The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-05
THE FISHING CREEK OR SUMERsET
DEFEAT.


says:
we have conyersed with gentleman who left
Gen Crittenden's forces last Friday morning, who
gives the following details Of the battle and falling
back of our forces His statements may be relied
on, as he had every opportunity Of knowing the
facts:
The attack made upon the Federals at Fishing
Greek was determined upon in council Of war; at
which all the regimental commanders were present
and was approved by ALL
At one time during the fight, we had every rea-
son to believe that the day ours, and our sub
sequent defeat may be attributed to the mistaking
a regiment of the enemy for the 18th Mississippi
and a consequent order from Gen. Zollicoffer to
cease firing Gen Zoliicoffer riding towards the
enemy, was shot and fell mortay wounded, throw
ing the regiments Immediately around him into
some confusion, which, as is always the case with
iHIperfectly drilled troops, difficult to suppress
The gallant Zolcotfer, in the very hour of death,
did not forget his duty to his command, and he
was heard to utter as be fell from his horse, Il
was mistaken, they are the enemy, charge them"
Had this command been heard by his men and
they had charged, probably would have had
victory Instead of defeat to chronicle. Our men
continued from this time to fall back The enemy
who were in superior force pressing their advantage
until further attempts to rally were useless and
brave little army was ordered TO make their way
back to the camp, keeping in the woods as much
as possible to prevent the artillery from damaging
US. The fight ragged nearly three hours without
any cessation, continual volley having been kept
up by both armies
Gen Crittenden and staff were during the grea-
ter part of the fight Immediately in the of the
attacking force and in front of his reserve, and
deported himself as brave and gallant soldier.
He it was in person who conveyed to Col. Cum
mings, of the 10Th Tennessee regiment, in the
heat of the fight, the Of Gen Zollicoffer's fall
and that as senior Colonel, the command of the
brigade fell upon him.
| Our loss in the battle is about 100 killed, and
800 wounded and taken prisoners. Drs. Cliff,
Morton, and Duaney volunteered to remain in the
hospital with the wounded.
The enemy appearing in greater force in front
OF our works on the afternoon, a council of war
was again assembled, and it determined to
abandon position it were madness to attempt to
defend.
The forces having all crossed during the night
we took up our line of march for Monticello where
the army was halted until Tuesday morning, when
order in a again restored, and the
march continued on in the direction of Carthage,
on the Cumberland river.
1t is but just to say that all the different field
and staff officers conducted themselves with great
bravery, and cheeruy suffered all the prvations
their Commands called upon to endure TO
mention either individual cases particularize
regiments who are entitled to praise, were wrong;
for all did what they believed to be their duty
The greatest loss fell upon the 18th Mississippi
and the left wing of Col. Battles goth Tennessee
regiment they being in a more exposed position
| than some of the other regiments.
The loss of property is great, but does not reach
the exaggerated reports first brought in, and in
few weeks the army will again be ready for the
field
Rev. c. X. Marshall, of Natchez, Miss, who is
looking after the comfort of the wounded of the
10Th Mississippi regiment in the late fight informs
us that on the reception of The of Crittendens
defeat, bill at once passed both houses of the
Mississippi Legislature calling out twenty thous-
aud volunteers for the war. The call will be
promptly responded to, and there are, we
sured, abundance of the best arms in that State
for more than the number. We fully concur with
the Reverend gentleman in saying, that Hon. Mr.
Ely told but the truth when he went home and
said to his people that "the Southerners terri
bly, in earnest in this war"
Gen. Crttenden, it is said. is now at Livingston,
with the main body of his forces, but will probably
90 to the Cumberland river convenient for obtaining
supplies. The enemy is reported to have crossed
the river in large force, and portion of them had
advanced to Monticello on Tuesday last, and taken
possession of that place, the wounded Of General
Crittendens force left in the hospital there falling
into their hands
The Richmond correspondent Of the Charles
ton Mercury, referring to the defeat in Kentucky,
says:
" How happened this disaster? Zoicofer was
pre-eminently calm, cool and intrepid. lie did
not bring this cruel thing to pass, but gave his
life to prevent it. Who did? | answer-and |
want the answer to 90 t" the whole Confederacy-
George Crittenden: Mujor- General George Crit
| tenden-turned four times out of the United
States army for Interchangeable lay drunk a
week at the Spotswood Hotel, after he had re-
ceived his commisson-who lay drunk another
week, in Knoxville his way to assume COM
mand-he ordered the rash attack, which has cost
US VIC know not yet how dearly"
FEDERAL REPORT OF THR BATTLE OF Som
ERsET.-The official Federal report of the battle
of Somerset says that the Federal loss was 80
killed and q wounded. Among the wounded
was Col. McCook. The Confederate loss was
ia killed and buried, lie wounded and is priso-
ners not wounded, of whom surgeons and
Lieut-Col. Carter of the 18th Tenn. Regiment.
I'VE do not believe that the above is a correct re-
port of the enemy's loss.
Federal outrages IN Tennessee-The Knoxville
Register says that the late Federal victory at
Somerset has stimulated the enemy to commit the
most desperate Outrages in East Tennessee. Sever
al horrid murders have already been perpetrated
in Anderson county. The tory population of
Green county is also reported be again threaten
inc the Southern men and manv evil resnlts arc