear.
Our army has been drawn up in line of
battle for the pa c t three days about three
miles from this place.
It covers the roads to Poolsville aDd to
Frederick, and when McClellan is ready a
column will probably move down both of
these roads and assume the offensive.
About seven o’clock last night (Monday),
two companies of the 4th regular cavalry,
B aud F, were out on a reconnoisance,
when they surprised, or thought they did,
about 70 or 80 of the enemy near a piece
of woods in the vicinity of Poolsville.
They immediately charged them, but
from all around rose up infantfv and caval
ry the number of 1,500.
Our men were almost upon them before
they could check their horses.
Two field pieces were drawn out of the
woods, and several rounds fired, our men
faliiog back, and retreating to their re
serves.
They enemy declined following. Seven
were wounded on our side, three or four
mortally.
I hear this morning that the enemy have
taken possession of some of tbe important
points on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
The Tribune says editorially : “The latest
public intelligence is tbat the army is con
centrating at Rockville, but from private
information we learn that a division of the
force is made with reference to future move
ments.”
Senator Lane and other prominent lodi
anians, who were here a few days ago on a
mission from Gov. Morton, have returned
with “ No” for an answer.
Gov. Morton has authority to arm aDd
uniform new regiments, and form bis staff,
making requisitions directly, instead of thro’
the General Government, and to select tbe
Generals to lead the same.
The Baltimore American of yesterday
says, “The intelligence we give this morn
ing indicates the admission that the rebel
army had taken a western route towards
Hagerstown.”
When the enemy moves towards Hagers
town be is virtually turning his back on
Baltimore and Washington, and moving to
a point where be can reach tbe Potomac at
Williamsport by a march of but seven
mies, and while his infantry has partly
moved west, his cavalry is soourmg towards
the border of York, Pa.
Statements received from correspondence
of New York papers, as to the force of tbe
rebels baviDg crossed into Maryland, entire
ly disagree with accounts tbat have been
received here from fugitives from Frederick
county. No one who has arrived here
speaks of having seen more than 15,000.
Washington, Sept. 10.—It is said that
Haleck states that tbe defenses of Wash
ington are so complete as to render its
captare impossible.
Cassias M. Clay is here. The report
that he intends resigning bis commission as
Brigadier General is incorrect. He report
ed himself for duty today, at the War De
partment, and is now awaitiDg orders. It
is understood that he will be appointed
temporarily to an important command in
the army now in this vicinity, preparatory
to beiog assigned to a command west of
th i Mississiippi.
New York, Sept 10.—Correspondents
of the city journals give the following ac
count of the recapture of Poolsville :
Two regimeots of cavalry, under Colonel
Farnsworth, and a section of artillery,
drove out the cavalry and artillery of the
enemy on the 3d.
The cavalry charged on a battery which
was posted on tbe summit of a hill. The
rebels got their guns out of the way, but
lost six prisoners.
I be Indiana regiment lost three men and
twenty horses. The rebels began crossing
the Potomac on Thursday, for the west, at
the Monocacy, from which point they swept
dowu the Maryland shore below fords and
ferries opposite Leesburg, driving before
them small squads of cavalry which were
watching the river. The enemy had advan
ced on Friday to Poolesviile, and moved
out iu some force.
On this side there were part of three
companies of the first Massachusetts cav
alry in their front.
Observing the rebels approaching, they
formed in line by platoons, and by their
steadiness of front and skillful disposition
delayed the rebel advance for hours, and
finally Gen. Lee sent nine miles to the rear
for artillery to disperse the force he suppo
sed to be in front of him Our men were
of course compelled to retire, and as soon
as their movement in columns detected the
weakness ol their force the rebel cavalry
gathered heart and came on at the charge.
There was nothing for it but to get off as
rapidly as possible The road had been
clear in running and was counted on for an
unobstructed retreat, but while manoeuver
ing in front had consumed the day, some
Maryland traitor bad piled stones at the
worst places on the road in such quantities
that the horses at a gallop could not fail
to go down.
Enveloped in clouds of dust the head of
the retreating column came down the read
at speed, and pluDging into the rocks, men
j aDd horses together fell in confusion and
piled over one another in heaps. The reb
els were close upon them and those who
were down could do nothing but surrender.
The rebels began firing into and killing
our men.
Some of them were crashed under their
struggling horses.
Oapt. Chamberlain, whose horse had fal
len upon him, shouted to the rebel leader
that bis men were helpless, aud firing was
ordered to cease.
Capt. Motley and Capt. Welles, with
loss of their men, escaped.
Capt. Chamberlin with about twenty
men, was captured
All were liberated next day on parole.
Tbe men were sent off.
Gen. Lee made them a speech, advising
them never to take up arms again to sub
jugate the South, declaring that there are
and must be two confederacies on this con
tinent.
Capt. Chamberlin had a long conversa
tion with Fitzhugh Lee aDd Stuart, and re
ports their cavalry forces as very large.
The citizens ol Poolesviile fired lrom their
houses on our retreating cavalry as they
passed along the streets.
The rebels, considering Maryland a part
off Jefi. Davis’s dominions, treat all Union
citizens as traitors, and at the same time
levy contributions upon them as enemies.
Philadelphia, Sept. 11.—The Inquirer,
of this city, has a special dispatch from
Poolecville, which says that our troops oc
cupy Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Harrisburg, 12 p. m., Sept. 10.—A
State messenger has sent intelligence
amounting in substance to tbe following :
He reached a position on the mountain
above Frederick, and by means of a glass
saw all that was gomg on in town. There
was a movement of troops in progress in the
direction of Middletown and Booneboro.
Some of the farmers informed him tbat a
forward movement began at three o’clock
this morniDg. The rebels are supposed to
be about 20,000 strong.
He saw three regiments of infantry and
one of cavalry, and eighteen cannon at
Boods borough.
Tbe soldiers looked ragged, shoeless and
hatlees
Washington, Sept. 10.—The last of tbe
wounded at Centreville, 250 in number, ar
rived here to day.
About fifty places are occupied in and
about Wushington and Alexandria for hos*
pital purposes.
The action yesterday, of the Bth Illinois
cavalry was with 800 of Colonel Ashby’s
old cavalry.
It took place between Poolesviile and
Darneßtown. The rebels had 150 killed
and wounded, including one captain.
This forenoon Farnsworth again met a
portion of them at Clarksburg, and took
30 prisoners. They have already arrived
at headquarters.
Harrisburg, Sept. 11.—The rebels, it is
presnmed, have arrived at some point on
the Northern Central Railroad, as the tele
graph line has been tampered with, and the
words “Damned Yankee,” heard by the op
erator here.
General Wool has been assigned to the
command of all the troops of the Sosque
hannah.
Within 24 hours 20,000 men will be in
Cumberland Valley, and before Jackson
can reach Chambersbnrg, he will be re
quired to meet and overcome 50,000 Penn
sylvania yeomanry.
NEWS FROM UTAH.
Salt Lake, Sept. 10.—James Forbes,
just arrived from Snake River, reports that
tbe trains were attacked by tbe Indians at
Sublett’s Cat Off, three hundred miles north
of this place. Fifteen or twenty persons,
including women and children, were killed.
Fonr parties have arrived here, within the
fast week, having been driven back by the
ndiaos. One party of twelve bad five
wouDded io a fight with a small body be
longing to tbe Snake tribe. Tbe Snakes,
Bannocks and Shosbonos, all well armed
with rifles and revolvers, are determined to
prevent emigrants going into tbs Salmon
River country.
Colonel Connor reached here last night.
The overland mails arrive and depart regu
larly.
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