Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-24
The Heroic Col. Garfield and His Brave
NAlan

IRON the cleveland Dally lIerald.l
HEADQUARTERS 18TH BRIGADE,
PAINrvILLE, KY, Jan. 9th, 1862
Editors Of Herald = We have now arrived at
point from which think something may lie
said concerning the movements of this brig
ade that may not prove unintcresting. AS |
said in my former letter, force OF some 1000
or 5000 rebels, under Humphrey Marshall,
had established itself in the vicinity of Paint
vile, where they had intended to pass the
winter, and had for some time been actively
employed in Strengthening naturally strong
position, by every means that ingenuity could
devise and labor accomplish.
In marching against this formidable
force, Colonel Garfield has labored under
the most overwhelming difficulties Placed
in the position OF brigadier general, almost
without any previous notification, he found
his brigade disposed at different points over a
large extent Of Country,--one regiment with
Out arms, the Whole without drill as brigade
and far from headquarters as to render
many delays unavoidable.
Added To this the field assigned him was
one OF the very toughest ever entered by an
army, So much SO indeed that marches of the
entire column have been restricted to four OF
five miles per day, i'll consequence OF the de-
lay Of supply trains.
Arrived at last within days march of the
cess or failure. With him were the fourteenth
Kentucky and the forty second Ohio regiments,
besides Two hundred cavalry. The iorteth
Ohio and four hundred Kentucky cavalry, I'M
der Colonel Cranor, were advancing by IA slow
and toilsOme march from Paris 10 attack the
enemy's rear. When this column would ar.
rive before the hostile redoubts, was uncertain.
An hours precipitation would bring down
upon it the entire strength of Marshall, while
an hours delay, should he be himself attacked in
front, would subject his own column to a sim.
liar disadvantage. With every exertion, Col.
Garfield could command but 1900 men. TO
march this little column against 300 troops
behind breastwOrks, from which grinDpd
eight or ten pieces OF cannon, would be devot.
ing ms beloved troops to a greater sacrifice
than he cared to suffer. Yet his men were
eager for the fight and conscious of their su.
periority, they were willing 10 meet the enc
my at almost any odds.
In their picket duty small parties had met
and scattered large squadrons OF rebel horse.
men, whose dastardly flight had put their
cowardlce hey oDd question The matter
was soon decided. lie would wait one more
day Tor reintorcements, and then make the at.
tack His appeal tor artillery had been dis.
regarded, but he hoped that the long range of
his rifles would enable him to meet this Giff
Guilty.
While all this was being done; while the
piece was lifted that was TO administer the
checkmate, the enemy, feeling the interiority
OF his troops before the disciplined soldiers Of
Ohio, withdrew his pickets burned his sup
plies, destroyed all tile baggage he was unable
to transport, and leaving the works that had
cost him two weeks Of incessant toll, fled with
the greatest precipitation toward Presionburg
Meanwhile, the Union troops, not knowing
of the flight OF the rebels, pressed forward on
Tuesday morning last, and occupied Paint
vile. a few cavalry, lurking among the hills
opposite the village, discovered us, and dashed
away to the woods. Whether they would in
form their remaining companions and all take
flight, or whether the whole appearance of a
retreat was only ruse, intended to draw us
beyond reach of assistance, no one could tell
But no time was to be lost Taking few
hours rest, while pontoon bridge was
being thrown across the creek, Colonel
Garfield pushed ON about sunset to take
possession of the rebel camp and works
ami offer battle 10 whatever force might he
prepared to oppose him. The details Of that
march propose to make the subject of another
letter. While we were doing This a BODY of
our cavalry, advancing by another road. over.
took and routed four hundred Of the enerny's
cavalry, killing SIX and capturing four horses,
with loss OF Two men We are in the midst
OF Wrelched country; the weather is warm
and rainy, and the mud almost tathomla.s
The health OF the lortv-second and of the
entire brigade is toerably good, considering
Inc hard service they have passed through,
Col, Cranln, hearing of the retreat of Mar.
Snall, ana not wishing to meet such great odds
changed his course, and arrived here yester-
day morning.
To-day Col. Garfield, choosing eleven hun
area men from the three infantry regiments,
anu taking, besides, four hundred cavalry
pushed ON to attack if possible, the rear of
tile enemy, and force him to abandon his
trains and artillery. Just now a messenger.
eomes, announcing that they have found the
rebels at place called Abbott's Mountain.
bringing also an order tor a thousand men to
hurry forward. We shall start at six in the
morning, and hope to be able to tell YOU of a
fight in my next. Pardon my loquacty-I
have done. FHM
from the Kentucky Wing Extra of Jan. ISL
1tappcars that Col Bowles, of the second
Virginia cavalry, with a small force, made n
reconnaissance Of Marshall's position on the
9TH and, three miles west of Paintville, came
upon portion OF the enemy under command
ot Capt. Shawhan of Harrison county, when
after a short skirmish, the latter were routed
with loss Of six killed, fourteen wounded
and seven prisoners The rebels fled to their
camp, where they produced perfect panic.
Ibe loss OF Col B0wles was two killed and
one wounded Col. Bowes, after buryng the
dead, returned.
On the day following Col. Garfield sent for
ward 300 picked infantry and 900 cavalry to
pursue Col. Garfield himself headed the
cavalry, and with his force came upon the en-
envy two miles above Prestonsburg. When
Marshall discovered the presence OF the cav
airy he posted himself on range of hills in
the woods and opened fire upon them with his
small cannon, OF which he had tour, but which |
were so badly managed that they only ploweI |
the sand away off from our men. With his
900 cavalry Garfield fought the 5000 of Mar.
shall's men for two hours, at the end of which
time his looked for reinorcements of infantry
came CALAMITY to the rescue. The battle
now lasted with increased vigor for two
hours more, at which time night came, and
lighting ceased by mutual consent. Our mon
slept on their arms with the expectation of re.
hewing the contest in the morning, but when
morning came it, was discovered the enemy
lad fed IN the most rapid haste. Immedi
lie pursuit was somewhat delayed by the
lonarrival of the supplies. but beiore Nir