Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-02-13
Confederate Account Of the Defeat in Ken
lucky.

Confederate Account Of the Defeat in Ken.
lucky.
The Richmond Examiner has long account
Of the battle of Somerset or Mill Spring, in
Kentucky, from a Mississippi soldier who took
part in the fight aud ran away when the tide
turned. This man gives detailed description
of Zocoffer's movements previous to the bat
tie, and then proceeds with his narrative:
"The enemy from Columbia commanded the
Cumberland river, and only one boat was en-
abled to come up with supplies from Nashville.
With the channel Of communication closed, the
position became untenable without attack Only
corn could be obtained for the horses and mules
and this in such small quantities that often cav
airy companies were sent out on unshod horses
which had eaten nothing for two days. The
roads in every direction were extremely bad, and
from the landing up either bank to the camp
difficult to employ wagons; and, in addition to
this, the crossing of the river was bad in the
small fcrry-boats used for that purpose Des-
cription would fail in portrayibg the difficulties
of this position to one who has not seen and
suffered.
"By extraordinary exertions for several days
provisions enough had been gathered to- ration
the army with bread, meat coffee and sugar for
two days-the 10th and Goth. $780,.
o "On the afternoon of the 10th Genera
Zollicoffer remarked to the writer that the enc
my ought to be attacked. and on that evening
General Crittenden called council at his quar-
tiers, with Generals Zollicoffer and Carroll, and
the Colonies Of regiments and the Captains Of
artillery, and Lieut. Colonels of cavalry battal-
ions, and it was there unanimously agreed to
make the attack. g.
. 81 Cup the first hill and down it on both
sides of the road the enemy was driven back
before the impetuous charge of the brigade of
General Zollicoffer; and already he was ascend
ing the last bill to the crest, when the heaviest
firing told where the battle ragged. He sent for
reinforcements, and the brigade Of General Car
roll was ordered up. When in another moment
it was announced that he was killed, sudden
gloom pervaded the field and depressed the
army. He had fallen on the crest of the HILL
the stronghold of the enemy, which he had al
most driven them from, and which, once gained,
the day was ours. 1t is said that the enemy in
front of him in the waods, after a few moments
cessation of firing and some movement, was
taken by him to be regiment of his own COM
mand, and that he rode up to give them a COM
mand, when he was coolly shot down, pierced
by several balls.
"Immediately on the announcement of his
death Gen. Crittenden in person rode up to the
front of the fight and directed the movements Of
the day with perfect GOODNESS, in the very midst
Of the FIRE of the enemy, aud where several were
killed around him. His friends demonstrated
against his recklessness and entreated him to
occupy less exposed position, but he would
not leave the front, and sat on bis horse un-
moved, except when regiment would fall back
unaicc- the heavier fire Of superior numbers, when
/ he would in sserson, under Ere, speak to and
I rally the mon. ~ - ,tss -