and the blacks have come within our lines. They are a great source of annoyance to our army, but, under the act of Congress, and instructions from the powers that be, in Washington, they cannot be turned away. They are good foragers. Nearly every man in the expedition has a servant, even the privates. Some of the officers have two or three. 66 The private soldiers are strictly forbidden to leave the ranks to snatch up unconsidered trifles, like fowls, pigs, sheep, and the like; but the negro, for the first time in his life, finds himself 'better than the whites," and levies his contributions at will. Negroes from all along the route, come flocking to the lines with such credentials in their hands. If the black has not attached himself to any man in the brigade, he will answer your demand to sell by saying, "I does not want to sell 'em-I want to go along-and I give 'em." They are generally received under such circumstances, for two reasons - one is, no man has a right to say them nay, and the other that their game is quite palatable. Many are used for relieving the soldiers of severe and heavy duties, such as assisting to care for the sick, helping trains to cross the bayou, "toting" knapsacks, etc. HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, IN CAMP NEAR THIBODEAUXVILLE, November 1, 1862. In my last communication, I informed you that this brigade had marched on this place, after the spirited and decisive action at Labadieville. This engagement took place at a point three miles below Napoleonville. There is a steamboat landing here called Georgia Landing — a post-office near, which goes by the name of Albemarle, and it was near Mills's plantation. I think the affair should more properly take the name of Napoleonville. The battle commenced at about eleven o'clock, and the order was given to our troops to stop firing at ten minutes past one. The remainder of the day was occupied in burying the dead and caring for the wounded, of which there was a considerable number on both sides. The Eighth New-Hampshire regiment, with a cavalry company and a section of artillery, were also sent out on the right to a considerable distance, in consequence of a report that the confederate cavalry, which was believed to be some two or three hundred strong, contemplated a movement to our rear in that direction. If such were their intention, however, it was abandoned, as nothing was seen of them by the force sent out, which soon returned. The gallant Eighth New-Hampshire had the honor that night of encamping in the open air on this their first battle-field, on the very spot where they had sustained their heaviest losses. I walked over the field with some of the officers, who described the exact position in which they had disputed this well-contested field. I have not been able to learn the numbers of the confederates, but know that there were portions of two regiments immediately engaged-the Crescent and the Eighteenth Louisiana. In point of numbers, the latter was much the stronger. They were supported by Withers's battery, which, I believe, had only three pieces in the fight-a howitzer for throwing shells, and two small rifled guns for solid shot. This little battery was well managed. There must have been some five or six hundred of them, besides their cavalry and artillery. The forces actively engaged on our side were the Eighth New-Hampshire, under command of Col. Hawkes Fearing, Jr., Lieut.-Col. O. W. Lull, and Major Smith. The latter officer was in very bad health, but could not be kept from his post on that account, while his brave regiment was winning laurels for all time to come. This regiment was designed to form on the right, but the order of battle being changed by certain circumstances, they wheeled into position on the left, by what is known among military men as inversion. The Twelfth Connecticut was the only other infantry force that really participated in the fight. This splendidly disciplined regiment of brave New-Englanders marched on to that battlefield as they would to a holiday parade-ground, and attracted the attention of their General by the steadiness with which they conducted themselves from first to last. The Thirteenth Connecticut were the last to cross over, and had time only to fire one volley, before the enemy was either in retreat beyond the range of their guns or lying in supplicating attitudes in the ditches and behind the trees, showing evident signs of a desire to be taken prisoners. There was but one section of artillery on this side of the bayou-a portion of Thompson's battery, I believe. Lieut. Perkins's cavalry was there doing good service, but not assisting in the thickest of the fight. Thus you will see that the fight was not so very unequal in point of numbers as some would try to make out. In fact, it was quite a fair little stand-up fight, and the superior position of the confederates might have given them a decided temporary advantage at the onset if their commander had only taken the proper advantage of it. Early next morning we were again in motion, apparently driving small squads of the rear-guard of the confederates before us. Occasionally a prisoner would be brought in by some of the ever-moving, untiring cavalry. Now and then Thompson's or some of the other batteries would unlimber a piece and send a shot at some retreating squad of horsemen, but no enemy appeared in force. We were constantly told, both by pri-oners and negroes, that it was the intention of the confederates to make a final stand at Thibodeauxville. But as we approached that place, the commander, General (late Lieutenant-Governor) Mouton, thought it advisable to retreat. His