Brigadier-General George H. Thomas to Captain J. B. Fry, January 31, 1862

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,        

Somerset, Ky., January 31, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in carrying out the instructions of the general commanding the department, contained in his communication of the 29th of December, I reached Logan's Cross-Roads, about 10 miles north of the intrenched camp of the enemy on the Cumberland River, on the 17th instant, with a portion of the Second and Third Brigades, Kenny's battery of artillery, and a battalion of Wolford's cavalry. The Fourth and Tenth Kentucky, Fourteenth Ohio, and the Eighteenth U.S. Infantry being still in rear, detained by the almost impassable condition of the roads, I determined to halt at this point, to await their arrival and to communicate with General Schoepf.

The Tenth Indiana, Wolford's cavalry, and Kenny's battery took position on the road leading to the enemy's camp. The Ninth Ohio and Second Minnesota (part of Colonel McCook's brigade) encamped three-fourths of a mile to the right, on the Robertsport road. Strong pickets were thrown out in the direction of the enemy beyond where the Somerset and Mill Springs road comes into the main road from my camp to Mill Springs, and a picket of cavalry some distance in advance of the infantry.

General Schoepf visited me on the day of my arrival, and, after consultation, I directed him to send to my camp Standart's battery, the Twelfth Kentucky, and the First and Second Tennessee Regiments, to remain until the arrival of the regiments in rear.

Having received information on the evening of the 17th that a large train of wagons with its escort were encamped on the Robertsport and Danville road, about 6 miles from Colonel Steedman's camp, I sent an order to him to send his wagons forward under a strong guard, and to march with his regiment (the Fourteenth Ohio) and the Tenth Kentucky (Colonel Harlan), with one day's rations in their haversacks, to the point where the enemy were said to be encamped, and either capture or disperse them.

Nothing of importance occurred from the time of our arrival until the morning of the 19th, except a picket skirmish on the night of the 17th. The Fourth Kentucky, the battalion of Michigan Engineers, and Wetmore's battery joined on the 18th.

About 6.30 o'clock on the morning of the 19th the pickets from Walford's cavalry encountered the enemy advancing on our camp, retired slowly, and reported their advance to Col. M.D. Manson, commanding the Second Brigade. He immediately formed his regiment (the Tenth Indiana) and took a position on the road to await the attack, ordering the Fourth Kentucky (Col. S. S. Fry) to support him, and then informed me in person that the enemy were advancing in force and what disposition he had made to resist them. I directed him to join his brigade immediately and hold the enemy in check until I could order up the other troops, which were ordered to form immediately and were marching to the field in ten minutes afterwards. The battalion of Michigan Engineers and Company A, Thirty-eighth Ohio (Captain Greenwood), were ordered to remain as guard to the camp.

Upon my arrival on the field soon afterwards I found the Tenth Indiana formed in front of their encampment, apparently awaiting orders, and ordered them forward to the support of the Fourth Kentucky, which was the only entire regiment then engaged. I then rode forward myself to see the enemy's position, so that I could determine what disposition to make of my troops as they arrived. On reaching the position held by the Fourth Kentucky, Tenth Indiana, and Wolford's cavalry, at a point where the roads fork leading to Somerset, I found the enemy advancing through a corn field and evidently endeavoring to gain the left of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment, which was maintaining its position in a most determined manner. I directed one of my aides to ride back and order up a section of artillery and the Tennessee brigade to advance on the enemy's right, and sent orders for Colonel McCook to advance with his two regiments (the Ninth Ohio and Second Minnesota) to the support of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana.

A section of Captain Kenny's battery took a position on the edge of the field to the left of the Fourth Kentucky and opened an efficient fire on a regiment of Alabamians, which were advancing on the Fourth Kentucky. Soon afterwards the Second Minnesota (Col. H. P. Van Cleve) arrived, the colonel reporting to me for instructions. I directed him to take the position of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana, which regiments were nearly out of ammunition. The Ninth Ohio, under the immediate command of Major Kammerling, came into position on the right of the road at the same time.

