Latest from the South.
important News from Missouri--the fight at Guyandotte — from the Potomac--Texas Intelligence, &c.We continue from the first page of this paper our extracts from the latest Southern papers received at this office:
Important from Missouri--Successful skirmish near Springfield — the enemy Retreating Northward, &c.
The editor of the Memphis Appeal had a conversation on the 18th inst. with Captain Myerson, who arrived in that city the day before direct from Springfield, Mo., as the bearer of dispatches to the President. The Appeal says: ‘ We learn from him that the skirmish near Springfield on the 2d inst., of which we have received intelligence from the Northern papers, was a decided Southern victory. Early in the morning on the day mentioned, 320 Confederate cavalry, encamped about a mile and a half from the town of Springfield, learning that they were soon to be attacked by Fremont's body- guard, numbering four hundred and fifty mounted men, withdrew into a dense wood near by and awaited their approach. This force of the enemy soon appeared, and ascertaining their whereabouts, charged on them vigorously three separate times, and were as often repulsed, with an alleged loss of 169, after which they fled from the held in great disorder. The Confederates sustained a loss of six killed and seven wounded. The Federal force, comprising Gen. Hunter's army at Springfield, was reported by our scouts not to be over 20,000, which we deem rather too low an estimate. Generals Price and McCulloch were still at Cassville, when Capt. Myerson left about ten days ago, with a combined army of about 30,000 men, all well armed. They were on the best terms with each other, and acting in cordial concert and harmony. Since the skirmish alluded to had taken place, it was reported that the enemy were on the retreat, moving northward in the direction of St. Louis. Price had distributed forty rounds of cartridges to his army, ordering them to hold themselves in readiness to march on notice. It was supposed that it was his intention to pursue the enemy and give them battle. His army were in excellent spirits, and, as usual with the Southern boys, anxious for a fight. He, himself, seemed confident of being able to redeem Missouri from the thra drom of Black Republican oppression. The meeting of the Missouri State Legislature, which passed the Ordinance of Secession at Neosno on the 2nd inst., was well attended — a full quorum being present, including twenty-three members of the upper, and seventy-seven of the lower house. Nineteen of the former and sixty-eight of the latter constitute a quorum. The Ordinance was passed unanimously, and without a dissenting voice. Our informant further states that it was reported that the enemy has torn up the entire track of the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad, in Northern Missouri, and transferred its rolling stock to Illinois. The alleged reason of this movement was stated to be that it was impossible to keep the ‘"rebels"’ in that section, who were very numerous, from burning the bridges and otherwise obstructing communication between the two termini. ’Later from Missouri--the Federals advancing with 48,000 troops.
From a telegraphic dispatch, dated Fayetteville, Ala., Nov. 10th, published in the Fort Smith Times, we extract the following: ‘ The force of the enemy is reported at 48,000, with 12d pieces of artillery, and advancing South with the avowed intention of wintering on Arkansas river. Generals Price and McCulloch are acting in concert and in perfect harmony. A battle may be expected in a few days, near the line, of the most sanguinary character — far exceeding the Oak Hills battle. Generals Price and McCulloch are determined. The Federals have 3,000 pack mules and saddles to be used in his expedition into Arkansas. ’ Another dispatch says: ‘ A confident belief exists, but nothing positive, that Fremont is at the head of the Federal army at Springfield — that it is 48,000 strong. They have along 3,000 pack saddles, and it they force Price and McCulloch back, will throw an advance detachment of 10,000 men, by a flank movement, via Clarksville to Little Rock. The object is to arrest the Governor and Legislature. ’Latest from M' Culloch's. Army.
We find in the Fort Smith Times the following dispatches: ‘ Fayetteville, Nov. 11th.--Maj. Geo. W. Clarke: Gen. McCulloch directs that all traveling from Fort Smith, in this direction, be done on the Frog Bayon road, as the other reads will be blockaded. W. M. Montgomery, Maj. A. Q. M. Fayetteville, Nov. 11th.--Maj. Clarke: Gov. Jackson was quite sick last night. Gen. Price has fallen back to Pineville, and Gen. McCulloch to the Arkansas line, and is cutting the roads full of timber, to prevent the Federals from advancing on him. The people here are fixing to retreat across the mountains. ’From Fort Gibson--Jim Lane on his way down — the Indian troops called for.
The following letter from Fort Gibson, Nov. 10, was received at Fort Smith, Ark., on the morning of the 11th inst. It is important: ‘ An express arrived this evening from Lieutenant-Colonel Diamond, commanding Colonel Young's Texas regiment, at Fort Scott, Kansas, stating that Jim Lane, with 4,000 Jayhawkers and four pieces of artillery, is approaching our frontier and destroying everything before them. He brings dispatches for Colonel Drew's regiment now at this place, for Colonel Cooper's and Colonel Si s's regiments of Texans, now on their way here, with orders to move forward without delay. Colonel Diamond is confident that with the addition of these troops to those already on the Kansas line, he can clean out Lane with all his Jayhawkers. Colonel Drew's regiment is encamped here, and over one thousand strong of the finest set of warriors that can be found anywhere; they will make their mark wherever they come in contact with the enemy. Matters in the Creek Nation are still unsettled. I saw a letter yesterday from a responsible man there, stating that old Opothleyoholo is reported to have from 1,500 to 2,000 men with him, and expects to operate in connexion with the Kansas Jayhawkers. ’Still Later — the Federals at Cassville — Cassville Burnt by them-- Gen. Price at Pineville, &c.