scouts had brought intelligence that the United States forces were coming in two columns, of ten miles each in length, on each side of the bayou. So he ordered the splendid bridge across the Lafourche to be burned, advised every body to leave his home, as he told them all he was going to defend the town to the last die in the last ditch, of course- - and then skedaddled. He is said to have been sick, and unable to sit on horseback. Many of the people of this region ran away with him, many others were pressed in as conscripts, and others were called out in the militia. But a reaction is now taking place, and Captain Fuller, our active and polite Provost-Marshal, is full of business, paroling, granting passes, and generally whitewashing the returned fugitives. One of the most certain signs of the good results of the civilizing influence of this little army of patriots and gentlemen is that several of the ladies, wives of wealthy planters, have extorted a promise from me to ask you to send them the Delta. I am told they have been reading lies and nonsense for nearly two years now, and desire a change. tant, contained two hundred and fifty. This sugar was totally destroyed. The reason alleged for this wanton destruction is that the Yankees would come and seize it! The real reason is, that the leaders were afraid that this sugar would contribute to restore friendly relations between the people and their true Government. It serves to make loyal men out of the planters, who can bring their produce to New-Orleans, obtain unprecedentedly high prices, in good money, and purchase in return therefor such goods as they need for their families at low prices. If the confederates cannot stop this trade, their "cause" will be damaged in the Lafourche country. We have all along heard that General Mouton intended to make a stand at the next point, from each of which he retreated, until he is said to have reached Berwick's Bay. Reports this morning say that this latter point is now evacuated, and the enemy is supposed to have gone in the direction of Vicksburgh. I learn that all along the line of the Opelousas The Feds seem to be vastly more popular than the Unfeds were. The former go into a house, store, or shop, and if they see any thing they want, they simply inquire the price and pay for it in money; while the latter would swagger around, wishing they might get a sight of a Yankee, that they might kill him and swallow him whole, take whatever they might want, and tender in payment some worthless shinplaster pay-road, the people who have been drafted as conable in confederate notes. They frequently did not pretend to pay any thing. One poor widow woman told me that they came to her house, quartered on her for two weeks, got drunk, broke her furniture, ate her substance, and finally sloped on the approach of the Federals, leaving her worse off in this world's goods by at least one hundred dollars, besides their unpaid bills. I could write innumerable instances related to me of their high and riotous doings, but I must pass on to other subjects. On Wednesday morning the General ordered Col. Birge, with his regiment, (the Thirteenth Connecticut,) to march to the Bayou des Allemands and open communication with Colonel Thomas, who was opening the Opelousas Railroad, and who was reported to be rather hard pushed by the confederates. Col. Birge went within four miles of the bayou, when he met some of Col. Thomas's officers, who reported the command as coming on slowly but surely, having not once fired a gun nor seen a hostile force. Communication being thus open, the Thirteenth came back to camp on Thursday. Col. Thomas reported that the rebels had burned the railroad bridge across the bayou, and that he was then engaged in repairing it - —a work, he thought, of two or three days' time. The railroad bridge across Bayou Lafourche was burned also, but that was not so long as the one near Bayou des Allemands, nor so badly burned. The latter was about four hundred and fifty feet long, and pretty nearly destroyed. The former was soon repaired. Trains can now go over the road from Algiers to the dépôt near this place, and I shall be able to send you daily reports. scripts are deserting and coming in, taking the oath of allegiance. A Capt. Renshaw, it is said, who had a company of sixty-two men, lost forty by desertion this morning. Another small squad of eleven men were sworn in as loyal citizens this evening. It is probable that a considerable amount of sugar will find its way to your city, now the railroad is open to this place and beyond; and I have heard of one man already who has received permission to ship his stock, which consists of about three hundred hogsheads. It is likely there will be many more. The Eighth New Hampshire started this morning for Tigerville, about twenty miles distant, down the road. It is thought there is no enemy in this region now, and that communication will soon be open to Galveston. Colonel Thomas, of the Eighth Vermont, found four pieces of artillery mounted on a car, at the bridge of Bayou des Allemands. They were well spiked, and one was filled with balls to the muz zle. Two were thirty-two pounders, and two were little four-pounder field-pieces. I am informed that the commander of the confederate forces at Bayou des Allemands, on learning the result of the engagement at Labadieville, or Napoleonville, shot seven prisoners belonging to the Eighth Vermont regiment. The supposed reasons for this act of barbarity are, that they were Germans who had been enlisted in NewOrleans, taken prisoners some time ago, and that he was afraid they might escape to their regiment, which he heard was making its way up the road, or that they might be recaptured. They are buried within a short distance of the bridge, and were taken up and fully identified by some The confederate military authorities have burn- of their former companions in arms. I cannot ed numerous warehouses filled with sugar. One vouch for the truth of this statement, but give it at the dépôt, four miles from here, had three as it was told me by some of the officers and hundred hogsheads. Another, three miles dis- | men of the regiment. VOL. VI-Doc. 4 Doc. 17. rapidity, and then with enthusiasm went at the work in hand. The river was crossed, skirmish THE FIGHT AT CROSS HOLLOWS, ARK.