Immediately after these regiments had gained their position the enemy opened a most determined and galling fire, which was returned by our troops in the same spirit, and for nearly half an hour the contest was maintained on both sides in the most obstinate manner. At this time the Twelfth Kentucky (Col. W. A. Hoskins) and the Tennessee brigade reached the field to the left of the Minnesota regiment, and opened fire on the right flank of the enemy, who then began to fall back. The Second Minnesota kept up a most galling fire in front, and the Ninth Ohio charged the enemy on the right with bayonets fixed, turned their flank, and drove them from the field, the whole line giving way and retreating in the utmost disorder and confusion.

As soon as the regiments could be formed and refill their cartridge-boxes I ordered the whole force to advance. A few miles in rear of the battle-field a small force of cavalry was drawn up near the road, but a few shots from our artillery (a section of Standart's battery) dispersed them, and none of the enemy were seen again until we arrived in front of their intrenchments. As we approached their intrenchments the division was deployed in line of battle and steadily advanced to the summit of the hill at Moulden's. From this point I directed their intrenchments to be cannonaded, which was done until dark by Standart's and Wetmore's batteries. Kenny's battery was placed in position on the extreme left at Russell's house, from which point he was directed to fire on their ferry, to deter them from attempting to cross. On the following morning Captain Wetmore's battery was ordered to Russell's house, and assisted with his Parrott guns in firing upon the ferry. Colonel Manson's brigade took position on the left near Kenny's battery, and every preparation was made to assault their intrenchments on the following morning. The Fourteenth Ohio (Colonel Steedman) and the Tenth Kentucky (Colonel Harlan) having joined from detached service soon after the repulse of the enemy, continued with their brigade in the pursuit, although they could not get up in time to join in the fight. These two regiments were placed in front in my advance on the intrenchments the next morning and entered first. General Schoepf also joined me the evening of the 19th with the Seventeenth, Thirty-first,  and Thirty-eighth Ohio. His entire brigade entered with the other troops.

On reaching the intrenchments we found the enemy had abandoned everything and retired during the night. Twelve pieces of artillery, with their caissons packed with ammunition; one battery wagon and two forges; a large amount of ammunition; a large number of small-arms, mostly the old flint-lock muskets; 150 or 160 wagons, and upwards of 1,000 horses and mules; a large amount of commissary stores, intrenching tools, and camp and garrison equipage, fell into our hands. A correct list of all the captured property will be forwarded as soon as it can be made up and the property secured.

The steam and ferry boats having been burned by the enemy in their retreat, it was found impossible to cross the river and pursue them; besides, their command was completely demoralized, and retreated with great haste and in all directions, making their capture in any numbers quite doubtful if pursued. There is no doubt but what the moral effect produced by their complete dispersion will have a more decided effect in re-establishing Union sentiments than though they had been captured.

It affords me much pleasure to be able to testify to the uniform steadiness and good conduct of both officers and men during the battle, and I respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of the different commanders for the names of those officers and men whose good conduct was particularly noticed by them.

I regret to have to report that Col. R. L. McCook, commanding the Third Brigade, and his aide, Lieut. A. S. Burt, Eighteenth U.S. Infantry, were both severely wounded in the first advance of the Ninth Ohio Regiment,, but continued on duty until the return of the brigade to camp at Logan's Cross-Roads.

Col. S. S. Fly, Fourth Kentucky, was slightly wounded whilst his regiment was gallantly resisting the advance of the enemy, during which time General Zollicoffer fell from a shot from his (Colonel Fry's) pistol, which no doubt contributed materially to the discomfiture of the enemy.

Capt. G. E. Flynt, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Alvan C. Gillem, division quartermaster; Lieut. Joseph C. Breckinridge, aide-de-camp; Lieut. S. E. Jones, acting assistant quartermaster; Mr. J. W. Scully quartermaster's clerk; Privates Samuel Letcher, Twenty-first Regiment Kentucky Volunteers; Stitch, Fourth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, rendered me valuable assistance in carrying orders and conducting the troops to their different positions.

Capt. George S. Roper deserves great credit for his perseverance and energy in forwarding commissary stores as far as the hill where our forces bivouacked.

In addition to the duties of guarding the camp, Lieut. Col. K. A. Hunton, commanding the Michigan Engineers, and Captain Greenwood, Company A, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, with their commands, performed very efficient service in collecting and burying the dead on both aides and in moving the wounded to the hospitals near the battle-field.

A number of flags were taken on the field of battle and in the intrenchments. They will be forwarded to headquarters as soon as collected together.

