Doc. 123. surprise near Renick, Mo.
The Hannibal Messenger gives the following particulars of this affair:We have additional intelligence from various sources of Lieut.-Col. Morse's expedition south from Macon City. It appears that he left Macon the latter part of last week with 450 cavalry and infantry, took the enemy, reported to be 800 strong, under Sweeny, completely by surprise near Renick, in Randolph County, captured all their pickets, and was pouring a murderous fire into their ranks before they were aware of his presence.
The consternation is said to have been great in the rebel camp, the occupants flying in every direction for dear life. One of the fugitives is said to have passed through New London a few mornings since with nothing but his shirt and pants on.
Augustus Columbus Appler, late of the Democrat and News of this city, is said to have been taken prisoner. When he was found, it is said he was lying in the grass, feigning death; but on being pricked in the “rear” with a bayonet, he bounded with the agility of an acrobat, and was immediately restored to life.
If it be true that Appler was found in the camp and taken prisoner, it will be apt to go hard with him, as he took the oath while retained a prisoner by the Illinois Sixteenth, in Camp Hays, last summer.
We understand that the rebel prisoners who were taken in the surprise near Renick, say the Federals had fourteen wounded, but make no mention of their own loss, which must have been much heavier. [269]
Col. Morse left his infantry at Renick, and with his cavalry went in pursuit of the enemy, since which nothing has been heard of him. We learn that considerable uneasiness is felt for his safety at Headquarters in Macon City.