* ers thrown out, and at one time his entire party, MISSOURI "DEMOCRAT" NARRATIVE. CROSS HOLLOWS, ARK., October 29. I TAKE this, the earliest opportunity, of sending you intelligence and further detail relative to another victory which has been gained in Northwestern Arkansas. Telegraphic despatches regarding the fight doubtless have already reached you and been presented to your readers. The facts of the case are these: The army of the frontier had been vainly pursuing the main body of the rebels for several weeks without hope of bringing on a collision, until news came that a considerable force had collected near Fayetteville. On Monday, Gen. Totten's entire division started from Osage Spring, a point five or six miles west of Cross Hollows, and equidistant with the latter to Fayetteville. His force moved at three o'clock in the afternoon, some six or seven thousand strong, going directly toward Fayetteville, which was seventeen miles distant. with the exception of less than one hundred men, were engaged in the fight. No less than an hour and a half was consumed in crossing the river, the rebels having the advantage in long-range Minié muskets, while our boys had only their revolving pistols and rifles and a few carbines. After a severe contest, their advance was pushed across the river, and then they made a new line of battle, running through their camp, when they made a bold stand, and held our forces for another hour and a half. Finally, signs of yielding were detected, and then our boys charged upon them with a wild shout that sent terror to the hearts of the rebels, and added wings to their flying feet. In a moment their camp was deserted, and our gallant boys were in possession. There were many wooden barracks there, the place having been used last season, as winter quarters. These were burned to the ground, and all their cooking utensils, and a large amount of other camp equipage, were destroyed. A por In the evening Gen. Herron received directions tion of their train was captured, and the entire to take a body of cavalry and approach the ene- rebel force, consisting of six regiments, were drivmy from the south-east and overwhelm them. en four miles into the Boston Mountains. A few He took nine hundred men, consisting of a por- prisoners were taken, not exceeding a dozen in tion of the First Iowa cavalry, the Seventh Mis- number, and fifteen dead bodies were picked up souri State militia, and the first battalion of the on the field. The road by which the rebels reFirst Missouri cavalry, a portion of which formed treated was thickly spattered with blood, showhis body-guard, and set out at eleven o'clock on ing that they took away many wounded, and Monday night, eight hours after the other divi- upon several occasions they were seen taking sion had taken its departure. He went south away dead bodies upon their horses. some six miles upon the direct road to Fayette- not lose a man, and only five were wounded, ville, and then, turning to the left or east, made which, of itself, is a remarkable piece of good a wide detour through a blind, unfrequented This brilliant affair occurred twelve miles south path without a guide and under the cover of a night of tartarean darkness. This little party crossed the White River several times, and forced their way through tangled thickets, and by three or half-past three o'clock in the morning had made twenty-five miles and encountered the first pickets of the enemy. These were followed in with difficulty, the road apparently becoming more obscure. fortune. We did of Fayetteville, on the Ozark road. Intelligence Just as the dawn was breaking they came upon a heavier picket, consisting, apparently, of one hundred and fifty men. A portion of the State militia was dismounted, and this party driven across the White River, which there intervened between Gen. Herron's forces and the rebel camp. It appeared, from a straggler and a boy that had been caught, that Col. Craven was at this camp with four thousand Texan Rangers and two pieces of artillery. This would have been discouraging to ANOTHER NATIONAL ACCOUNT. some men, but Gen. Herron had not marched his CROSS HOLLOWS, ARK., October 29, 1962. men all the way down there, through bramble and brake, for the purpose of marching them Quite a brilliant affair in the way of a night back again. Although he had expected to mere- raid took place in this vicinity yesterday, and ly assist a larger force in subduing the enemy, he found himself with a new and very serious battle on his hands. Taking a hasty survey of the position, he disposed his willing forces with * This battle is also known as the battle of Fayetteville. is perhaps well worth a passing mention. The different divisions of the army of the frontier have been gallivanting about the country seeking for a muss with the rebels with very poor success for some weeks. Like the Irishman's flea, every time we thought we had them at any particular place, they were not there. We