The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-18


from their camp, the pickets of the enemy fred
upon our advanced cavalry and wounded one in
the arm E' - - 2. q @gFs@t
Then two companies of the Mississippi regi-
%ment were deploycd on the right and left of the
road as skirmishers and advanced parallel with
the road On the left in an open field was house
near the road, and near by and behind this house
was skirt of woods. While the skirmishers
were advancing towards this, the enemy in the
house and wood were firing at the head of the
column where Generals Crittenden and Zollicoffer
sat upon their horses about five hundred Yards
distant. When the skirmishers approached with
in hundred yards of the house the enemy
ceased to fire upon the column and directed it
upon them, but upon its quick return and several
rounds, retreated into the woods. The Mississippi
Regiment then in line of battle was advanced,
and the head of the column advanced near to the
house. From this house the road runs straight
for about half mile, one-thrd of this distance
up hill one-third down and one-third to the
crest of another hill On the right side of the
road up and down the first hill was an open field
then narrow strip of woods and again an old
uneven field up to the crest. On the left side of
the road up the first Hill was woods ard down it
an open field, and up the next to the crest, thick
woods. Up the first hill and down it on both
sides of the road the enemy was driven back be-
fore the impetuous charge of the brigade of Cen
eral Zollicotftr; and already he was ascending the
last hill to the crest, when the heaviest firing told
where the battle ragged. He sent for reinforce
ments, and the brigade of General Carroll was
ordered up When, in another moment, it was
announced that he was killed, a sudden gloom
pervaded the field and depressed the army lie
had fallen the crest of the hill-the stronghold
Of the enemy-whch he had almost driven them
from, and which, once gained the day ours.
1t is said that the enemy In front of him in the |
woods after few moments cessation of firing and
some movement was taken by him to be a regi- |
ment Of his own command; and that he rode up
to give them a command, when he was coolly shot
down, pierced by several balls.
immediately on the announcement of his death !
General Crlttenden in person rode up to the front
of the fight and directed the movement of the day |
with perfect GOODNESS, in the very midst Of the fire
of the enemy and where several were killed around |
him His friends demonstrated against this reckless
ness, and entreaed him to occupy less exposed |
position, but he would not leave the front and set
his horse unmoved, except when regiment |
would fall back under the heavy fire of SUPERIOR
numbers, when he would in person, under fire.
speak to, and rally the men.
To gain this hill the fight ragged for two hours
Regiment after regiment advanced, but could not I
drive back the heavy forces of the enemy with our
few gallant men. AT last when could not |
drive them, and our charges were unsuccessful
time and again, they began to flank us, our little
army began to retire, and checking pursuit by
several stands they could not break, moved back
to our entertainments at Camp Beech Grove. In
the return one gun broke down and was left to
the enemy Upon the field we left about three
hundred killed and wounded, and they got per-
haps one hundred prisoners. Their loss in killed
and wounded is thought by those in the battle, and
is reported by those afterwards in their camp
to be about one thousand We lost a brave and
noble General, whose place cannot be easily filled
Lieut.. Bale Peyton, of Battles's Regiment,
was killed, and Lieut.. Col. Garter and Sergt. Ma
jor Orviile Ewing, of the same regiment, were
wounded and taken prisoners; and Adjutant Bat
tie was wounded in the shoulder. Col. Stanton
was wounded in the while leading his regi-
ment in a charge, and so was Col Powell. The
loss in the Mississippi Regiment was heaviest. 10
this regiment is universally accorded the praise of
the best fighting and most distinguished gallantry.
Col. Battles Regiment also covered itself with ,
honor While it is invdious to make separate
mention of regiments, the notice of these two, at
least, will meet with general appreciation in this
army. - ... f. .-
Maj Fogg, Aid to General Zollicofer and
Lieut. Evan Shields were dangerously wounded.
They behaved in the action with approved gallan-
try.
Thus with four thousand men We brayely at
tackled twenty thousand, and after conflict of
three hours and half, unable to drive them from
their position, retired without hot pursuit to our
camps, which we reached at clock, p. NJ. At
o clock the enemy came and invested the place,
aud fired from two batteries into our entrench-
ments. - s....- .r
Then the question whether to defend or
evacuate the place. Suppose we could have held
it against the superior force attacking! In few
days We would have been starved out; and it, with |
their battery which commanded the landing, they |
had injured the boat, escape would have been i'm
possible, and surrender inevitable. Again, by
taking Mill Spring in our rear, which could have
been done with small force retreat at any time
would have been cut off; and it would have been I
vain think of cutting way out in front, because
without rations the army would have been pre-
ciptated into a barren country, unable to afford /
any subsistence whatever. To prevent these
straits an immediate crossing Of the river during !
the night was necessary, and as time permitted on
ly to cross the men, baggage, camp equipage, wa /
gous horses and artillery had to be left-a great sa
cri6ce but not to be estimated in the balance with
saving the army. This bold and mastery move /
ment was accomplished on this night, and the next
morning saw our army on the South of the Cum
berland, and the enemy in Camp Beech Grove
The crossing was effected during the night by
the aid of the steamboat "Noble Ellis" which /.
had before assembled the river with supplies, aud /
which was efficiently commanded on this occasion /
by Captain Spiller, of the Cavalry
The river crossed, it necessary to move /
somewhere. in search of provisions and forage. If
i IL e