Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-30

epoa cement on the 21st inst, at Camp WIG
Cat. near Rockeastle, KY, between the COM
maud of Gen. ZoLLICoFFER and large Fed /
eral force, caused some uneasiness amongst
the friends of the Tennesseans in this eommu- |
nity. We are glad to be able this morning |
IN furnish our readers with correct reports |
which will dissipate all apprehensions.
We are indebted to francis B. FoGG. Esq, |
for the following extract of letter from his |
son. Mai. HENRY u, FoGG. a member OF Gen. |
ZoLLscoFFER,s staff:
.I,1rrIE LAUREL BRIDGE,
(6 miles from London-) Oct. %. ! |
.The enemy, at frs. ] 500 strong. had Just |
received reiuforcements of an Indiana and |
Ohio regiment and battery, which in con- |
nectiou with the natural advantages of an |
unsurpassed character, rendered them formid- |
able in the extreme am so tired and sleepy
now that / can barely write an intelligible
letter, except to say that we had some sharp
firing for FIVE or six hours, and were unable |
10 bring to bear our artillery upon theirs to
aay extent. The consequences was that We
retired after feeling their position not deem
ing it prudent to make any further demon
stratioa than by breaking part of their
blockade, and engaging them in close conflict
as we'll as across gorge, our men being on
height commanded by their Notifications.
'Any description now of the fight would
be impracticable, SIS am completely worn
out. having been in the saddle "a hours with
slight iatermissions, ard no sleep night be-
fore last, only three or four hours last night,
and having travelled all day, returning be-
yond our late encampment several miles to
this point. Suffice it to say. that while we
did not succeed in taking their camp, which
was out of the question, we made display
of great courage and killed fully as many as
they did; losing ourselves about fifty men,
nearly all of whom were from Col. Newmans
Regiment. The enemy's force, as we learned
from prisoners taken yesterday, Was 6,ODo,
while We had left one regiment at our camp,
and had but five regiments incomplete, and
three ibattalions of cavalry likewise only par
tiaI. The cavalry were of no use In the con-
fiet, as it is terribly mountainous country,
and the positions of the enemy unknoEn, so
that We had to make our way very slowly
and cautiously to avoid an ambuscade. The
approach or advance we made about ten
O'Clock, A. n. when the firing commenced,
and We desisted about foar O'Clock, P. NJ, dur
ing which time it was sharp and prolonged
with short intervals. If the enemy had been
skiillul shots our loss wonld have been very
heavy, as the exposure of as all was great"
The following additional particulars are
from letter written by Capt. HENRY EWING
to a relative in this city:
zz .iHEAD QUARTERS,
.sCamp Buekner, Oct. &c. 1861.
ave arrived last night from our battle at
and retreat from Camp Wildcat, SIS miles be-
yond this. We went forward with 5 900 men,
arrived there last Saturday night, worn ont.
wet and hungry, attacked the enemy. 1000
strong. entrenehed and fortified to resist an
attack of Is 900 safely, drove themsfrom one
of their entrenchments, and were preparing
to drive them from smother, when we receiv-
ed news that they were being reinforced, and
thought 1t was about time to retreat. This
We did in good order, and as if We were TO-
900 strong. We lost in killed IL; wounded
AZ; We took 20 prisoners, and killed a good
many of the enemy, though we do not know
the number. Every man was hero, on our
side; and men who were at Cerro Gordo say
no better charges we're made there than tnose
made by the commands OF Coils. RAINS and
NEWMAN" zl5iz1 DAB fs
In addition 10 the above, we may state
that gentleman arrived in this place yester-
day. directly from Gen. zoLILcoFFER's camp,
which he left on the 26th inst. He was EN-.
ployed as a guide on the expedition, being
familiar with the country. He is of the
opinion, from what he heard. that the enc
my's loss was heavy, bat that was not posi-
lively known. One gentleman who partici-
pated in the eight, though not belonging to
any company, told him he saw some 40 or
more dead bodies within the enemy's en-
trenchments, on the part Of the ground
where be fought. Monday night, cur men
encamped near the place of battle, slaugh-
tering sheep and cooking their food for the
evenings repast- Tuesday morning, the army
gradually fell back, but the enemy. though
in largely superior force, did not follow them
Firing was heard in the neighborhood of
the enemy's camp Monday night, and which,
It was reported. was reinforcements of
the Fsderalists firing npon each other
through mistake. Friday merning. there was
q skirmish between the pickets at Barbours-
vile, and It was reported that the enemy
were in force at Laaerl Bridge, near which
Mr.. FoGa's letter was written. On Tuesday.
The retreat was conducted slowly, in good
order. and without any casualties. In The
Gghtour forces, who were engaged, displayed
the most undaunted courage and gallantry.
Nothing could have exceeded their high met
tie and ebivslrous daring. zs. : f.szs