are in a hostile of Col. Craven. The case looked desperate, but country, where every living thing appears to act Gen. Herron is every inch a soldier, and a coolthe spy against us, apprising the secesh of our headed fighting man. He had made a weary approach whenever we make an important move-night-march, and he was determined not to go ment toward them. Intelligence caine a few days back without giving the enemy a tussle. With a ago that a considerable body of the enemy had rapid glance he took in the whole situation, comcongregated in the vicinity of Fayetteville, and prehending the advantages and disadvantages of would there give us fight. General Totten was the position immediately. His men consisted of ordered to move his division immediately upon portions of the brave Iowa First cavalry, the Sevthe latter place. He responded to this order by enteenth Missouri State militia-the same, by the starting at three o'clock P.M. Gen. Herron was way, who were forced across the State line at the encamped with his division at Cross Hollows, and point of the bayonet-and a part of the First batGeneral Totten's camp was at Osage Springs, six talion of the First Missouri volunteer cavalry, and miles west of the former camp, and equidistant in all numbered about nine hundred men. They with it from Fayetteville. On the evening of the were poorly armed, some with carbines, others same day (twenty-seventh instant) Gen. Herron with only sabres and revolving pistols, and the received orders to take a portion of the cavalry remainder with short-range revolving rifles; all belonging to his command, and to approach the else depended upon their dashing bravery and inenemy from the south-east simultaneously if pos- vincible spirits. It was impossible to decide who sible with Totten, who would move on them from was entitled to the most praise in this most unthe north-west. Fayetteville is seventeen miles equal conflict. No single company had ever been nearly south of the starting-point of both of these beaten in a previous battle, so they knew not parties, so that while Totten approached them what it was to be whipped. Disparity of numdirectly and by the shortest route, Gen. Herion, bers was forgotten; the victory to them was a who started eight hours afterward, would be foregone conclusion, and it only remained to win obliged to make a wide detour, and attack the it by fair hard knocks. At it they went, doing enemy in the rear. At eleven o'clock at night, their work manfully, and performing deeds of valor the latter General, supported by less than one that smacked of the marvels of ancient chivalry. thousand half-armed cavalry, left Cross Hollows Another hour and a half was spent in making an upon a very indefinite sort of errand. He did not impression upon the serried front of the rebels. know exactly where the enemy were encamped, At last word was conveyed along the lines that nor by what road to reach them. He had not an the enemy was in retreat, and in a moment our idea what their force amounted to; and he knew forces were charging into their camp with an innot where Totten would commence his attack. spiriting huzza that incited with new terror the This little party proceeded rapidly on the Fay- flying feet of the foe. They were driven some etteville road for some six or seven miles, then four miles, and after a hard-fought affair lasting they turned off to the left, on the east, into a about four hours in all, the field and a complete blind bridle-path. The night was pitchy dark, victory was ours. The rebel camp equipage and and the air sharp with frost. Without compass or barracks were destroyed, and a portion of their guide, the General led his men through bramble baggage-train captured. Several prisoners were and brake, tangled brushwood and thick forests, taken, and fifteen or twenty bodies found dead over mountains, through rivers and rock-ribbed upon the field. Doubtless many dead were carravines, coming upon a rebel vidette at about half-ried away, and all the wounded. Our loss was past three o'clock in the morning, some twenty-almost nothing. Five poor fellows were woundfive miles from Cross Hollows. This was unex- ed, one of whom has since died. With that expected, but the facts of the case proved that the ception, it was almost a bloodless victory, as far rebels were twelve miles below Fayetteville, on as Gen. Herron's forces were concerned. the Huntsville road. General Herron advanced his men, cautiously feeling his way by flankers and scouts, until daylight, when he came upon a strong picket-guard of two hundred cavalry. A Doc. 18. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL QUIRK'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS IRISH BRIGADE, CAMP JESSIE, } portion of the Missouri State militia were dis- FIGHT ON THE RIDGEVILLE ROAD, VA. mounted and deployed as skirmishers. They worked beautifully, advancing bravely to the contest, and drove the secesh steadily toward their camp, which was in an open space on the opposite side of White River. Other pickets were To Capt. Melvin, Assistant Adjutant General: encountered, who fell back to the edge of the CAPTAIN: One hour after the reception, and in stream, and there made a determined stand of an pursuance of orders from brigade headquarters, I hour and a half. They were finally dislodged, and left this camp at half-past five o'clock P.M., in comsent helter-skelter through the water to the oppo- mand of company A, Lieut. Hart; company C, gite shore. Our troops immediately followed, and Capt. Young; company D, Capt. Wort; Ringgold there met, drawn up in a line of battle, the whole Pennsylvania cavalry, numbering