The enemy's loss, as far as known, is as follows: Brigadier-General Zollicoffer, Lieutenant Bailie Peyton, and 190 officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, killed; Lieut. Col. M. B. Carter, Twentieth Tennessee; Lieut. J. W. Allen, Fifteenth Mississippi; Lieut. Allen Morse, Sixteenth Alabama, and 5 officers of the medical staff and 81 non-commissioned officers and privates, taken prisoners; Lieut. J. E. Patterson, Twentieth Tennessee, and A. J. Knapp, Fifteenth Mississippi, and 66 non-commissioned officers and privates, wounded; making 192 killed, 89 prisoners not wounded and 68 wounded; a total of killed, wounded, and prisoners of 349.

Our loss was as follows:

Command.	Killed.		Wounded.
	Officers.	Men.	Officers.	Men.
10th Indiana	....	10	3	72
1st Kentucky (Cavalry)	1	2	....	19
4th Kentucky	....	8	4	48
2d Minnesota	....	12	2	31
9th Ohio	....	6	4	24
Total	1	38	13	194

A complete list of the names of our killed and wounded and of the prisoners is herewith attached.*

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. THOMAS,        

Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers, Commanding.

Capt. J. B. FRY,
        A. A. G., Chief of Staff, Hdqrs. Dept. Ohio, Louisville, Ky.

_______________

* Omitted.

SOURCE: 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. 79-82

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, January 18, 1862

It was said that another picket skirmish on the north side of the river resulted in the killing of two of our men and one of the enemy.

It rained nearly all day.

General Buell ordered General Thomas, on December 29th, to move from Lebanon by the way of Columbia upon Zollicoffer's left flank, while General Schoepf was to move upon his front from Somerset. On the 30th Thomas replied thus:

Have made arrangements to move as light as possible, and hope to get started to-morrow, although with raw troops and raw mules I fear there will be some difficulty.¹

The advance of Thomas's division arrived yesterday at Logan's Cross Roads, about ten miles north of Crittenden's intrenched position (Beech Grove), and within eight miles of Somerset, where he halted for the rear to close up and to communicate with Schoepf.

Late that afternoon our commander wrote the following dispatch to A. S, Johnston, Bowling Green, Kentucky:

HEADQUARTERS, BEECH GROVE KENTUCKY,        

January 18, 1862.

 

SIR: I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front, and finding it impossible to cross the river I will have to make the fight on the ground I now occupy.

 

If you can do so I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 

G. B. CRITTENDEN,        

Major-General Commanding.

 

To the Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Department of the West.²

 

It appears from the above dispatch that Crittenden then expected to remain in his intrenchments and await the attack of the enemy, but he afterward decided to move out and attack them.

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¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 524.

² Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 103.

The above dispatch was handed to General Zollicoffer (he being better acquainted with the troops) with the request to start it at once by couriers. He immediately sent to Captain T. M. Allison for a reliable, well mounted man. Accordingly, C. F. Thomas (Company E) was ordered to go to Mill Springs (one mile), cross the river and report to Zollicoffer. Leaving camp about sunset, Thomas did as requested. Handing him the dispatch, Zollicoffer said: “I want you to take this to General Sidney Johnston, at Bowling Green, and this," handing him another addressed to an officer at Memphis, "you will mail at Gallatin. Take one good man with you and make the trip through to Bowling Green as quick as you possibly can." Recrossing the river, Thomas was soon back in our camp again. He selected to go with him on that venturesome trip John D. McLin, who was then his messmate, and is now (1886) editor of the weekly Nashville American.

 

Swinging themselves into the saddle, Thomas and McLin set out on their daring trip about ten o'clock that night—to use Thomas's own language, “One of the darkest and muddiest I ever saw." They went down the south side of the river. They were not only in danger of meeting Federal scouts and home guards, but also of being shot from the bushes by "bush-whackers." They would sometimes have to travel miles out of their way in order to deceive the home guards, and other times they would pass themselves off to some good old lady as good "Union soldiers." They rode two days and nights, stopping only two or three times for a few moments to feed their horses.

 

Late in the afternoon of the 20th they crossed the Cumberland at Williams' Ferry. Their horses were so fatigued by this time by constant riding through deep mud that they had to stop and let them rest; therefore they put up for the night with one Mr. Williams.

