tected them from the fire of the rebels. It was through one of these open spaces that Mr. Tucker, the only man killed on our side, was shot.

As our cavalry advanced, the rebels fired several rounds, but doing no injury except the killing of Tucker and one or two horses. When within sixty yards, Captain Switzler gave the command to fire-first with their carbines, next with their pistols, and then, with drawn sabres-a charge accompanied with a deafening yell. In an instant the gallant little band was in the midst of the enemy, dealing death and destruction on all sides. Their line was broken, the utmost confusion ensued, and soon the whole rebel force was in full retreat. Among the first to run was the principal commander -probably Lieutenant-Colonel Summers-who started his horse at full gallop to escape at the first fire of our men. The loss of the rebels, as accurately ascertained since the battle, was sixty-three killed, about forty wounded-many of them mortally-near forty prisoners, thirty head of horses, and a large number of guns, pistols, &c. Nearly all the guns were destroyed by Captain Switzler, as he had no means of bringing them away with him. Our loss was one man and two horses killed, and one or two horses slightly wounded. It is proper to state that Major Wright, with one company, at the time of the engagement, was advancing toward the centre of the enemy's front, and Major Bowen, with two companies, was forming on the extreme left, but these did not come up in time to engage in the fight-Switzler and Montgomery, with not more than ninety men, all told, gaining the victory. The engagement lasted about half an hour.

killed two men and taken one prisoner. A spy from Price's army arrived here early this morning. He left the rebel camp on Thursday night, and reports that Price was encamped a few miles south of Osceola, where he intended to make a stand. A prominent citizen of Laclede County, at the head of twenty-seven other citizens of Laclede, Webster, and Wright Counties, arrived at the fort yesterday about noon. These men live in the southwestern part of Laclede, the northeast of Webster, and northern part of Wright Counties. They left home on Monday evening, and came on directly toward this place. Their departure from their homes was rather unexpected, even to themselves-for reasons a little peculiar, though amply sufficient. Having heard, upon what they regarded as good authority, that Lebanon was in the hands of Federal troops, the Union citizens, to the number of about sixty, immediately assembled and organized a company, in order to assert their rights and reclaim some of the property that had been taken from them. The company immediately commenced operations by taking several straggling secesh prisoners, and soon recovered a goodly number of their horses from the hands of those who had taken them. They were, in fact, preparing to do things up in their own way, and in a fair way to become once more the possessors of their own soil.

ists, they dispersed, about half the company returning to their homes, and the other half starting for Rolla, which they reached without interruption, bringing with them several fine secesh horses. On the way they learned from secesh authority that the rebels lost about sixty men killed, and fifty horses, in the engagement at Wet Glaze on Sunday morning last. One of these gentlemen also informs me that he saw no rebel troops on the way, and was told that they had all gone to Linn Creek, where they intended to give Gen. Wyman a fight. This may be true, or it may not, but will give some ground for the apprehensions of an attack that are entertained at Linn Creek.

But the seceshers were not to be driven out so easily, and, seeing their danger, sent in all directions for aid to put down these impudent Unionists, who dared attempt their own defence. Learning about this time that Lebanon had not been taken by the Federal troops, and knowing that they were likely to be "taken A short time after the battle, Lieutenant-in " by the superior numbers of the secessionColonel Summers was taken prisoner, after being pursued some distance by a detachment of Captain Stephens' company. During the hottest of the conflict, Lieutenant Montgomery, son of the captain of that name, found himself without a sabre, having lost it, when he discharged both of his revolvers, and having nothing with which to reload, and no other weapon of defence, he "pitched in " with his fist. One of the prisoners brought in to-day shows unmistakable marks of violence from this source. At the close of the fight, Captain Switzler became separated from his company, and soon afterward found himself set upon by three of the rebels, who, with their guns, were intent on taking his life by means of clubbing him, their guns being unloaded. As each approached, the captain struck him a blow with the side of his sabre, ordering him to surrender. He succeeded in defending himself in this way until young Montgomery came to his assistance, when all three of the rebels were taken prisoners.

A negro, who is serving Captain Switzler as a cook, was in the heat of the battle, and behaved with great bravery. He is said to have

Doo. 87.

THE NATIONAL DEFENCES. SECRETARY SEWARD'S CIRCULAR. THE following important circular was sent to the Governors of all the States on the seaboard and the lakes in the United States:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, October 14, 1861.

