Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-20
The Right az PIkesOn-GoI. Williams,
Command.
From he LsaisVill' c0urisr, Eovsnber 10.

From The LeuisVille oourisr, EoTs1berI9.
We saw this morning gentleman from Bath
county who participated in the fight near Piketon
on the 9Th inst with portion Of General Nelson's
command. He assures US from his own posi-
tive knowledge that there Is not word Of truth in
the report of that fight sent from Msysville and
Lexington to the Northern papers, and copied BY us
on Saturday last.
Our informant whom We know to be reliable
gives Us the following interesting particulars:
On Friday morning, the Ssh inst. Capt May, Of
West Liberty. Morgan county, by direction of Gel
Williams. who was with his command Of some
I4O0 to 600 men, stationed at Piketon to which
pont they had fallen back from Prestouburg D ro-
rows about fifteen miles from Piketon. After
partially burning bridge across q raTine TO pre-
the passage Of the eRemys artillery, the brave
Kentucky mountsineers posted themselves on { he
bill side where they concealed themselves behi nd
logs, rocks, etc.
The enemy approached cautiously, but seeing
nothing in the way proceeded into " the narrOws
with their force. When they reached an abrupt
angle in the road, st preeOncerted signal boys
opened 8 murderous 6rs upon them, which WAS
kept up for q full half hour. The Yankees were
Egnally repulsed and withdrew under cover of
their artillery, which shelled the hill side with but
little effect, however. They then attempted to flank
our men by climbing the bill, when Capt Nay With
drew his command to point where they had
placed their horses, and returned to PiketoR, with
loss during the engagement of only killed and 8
wounded.
Among those who distinguished themselves in the
fight by their gsllantry and daring, our inform ant
mentions the names of Captain Thomas, of Bourbon
county; Captain Ezekiel Clay, "a son Of Brutus ].
Clsy) of Bourbon; Capt. May, Of Morgan county !;
and Capt. Hawkins, of Bath. The men were brave
as lions, and being ali of them crack shots, every
time they raised their rifles Hessan bit the dust
A man who was sent after the fight 70 ascertain
as to the extent of the enemy loss reported BY &C.
tual count PIG killed, and about $50 wounded
Twenty eight Of the dead Yankees were seen laying
IN one place.
On Saturday morning COL Williams, feeling his
inability to make stsnd against the overwhelming
numbers Of the enemy approaching him, commence
ed retreat to Pound Gap. One Of his men, q
member Of Capt Shawhan's company, who hsd
loitered behind, was killed by the advance scouts
of the enemy early that morning This, with the
thirteen killed and wounded on Friday, comprises
the total loss Of Williams.
On Friday last, the 18th INST, Just one week af~
ter the fight near Piketon, Col. Williams was Local
Ted about four miles from Pound Gap. He had
been reinforced BY portion Of Col NOore's regi-
ment from Abingdon, and was daily looking for
sufficient reinforcsments to enable him to success
fully hold Pound Gap sgainst the Yankees.
The mountaineers were hocking 20 him in large
numbers, and hourly sccessons were being made to
his force.
General Humphrey Marshall had started from /
Witheville to Pound Gap, early 10 the week Hs ex 1
pected to be followed Immediately By one or two
regiments Of infantry and battery OF artillery. /
Col Williams has no artillery whatever.
A part ofCoI Mcors's regiment, at Abingdon. had
Just received their arms on Friday last, and We re
,aftiry raadv IN start tn Pouud Cav