the approach of an enemy. An hour and a half | short time, came in this afternoon, and report was passed in the above condition of things, that they were informed by a private who was when suddenly two companies of Federal caval- in the rebel ranks during the fight, that they ry, under command of Captains Montgomery and lost sixty in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Switzler, led by Major Wright, advanced over These informants also state that John Dell, a the brow of the hill, in the rear of the rebels, wealthy farmer, near the mouth of the Big and, plunging forward to within one hundred Piney, but obnoxious in consequence of his paces, delivered a murderous volley, which Union sentiments, was arrested yesterday by scattered the rebels like chaff before the wind. Lieutenant Stewart, of the Pulaski Rangers, and They fled precipitately up the ravine toward sent on to Lebanon. Lebanon, tearing through the brush in a perfect

rout.

A number of saddles were emptied, and horses were galloping riderless about the field. They were taken so completely by surprise that they had hardly time to return a few straggling shots. A voice was heard bellowing forth in the brush, "Why the hell don't you stand and fight?" The action was over in five minutes; it was a dash-a gleam of fire on the Union side, and a wild scamper for life on the other side. The latter were last seen running over a hill half a mile distant. Mr. Burns and some of the drivers then ascended an eminence, and, discovering the Union cavalry, threw up their hats and shouted for the latter to come up. The troops gave a return shout and came up. All were mutually surprised and elated by the result. Three rousing cheers were given with a will that made the welkin ring, for the glorious Stars and Stripes. Even the cripples participated in the demonstration, and tears of joy filled their eyes in view of their fortunate deliverance from further perils.

Our men had taken thirty prisoners. It was supposed that from twenty to twenty-five of the enemy were killed, but as our informants had to move forward, they could not ascertain the facts more definitely. Major Wright in

Cavalry officers engaged.-Major Wright, Captain Montgomery, Captain Switzler.

Doc. 83.

PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
THE following is the correspondence which
took place between General Polk and General
Grant in reference to an exchange of prisoners:
HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
WESTERN DEPARTMENT.

}

To the Comm'ng Officer at Cairo and Bird's Pt.:

I have in my camp a number of prisoners of the Federal army, and am informed there are prisoners belonging to the Missouri State troops in yours. I propose an exchange of these prisoners, and for that purpose send Captain Polk, of the Artillery, and Lieutenant Smith, of the Infantry, both of the Confederate States Army, with a flag of truce, to deliver to you this communication, and to know your pleasure in regard to my proposition.

prisoners effected on the third of September, The principles recognized in the exchange of between Brigadier-General Pillow, of the Confederate Ariny, and Colonel Wallace, of the United States Army, are those I propose as the basis of that now contemplated.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK, Major-General Commanding. To which communication General Grant forwarded the following reply:

HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT }

formed Mr. Burns that he saw sixteen dead
bodies near one place, and several more were
lying around. Our camp was four miles from
the scene of the battle. It was learned that a
skirmish had taken place between the pickets
Saturday night, and at break of day an expedi-
tion, consisting of four companies of cavalry, and
four of infantry to act as a support to the former,
were sent out to hunt up the enemy. Two com-
panies came upon him as above related, while
the infantry and remaining cavalry, although
advancing from different points, did not come
in time to take part in the action, nor was it
necessary. The Springfield men moved forward,
accompanied some distance on the way by the
cavalry. A truck broke down a mile this side
of the battle ground, and while repairing, they
were overtaken and passed by General Wyman
and the four companies of infantry, en route for To Major-General POLK, Columbus, Ky.
their camp.

Our loss was one killed-Henry Tucker, of
Springfield, belonging to Wood's Kansas Ran-

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI, CAIRO, Oct. 14, 1861. GENERAL: Yours of this date is just received. In regard to an exchange of prisoners, as proposed, I can of my own accordance make none. Ì recognize no "Southern Confederacy" myself, but will communicate with higher authorities for their views. Should I not be sustained, I will find means of communicating with you. Respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding.

Doc. 84.

gers. He and one other belonging to Captain NATIONAL ENLISTMENTS IN CANADA. Wood's company were present.

LETTER FROM ARTHUR RANKIN.

Some of the men say there was one man wounded, but others think this is not so. Two MR. RANKIN was arrested for an alleged violacattle drovers, who were held as prisoners a tion of the neutrality laws, and bound over to

In the first place, sir, permit me to ask, What do you know about my private circumstances, or what right have you to make my private affairs the subject of public comment? You may have heard statements about me, which, if you had been fully and correctly informed, you would have discovered to be wholly in-trian, the Prussian, and even in the Turkish ser

ing your puny efforts to the contrary, there will be no lack of Canadian gentlemen, not only willing, but eager, to avail themselves of the opportunity now presented to them of achieving an honorable distinction which cannot fail to secure them not only the applause of their countrymen, but the appreciation of their sovereign.

is twenty miles further down the Kanawha, where we arrived about nine A. M. Here we were joined by two companies of the Fourth Virginia, who had been sent up from Point Pleasant. While the men were getting breakfast, Col. Guthrie took a small detachment of men across to the Red House, and captured the goods in a store belonging to one of the rebel cavalry who had fired upon the boat.

