The following particulars of the affair at
Monroe, being gathered from parties that were present, may be considered substantially correct.
On Monday,
Colonel Smith, hearing that the
State troops, under
General Harris, were encamped near
Florida, left
Monroe Station with a force of 500 men, to disperse them.
After passing
Florida, and when a short distance north of one of the fords of
Salt River, on the other side of which the
State troops were encamped, his force was suddenly fired upon from the roadside by about 200 of
Harris's command.
At this spot there was an open field, lying to the right of the road, and about eighty yards in width.
The State troops, who were a mounted scouting party, had left their horses a short distance back in the woods, and fired in ambush from the opposite side of the field.
The only person injured by the fire was
Capt. McAllister, of the 16th Illinois Regiment, who was mortally wounded.
The Federal forces returned the fire without effect, and retired to
Monroe Station to await reenforcements, the balance of
Harris's command having crossed the ford and commenced a system of guerilla warfare.
After retreating a few miles, the
Federal forces encamped until the next day, when they again retired toward
Monroe Station.
A short skirmish was here engaged in, without loss to either side.
In the mean time, no guard having been left at
Monroe,
Capt. Owen entered the place with about 200 of the
State forces, and burned the depot and some cars.
The officers on the
Hannibal and
St. Joseph road report thirteen passenger and seventeen freight cars destroyed, and another station-house burned a short distance from
Monroe.
Col. Smith, as soon as he reached the latter place, threw his entire force into a large building used as an academy.
Harris's command, some 2,500 in number, surrounded him and brought two six-pound cannon to bear on the building.
Owing to the distance at which they were placed and the unskilful working, they did no execution.
During the constant interchange of shots that took place, two men, not connected with either side, but residents of
Monroe, were killed.
The name of one was
Hotchkiss.--
St. Louis Republican, July 13.