Boston Mountains proper-the enemy placed his artillery upon it in position covering the road. From this position he sought to prevent my force from proceeding up the valley and approaching the mountains. Directing two howitzers under Lieut. Updyke to the right upon a by-road, they quickly obtained a good position on the enemy's flank, while Rabb's battery opened upon them in front. They were soon forced to abandon the high mound and seek the side and top of the mountain, where they made a determined resistIance. Their artillery was posted on the crest of the mountain, while their mounted riflemen were dismounted and their whole force massed on the sides and top of the mountain, which were covered with scattered timber and but little underbrush.

I at once ordered Rabb's battery into position, and also the two howitzers under Lieut. Stover, when a fierce cannonading ensued, which lasted for the space of nearly an hour. My column not being up, I could do nothing more than engage in this artillery duel" until it arrived, and the enemy thinking, no doubt, that I had a large force in hand, did not venture from under cover of their guns. Reconnoitring upon their left, I discovered an approach by which a force could be brought on their left flank and do them great damage, and perhaps capture their artillery. ordered Major Van Antwerp, of my staff, back to meet the Kansas Eleventh and Hopkins's battery, who were in the advance of the column, to bring them up on the double-quick, and send the battery with six companies of the Eleventh to follow me with the object above named, and to take the other four companies to the support of Rabb's battery, but they were too far in the rear, and the men too much fatigued by the march to reach me in time.

The nature of the ground was such that I could not use my artillery to any advantage, and the mountain could not be taken in any other way except by storm. I accordingly ordered up the the Kansas Second and dismounted them; they charged up the steep acclivity in the advance, under the command of Capt. S. J. Crawford and Captain A. P. Russell - Major Fisk having been wounded by a piece of shell early in the day; next followed the Third Indian regiment, (Cherokees) under the command of Col. Phillips and its other field-officers, Lieutenant-Col. Downing and Major Foreman, voluntarily assisted by Major Van Antwerp, of my staff, and the Eleventh Kansas, under the command of its field-officers, Colonel Ewing, Lieut.-Col. Moonlight, and Major Plumb. The resistance of the rebels was stubborn and determined. The storm of lead and iron hail that came down the side of the mountain, both from their small arms and artillery, was terrific, yet most of it went over our heads without doing us much damage.

Major Van Antwerp took four companies down the road to Rabb's battery, the fire from which, as afterward appeared, although laboring under great disadvantage from the nature of the ground, had been very destructive on the enemy, compelling them to abandon their position and seek | another on a high ridge three fourths of a mile further south, where their reserve had been posted. To this point access was very difficult, as rugged ravines intervened, and it could only be approached by the road. Taking a position on high ground facing them from the north, I opened upon them a destructive fire with my artillery, dismounting one of their guns and compelling them again to retire. For the third time they made a stand in the town, or rather on the south side of it, upon a commanding eminence running east and west, and a most admirable position for The regiments just named, with a wild shout, defence. Having now concentrated their entire rushed up the steep acclivity, contesting every inch force and selected this strong position, I felt as- of ground and steadily pushing the enemy before sured that they had resolved on a desperate re- them until the crest was reached, when the rebels sistance and made my arrangements accordingly; again fled in disorder. Four howitzers and Rabb's but, after getting my forces across a deep and rug- battery were now brought up the mountain and ged ravine and deploying them into position ready the pursuit renewed; the Third Indian and Elevto advance upon their long and well-formed lines, enth Kansas regiments on the right and left of I discovered, much to my disappointment, that the road, advancing in line through the woods, they had again retired and were in full retreat to while the four howitzers occupied the road in the mountains, Tenney's battery coming upon the front, with the Kansas Second and Sixth and ground they had abandoned just in time to send Rabb's battery in the rear. About every halfa few shells in the rear of their retreating column mile the enemy made a stand, when the four howas they escaped under cover of the wood. As itzers and the Eleventh Kansas and Third Indian the men and horses of the enemy were fresh, and would as often put them to flight, leaving more or mine were worn down and exhausted by hard less of their dead and wounded behind them. marching, it was difficult to follow them in their Thus the fight continued for some three miles, flight, yet the men, eager for the fray, strained until, on descending partially from the mountain every nerve. For nearly three miles from the into a valley, the Cove Creek road, leading from town, in the direction of Van Buren, the road Fayetteville to Van Buren, was reached at the runs through a valley, in which are a few farms, point where it intersects the road from Cane Hill alternating with low hills and ravines, covered to the last-named place. At this point the enemy with thick woods and brush. again brought his artillery into requisition. was now near sundown and darkness must soon put an end to the pursuit.