At eleven o'clock information was received that the enemy, in force about eight hundred strong, with one company of cavalry, were encamped at Hurricane Bridge, some fourteen miles from Winfield. Our column, without further delay, moved forward. When about two miles from the town the advance, under command of Adjutant Clark, encountered the

That there are some "Provincialists," as you are pleased to call them, who will join with you in your absurd cry about the Queen's proclamation, I have no doubt; but no man of common sense, and common honesty, can construe that proclamation otherwise than I have done; and in conclusion I have only to add, that I have done nothing, and shall do nothing, inconsistent with my duty, or such as to subject me to the forfeiture of my rights either as a British sub-mounted scouts of the enemy, who fled in hot ject or a member of the Canadian Parliament; and when Parliament assembles I shall be at my post, prepared to perform my duty both to my constituents and to the country at large, independently, and to the best of my ability.

And now, sir, should you think proper to honor me with any further notice, I trust you will confine your strictures to my conduct, without presuming to deal in insinuations as to my motives, of which you are in utter ignorance, and which, though they be condemned by you, are nevertheless such as every generous mind would approve. I am, sir, &c,

CAMP RED HOUSE, WESTERN VA., October 19, 1861. Your readers have already been apprised of the firing of the rebel cavalry upon the boat Izetta, as she was passing up the Kanawha loaded with United States horses and army stores, on the forenoon of October 11th. The firing occurred from the town of Winfield, in Putnam County, Va. As soon as intelligence of the firing was received by Colonel Piatt, at Camp Piatt, ten miles above Charleston, he ordered out five hundred men, under command of Lieut.-Col. Toland and Major Franklin, with directions to proceed immediately to Winfield, and there land the force and pursue the rebels. In one hour after the order was issued five hundred Zouaves, with all their arms and equipments, were on board the Silver Lake, making rapid headway down the Kanawha, and all eager to give the pirate rebels a taste of Government powder. We arrived at Charleston about midnight of the eleventh, and were delayed there by order of Col. Guthrie, commanding that post, until seven o'clock of the next morning. Colonel Guthrie accompanied us from Charleston, and we proceeded to Winfield, which

haste toward their camp. Here let me remark,
that Col. Guthrie had sent out from Charleston
two companies of the Fourth Virginia regi-
ment, who were to approach from another
direction. Col. Toland now divided his force,
sending a detachment under Major Franklin
to attack them on the left, while he moved
forward on the direct road. The boys moved
up briskly, animated with the prospect of a
fight. But the rebels in this part of Virginia
have learned to run with such celerity, that
there is no way to catch them except by com-
ing upon them on all sides at once. The ad-
vance, moving on rapidly some distance ahead
of the column, arrrived at the bridge just in
time to send a few shots whizzing after the
last of the rebels, as they scattered away over
the hills to the rear. They had fled like fright-
ened does, and that without any knowledge of
the extent of our force, as they had seen only
our advance guard consisting of twenty-five
men. Our forces soon arrived, to find only
smoking camp fires and terrified women.
boys were highly disgusted with the rebel
method of warfare, and vowed they wished
they could have come in on both sides at once,
so as to have acquired an appetite for supper,
by capturing the whole force of the enemy.

The

Having failed to find any rebels, the Zouaves determined to do the next best thing, which is always, in their opinion, to get chickens for supper. The poor feathered tribe were doomed to meet a fearful end. More than a hecatomb of them were sacrificed to appease the wrath of stomachs made hungry by a fatiguing march. In less than an hour after our arrival, soldiers might have been seen in every part of our camp brandishing chicken legs and munching crackers.

During the night the rebels came back in small numbers, and fired upon our pickets. Our men returned the fire, wounding one rebel and killing another, whom we buried on Sunday morning.

Scouting parties were sent out to scour the country; also, foraging parties, to take possession of such rebel property as would be useful to the Government. Orders were issued

and strictly enforced against the soldiers taking any thing without orders from the commanding officer. Occasionally, parties of rebels numbering five to fifteen, lurking in the woods, would fire on our pickets. On Monday, Col. Piatt having received orders from Gen. Rosecrans to send forward his whole force, we were joined by him with the remaining companies of the regiment.

in perfect order, though I imagine that our Cincinnati friends would hardly have recognized us as the same body of men which passed through that city a few weeks ago, on our departure for the field.