To his Excellency the Governor of the State of
New York:

the importance of perfecting the defences of the
State over which you preside, and to ask you
to submit the subject to the consideration of
the Legislature when it shall have assembled.
Such proceedings by the State would require
only a temporary use of its means.
The ex-
penditures ought to be made the subject of con-
ference with the Federal Government. Being
thus made, with the concurrence of the Gov-
ernment, for general defence, there is every
reason to believe that Congress would sanction
what the State should do, and would provide
for its reimbursement. Should these sugges-
tions be accepted, the President will direct
proper agents of the Federal Government to
confer with you, and to superintend, direct,
and conduct the prosecution of the system of
defence of your State.

SIR: The present insurrection had not even revealed itself in arms, when disloyal citizens hastened to foreign countries to invoke their intervention for the overthrow of the Government and the destruction of the Federal Union. These agents are known to have made their appeals to some of the more important States without success. It is not likely, however, that they will remain content with such refusals. Indeed, it is understood that they are industriously endeavoring to accomplish their disloyal purposes by degrees and by indirection. Taking advantage of the embarrassments of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce in foreign countries, resulting from the insurrection they have inaugurated at home, they seek to involve our common country in controversies with States with which every public interest and every interest of mankind require that it shall remain in relations of peace, amity, BURNING OF THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE. and friendship.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Doc. 88.

OCTOBER 15, 1861.

THE St. Louis Democrat, of October 17, contains the following circumstantial account of the destruction of the Big River bridge:

I am able to state, for your satisfaction, that the prospect of any such disturbance is now less serious than it has been at any previous period during the course of the insurrection. It is nevertheless necessary now, as it has hitherto been, to take every precaution that is Mr. Fred. Kling, United States Mail Agent on possible to avert the evils of foreign war, to be the Iron Mountain Railroad, who reached this superinduced upon those of civil commotion city from below yesterday morning about three which we are endeavoring to cure. One of the o'clock, gives us the following particulars of most obvious of such precautions is that our the burning of Big River bridge, and the conports and harbors on the seas and lakes shoulddition of affairs at Pilot Knob and along the be in a condition of complete defence; for any nation may be said to voluntarily incur danger in tempestuous seasons when it fails to show that it has sheltered itself on every side from which the storm might possibly come.

railroad. Mr. Kling left Pilot Knob on Tuesday morning, on the regular train, at nine o'clock, the regular time of departure. On reaching Mineral Point, a station a few miles above Potosi, they got news of the attack upon the guard at the Big River bridge, and the burning of the bridge by a large force of rebels under Jeff. Thompson. The news was brought to Mineral Point station by a number of wounded soldiers belonging to the force of forty or fifty men which had been stationed at Lawson's, a few miles above, and which, on hearing the firing that morning, had rushed up the road to the rescue of the force at the bridge, but reaching there too late, were driven back by the rebels. Mr. Kling states that as soon as the train arrived at Mineral Point, the major in command there, belonging either to the Thirty. third or Thirty-eighth Illinois regiment, ordered the train back to Potosi, three miles off, for reinforcements. In a short time the reinforce

The measures which the Executive can adopt in this emergency are such only as Congress has sanctioned, and for which it has provided. The President is putting forth the most diligent efforts to execute these measures, and we have the great satisfaction of seeing that these efforts, seconded by the favor, aid, and support of a loyal, patriotic, and self-sacrificing people, are rapidly bringing the military and naval forces of the United States into the highest state of efficiency. But Congress was chiefly absorbed, during its recent extra session, with those measures, and did not provide as amply as could be wished for the fortification of our sea and lake coasts. In previous wars loyal States have applied themselves, by independent and separate activity, to support and aid the Federal Gov-ments, consisting of three companies, came ernment in its arduous responsibilities. The same disposition has been manifested in a degree eminently honorable by all the loyal States during the present insurrection. In view of this fact, and relying upon the increase and continuance of the same disposition on the part of the loyal States, the President has directed me to invite your consideration to the subject of

along on the train, and were about to push on up the road, when a council of war was called and it was decided to go down to Pilot Knob for more troops, for it was ascertained that the rebels were in large force. The train was sent back by Colonel Carlin, in command at the Knob, who, instead of forwarding troops, despatched the cars back to Mineral Point, with

design upon Pilot Knob, and, with a vastly superior force against him and no chance of immediate reinforcements, Colonel Carlin will find himself in an uncomfortable position. Mr. Kling states that an attack was fully expected last night.