 

With very great surprise and bewilderment did they learn next morning (21st) that neither of their horses was able to travel, having eaten too much corn during the previous night.

 

Seeing that our boys were in distress, and fully realizing the situation, Mr. Williams, who happened to be a kind, generous, noble-hearted Southern man, happily came to their relief by ordering a servant to bring out a span of fine, fat, gray geldings. As soon as they were brought out and saddled Mr. Williams said, Here, boys, take these horses and keep them as long as you need them, and ride them as hard as you please." After returning heart-felt thanks to their kind host for such a great and unexpected favor from a stranger, offered, too, with such a free good-will, the boys leaped into their saddles and pressed on to Gallatin that day. Here they had expected to take the cars for Bowling Green, but in this they were disappointed. The cars had been taken from that road and were then running in the interest of Fort Donelson, which was now threatened by a heavy Federal force.

After mailing the dispatch addressed to Memphis and holding a "council of war," they decided that McLin should remain at Gallatin, while Thomas should get a fresh horse and proceed alone, as they felt that they were now out of danger of home guards and "bush-whackers." Accordingly Thomas set out from Gallatin early on the morning of the 22d, and arriving at Bowling Green about dark the same day, handed the dispatch to General Johnston, who had just received another dispatch announcing the defeat of Crittenden at Fishing Creek. Starting back next morning Thomas rejoined McLin at Gallatin. Returning now at their leisure, and finding their horses all right on arriving at Mr. Williams' they exchanged horses, and finally rejoined their command at Chestnut Mound.

 

I shall here mention another incident in which the two above named took part. It occurred while they were at home on furlough in August, 1863, as follows:

Captain S. Y. Barkley, who lived (and does now) sixteen miles East of Murfreesboro on the pike leading from that place, by the way of Hall's Hill to Liberty, learned late one evening that a small squad of Federals had passed along the pike going in the direction of Liberty. After a ride of about six miles in the direction of Statesville he found C. F. Thomas and John D. McLin at Jim B. Thomas' (C. F's. father). Notwithstanding it was now dark and raining, these three daring riders set out immediately in pursuit of the enemy. About one o'clock A. M., the next morning, they arrived at Auburn, where they learned that two Federals had passed that place going in the direction of Liberty. On learning at Mr. Matthew Wilson's, about two miles beyond Auburn, that the enemy had not passed there, our boys turned and went back to Mr. A. Owen's, where they learned that the Federals had gone about one mile from the pike and put up for the night with one Mr. A. Lax. Our boys drew rein about dawn at Mr. Lax's barn. The old man Lax, who soon came out to feed, was captured first. Next one of the Federals came out to the barn and was made prisoner without the fire of a gun. Leaving the two prisoners in care of Thomas, Barkley and McLin went to the house, where they found the other soldier still asleep. On rousing him up and demanding his surrender, he very coolly remarked, while rubbing his eyes open, "Well, I wish you had let me get my nap out." Taking their horses and arms (and they were well mounted, well armed, and well supplied with ammunition), our boys turned their prisoners loose on parole.

 

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 110-3

Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer to Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall, December

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,        

Beech Grove, Ky., December 17, 1861.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: Your messenger was started back on the 13th instant, via Burkesville and Glasgow, with an escort of 60 cavalrymen, directed to go to the latter place. He bore a dispatch giving you a list of 33 prisoners I send to Nashville, to be disposed of as General Johnston may direct. I have no advices from Major Wynn, but suppose the steamer to arrive at Waitsborough on the 18th will be freighted with stores for us. Have sent a large train of wagons and made ample arrangements for a guard. Ten of the prisoners captured were taken on the 11th instant by an expedition I sent down to Louisville, on the north side of the river, and about 30 miles from here. Our party killed 3 others. The enemy had posted a small body of men there behind a breastwork and with a flag flying, who had annoyed our cavalry across the river at Rowena when patrolling in that direction. Louisville is 15 miles from Columbia. Our only loss was one man accidentally drowned.

