Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-25
THE BATTLE OF L0GAN'a
CROSS ROADS.
Oficial Report OF General Thomas
HEADQuARTERs FIRST DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF THIS ONO,

NuFtuHt-A htht tuc huHuH " IepuEA AhiA AZ
carrying out tue instructions of the General
commanding this Department, contained in his
communication of the 29th Of December,
reached Logans Cross Roads, about ten miles
north of the intrenched camp of the enemy on
the Cumberland river, on the 18th inst, with u
portion Of the Second and Third Brigades, Kin
ney's Battery of light artillery, and battalion
of Wooford's Cavaly. The Fourth and Tenth
Kentucky, Fourteenth Ohio, and the Eighteenth
United States Infantry being still in the rear,
detained by the almost impossible condition of
the, rOads, determined to halt at this point to
await their arrival, and to communicate with
Gen. Schoepf
Nothing of Importance occurred from the time
of my arrival until the morning of the 18th,
except a picket skirmsh on the l7th. The
Fourth Kentucky, the battalion of Michigan
Engineers and Wetmore's Battery joined on the
18th. About half-past five o'clock on the morn
Jug Of the 10Th the pckets from Woolford's Cav
airy encountered the enemy advancing on our
camp; retired slowly and reported their al-
vance to Colonel NJ. d. Manson, commanding
the Second Brigade.
He Immediately formed his regiment (the
Tenth lndiana) and took position on the road
to await the attack, ordering the Fourth Ken
lucky Colonel S. Fry) to support him. and then
informed me in person that the enemy were
advancing in force, and what disposition he had
made v esist them. | directed him to join his
brigade Immediately and hold the enemy in
check until could order up the other troops
which were ordered to form Immediately, aud
were marched to the field in ten minutes after
wards.
The battalion of Michigan Engineers and Com
pany A. Thrty-eighth Ohio Captain Green
wood), were ordered to remain as guard to the
camp.
Upon my arrival on the field soon afterwards,
found the Tenth Indiana formed in front Of
their encampment apparently awaiting orders,
and ordered them forward to the support Of the
Fourth Kentucky, which was the only entire
regiment then engaged.
then rode forward to see the enemy's posi-
tion so as | could determine what disposition to
make of my troops as they arrived. On reach
ing the position held by the Fourth Kentucky
Tenth Indiana and WoOford's Cavalry, at point
where the roads fork leading to Somerset,
found the enemy advancing through corn aed
and evidently endeavoring to gain the left of the
Fourth Kentucky Regiment, which was main
tanning its position in most determined manner.
directed one of my Aids to ride back and order
up section Of artillery and the Tennessee
Brigade to advance on tho enemy's right, and
sent orders for Colonel McCook to advance with
his two regiments (Ihe Ninth Chic and the
Second MnhesO.a) to the support Of the Fourth
Kentucky and Tenth Indiana.
A section of Knney's Battery took position
on the edge of the field to tue left Of the Fourth
Kentucky, and opened an efficient fire on a reg-
ment of Alabnmians which was advancing on
the Fourth Kentucky
Soon afterwards the Second Minnesota (Col.
fl. p. Van CleVe) the Colonel reporting to me
for instructions, directed him to take the posi-
ton of the Fourth Kentucky and Tenth Indiana.
which regiments were nearly out of ammunition
The Ninth Ohio under the immediate command
of Major kaemmerling, came into position on
tue right OF the road at the same time
Immediately after the regiments had gained
their positions the enemy opened most deter
mined and calling fire, which was returned by
our troops in the same spirit, and for nearly half
an hour the contest was maintained ON both
sides in the most obstinate manner. At this
time the Twelfth Kentucky (Col. W. A. Hoskins),
and the Tennessee Brigade, reached the field 10
the left Of the Minnesota regiment, and opened
fire gu the right flank of the enemy, who then
began to fall back The Second Minnesota kept
up II most CALLING fire in front, aud the Ninth
Ohio charged the enemy on the right, with bay0-
nets fixed turned their flank and drove them
from the field, and the whole line giving away
and retreating in the utmost disorder and con-
fusion.
As soon as the regiment could be formed and
refill their cartridge boxes, ordered the whole
force 10 advance. A few miles in the rear Of
the battle field a small force Of cavalry was
drawn up near the road, but few shots from
our artillery IA section OF Standards Battery)
Dispersed them, and none Of the enemy were
seen again until we arrived again in front OF
their entertainments; as we approached their
intrenchments the division was deployed in line
of battle and steadily advanced to the summit Of
the hill at Mouldens.
From this point directed their intrenchments
10 be cannonaded, which was done until dark by
STANDARD and Wetmore's Batteries Kinuey's
Battery was placed on position on the extreme
e. It, ~,
directed to fire on their ferry to deter them from
attempting to cross. On tie following morning
Captain Wetmore's Battery was ordered to Rus.
sells house and assisted with his Parrot guns
in firing upon the ferry.
Colonel Manson's Brigade took position on the
left near Kinney's Battery, and every prepara-
ton was made to assault their intrenchments on
the following morning
The Fourteenth Ohio Colonel StedmaD) and
the Tenth Kentucky Colonel Harlsn) having
Joined from detached service soon after the re-
pulse of the enemy, continued with their brigade
in the pursuit, although they could not get up
in time to join in the fight. Gen Schoepf also
joined me on the evening of the 18th with the
Seventeenth, Thirty first and Thirty-eight Ohio.
His entire brigade entered with the other troops.
On reaching the entertainments we found that
the enemy had abandoned everything and retired
during the night. Twelve pieces OF artillery
with their cassons packed with ammunition, one
battery wagon and two forges, large amount OF
ammunition, n large number of small arms
(mostly the old fnt-lock musket) one hundred
and fifty or sixty wagons, and upwards of one
thousand horses and mules, large amount OF
commissary stores, intrenching tools, and camp
and garrison equipage, fell into our hand. A
correct list of all the captured property will be
forwarded as soon as it can be made up and the
property secured.
The steam and fotry boats having been burned
by the enemy in their retreat, il was found i'm
possible to cross the river and pursue them
besides their command was completely demornl
lied, and retreated in great haste in all directions
making their capture in any numbers quite
doubtful, if pursued. There is no doubt bu
what the moral effect produced by their com
plete dispersion will have a more decided efiec
in reestabshing Union sentiments than though
they had been captured.
Itaifords me much pleasure to be able to testify
to the uniform eteadiness and good conduct o
both officers and men during the battle, and
respectfully refer the accompanying reports o
the different commanders for the names Of lhos'
officers and men whose conduct was particularly
noticed by them.
regret to have to report that Col. r. u
McCook, commanding the Third Brigade, and
his Aide, Lieut.. A. S. Burt, Eighteenth United
States Infantry, were both severely wounded il
the first advance of the Ninth Ohio Regiment
hut continued on duty until tho return of th
brigade to camp at Logan's Cross Roads
Col. s. S. Fry, Fourth Kentucky Regiment
was slightly wounded whilst his regiment wa
gallanlly resisting the advance of the enemy
1T. a.. ~, IN. iT,., fnlI