orders for the whole force there to report at | road gives strong color to the probability of a once to him, as he was seriously threatened from the direction of Farmington. The train before going down ran up the road from Mineral Point to Blackwell's station, just at the bridge, in order to pick up the wounded and secure such baggage as the enemy had left. Mr. Kling says he found the bridge entirely destroyed, the timbers burning, the railroad track torn up for a short distance, and three telegraph poles cut down and the wires clipped. There were no persons remaining on the ground but the wounded, four of whom were rebels and six Federals. From these he gathered the following account of the fight: The enemy were discovered approaching the bridge on Tuesday morning, about seven o'clock, by a German picket, who gave the alarm. Our troops, numbering about fifty, were immediately prepared for fight, and though the force against them was overwhelming, numbering from six hundred to eight hundred, under the personal lead of Jeff. Thompson, they stubbornly stood their ground, and from wood-ricks and stone-piles did good execution with their guns. Being completely surrounded, they were finally obliged to surrender. Their loss is one killed (the orderly sergeant) and six wounded. The rebel loss is five killed and four wounded.

Immediately after the capture the Federal prisoners were sworn by Jeff. Thompson himself not to take up arms against the Southern Confederacy, and were set at liberty. The rebels then proceeded to destroy the bridge, and having done so speedily retired.

LATER PARTICULARS-LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.-Captain Isaac H. Elliot, of the Normal regiment, who was in command of the company which was attacked at the bridge, arrived in our city late on Tuesday night. He states that he had but thirty-five of his men in the fight, the rest of the company of about one hundred being scattered up and down the road for a distance of fifteen miles. He says the men fought bravely and inflicted the severest punishment on the enemy. Jeff. Thompson himself admitted twenty killed. In the rebel force was a gang of Indians, or persons disguised as such, who, during the fight, kept up a great shouting. The sick and wounded of Captain Elliot's company were brought up to the city with him, and have a short leave of absence. The remainder of his company, fifty-two in number, are at Victoria.

The following is the list of killed and wounded :-Killed, George G. Foster, Orderly Sergeant of Company E, from Galesburg, Ill., shot in the head, and killed instantly. Wounded, Captain I. H. Elliot, Company E, from Princeton, Ill., shot in the arm; Thomas Royce, Company E, from Lamoille, shot in the shoulder; W. Evans, Company E, from Polo, shot in the leg; David Kitchen, Company E, from Abington, shot in the hip; Prince G. Rigsley, Company E, from Abington, shot in the side and through the hip; Albert Kaufman, Company E, from Princeton, shot with buckshot in the head, breast, and arm; A. C. Miller, Company K, from Abington, shot through the arm, and es

Mr. Kling states that he and the express messenger forded Big River a short distance below the site of the bridge, and walked to De Soto, a distance of nine miles, where they found a transportation train on which they proceeded to this city. They left at De Soto the five companies of the Eighth Wisconsin reg-caped back to Pilot Knob. iment, which were sent down the road Tuesday afternoon.

Doc. 89.

THE ATTACK ON THE SEMINOLE.

When Mr. Kling left Pilot Knob Tuesday morning, an attack from the rebels was momentarily expected. Colonel Carlin was making every preparation in his power to give them U. S. STEAM SLOOP SEMINOLE, OFF FORTRESS a warm reception. His force consisted of the MONROE, Oct. 16, 1861. Twenty-first, Thirty-third, and Thirty-eighth WE arrived here this morning at seven Illinois, and a detachment of Indiana Cavalry. o'clock, having left Washington yesterday mornOne company of the latter he had sent out tow-ing. Nothing very remarkable occurred on the ard Farmington, to ascertain the whereabouts and force of the rebels. There were rumors that Jeff. Thompson's force consisted of not less than ten thousand men, and one report came in just before Mr. Kling left, that they were but six miles off. Mr. Kling states that all of the bridges, from Mineral Point to De Soto, were deserted, the troops having been called on to Pilot Knob, and that it is in the power of the enemy to do the road an incalculable amount of injury. Jeff. Thompson approached the bridge from the North, showing that he had made a wide circuit of country to avoid detection. The destruction of the most important bridge on the

way down to Quantico Creek. At that point the steamer Pocahontas, which was some miles ahead of us, threw three or four shells into the bushes at Evansport, or Shipping Point, Va. The fire was not returned, and she proceeded on her way.

