The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-07
THE MINNESOTA SECOND REGIMENT
LETTER FROM COZ. VAN CLEvE.

LETTER FROM Cob. VAN CLEvE.
Mrs. Van Cleve has permitted tie Press, in
view of the public interest, to publish the fol.
lowing extracts from a private letter received
from Col. Van Cleve.]
CAMP HAM LrON, Jan. %, 1862.
Of course the battle of the
10Th is a constant theme OF conversation
with officers and men of all the regiments
that were engaged in it. You will see
much id in the papers, by extracts from
letters of soldiers, each giving his version
of the affair. All agree in one thing, that
the Minnesota I'd and Ohio 9th, the two re-
giments of Col. McCook's brigade that
haye heen together since We were at Leba.
non, aud that were side by side on the field,
did their duty on that day.
On the morning that we marched out we
formed in line of battle about a half mile
from the spot where the 10th Indiana and
4th Kentucky were engaged with the rebels.
The Ohio 9th was on the right, somewhat
in the timber; the I'd Minnesota in an opeE
field. While waiting for orders to move
forward two balls from the enemy's artiIley
came whistling over US One OF our bat-
teries in front of our regiment answered by
throwing few shot, as | thought, at some
risk of hurting our friends.
When the order was given, we moved
forward steadiIy-conidently. We soon
entered the timber, where for a Ong time
we had heard the incessant rattle of mus
kerry.
AS we came into the road we met some
of our friends leisurly and slowly retreat.
ing, and some cavalry that had dismounted,
standing in hollow, holding their horses.
We were within few rods OF the enemy,
and the h0rsemen advised me to dsmount
| declined, however, and rode on. Ia few
moments the right wing of our regiment
closed with the enemy and opened upon
them. Owing to the manner 10 which we
approached them, the left wing had to wing
round, that is, wheel somewhat to the right,
before they could get into action. The
battle was now between the minnesota I'd
and the rebels, who certainly fought nobly,
for they stood a most terrific fire from our
regiment for full twenty minutes. In
the mean time they bore of towards our
right with the intent to flank US. and here
they we're unexpectec ly met by the Ninth
Ohio, who, taking them by the flank, soon
put them to flight. From this time the
rebels made no decided stand-their rout
was complete. Our brigade moved forward
and other regiments soon came to our sup
port. Gen. Thomas having given us (the
Ohio 9th and Minnesota 3d) the advance,
we all marched in line of battle through the
thicket and through the timber, and over
the open fields. We were compelled to
halt frequently to reconDoitre, and also to
rest the men, who sometimes became faint
ard exhausted, for the travelling was hard
and they had moi. ..eaten anything during the
day. In the course of march our regiment
got to the right of the 9th Ohio. and kept
it till we entered the enemy's entertainments
the next day.
About four, P. NJ, we came upon fields,
and about quarter of a mile before US was
hill that commanded the enemy's entrench.
ments. On it men and horsemen were seeu.
A regiment or two were posted there, as
we supposed to contest our further advance.
Our brigade was now halted and formed
in perfect line. Soon the order to adj
vance was given, and those who saw it say
it was a magnificent sight. When we
reached the summit of the bill the enemy
bad fed. A battery was now brought up
that threw shot and shell into the entrench-
ments till dark.
The rout of the rebels was complete !;
they passed through their own entrench-
ments, and spent the night in crossing the
Cumberland, while we lay upon our arms
and slept.
Zolicofer was killed in the early morn
ing, and his army totally disbanded. call
it Zolicofer's army, for it had long been
known as his, but short time since Crit
tenden had assumed command.
-Four OF our regiments shared in the bats
tie, but by night seven were on the 'feld,
and three batteries of artillery.
The number killed and wounded is vari.
Ously estimated. The number of prisoners
is not known. Their army was completely
routed, and we did not care about taking
prisoners better let them 60 home and
tell their neighbOrs how we fight.
General Thomas was directly in rear of
our Regiment during the battle, and watched
every movement; We gave him a good opin.
ion of Minnesota.
In a former letter told you that fence
separated US from the enemy for time.
We were so close on them that one of the
men had bis beard and whiskers siuged by
the fire of one of the muskets another was
wounded in the head by one of their bayOn-
cts, while loading his gun another had to
push one of their muskets aside while aim
ing through the fence another caught hold
OF one Of their muskets and jerked it through
the fence two stood and fired at each oth-
er, their muskets crossing both fell dead.
1t is wonderful, that with so many balls
flying, go few Of us were hurt.
We had fuaIvo kiIlod ond thirfv.thrpQ