one hundred rebel force, consisting of two pieces of artillery and fifty men, and one section of Rourke's batteand five regiments of Texan Rangers, numbering ry, commanded by Capt. John Rourke. nearly five thousand men, under the command I arrived with my command at Greenland Gap (twenty-one miles) at eleven o'clock P.M., where I was informed that the enemy (Stuart's cavalry) four hundred strong, with about two hundred head of cattle, crossed the mountain near Greenland at two o'clock that afternoon. We then immediately advanced in pursuit, through the Gap, along the Ridgeville road, determined, if possible, to intercept them before they reached the crossing of that road, five miles from Petersburgh. When we arrived within three miles of the crossing, I halted the detachment, and sent forward Lieut. Hart and ten of his men to ascertain whether the enemy had passed the crossing, and he ascertained from a reliable source that the enemy, consisting of from three hundred to five hundred of Stuart's cavalry, Lee's brigade, were encamped within two miles back of the other road. At daylight we advanced upon the enemy, and when within seven hundred yards, I ordered Capt. Rourke to the front with his guns, when a few well-directed shell and shot, fired by Capt. Rourke in person, threw the enemy into confusion, and caused them to fly into the woods. I then ordered the cavalry to charge, which order was promptly and gallantly executed, particularly by company A, Lieut. Hart. After sixteen of the enemy were captured, being unable to find any more of the enemy, I ordered the cattle to be collected and driven with the greatest possible despatch toward our own camp, especially as I was apprehensive of an attack by Imboden, who was reported with a force of seven hundred men at Petersburgh, only five miles distant. I am glad to inform you our loss was none, while that of the enemy is known to have been at least three killed, sixteen were taken prisoners, nineteen horses captured, and one hundred and sixty head of cattle. I have been informed by one of the prisoners that the enemy's force consisted of two picked men from each company of Lee's brigade, Stuart's cavalry. The success of the expedition is owing to the rapidity of our movements, having advanced some thirty-five miles during the night, and to the cheerful and active coöperation of the officers and men composing the detachment. Lieut. John A. Ayres, of my regiment, Acting Adjutant of the detachment, rendered me valuable and efficient aid. The report is respectfully submitted. JAMES QUIRK, Doc. 19. THE FIGHT ON THE OSAGE RIVER. own and rebel blood, and come off victorious, when the odds were as five to one against them. For the last few weeks the recruits composing this regiment have been in camp " Wm. A. Phillips," at Fort Lincoln, perfecting themselves in drill. On the twenty-sixth of October, Captain Seamen received an order from Major Henning, commanding at Fort Scott, to take such a force as he could raise and proceed to a point on the Osage, Bates County, Mo., and there break up a gang of bushwhackers. We marched from Fort Lincoln with seventy men of the battalion raised by himself, under Capt. Pierson, (formerly of the First Iowa,) and Lieut. Thrasher, (formerly of the Third Kansas,) and one hundred and seventy men from Col. Williams's battalion, under the command of Capt. R. G. Ward, company B; Adjutant R. J. Hinton, Capt. A. G. Crew, company A, and J. Armstrong, company H, (the latter was formerly in company B, Third Kansas,) and Lieuts. Dickerson, company C, Huddleton, company E, Gardner, company F, and Minor, company D. This made in all two hundred and forty men, with the addition of half a dozen white scouts. The men were armed with the Prussian and Austrian rifled muskets, the former of which is an excellent weapon, and the latter a poor one, from constant liability to get out of order. On the twenty-sixth the command marched twenty miles, and on the twenty-seventh reached Dickies Ford, on the Osage, at about two P.M. Our destination was the house of a notorious rebel, named Toothman's, three miles from this ford. As we came in sight of it, we discovered at the same time a number of horsemen on the Osage bottoms, a mile to the south-east. The scouts and mounted officers galloped forward to reconnoitre, and soon discovered them to be rebel guerrillas. A citizen with a load of wood, on inquiry, stated that they were reported as Cockerell's, Hancock's, and Truman's gangs, moving south in the direction of Arkansas. Returning to the detachment, it encamped for the night, at Toothman's. We erected a rail barricade around the door-yard fence. The reports of scouts, as well as the women in the house, warranted the assumption that the rebel forces were several hundred strong. Our camp was within two miles of the famous Osage Island, an extensive tract of land, so called because the Osage had cut for itself two channels around it. That night we sent back messengers to Kansas for reenforcements. Being greatly in need of mounted men, we sent to the organized militia companies, also to Colonel Adams, commanding the Twelfth regiment, to camp at Fort Lincoln, and to Major Henning, at Fort Scott. We requested the latter to send what reënforcements he could along the south side of the Osage River, to Burnett's Ferry. Our intention was to skirmish with them until these reënforcements arrived, and when Major Henning's force arrived to make an attack on the Island from each side. All day we skirmished with the rebel pickets, at the same time sending out foraging and other parties. On the twentyninth the rebel pickets, which had occupied the |