The river is now low and fordable in many places. There are now known to be seven infantry regiments at Somerset. The enemy has advanced strong posts to Fishing Creek, and their scouting parties approach to within a few miles of our camp. The stage of the river and the value of our supply trains render it necessary, in my opinion, to keep two regiments on the Mill Springs side of the river. I therefore have but four and a half regiments on this bank. Had the reserve of Powell's regiment, Wood's battalion, and McClung's battery been sent on, as I ordered, I could have advanced. But I can hear nothing official from Knoxville of them. For a day or two past my information leads to the suspicion that the enemy contemplate an early attack upon this position.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        

Brigadier-General.

SOURCE: 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. 772-3

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Wednesday, December 4, 1861

General Zollicoffer threw over the first small cavalry picket at Mill Springs.

Colonel J. M. Connell set out from Somerset early that morning with his regiment, Seventeenth Ohio, three pieces of artillery and a company of cavalry, with instructions to move to the river and plant his artillery so as to command the ferry at Mill Springs, in order to prevent Zollicoffer's crossing at that point. Leaving his main force some two and a half miles from the river, Colonel Connell went forward with Captain Ricketts and Lieutenant Fife, of the artillery, to make a personal reconnoissance. On meeting our cavalry before reaching the river at Mill Springs, they (our men.) opened fire and gave chase, and the Colonel very narrowly escaped capture.

I take the following from Connell's official report:

In turning a sharp angle my saddle turned, girth broke, and I was thrown within one hundred yards of them, and but for the noble conduct and cool bravery of Captain Ricketts I would have been killed or captured. He got off his horse and waited until I ran up to him and gave me his horse, while he escaped into the woods.¹

Our men got the Colonel's saddle, one pistol, and some other equipments. Connell moved his force back to a position behind Fishing Creek, some twelve miles from Mill Springs, thus leaving the way open for Zollicoffer to cross.

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 475.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 89-90

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Friday, December 6, 1861

As Zollicoffer had by that afternoon thrown a good portion of his command to the north side of the river, he moved his headquarters from Mr. West's to Mill Springs.

General Shoepf became so alarmed at the movements of Zollicoffer on yesterday, that he fell back with his entire company last night to a position three miles north of Somerset.¹

Fishing Creek runs south into the Cumberland five miles above Mill Springs, and lies between that place and Somerset. One road to the latter place crossed

Fishing Creek seven miles from Mill Springs, and the other eleven. The enemy had thrown up fortifications at the more distant crossing.

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 476.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 90-1

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, December 7, 1861

Our men were still very busily engaged crossing the river and intrenching (at “Beech Grove ”) on the north bank.

A cavalry scout crossed Fishing Creek at the upper crossing, passed through the fortifications on the east bank and returned without meeting any, not even a picket, of the enemy.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 91

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Sunday, December 8, 1861

Brother Ben and four others of Allison's Company left Mr. West's to rejoin our battalion at Camp Hall, seven miles beyond Monticello.

Zollicoffer sent out two companies of cavalry to see if they could learn what had become of the enemy.

Before reaching the upper ford on Fishing Creek they found a Federal cavalry picket, consisting of one company of Wolford's Regiment, under Captain Dillon.

This company broke and a lively chase ensued.

Lieutenant Dine was posted a little beyond the upper ford, on the road leading to Somerset, with about thirty infantry from the Thirty-fifth Ohio¹ (Colonel Van Derveer). Dillon's fugitives refused to halt or give Dine's men any assistance, but pressed on to camp near Somerset. When our men struck the infantry picket above mentioned, they (the enemy) were soon killed, captured or dispersed, after which our cavalry followed Dillon's men nearly to Somerset. According to Zollicoffer's report, the enemy's loss was ten killed and sixteen captured, one of whom was badly wounded; and our loss one man and one horse wounded, and two horses killed. I take the following from Colonel Van Derveer's report:¹

We killed one of their officers in command of the advance, one of their horses, and captured one horse. Our own loss was one killed, one wounded, and fifteen missing.

In reference to the above affair General Schoepf wrote to General Thomas thus:

The cavalry under my command, as usual, behaved badly. They are a nuisance, and the sooner they are disbanded the better.

Is there no such thing as obtaining a regiment of reliable cavalry? Such a regiment is indispensable with this brigade at this time. The absence of such troops has kept me in the saddle until I am nearly worn down with fatigue.³

_______________

¹ Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 9.

²  Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 8.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 91-2

Colonel John M. Connell to Brigadier-General Albin F. Schoepf, December 5, 1861

CAMP AT FISHING CREEK, December 5, 1861.        