The Fort Smith Times, of the 14th inst., coun the following latest information: ‘ Fayetteville, Nov. 12.--Arrivals in town to-day state that the Federal advance reached Cassville on the 11th and burned the town It is supposed by some that this act indicates an intention of laying waste Southern Missouri and returning. The plans of Price and McCulloch are good to the extent of the means of defence. With numbers far inferior to those of the Federals, they will dispute Hunter's passage. The latter is entrenching at Sugar creek, a strong strategic point. The former is at the Sugar creek hills, to prevent Hunter from turning these hills. McCulloch is cutting down the timber on the small portion of this country which is passable, leaving a passage for his army to pass south, if necessary, which he will fill with fallen timber as he retires. He will also block up all the roads through the Boston Mountains, except the narrows of Frog Bayon, through which he will retire, if forced; and woe to the Federals if they venture to follow. But we have no idea that they will ever pass Sugar creek. Price will hold the Federals in check. They cannot turn that point. Col. Diamond's Texas regiment, and Stand Watie's Cherokee regiment are on the Kansas line, waiting for Lane, who is said to be approaching at the head of 8,500 Jayhawkers. ’ The following dispatch, dated "Headquarters, Little Sugar Creek, Ark., Nov. 11, we copy from the Fort Smith Times, Nov. 14: The General Commanding directs that you forward immediately all the companies that are or may be mustered into service. The Missouri army is at Pineville. The Federal troops are advancing from Springfield. Fremont has been superceded by Hunter. The enemy's strength is reliably stated to be from 43,000 to 50,000, with one hundred and twenty pieces of artillery.From the Potomac — sinking of a Federal Boat and probable loss of a Vandal, etc.
The Fredericksburg Recorder, of the 22d instant, contains the following with regard to affairs on the Potomac: ‘ We met, on yesterday, with several soldiers direct from Evansport, and from them gathered some few items of interest. On Wednesday, a man in a small boat came rather close into shore on a reconnoitering expedition. when our boys at Shipping Point battery fired one round at the boat and man. The result was that both were, to use a can't expression, blown "sky high." On Tuesday evening, two steamers came up the river with two barges, which they left below Evansport, on the Maryland shore, just opposite the house of Witheers Waller, and then returned down the stream. Two steamers, we learn, succeeded in running the blockade on Tuesday night. Our batteries fired upon them, but with what success could not be determined. The man in Capt, Lacy's company who was injured by the shell on Saturday last is doing well, and it is said will recover. We are in formed that he was not hurt by exposing himself in disobedience of orders, but was wounded whilst in the discharge of his duties at one of the guns. The Sickles' pickets still insist upon it that they intend to winter in Fredericksburg. One of them asked our men what they had to eat, saying he understood we were starving out. Our picket told him he never was more mistaken; that he was faring sumptuously on the hams taken at Manassas. This enraged the Yankee, and after cursing the "rebels," the conversation was broken off. It was reported on the streets yesterday, that there had been firing at Aquia Creek on Wednesday--upon enquiry as to the cause we learned that it was merely the discharge of those pieces that had not been fired for some time, and that they were discharged merely to be reloaded. Yesterday morning Sickles's permanent battery opened, we learn, on our Evansport batteries — our side promptly returned the fire, and some thirty-four rounds were exchanged, when the firing ceased. One of the enemy's missiles was a shell weighing over thirty pounds, which fortunately did not explode — on our side comes the often repeated and gratifying report of "nobody hurt." ’ The Fredericksburg Herald, of Friday evening, 22d inst., has the following: ‘ Our gunners at the Evansport batteries are becoming proficients. On Tuesday a small vessel essayed to pass, when a rifle gun was opened on her. The first shot took effect, as she at once went down. With this exception all has been quiet at our Potomac batteries for the last week, and yesterday not a sail was in sight at Aquia creek. There is an evident impression abroad that fighting is over for the winter, yet we are not exactly inclined to join in the impression. We heard a week ago that the enemy were bridging Occoquan creek, which certainly looked like an offensive and speedy attack on our Evansport batteries, but we have no late advices from that quarter. The necessities of the Federal Army would seem to require the free navigation of the Potomac, and the consequent dislodgement of our Evansport batteries, but they may be aware of the fact that the Potomac can be easily blockaded in at least one other quarter. ’From Gen. Floyd's camp.
The following extract of a letter is from a friend in the Floyd Brigade, and exposes another specimen of Yankee impudence: Camp near Raleigh C. H., November 19, 1861.
The Yankees sent in a flag of truce to-day — haven't yet heard for what purpose; but, no doubt, it is a mere pretext to afford themselves some idea of our strength and position — but our General would not allow them to come within our lines.
P. S.--Have just ascertained what the flag of truce amounted to. The Yankees sent over to propose that they would take no more Secessionist prisoners provided we would not take any more Union men. The proposition was addressed to the Commander of the forces lately encamped on Cotton Hill!
Col. Wharton returned to them the answer, that he would receive no communication which was not addressed to Brigadier-General John B. Floyd.
I am perfectly well, and shall be busily engaged as Judge Advocate in a general court-martial for several days, besides being temporarily acting as Assistant Adjutant-General, and, therefore, cannot write. P.