Over this road a running fight with small arms took place without much damage occurring to either party. Reaching a large mound at the base of the first mountain-the commencement of the

It

Down the valley in front of us the ground appeared adapted to the use of cavalry to good ad

vantage, and I determined to make an effort to that it was a cowardly trick resorted to to enable capture their artillery, of which they had six them to make good their retreat and save their pieces. A large force of their best cavalry was guns. It being now dark, and my men entirely acting as a rear-guard, with a portion of their ar- exhausted and without food, I considered further tillery just in front of them waiting for my caval-pursuit useless, and returned with my command ry to come up. I called for volunteers to make to Cane Hill. The casualties in my command a charge. Three companies of the Kansas Sixth, were four killed and thirty-six wounded, four of nearest at hand, responded promptly to the call, them mortally, since dead. and under command of their three field-officers, Col. Judson, Lieut.-Col. Jewett, and Major Campbell, dashed on to the rear of the rebel column, cutting and shooting them down with sabres, carbines, and revolvers.

Among the latter was Lieut.-Colonel Jewett, of the Sixth Kansas. He was a brave and gallant officer, whose noble example is worthy of emulation. Lieutenant J. A. Johnson, of the same regiment, a daring and excellent young officer, reThe charge continued for about half a mile ceived a desperate wound from a musket-ball, down the valley to a point where it converged in which passed entirely through his body; yet it a funnel-shape, terminating in a narrow defile. is hoped he will recover. The enemy's loss is At this point a large body of rebels were in am- seventy-five killed; wounded not known, as they bush in front and upon the flanks where cavalry took a large portion of them away. The officers could not approach, with their battery also mask- and men of my command who took part in the ed in front. As soon as the party we were pur- engagement, behaved, without exception, nobly. suing passed through the defile, they opened on To the following members of my staff-Major V. us a most destructive fire, which, for a moment, P. Van Antwerp, Inspector-General; Captain Lycaused my men to recoil and give back, in spite man Scott, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General; of my own efforts and those of other officers to Lieutenant J. Fin. Hill, Aid-de-Camp, and Lieurally them. Whereas, if they had, after receiv-tenant D. Whittaker, Acting Aid-de-Camp, I am ing the enemy's fire, pressed on two or three hun-indebted for efficient and valuable services during dred yards, we could have secured in a moment the day. more what we so much coveted, the enemy's artillery. Emboldened by their success in defending the defile and checking our advance, they raised a wild yell and advanced toward us.

With the aid of Colonel Judson, Major Campbell, and Captains Green and Mefford, I succeeded in rallying the three companies of the Sixth Kansas, who had suffered severely in the charge, and formed them across the valley; and the four howitzers coming up at the same time, and opening on the enemy with shell, soon forced them to retire, yet they seemed determined to dispute the passage of the defile to which I have referred, a position admirably adapted for defence, and beyond which, as I afterward learned, there was a wide open valley; hence their obstinate resistance at this point, in order to save their guns. I resolved, however, at all hazards to force my way through this gorge, and as darkness was approaching, and I had no time to get up infantry and send them out upon the flank, I prepared to make an assault in front. Loading the four howitzers and one section of Rabb's battery with double canister, I ordered them up by hand, in battery, with the three companies of the Kansas Sixth, with Sharp's carbines, advancing in line in rear. I had directed that not a gun should be fired until I gave the word.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient
JAMES G. BLUNT,

servant,

Brig.-General Commanding First Division Army of Frontier.

CHICAGO "EVENING JOURNAL" ACCOUNT.

CANE HILL, (OR BOONEVILLE,) ARKANSAS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, FIRST DIVISION, December 1, 1862.

Again we have put the enemy to flight. I will briefly give you the particulars of the battle of Cane Hill, or Boonsboro.

Gen. Blunt's division of the army, consisting of three brigades, four batteries, and six mountain howitzers, under the command of General Solomon, First brigade, Col. Ware, Second bri gade, Col. Cloud, Third brigade, were in camp near Lindsey's Prairie on the evening of the twenty-sixth. Orders were issued for detachments from each regiment to move at daylight on the morning of the twenty-seventh, with three days' rations of hard bread and salt in their hav ersacks. Most of the artillery was ordered to move, and all the ambulances accompanied the column.

Promptly at daylight the column was put in motion, General Blunt commanding in person. The country over which we passed (south-east) was extremely rugged, rendering the passage of our artillery and ambulances slow and tedious. When within about four hundred yards of the Nine o'clock in the evening, however, found us enemy, who were defending the gorge, and as I within ten miles of our enemy, who were camped was about to give the word to fire, an officer from in a force of from seven to eight thousand strong Gen. Marmaduke came galloping up with a white at Boonsboro. From our scouts we learned that flag. On sending an officer to receive it, they they were determined to fight at this point. The requested the privilege of taking off their dead rebel forces were under the command of Majorand wounded. Consideration for the fate of Col- General Marmaduke, Brig.-General Shelby, and onel Jewett and others, who had fallen upon the other lesser confederate lights, such as McDon ground they then occupied, and whom I feared ald, Quantrel, Livingston, etc. It was a concenthey might brutally murder, induced me to re-tration of all the "bushwhacking" gangs, united spect their flag of truce, convinced though I was to Marmaduke's forces. It was evident that they

and the massacre of families to the calamities of war; and, whereas, since the passage of said act executive and military orders have evinced a determined purpose of the enemy to carry out this policy of rapine and extermination with brutal and surprising severity; and whereas, justice and humanity require the government of the confede

atrocious practices and designs of the enemy by inflicting severe retribution; therefore,

Resolved, by the Congress of the confederate States, that the President will be sustained in resorting to such measures of retaliation as in his judgment may be demanded by the above-recited lawless and barbarous conduct and designs of the enemy.