(Received December 6, 1861.)

General SCHOEPF, Commanding Camp Goggin:

GENERAL: On yesterday I moved forward with the artillery to take position at Mill Springs, according to your order, having sent the cavalry the evening before; they however did not proceed more than 2 miles.

I advanced to within 2½ miles of the Ford at Mill Springs with my whole force, and went forward with Captain Ricketts and Lieutenant Fife, of artillery, to the Ford to make a personal reconnaissance. Found their pickets within 100 yards of the Ford, on this side; endeavored to avoid them, and took the woods on the left hand and spent about twenty minutes examining their position, and found it too strong and the enemy too numerous to face with our small force.

You have been misinformed as to the possibility of securing a good position that any small force can hold at that point. The rebel camp completely overlooks the bluffs on this side, and it is impossible to take position upon them without being exposed to their full view and in range of all their arms. Upon attempting by myself to pass to the right bluff near the creek I was fired upon by a body of their cavalry, who were just coming up the hill at the Ford within 50 yards of me. They followed, firing deliberately as I spurred my horse back. In turning a sharp angle my saddle turned, girth broke, and I was thrown within 100 yards of them, and but for the noble conduct and cool bravery of Captain Ricketts I would have been killed or captured. He got off his horse and waited until I ran up to him and gave me his horse, while he escaped into the woods.

I found no tenable position at all between Mill Springs and Fishing Creek, and certainly none at or near Mill Springs or mouth of Meadow Creek.

The rebels have already several boats and cross the Ford with ease. Their cavalry can cross in a few minutes.

Captain Fullerton made diligent inquiry as to their force, and reports to me that he has no doubt that there are twelve regiments at Mill Springs. They have very extensive encampments.

We have not a very strong position here, but it is better than any we can get between here and Mill Springs, and if we had a force to throw across the creek I think we could make a very strong resistance.

Finding ourselves in an exposed condition, where we could in a few minutes be completely surrounded and the rebels beating to arms, with cavalry across the Ford in our front, and night just upon us, my own judgment, supported by the opinion of all the officers of my command, influenced me to fall back, and finding no place where I could make a stand and save my train except this, I moved back here during the night quietly and in good order; my men and teams terribly fatigued with 25 miles’ rough marching and counter-marching.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. CONNELL,        

Colonel Seventeenth Ohio Regiment.

SOURCE: 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. 475

Brigadier-General Albin F. Schoepf to Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, December 6, 1861

HEADQUARTERS, Somerset, December 6, 1861.

Brig. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
        Commanding Eastern Division:

GENERAL: The enemy have crossed the Cumberland, as near as I can learn, with four regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and eight pieces of artillery. As there was no position near the river that could have been held by the small force under me (not 1,900), I deemed it my duty to move back about 3 miles beyond Somerset to a very fine position, that commands the Crab Orchard road and also the road to Stanford, where I now am, and shall await my re-enforcements, and will then move forward.

The position at Fishing Creek was untenable, on account of three roads flanking us, all leading to the different ferries, which rendered it impossible for me to distribute my few men with any hope of success.

The movement of last night was not known to the enemy until this morning.

The enemy had 3,000 encamped about 3 miles west of us, and, as I learned from scouts, they were still crossing and moving down the river banks, where they drove in our pickets and took possession of the ferries at Hudson's and also the one at Patterson's, both of which have roads leading to the main road, about one mile in my rear, which has no place for artillery to operate effectively.

I could have held a position where the enemy is encamped, had it not been for the unpardonable disobedience of Captain Dillion to occupy the point opposite Mill Springs, when I positively ordered him to do so. I have ordered him to report himself to me, when I shall order him in arrest and send him to Lebanon, hoping that something may be done to prevent such flagrant disobedience in the future.

Our pickets were firing until late in the night, but without any damage to us, our men reporting to have killed a few of the enemy.

Day before yesterday a messenger from you reported to me that he had lost the dispatch you sent by him, and yesterday a gentleman found one on the road, directed to me, containing invoices from the quartermaster, which was also sent by a messenger. The messenger I sent you day before yesterday has also lost my dispatch to you. All of these men belong to Wolford's cavalry.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. SCHOEPF,   

Brigadier-General.

SOURCE: 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. 476