HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH BRIGADE,
Prestonburg, Ky., January 11, 1862.
I left Paintsville
on Thursday noon with 1,100 men, and drove in the enemy's pickets 2 miles
beyond Prestonburg. The men slept on their arms. At 4 o'clock yesterday morning
we moved toward the main body of the enemy at the Forks of Middle Creek, under
command of Marshall. Skirmishing with his outposts began at 8 o'clock, and at 1
o'clock p.m. we engaged his force of 2,500 men and three cannon posted on the
hill. Fought them until dark. Having been re-enforced by 700 men from
Paintsville, drove the enemy from all their positions. He carried off the
majority of his dead and all his wounded. This morning we found 27 of his dead
on the field. His killed cannot be less than 60. We have taken 25 prisoners, 10
horses, and a quantity of stores. The enemy burned most of his stores and fled
precipitately.
To-day I have
crossed the river, and am now occupying Prestonburg. Our loss 2 killed and 25
wounded.
J. A. GARFIELD,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. J. B. FRY,
Assistant
Adjutant-General.
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
7 (Serial No. 7), p. 29; Corydon Eustathius Fuller, Reminiscences
of James A. Garfield: With Notes Preliminary and Collateral, p. 324
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