As we neared the Point, at half-past ten A. M., our decks were cleared for action, all hands at quarters, hatches closed, and every thing ready. At forty-five minutes past ten they opened on us, with rifled shot and shell, from three batteries-two on the bank and one about four hundred yards inland, at Evansport. These shot fell twenty rods short. The Seminole re

turned the fire briskly, and with effect, from | dinner to prepare for an emergency. At this her pivot gun and two medium thirty-two-point the channel carries vessels of our draught pounders. We kept on our course, returning within less than half a mile of the bluff shore. their fire during thirty-five minutes, and re- A good battery, well-manned, could command ceiving theirs during forty-five. We were a the river, and could have sunk us yesterday. fine target for them-a slow steamer clear After piping down, we were a second time called against the horizon, while they were hid in to action from dinner, and threw three shells at earth and bushes. We ceased firing at twenty- the Point, but without any return. So we were five minutes past eleven A. M., after which they three times cleared for action during the day. sent several ricocheting shots-and all hand-Philadelphia Bulletin. some ones-at our water line, which luckily fell short. We expended twenty-three shells, several-particularly those planted by Captain Gillis in person-with good effect. They sent us at least thirty rifled balls and shells, all splendidly aimed, their guns being evidently well manned. Some of their shot and shell went over us, about eight or nine feet clear of the deck, and only a few feet above my head. These fell or burst from twenty to forty rods beyond, on our port side. Some burst just outside, before reaching us, and some just over our heads. Fragments of shells flew about the deck, and splinters in thousands.

Doc. 90.

BATTLE OF BOLIVAR HEIGHTS, VA.

FOUGHT OCTOBER 16, 1861.

REPORT OF COLONEL GEARY.
HEAD-QUARTERS TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT,
P. V., Oct. 18, 1861.

To the Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: On the 8th instant, Major J. P. Gould,
of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers,
acting under orders of Major-General Banks,
crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry to seize
a quantity of wheat held by the rebels at that
point.

Three companies of the Third Wisconsin Volunteers, and a section of the Rhode Island battery, under Captain Tompkins, were ordered to report themselves to Major Gould for the purpose of assisting in and covering the necessary movements of the operation.

direction of Harper's Ferry, and I also learned from Major Gould that he required assistance.

We were struck eleven times. One ball cut away the main stays, scattering bits of iron chain down on the deck. One shot through and shivered the mizzen mast. Several banged clear through the ship, in at one side and out at the other. One rifled ball came through in that way, struck and carried away the brass handrail guard around the engine hatch, and went out through the opposite side of the ship. This ball went within five feet of me, and sent a Ön the 10th instant the Major called upon piece of brass, bent double like a boomerang, me to aid him with men and cannon, but as the whizzing over my head. How the balls do hiss, necessity for them seemed to have vanished, and the shells sing aloud; a perfectly distinct, the order was countermanded. Again, on Sunfascinating, locust-like song, but growing louder day, the 13th, I received reliable information and faster as they come nearer, plunging, hiss-that the rebel forces were concentrating in the ing, and bursting through the air! I was never under fire before, but I never was cooler in my | life. I stood by my capstan and took my notes of the time and the effect of the balls both ways, jumping out of our own smoke to see where the balls lodged, &c., all just as a matter of course. But I thought of it afterward, and it was no joke. The fight was a severe one, and without knowing what the other side suffered, I do know that the Seminole suffered severely. So soon as we get rid of some expedition now on hand, we shall probably run in North somewhere for repairs. The officers and men behaved well. Had Captain Gillis stopped we should have been blown out of the water. Every one says that guns were never better handled than were those of the enemy yesterday. Every shot came true. The only wonder is that no lives were lost. A number were scratched by splinters. I was hit by them half a dozen times.

In the evening, accompanied by Governor Sprague of Rhode Island, and Capt. Tompkins of the Rhode Island Artillery, I went to Sandy Hook with two companies of my regiment and one piece of cannon. On Monday I entered into Virginia, and on that day and the following one aided in the removal of the wheat, and held in check the gathering forces of the enemy.

The troops under my command were four companies (A, D, F, and G) of the Twentyeighth regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, three companies (C, I, and K) of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and three companies of the Third Wisconsin regiment, numbering in all about six hundred men, and two pieces of cannon, under command of Captain Tompkins of the Rhode Island battery, and two pieces of the Ninth New York battery, under Lieutenant Martin. About one hundred men of the Massachusetts regiment were left on the north side of the Potomac River, and the two pieces of the Rhode Island battery were placed on the Maryland Heights; one of the New York guns on the railroad opposite Harper's Ferry, and the other to command the approach from Pleasant

Valley (in Virginia). The command of all the troops thus left I confided to Major Gould.

