The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-26
THE BATTLE OF PIKETON.
EPITOME OF THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OF GENERAL Ne

SON AND COLONEL SILL.
We will briefly notice the contents the repOrts Of
General Nelson and Colonel Sill. On the 18th November
General Nelson despatched Colonel SILL with his own re.
gment. the Ohio Thirty third, and the light battalion
under MAJOR Hart composed Of flank company from
each OF the regiments, the Second Thirty third and Fir
ty-nnth Ohio Volunteers, United States Army, and two
Kentucky companies, together with hundred and
iortytwo mounted men, under command Of Col Motcalf
Kentucky volunteers made up Of mounted from tho
wagon teams, and thrtysx gentlemen volunteers under
Colonel Apperson and section OF artillery march by
the way OF Johns creek and pass the left of Pike
ton where the rebels had taken position-a distance
OF forty miles-and turn or cut them Of. Colonel
Sill marched at eleven A. NJ the eth. AT i've
A. NJ. Of the 9Th General Nelson moved forward with
the Second regiment Ohio Volunteers Colonel Harris.
Fifty ninth regiment Ohio Volunteers, Colonel Fyl,e
the battalion OF kentucky volunteers under Colonel
Charles A. Marshall and two sections Of artillery CAPTAIN
konkle and took the State road direct to Pkeve wen-
tycight miles Some eight miles from Prestonburg thew
met picket of about forty cavalry and fred on them
but having no cavalry they escaped easily AZ L. NJ
the column had advanced along the dele Of the
mountain that ends at Ivy creek The mountain is the
highest along the river, very precpous, and thickly
covered with timber and underground and the road,
which is but seven feet wide is cut along the side OF it,
about twenty five feet above the river which is close IN
der the road The ridge descends in rapid carve and
very sharp to the creek rather gorge where makes
a complete elbow Behind this ridge, and all alonr the
mountain side, the enemy hundred strong Law in
ambush, and did not fire until the head Of Colonel
Marshalis battalion, himself leading was 40 10
the the elbow. The skirmish was very sharp.
The mountain side blue with puGs Of smoke
DISCHARGE
killed four and wounded thirteen Of Marshall's
General Nelson ordered the Kentckans 10 charge
Colonel Harris, whose regiment was immediately behind
the General led his men up the mountain side most gal
anty and depoyed them along the face of H. Colonel
Norton, whose regiment had just reached tho Goae an
cipatng an order from the General, led his up the
northern ridge Of the mountain deployed them along the
creek, and went at the rebels Two pieces Of artery
got in position in the road and opened upon them
Owing to the steepness Of the mountain all this required
time. On the opposite side Of the river which al that
point Is narrow deep and swift there rebels
who annoyed our men, In an hour and twenty minutes
the rebels were dispersed and fed, leaving number OF
killed and wounded on the ground and six prisoners un.
hurt AS General Nelson marched immediately in pur.
suit. the rebel loss was ascertain accurately bu
thirty found dead the field Among the wounded
prisoners H. NJ Rust late State Senator from Greenup
county Our loss in killed six, aud twenty four
wounded If General Nelson had had with HIM any
cavalry he feels confident he would have taken slaa
the whole of them. As it was, the enemy re;reated
cutting down trees the road aud burning
or cutting all the bridges which are numerous. General
Nelson bvouacked four miles beyond the Ivy creek
rancd, aud the had to wade through mud aud in
heavy all the day Of the 9h tie march being heavy
and slow account of the eled trees obsructng the
road and the necessary repairing OF bridges AT nig
the army again biyouaeked in the November rain and
the next morning they reached Pkev!le where Colonel
Sill had arrived the previous night Captain Berryhil
Of the Second Ohio, wounded severely al Ivy creek
while Leading the column up the morntain side.
During these operations tho commend u Col Sill exc
crted Gen. Nelson's orders and occupied piAeyile, by
circutous route, tie eth, al four r. NJ Col Meicf
mounted men, in advance exchanged shots with recon
mcdatey rcreated Metcais and Harris forces then
thrown out, depoyed skirmishcrs the hiil side
thanking the road, which deb3ucEcs the ford. They
found the enemy camp deserted AMI the main street OF
the village occupied by mounted men, who were making
OIL by the shelby road. few rounds OF shell were sent
after them and Nctcalf = took possession Of the
town. ording the ryer horseback hhc rest OF tue
force crossed on raft bridge Tho enemy were occup
Cd al tho previous day IN cyacuatug the place General
Williams there when the skmlshes opened lire
but he retrcaed and Colonel sill subsequently occupied
his headquarters. The only casualty was one lan killed
On the route Colonel Sill twice encountered rarity OF
mounted men. tae lrst fire killed n horse and wounded
two rebels On tie night OF the Sth party OF ten sent
out by Colonel hecai encountered Captain shawhans
rcbe cavalry, about hundred and Glty strong md il
reported that Captain s. wounded His marty fall
back great haste The troops in PSevie were not well
oil for provisions All they could get beef but there
is mill in the vicinity, which they intended 10 set in
molten and supply themselves with meal. 1t was
impossible to Obtain any accurate account of the numbers
OF the dispersed rebels, but they most eectuaI
cleared out Among tho effects Of Colonel iil ans Iefi
behind ri Pikevie in his hasty retreat letter from
the Confederate Secretary Of War J. r. Benjamin. dated
October %, introducing Mr. Lewis special agent tor the
Confederate government, who would make com,nunica
ton TO Colonel Williams about young Clay in relation
to which Colonel Williams was TO bis discretion. IN,
Secretary was anxously awaiting Williams muster Rolls
and stated that he had sent 10 him the z7 company
Of artillery with its battery, and would send inm regi
of armed Virglnans 10 Prestonburg in a few days
From all we CLEAN g Cerro Gordon will not for III,
present have occasion for their use his must b.
completely demoraized by the bad thrashng and wors,
fright which they received,