We are now stationed at Winfield, or Putnam C. H., Va., on the left bank of the Kanawha, where the men are kept drilling daily, while detachments are constantly scouring the country in search of the rebels. Our camp is styled "Camp Red House," and letters directed to this point will reach us here.

The whole of the confiscated goods, amounting in value to several thousand dollars, were turned over to Quartermaster Hart, for the benefit of Uncle Sam's pocket. I make so exWe received reliable information from some plicit a statement to show that we are in earUnion inhabitants of the place, stating that the nest. Col. Piatt and his officers fully appreciate whole rebel force was only about two hundred the principle that those who are seeking to deand fifty, of which one hundred were cavalry.stroy our Government should not enjoy its proHad we been supplied with fifty cavalry, we tection. could have captured every one of the enemy. Most of the people in the region of Hurricane Bridge are either unqualifiedly in favor of secession, or of that milk-and-water Union style, who never fight for the Union, and are never identified with that cause except in the face of a Union army. The cavalry company, which has been such a terror to the people of this county, Col. Piatt is now organizing a company of numbers about eighty to one hundred men, Virginians, from the Union men of this county, under command of Captain Herndon, a rebel who promise to furnish a defence to their own officer in the three months' service. They sub-homes hereafter. We promise you that the sist by plundering Union men, and are paid for Thirty-fourth will not be behindhand in fighttheir service by the Confederate Government. ing or any other duty they are called on to When Colonel Piatt came with his forces, he perform. КАРРА. found our men drawn up in line, and just ready to march back to the Kanawha, they having been unable to find the enemy in any force, and having already captured a large amount of property belonging to prominent secessionists. However, he concluded to see for himself what this country produces. He ordered a delay, and sent out more parties in search of rebels and rebel goods. The success which attended these parties shows either the peculiar aptness of the Zouaves in capturing and confiscating "secesh" property, or the remarkable productiveness of the country in such goods. We started back on Tuesday, October 15, having taken seventy-five head of cattle, about fifty horses and wagons, fifteen yoke of working oxen, one hundred and fifty head of sheep, thirty barrels of flour, two thousand pounds of hams and bacon, fifty boxes of fine Virginia tobacco, and dry goods and notions from two

stores.

During our stay, our scouts and pickets killed eight and wounded several of the rebels, capturing some cavalry horses and carbines-the latter weapons showing the kind of arms with which they were provided. Five prominent secessionists were taken prisoners, and marched with us back to camp.

The appearance of our regiment, on their march in return, was novel and amusing in the extreme-men, cattle, and sheep; Zouaves mounted on horses and mules; wagons loaded with every variety of "secesh" valuables; the prisoners marching under guard-the whole forming a cavalcade not unlike the old Roman triumphal entrées which attended Pompey and the Caesars in their days of regal pomp and pride. The regiment, however, came into camp

Doc. 86.

CAPTURE OF LINN CREEK, MO.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF MAJOR WRIGHT. HEAD-QUARTERS FREMONT BAT. CAVALRY, CAMP MCCLURG, Oct. 15, 1861. GENERAL: At seven o'clock, on the morning of 14th, my command left Camp Grogus, in advance of the column, in the following order: A detachment of thirty men, well mounted, from Company A, five hundred yards on the extreme right; five mounted sentinels at the respective distances of one hundred yards from each other, reaching back to the head of the column; twenty scouts, each on the right and left flanks, to march in line with the head of the column with instructions to allow no one to pass forward or ahead of the column. Then we moved forward, feeling our way, without any incident worthy of note until half-past eleven o'clock, on our arrival at Alex. Berry's, five miles southeast of this place. I then learned that there was no doubt but that Linn Creek was occupied by rebel forces, and rumor said that two thousand had arrived the day before. I at once resolved to strike them with all the available force I had, leaving out the skirmishers and a sufficient force to cover the front of the Thirteenth Illinois regiment, then in my rear. I immediately sent forward two scouts in citizens' dress, to go into the town, take observatious, and report to me one mile out before I arrived. I then called out Company D, Capt. Crockett, myself taking the right, and ordered a descent upon the town in double-quick. Arriving at the point to meet the scouts, I called a halt.

The

A

On Thursday night Wyman's pickets were fired upon by a squad of eight secessionists. The fire was returned with effect-five of the eight rebels being killed, without loss to our pickets.