The object for which the river had been crossed having been accomplished on Tuesday night, I had determined to re-cross the river on Wednesday, and permit the troops to return to their various regiments; but about seven o'clock on the morning of the 16th, my pickets stationed on the heights above Bolivar, extending from the Potomac to the Shenandoah River, about two and a half miles west of Harper's Ferry, were driven into the town of Bolivar by the enemy, who approached from the west in three columns, consisting of infantry and cavalry, supported by artillery. I was upon the ground in a few minutes, and rallied my pickets upon the main body in Bolivar.

In a short time the action became general. The advanced guard of the rebels, consisting of several hundred cavalry, charged gallantly toward the upper part of the town, and their infantry and artillery soon took position upon the heights from which my pickets had been driven. Their three pieces of artillery were stationed on and near the Charlestown road, where it crosses Bolivar Heights. They had one thirtytwo-pounder columbiad, one steel rifled thirteen-pounder, and one brass six-pounder, all of which were served upon the troops of my command with great activity, the large gun throwing alternately solid shot, shell, and grape, and the others principally fuze shell.

Potomac, and gained a portion of the heights. At the same time Lieutenant Martin opened a well-directed fire upon the enemy's cannon in our front, and Captain Tompkins succeeded in silencing some of the enemy's guns on Loudon heights. The seservices, simultaneously rendered, were of great importance, and the turning of the enemy's flank being the key to the success of the action, I instantly ordered a general forward movement, which terminated in a charge, and we were soon in possession of the heights from river to river. There I halted the troops, and from that position they drove the fugutives, with a well-directed aim of cannon and small arms, across the valley in the direction of Hallstown. If any cavalry had been attached to my command the enemy could have been cut to pieces, as they did not cease their flight until they reached Charlestown, a distance of six miles.

The victory was complete. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is generally conceded to be about one hundred and fifty, which they carried back in wagons and on horses as rapidly as they fell.

Immediately after the capture of the heights, Major Tyndale arrived with a reinforcement of five companies of my regiment from Point of Rocks, two of which he ordered to report to Major Gould, at Sandy Hook, and soon joined me with the others on the field. The standard of the Twenty-eighth regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers-the flag of the Union-was then unfurled on the soil of Virginia, and planted on an eminence of Bolivar Heights, and under its folds we directed the fire of our artillery against the batteries and forces on Loudon Heights, While these demonstrations were being made and soon succeeded in silencing every gun and in front, a large body of men made their appear-driving away every rebel that could be seen. ance upon Loudon Heights, with four pieces of cannon, stationed at the most eligible points of the mountain, to bombard our troops and prevent the use of the ferry on the Potomac. The commencement of the firing upon our front and left was almost simultaneous. In order to pre- We took four prisoners, among whom is vent the enemy from crossing the Shenandoah, Rev. Nathaniel Green North, chaplain of ColI detached a company of the Thirteenth Mass- onel Ashby's command. He is said to have achusetts regiment, under command of Captain been present at every battle that has occurred Schriber, for the defence of the fords on the in Virginia. The fine thirty-two-pounder coriver. He took position near the old rifle works, lumbiad, mounted on an old fashioned gun-carand during the action rendered good service riage, was captured, together with a quantity there. There then remained under my imme- of ammunition for it, consisting of ball, shell, diate command about four hundred and fifty and grapeshot, for the transportation of which men. With these the fierce charge of the en- a wagon was used as a caisson. These were emy's cavalry was soon checked and turned immediately transferred to the north side of the back, only to be renewed with greater impet- Potomac, and the gun is placed in position uosity, supported, in addition to the artillery, against its late proprietors. One of their small by the fire of long lines of infantry stationed on guns used at Boliver Heights was disabled, havBolivar Heights; but they were as soon repuls-ing one of the wheels shot from the gun-cared. Three charges were thus made by them in succession. Under this concentrated fire our troops held their position until eleven o'clock, when Lieutenant Martin by my order joined me with one rifled cannon, which had been placed to cover the ferry, he having crossed the river with it under a galling fire of riflemen from Loudon Heights.

I then pushed forward my right flank, consisting of two companies (A and G) of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. They succeeded in turning the enemy's left near the

|

riage by a well-directed shot from Lieut. Martin. They succeeded in dragging it from the field. Our loss is four killed, seven wounded, and two taken prisoners, a list of whom is hereto attached. The greater part of the loss occurred in the Wisconsin companies, who gallantly sustained the position of our left flank throughout the contest.

One of the soldiers taken by the enemy was Corporal Third Wisconsin regiment, who was wounded in the action. The other Corporal, Benaiah Pratt, of Company A, Twenty