The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-28

CINCINNATI, Jan. 23.-The Somerset
correspondent of the Times gives the fol.
lowing account of the battle At Z
O'Clock on Sunday morning. the enemy
drove in the pickets of the 10th Indiana
stationed at the fork Of the road, miles
from Somerset. The 10th were drawn
up in line OF battle, and they were me-
by the enemy, 5000 strong, who instant
ly opened upon them. Gen. Thoma.
Immediately ordered up the 9th Ohio, %
Minnesota and 4th Kentucky, to the sup
port of the 10th Indiana. the latter hold
ing the enemy in check nearly half al
hour before being rein forced.
The LIST and ed Tenn. were ordered ur
on the right wing for the purpose of out.
fianking the enemy, Standards and
Whumore's batteries in the meantime
Smelling the enemy in the woods. After
being engaged nearly two hours, the 9th
Ohio, Cd Mimi. and 4th XIV. made des.
pcrate bayonet charge upon the enemy,
and drove them from the woods, com
pletely routing and pursuing them to
their entertainments.
At the heat of the engagement Capt.
Kinney ordered one section of his battery
TO within sixty yards of the enemy's line
and opened deadly fire upon them,
which added greatly to the success of the
day.
Our advance arrived within sight OF
the enemy's entertainments one hour be
fore dark, and opened upon them with
shot and shell. Night closing in put a
stop to further demonstrations.
AT daylight the next morning steam
boat was observed transporting troops
across the Cumberland river, when Whit
more's battery of Parrot guns was
brought to bear on the boat, which in a
few minutes afterwards was in flames.
The 10th Kentucky and 18th Ohio
were ordered forward by Gen. Thomas,
to advance on the enemy's breastworks,
and moving up in line of battle and seal
ling the entertainments, they found the
camp entirely deserted and everything
standing as when occupied by the enemy.
Horses, mu es, tents, wagons, baggage,
cannon, ammunition and fire-arm were
found in perfect confusion.
The enemy's forces in the attack were
led by Crittenden and Zollicoffer, and
were 5000 strong. The Federal forces
in the fight did not exceed 5000.
LOUISVILLE, Jan. 22.-The entire Fed
eral loss at the battle near Somerset was
80 killed, and $50 wounded. Gen. Thorn.
as forces took Ia cannon !, 400 mules
and horses.
Thomas is now across the Cumberland
river in pursuit Of the rebels.
The steamboat, and of the barges
used by the rebels were burned. The
Federals are using the remaining barges
in tran sporting troops across the river.
RoLLA, Jan. 1.-THE brigade which
has left here for the west within the past
three days is composed of the 35th and
seth Illinois, Goth and 44lh Missouri land
Bachaff's and Hoffman batteries, under
command of Gen. Osterhaus. Another
brigade, under command of Gen. Sigel,
will probably leave in day or two, and
Gen. Sigel will probably assume COM
mand of the entire division at the proper
time.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-An official re-
port from Gen. Halleck says Major
Hubbard S cavalry attacked a rebel force
of 900 at Silver Creek. Howard county,
under Col. Poindexter on the 10Th, and
routed them Rebel loss 40 killed and
60 wounded. Our loss killed and l9
wounded. We also captured 100 horses,
60 wagons, los tents. 80 kegs of powd-
er, 600 guns and 90 prisoners.
New YORK. Jan. 23.-The special cor
respondence of the Commercial has the
following
HILTON HEAD, S. c., JAM 20.
A report just comes that Fort Pulaski
has been abandoned by the rebels. Pru.
dence was considered on their part the
better part of valor. 1t was only ques-
ton of very short time, as the fort was
thoroughly invested, and would have
been taken in few days.
A movement will soon be made in an
other direction, and you will hear enough
to satisfy all croakers. SO far at least as
this (Sherman's) expedition is concern
ed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-The following
has been issued by the War Department:
This Department recognizes it as its
first duty to take measures for the relief
of the brave men. who having imperilled
their lives in the military seryice Of the
Government, are now prisoners and cap
tives, and il is therefore ordered that two
commissioners be appointed to visit the
city of Richmond,in Virginia, and where
ever else prisoners belonging to the army
of the United States may be held, and
there take such measures as may be need
full TO supply the wants. and contribute
to the comforts. Of such prisoners, at the
expense of the United States, to such an
extent as may be permitted by the au-
thorites under whom such prisoners are
held.
Signed EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War