The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-02-07

Io"ing private letter from his brother, j.
G. Durfee, member Of Capt. Wetmore's
Battery, who was at the Battle Of Somer.
set t:-ED. Dem
SOMERSET, KY, Jan. 9Th, 1862
DEAR BRoTHEE II am happy TO tell
you that am well and sound as vet, and
that our Company suffered no loss 10 killed
or wounded. l will give you short de-
tail Of the B title. Our Battery left Louis
vile Saturday morning, Jan. nth, and
took the cars TO Lebanon, which place we
reached at g, Sunday morning. We
started for Somerset, and Travelled on a
fine pike road nearly all the way. We
found The cilizens wild with Joy 10 see us
on the road, 20 point our guns al old Zolly.
} We reached Somerset on Friday, and
pitched our tents in fine situation, on an
elevation commanding the whole country
around the town, and expected this would
,, be our position for the present but, Fri
day night, we were ordered by Gen.
Garter 10 move across Fishing Creek
about miles. The next morning at day.
light, we moved with our four guns and
part Of our baggage, which was left in my
command. The boys went forward with
the expectation OF meeting old Zolly that
morning. They went forward with de.
termination TO do something or die.
Soon after we started, it commenced
raining, and rained all day. When we
came to the creek, il had begun TO swell.
We crossed withou; trouble, and reached
point about half way between Somer-
set and old Zolly, about noon, where we
found two Batteries of six guns each
! (S,andard's and Kinney's,) and ten Reg
iments Of infantry.
When we reached this place, we found,
as we thought, no danger OF a fight. We
lay all night in the rain. The next morn
ing we were sorry-looking set of boys.
wo were awakened at daylight, by the
long roll The enemy had attacked the
Indiana 10th and Wol!ord's K. Y. Cav
airy. which were eucamped half mile
south OF US, 10 the woods. We planted
two of our guns where we were, and
moved the other two half mile 10 the
west, and the other Batteries towards the
woods. II was not many minutes before
4 the fight became an earnest one. The
10th Indiana were badly cut up before
they had any help, and fell back toward
US. A: this lime we commenced firing.
The 81 Minnesota and LIST and Cd Ky.
poured forth their iron hail. and The fight
became general and terrible.
For about an hour we had to fire over
the woods in The direction Of the enemy's
artillery, the roar Of which was all we had
to direct US. We fired our shells in
earnest, One Of them struck stub, and, ,
bursting, killed 10 and wounded 8. l
saw and counted them. Finally, the cry
"They Aee," was heard and we followed
in the rear Of the infantry. We had no
idea Of the extent of the battle ill we
came into the woods. Ny heart sickened
at the sight. We saw. as we passed
through The battle-ground, the dead lying
in piles all along our path, which was on
the extreme right OF the field. AS we
passed, we saw Gen. Zollicofer. who was
killed by Col. Fry, OF Ky. When we
came to him. he had been stripped almost
entirely of his clothing by our soldiers, to
keep as mementos.
AS we followed the enemy, we had
something Of an idea Of the Bull Run re.
treat. Knapsacks Gllea. with provisions
thrown away blankets, hats, shoes, guns
by the hundred, overcoats, baggage
wagons. three cannon. horses, mules, and
everything that would impede their pro-
gress
We followed them until within two
miles OF their Notifications. II was then 4
o'clock. We commenced firing, and con.
tinued ill dark. We lay on our arms all
night, expecting an attack every minute.
AT six O'Clock in the morning, our Battery
was ordered TO move half mile south to
the banks of the Cumberland River, and
down the stream near the enemy's camp.
We saw steamer jus! crossing the river.
We fred at her with the ParrO.t guns and,
after firing ten shots, set her on fire, and
grist- mill close by.
At this time, our pickets returned, and
said the camp was deserted. We were
ordered to move forward, and soon reached
camp. II lies on the north side Of the
river, and covers an area of about thou
sand acres, strongly fortified, with barracks
and tents to accomodate twenty thousand
men. There were about twenty Rebels
left, whom we took prisoners. They say
that about half of their number came out
to attack us, ard came back with about
one thousand missing, among whom was
their General and several of their Col
Onels. They came back in the greatest
kind of panic, and our firing killed sew
eral and wounded many, while, with the
greatest elevation OF their guns, they could
not reach us. During the night they
transported their troops acr oss the stream
in the steamboat. When We shelled her,
she was loaded with horses and baggage.
The horses jumped overheard some
were saved and some drowned. The
rest Of the loading was destroyed.
I cannot at present give an accurate ac-
count of what we have captured, but will
try, from what have to day ohserved.--
We have at this time found eighteen can
non. about sixteen hundred horses and
mules, and about 400 wagons, all loaded