Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-01-24
The War News.
Great Battle in kentucky

on Sunday last great battle took place near
Sunuerset Kentucky, between the fcdetai for-
cos under Gen. Thomas and DE tebel forces uh-
der Gen, zolicOfFdr. The battle resulted in
gloSicus Onion victory. "A fuit account win
be found below:
The Victory In Kentucky-DeathO OF FOL
1lcOffer-Thc Scene OF the Battle.
2 OR readers are aware that the rebel
Gen. ZolIicoffer, with force estimated at
about tcn thousand men, has, for some
weeks been strongly posted op the north,
bank OF the Cumberland river, few miles
below Somerset, in Pulaski county, Ken
lucky. The Federal General Schoepf, with
u fcrce of about seven thousand mem has
been at Somerset, holding the rebels in
check. Gen. Thomas, until about week
since, has been at Columbia, in Adsir coun-
". He moved forward by The jamestown
road, with tho apparent intention Of getting
into the rear Of Zollicoffer cutting of his
retreat and bagging his force.
ZollicofFer ascertained the nature Of the
movement, and seeing that he must aban-
don his position or be surrounded, boldly
determined to attack bis enemies in detail,
and suddenly marched to meet Thomas
It happened that strong rcinforcements had
been dispatched 10 the aid Of Gen. Thomas,
and that they overlook him after a forced
march Of twenty-five miles, three hours be-
fore ZollicofFer camo up, This probably
made the force Of the combatants about
equal in numbers. -Four regiments, 1.-Two
Tennessee and two Kentucky,-that march
ed from Somerset 10 cooperate, with Gen.
Thomas, do not appear to have been in the
fight.
Tho battle-ground is in Russell county,
l2 miles west Of the mouth Of White Oak
Crock, o small stream that puts into the
Cumberland, about Is miles southwest Of
Somerset, and is near where Thomas pro-
posed to cross the Cumberland, The en-
gagemcnt took place Sunday afternoon,
and tho rebel army was totally defeated
and pursued TO their entertainments dis
tance Of about twelve miles. A night at
tack was not ventured, and the rebels stole
across tho river in the darkness, having a
steamboat and barges at hand. They
abandoned all their cannon, tents and stores,
and dispersed in utter confusion. Over
two hundred killed and wounded rebels
were left on the battlefield, among them
Gen. Zolliooffer who was found dying in a
wagon, and Bsilie Peyton, a son of the dis
liDguished Tennessee politician ofthat name.
s fr LATER.
CINcINNATI, Jan. PA private dispatch
from Somerset says that Col. McCook OF
the 9th Ohio was wounded in the recent
battle. Three balls struck his horse, a
fourth passed through his overeoat and tho
fifth hit him. The wound is painful, but
not dangerous.
The Louisville Journal of yesterday says
IL cannon were captured at Somerset and
thinks the rebel army cannot escape. There
are from Z 10 10 Federal regiments which
were thrown across Cumberland river some
days since to intercept their retreat. Un-
less the rebels divide into squads and find
their way into Tennessee by unfreqqented
paths, they must all be entrapped.
A letter TO the Commercial dated Som
erset 10th, says Zollcoffer is said to have
been killed by Col. Fry of the Second
Kentucky regiment. We have taken many
prisoners. The loyal Tennesseeans fought
like tigers and have suffered much. The
9th Ohio is badly cut up. The Tennessee
ans took one battery at the point of tho
bayonet. i1 % l'l-1 o o.
LOUISVILLE, Jan. 22.-The entire Fed
eral loss at the late battle of Somerset was
SO killed and l27 wounded. Gen. Thomas
forces took IA cannon and l 400 mules and
horses. Gen. Thomas is across the Cum
berland river in pursuit Of the rebels. The
steamboat and eight Of the barges used by
the rebels were burned. The Federals are
using the remaining barges in transporting
troops across the river zd l9t
Washington, Jan. 22.-The following
was received at headquarters to night from
Gen. Thomas:
The rout Of the enemy is complete. AT
ter getting 2 cannon and about so wagons
across the river, they abandoned them with
all the ammunition in the depot at Mill
Spring. They then threw away their arms
and dispensed through The mountains in
the direction of Monticello. They are so
demoralized that don't think they will
make stand short Of Tennessee. Tho
property captured this side of the river is Of
great value, amounting to eight 6-pounders
and two Parrot guns, with amuuition, 500
4-horse wagons, about 1900. horses and
mules, boxes Of arms that had never been
opened, and 500 TO 1000 muskets, mostly
| flint locks; subsistence stores for the entire
army for three days, and a large amount Of
hospital stores. Our loss was thirty Killed,
and l27 wounded. Loss Of rebels was / IA
killed and buried, Il6 wounded, and As
prisoners, unwounded, 5 Of whom arc sur
geons, and Lieut. Col. Garter, Of Tennes-
sec regiment. "-
The prisoners say Gen. Geo. B. Critten-
den was first in command, Zollicotfer sec
ond. fNi''' 'a' i'
Orittenden fled 10 the woods taking the
wrong road. 1t issupposed he win be cap
tured. -" H't Ais ~ Hsdo
The Federal forces actively engaged were
the 10th Indiana, 4th Kentucky, I'd Mime
sols and 9th Ohio. Their respective loss
in the order named. They were reinforced
after the first and seyeTest engagement BY
the 10th and 9th Kentucky, lst and I'd
Tennessee, 14th, 5lst, 35th and SSth Ohio,
and Standards Whitmore's and Kinney
batteries. ' nnF
The rsbel force was estimated at 10, 900.
Green G. Clay, Of Bourbon Co., son Of Bru-
tbs Clay aid to schoepf, bat with General
Thomas in the engagement, has Just arrived,
httnn,inn, an alaoanf s;lk enhaf a.,