Doc. 36.

A LETTER from Apalachicola, Florida, gives the following particulars of the naval expedition to that place:

the beginning of the war, the rights accorded to belligerents by the usages of nations; and, after prosecuting this war, without success, more than a year since this government was recognized by European nations as a belligerent power, have continued, under the same pretext, to inflict upon the good people of these States inhuman injuries in contemptuous disregard of the usages of civil-rate States to endeavor to punish and repress the ized warfare, exacting from them treasonable oaths and service, and, upon refusal, subjecting unarmed citizens, women and children to banishment, imprisonment, and death; wantonly burning their dwelling houses, ravaging the land, murdering men for pretended or trivial offences; making rapine of private property a systematic object of the war; organizing the abduction of slaves by armies and agents of Government; endeavoring to foment servile insurrection by tampering with slaves, by proclaiming schemes for emancipating them, by passing laws to equalize EXPEDITION TO APALACHICOLA, FLA. the races; by protecting slaves in resisting their masters, and by preparing armed bands of negroes to fight in the presence of negro slaves for the subjugation of the white race; permitting outrages on women to be committed by a licentious soldiery, encouraged, in a memorable instance, by the order of a major-general and the acquiescence of his government; attempting, until restrained by a threat of retaliation, to murder privateersmen for engaging in a mode of warfare expressly sanctioned by the Constitution of the United States and the confederate States, and by the laws of nations; refusing, with double inhumanity, to exchange prisoners, until constrained by the long duration and adverse fortune of the war; attempting to ruin our cities by filling up the entrances to their harbors with stone and diverting the ancient channels of great rivers; cutting off our supplies of medicines, needed as well for suffering women, children, and captive enemies, as for the sick of our armies, and perpetrating other atrocities, which would be disgraceful to savages. And, whereas, the said Government of the United States, in the same Our men were obliged to seek a place of greater spirit of barbarous ferocity, has recently enacted safety by moving out into the river, and sent a a law entitled, An Act to suppress insurrection, boat down to the Sagamore and Fort Henry for to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and con- help. Two more boats were sent up the river as fiscate the property of rebels, and for other pur- soon as possible, also an additional boat from the poses;" and has announced by a proclamation storeship J. L. Davis, and still another from the issued by Abraham Lincoln, the President there- United States steamer Somerset-a steamer that of, that, in pursuance of said law, on the first had just arrived from Cedar Keys, Fla. As soon day of January, 1863, all persons held as slaves as all the boats had collected up the river, two of within any State or designated part of a State, them were sent to capture the sloop. The rebels the people whereof shall be in rebellion against were secreted in ambush, and taking deliberate the United States, shall be thenceforward and for- aim, fired upon our advance, wounding three of ever free; and has thereby made manifest that our men. The fire was immediately returned the vast war of invasion which it wages with such from the howitzer in the Sagamore's launch, in lawless cruelty is conducted with a view, by ju- the direction from which the rebel bullets had dicial murders, banishments, and otherwise, to exterminate the loyal population of these States; to transfer their property to their enemies; to emancipate their slaves; to destroy their labor system; to subvert their institutions, human and divine, upon which it is founded, employing slaves and other negroes for these purposes, with an atrocious design of adding servile insurrection

An expedition was formed on the morning of the fifteenth of October, to proceed several miles up Apalachicola River, in order to cut out a cotton sloop that was reported ready to run the blockade. The expedition was made up of boats from the United States steam gunboat Sagamore and the United States gunboat Fort Henry. The boats were armed, each having a twelve-pounder boathowitzer, and rifles for the crew and the officers. Two boats started up the river before break of day, and after rowing four miles they discovered the cotton-sloop in a small bay or inlet on the eastern bank of the river. Before the sloop could be reached by our sailors the rebels at Apalachicola City had gained a knowledge of our intentions, and the result was that shortly after a troop of cavalry came down from an adjoining town to protect the sloop, with her load of cotton.

come. The canister must have had some effect upon the rebels, for that and the shrapnel were distributed pretty freely into the ambush.

The guerrilla bands here in Florida seem to have adopted the mode of warfare practised by the Indians in these swamps not many years ago.

The rebels were quickly driven from the sloop, which was then unfastened from its moorings and