Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-13
Letter from DR.. Pomerene.
PAISrvILLE, JOHNSON Co., KY,
Jopunru IT 1871


PAISrvILLE, JOHNSON Co., Ky.,}
January II, 1861.
Mr. CAsKEY:-For some time I have been
thinking Of my promise to you, but could not
fulfil it on account of not having convenient
place nor time to write.
Since our arrival in this State we have been on
the march almost constantly, with the e1cep-
tion of only a few days that we lay by for the
purpose of sending out scouts TO reeonnoitre the
country and learn for certain the whereabouts
of the enemy, the number of their forces, etc.
HUMPHREY MARSHALL with force of four
thousand men and six pieces of artillery were
entrenched at this place, but as the Union ar
my under the command of our much esteemed
Colonel, J. A. GARFIELD, advanced, he COM
menced retreating back to Prestonburg, twelve
miles above this point. On the 9th inst, the
42d in connection with the 18th Regiment
pitched their tents within mile and half of
Paintyille. They sent out scouts that night
and learned that the enemy had abandoned
their entertainments and were on the retreat, SO
next morning we struck out tents and marched
into town. Just as we arrived we were REIN
forced by BowLEs I'd Virginia Cavalry. In a
short time messenger informed the Command
er that number of rebel Cavalry had been
above. Col. BowLEs was ordered. up and over
took them, when a regular running fight en-
sued for at least five miles. They then came
up to tho rebel infantry stationed on hills on
ing two of our men and one horse, and wound
ing the rider in the arm, hand and head. They
then retreated back to Paintville, bringing the
wounded man to my quarters for surgical aid.
The next morning the same Cavalry, in connec-
ton with four hundred Infantry and MoLAuGH-
LN's First Squadron Of Cavalry from Mans
field, Ohio, were ordered TO go in pursuit of the
enemy Your humble servant was chosen sur
geon of the expedition. After equipping my
self with instruments and dressing sufficient to
meet the emergencies that were most likely to
arise, we started in full hopes of oyertaking the
enemy. When we came to the place of the
scene of action the evening previous. the grouad
was strewn with blankets, camp kettles, hats
etc. We found two rebels lying in the road,
one shot through the chest and the other through
the head. Since then there have been thirteen
more bodies found. After travelling several
miles further we learned that they continued
the march all night. We then gave up the
chase and returned. The next morning Col.
GARFIELD took eleven hundred picked men and
Colonel CRAGNoE of the 10th Ohio, who had
joined US the day previous with his regiment,
and started for the vicinity OF Prestonburg.-
That night at 10 o'clock a dispatch came that
they were marching on the enemy and order
ing Lieut.. Col. SHELDON of the 42d to reinforce
them with thousand men. and for me to fol-
low with instruments and dressings. 1t was
raining aad 80 exceedingly dark that the men
could not see to travel. We waited until four
o'clock in the morning, at which time we start
ed through rain and mud, winding our way
through deep ravines aad occasionally climbing
lofty peaks which we had no sooner assembled
than we would have to descend equally as alb
rupt. ..-
We had travelled but short distance when
we received dispatch for the surgeons to has
ten on, that they were within one mile and a
half of the enemy, and intended to make an
attack. l had my hospital Steward, MIR. d. b.
ELsoN, along, with all the necessary requisites
for the occasion. We hastened on as soon as
We received the dispatch. DR.. MCBRIDE, Sur
geon of the 10th, went with US, leaving the re-
enforcement in the rear. We followed the guide
at the full speed of our noble horses, and caught
up with our gallant boys about. n mile and
half above Prestonburg. on Middlecreek, where
they had called halt and sent out skirmishers
As sonn as they returned We marched half
mile further and halted; sent out sklrmishers,
but they had not proceeded far before they
were fred upon. The fun, as the boys called
it. then began and there was an almost con-
slant discharge of musketry for over four hours.
The rebels were manning their cannon TO the
best advantage all this time, but fortunately,
they sent the grape shot, ball and shell some
distance over our heads. amusing us with that
peculiar hum that accompanies their passage
through the atmosphere. When the battle
commenced our force was 1,lOO Infantry, and
theirs 1000, with six pieces of cannon; but
they were SO situated that they used only three
OF their cannon. Our reinforcements did not
reach us In time TO render much service, being
exhausted from forced march they were not
put In action. There was not more than 35O nj
cur mon engaged Mt any time, and strange As il
may appear we routed them, obtaining most
glorious victory with the loss Of but single
man and lSwounded, two of whom have since
died. The one killed was of the I4th Ky reg
iment; Of the wounded, 8 were of the 42d, 2 ol