Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-19
E. Covlos & Co. Publishers
The Ba,tIo Of Plketou.
PTErTor, Piks Co.. Ky. Nov. II.

PIKETON, Pike Co., KY. Nov. IL.
In my letter Of last Thursday I stated
that the Thirty-thir Ohio and battalion
Of fauking companies under Major Hart,
had started for this place, and that VIC were
to follow in the afternoon. The difficulty
in getting the wagons, containing our pro-
visions, over the river, detained US 30
much that We did not get of until the next
morning. The Division was composed Of
the ID, 2lst, 60th, and Col Narshalls in
complete regiment Gen. Nelson took COM
mand in person.
We had marched about ten miles when o
few shots we're fred at our advance. We
halted and formed into line, but as only
few Of the rebels we're discovered, and they
beyond the range Of the muskets, nothing
was done. Again We took up our line Of
march, and had advanced probably three
miles when vOlley from an unseen enemy
let us know that "bushWhaoking" had COM
meneed in earnest
Few positions could have been selected
better adapted for entrapping and surpris.
ing an army. The road lies at the foot Of
an almost perpendicular hill, or mountain
side, with the river close by. There was
just curve enough to expose our whole line
to their FIRE. The greater part Of their
force was stationed on a ridge ct the fur
ther end Of the pass.
The remainder were secreted in corn
field on the opposite side Of the river. We
afterwards learned that they numbered 740
--6l5 infaEtry and l25 cavalry. Colonel
Marshall's men had been securing the
hills, but for the last three miles the march
had been so rapid that they had only time
to keep in advance Of the division. Had
more time been taken the skirEishers could
have discovered the ambuscsde before the
troops had entered the pass. As it was,
the advance companies we're almost di.
rectly under the rebels when they opened
their FIRE.
Orders were Immediately given for US to
ascend the hill, and by advancing around
the ridge to get above, and, If possible, in
their rear. Before this could be done,
however, the vigorous FIRE Of our troops and
some we'll directed shells thrown by Capt.
Konkle's battery had entirely dispersed
them, with loss Of 80 killed and about
the same number wounded.
Our loss was four killed and tWenty-four
wounded. Two of the latter have since
died. Col Marshalrs men suffered t1e
most severely. BE himself had his horse
shot under him. and ball passed through
his coat. Capt Berryhil Of Co. A, ID Ohio,
was wounded in the wrist. l intended
sending you list of the killed and wound
ed, but ss yet have been unable TO obtain
one.
Il is q matter of wonder that they did no
greater execution, as the firing continued
an hour and twenty minutes, during the
whole of which time 8 part Of our force
was directly exposed to their FIRE.
We left the place as soon as practicable
after the retreat Of the enemy, but IS great
caution was necessary in our forward
movements, We only advanced couple Of
miles, and encRmped for the night A
heavy rain commenced about three o'clock
in the morning and continued almost in
cessantly until noon. We commenced our
march, however, early in the morning, but
the slippery condition Of the roads, and the
obstructions thrown in our way by the re-
treating rebels made our progress exceed
ingly GLOW.
The pioneers were almost constantly en-
ployed in removing trees and repairing
bridges. We again encamped when some
uNG AlACa AENlA AAD AlAM GA1AAAAE eHoAA
] in the morning, we had only gone about
half the distance, when We were met by q
detachment Of our cavalry, bringing us
the intelligence that Col. Sills' division had
taken possession Of the town the evening
before, with scarcely any resistance, al
though they had force Of several hundred,
but the booming Of the six Founders seems
to have had their usual effect
| We crossed the river on a raft their hssty
flight had not allowed them to destroy, and
thus ended the expedition against Pike
| ton.
We are still quartsred here, with some
talk of advancing further, but 1 do not
think it is seriously contemplated, as to
move an army over such roads at this sea-
son Of the year would be almost an impos-
sibility.