On the day of Wyman's entering Linn Creek, two of the rebels, who were straggling around the neighorhood, were killed after being pursued into the bush. They were both found together.

scouts not having returned, led me to suppose | was preceded by two or three companies of that they were detained. I soon learned, how- cavalry-that of Capt. Crockett, formerly Maever, just from town, that there was a com- jor Wright's company, being in the advance. pany of rebels, commanded by the notorious When the cavalry entered the town, they found Bill Roberts, then in town; and also that the one company of rebels under Capt. Roberts, a notorious sheriff, Mr. Cummins, was at home merchant of Linn Creek, in possession of the in town. I at once made the preliminary ar- place. They were, to all appearance, perfectly rangements, and ordered a double-quick march, ignorant of any danger from any quarter. with instructions to arrest the whole camp and portion of them were in a blacksmith-shop all the men in town. We arrived at one o'clock moulding bullets, and the rest were in different P. M., and at once surrounded the whole place, parts of the town, so that the surprise was and demanded an unconditional surrender. complete. The whole company, officers and The notorious captain and a few of his follow- privates, was "bagged," and held in safe cusers, as well as his wife, broke from some of the tody. The company numbered about forty buildings, fired upon our troops, and attempted men, and were well armed. to escape. I promptly ordered them fired on, which was as promptly executed. Some fifty random shots were fired, but owing to the fences, buildings, and other means of cover, none were killed, and but one slightly wounded on the rebel side-none hurt on our side. The scene was a wild one: the activity of the cavalry in guarding the avenues of the place, arresting the rebels running to and fro; the screams of the secesh wives, daughters, and children; the firing from both sides echoing from the bluffs on either side, made the whole thing look frantic. However, at the end of thirty minutes, the town was restored to its usual quiet and secesh under guard. Every member of Company D behaved well. Capt. Crockett and Lieut. Kirby executed every or- At about one o'clock to-day Captains Switzler der with promptness and bravery; the men and Montgomery arrived in town, having in without exception acquitted themselves to my charge the prisoners taken at Linn Creek, and entire satisfaction. The result of our descent also those taken in the engagement on Sunday was as follows: The capture of property and morning, numbering in all seventy-six-three prisoners-Wm. J. Roberts, Bandit Captain. having been sent back with Capt. Stephens' D. L. Samuel, Capt. A. C., Sixth Division M. company as an escort, in accordance with an S. G.; W. Carroll, Second Lieutenant. J. M. Cy- order from Gen. Wyman, when only a short rus, Forage Master. Privates-N. Ellison, T. distance out. A list of the names of these pris Jackson, W. M. Itson, J. J. Itson, R. D. Itson, oners will be found below, for which I am inB. Itson, W. P. Gordon, M. J. Hall, H. C. Rich-debted to Capt. Switzler. ardson, E. B. Jackson, C. Jackson, R. A. Roberts, D. Moulden, A. T. Loveall, W. M. Thurman, Geo. Carroll, J. W. Coffee, R. Greenville, Stephen English, Bazell Rose, R. Wines, W. A. Stephens, P. Rexode, N. Cooper, A. T. Bayley, B. F. Ayers, J. Allison, J. C. Snider, A. G. Miller, J. Cummins, notorious sheriff, making a total of seventy-seven now in custody; also five horses, two mules, twenty-six guns, two pistols, one keg powder, half a bushel bullets, as well as peaceful possession of the town. All of which is respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your ob't serv't,
CLARK WRIGHT,
Major Commanding Fremont Battalion Cavalry.
To Brig.-Gen. WYMAN Commanding.

ST. LOUIS "REPUBLICAN" ACCOUNT.
ROLLA, Mo., Oct. 19, 1861.

A messenger from Linn Creek arrived yesterday evening, bringing interesting news from that point, having left there on Thursday night. He reports that Gen. Wyman, with his command, had arrived safely in that place. He

Col. McClurg, with his regiment of cavalry, was expected at Linn Creek on Thursday night. Some apprehensions of an attack from the secessionists were entertained by Gen. Wyman, but no fears were entertained that he would be defeated.

By the officers of the two companies referred to, and others, I am enabled to gain some additional particulars of the fight on Sunday, which occurred at Monday's Hollow.

The rebel force consisted of about eight hundred men, under whose direct command is not known, but most of them belonging to Col. Johnson's regiment, which, since the accident to that noted officer, has been under command of Lieut.-Col. Summers

The fight took place near what is known as the Union road, leading from here to Lebanon. Near the road is a steep hill rising abruptly from the road, and sloping to the south. On this declivity the rebels were formed in line of battle, when Capt. Switzler advanced and formed in front of their left flank, and between them and the road. At the same time, and strangely enough, without Capt. Switzler's knowledge, Capt. Montgomery came up on the enemy's right, and joined his company with that of Capt. Switzler. Between them and the enemy was a thick copse of brush, which, except at one or two intervening spaces, pro