The New York herald., 1862-01-25

Tho field OF battle was, IS thus shown. q roll
ing tract, without being positively hilyof character
TO furnish advantages in the hands Of general who
know how to them. On this field General Thomas
Preparatory crossing encamped Saturday evening,
the 18TH with force Of which the following portion
only
Ninth Ohio regiment Volunteers.
Tenth Indiana regiment Volunteers.
Second Minnesota regiment Volunteers.
Fourth Kentucky regiment Volunteers.
Tenth Kentucky regiment Volunteers.
Eighteenth regiment United States regulars.
Two full batteries OF artillery.
While this movement being made the two brigades
OF Generals Schoopd and Carter encamped Somerset
and commanded by General schocpa had not been idle
As early the morning OF the 18th q movement
the part OF General Schocpn begun Four regiments
Of infantry enumerated below and Captain Stewards
battery Of flying artillery, left their camp at Somerset
taking three days rations and began the march for a
point Fishing creek, five miles north OF Zollicocr's
inrenchments and consequently the mouth OF the
stream Two regiments were left in camp reserve,
Colonel vandervcer in command. The force under Gen.
schoepn the march Fishing creek consisted Of the
following
GENERAL scHoEPFr's BRIGADE.
Brigadier General Alvin schoepn, commanding
Seventh regiment Kentucky Volunteers.
Twelfth regimen nj kentucky Volunteers.
GENERAL CARRIERS BRIGADE
Brigader General Carter, commanding.
First re yiment Tcnnesses Volunteers.
At the same time that this forward movement was
made by General schospn renforcements forwarded
from Harrodsburg and the strengthened by
two regiments left as Somerset and a battery. This
then consisted OF four regiments under Colonel
vanderveer, Of the Thrty.frth Ohio regiment
The intention OF General Bucllwho in his quarters at
Louisville appears to have planned the whole aairwas,
that the two forces Of Thomas and schoep should attack
ZollcoIer in his intrenchmcns at the same time. But
with vigor OF design aud execution worthy OF being
exercised with in better cause, General
Zolcofcr with force Of about 900 men marched out
on tbs night Of the 18th inst, and at early hour
Sunday, the 10Th inst, attacked General Thomas force
in his camp the point have described and which is
familary known webbs Cross Roads, and situated on
Wolf Creek. Although II cannot be said that General
Thomls taken by SURPRISE 1t is not definitely settled
that lac anticipated any attack But, in the close prox
unity In which lie was 70 General Zollicoder no took
every precauon, and when at early hour and before
dawn Of day his pckets driven by the advancing
force The main body aroused and prepared TO re
ceive the rebels.
The cannonadng began about four O'Clock the morn
ing ard the engagement became general shortly after.
wards Instead of succeeding in his design Of surprising
General Thomas in his camp, General Zoconer found the
whole force fresh from long nights rest, prepared TO
receive the weary columns he had rapidly marched to
che field. In numbers he indeed Superior. HIS
force Of cavalry and his artillery were Of superior
numbers and character TO but the sequel shows
that they not managed with tact and judg
ment. That the conflict both sides terrific Is
svinced by the casualties reported That the rebels
fought calamity there TO doubt and the long
continuance of so desperate Fight evinces fully the
pluck and spirit Of the troops composing both armies
The sun did dsign to shine upon the scene and the
clouds above threatened heavy rain But throughout
the dismal Sabbath morning and until half Of the after