The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-03
The Fight at MunfOTdville, Ky.-Gal.
lantry OF Col. Wlllich's 32d Ind. 4,

Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette, 21st
About half.past P. NJ, Tuesday. 9th,
the camp at (MumfordsviIle, or camp Geo.
Wood was startled by the sharp rattle Of
musketry, which seemed to come from the
south bank of Green river. 1t was known
that q part of Col. Willichs magnificent
regiment, the 32d Indiana, was doing pick
ct duty on that side, and the inference at
once was that the lusty Germans had
either attacked the enemy or been attacked
by them-most likely the former. General
johnson ordered the signal gun to sound,
and for the first time our regiments formed
in the line of battle.
A messenger shortly came over with the
intelligence that Willichis pickets had es.
espied rebel soldiers in the woods beyond
them, and Immediately their lion hearted
Lieut.. Col. Henry Won Zebra, had ordered
two companies to advance, and, if possible,
effect their dislodgement. The enemy re-
treated half mile to his main body with
out firing shot, and the two companies
pursued him, stealthily advancing as Skin.
mishers, Suddenly and Unexpectedly a
troop of rebel cavalrymen came dashing
over the bill, and a careless volley from
their shot guns told our boys that they
were near falling into an ambuscade, and
that the enemy was actually in their front
in considerable force. But, nothing daunt.
ed, the brave Germans veteran like, return.
ed the voliey with CALLING fire, slowly re-
treating so as to bring the enemy out from
the woods, and into level, open field. The
enemy, confident in his numbers, was not
slow to accept the invitation.
In the meantime the two companies being
hard pressed, the bugle was sounded to
bring up the remaining companies of the
regiment. They came on ri ght CALAMITY,
part of them having to cross Green river,
aud fell in upon the right and left flank
with as much apparent GOODNESS as if this
had been their hundredth battle instead of
their first. Then followed an almost hand
to hand conflict, lasting fully an hour. The
enemy strove in vain to draw the Germans
up the hill by teigned retreats, and masked
battery was so planted as to have swept
our brave fellows fore and aft, had they for
a moment permitted their valor to get the
better of their discretion but knowing the
fearful odds arrayed against them, they
were content to hold their ground. Finally,
when the enemy despaired of getting them
into the ambush, they unmasked their bat.
terry and opened fire. The first ball passed
between the Adjutant and Major of the
regiment, who occupied positions not many
feet apart. The belching cannon was the
signal OF another onset by the Texas caval.
rymen, and right we'll did they perform the
work. Captain Welschbelich, Company
G, formed bis men in hollow square, and the
cavalrymen charged their front, their right
and their left, but they were as
adamant the square remained unbroken,
while many of the Texans, equally
brave, but less successful because
they were the attacking party, bit the
dust. The cavalrymen retired, discounted,
and then an entire regiment of rebel infant.
~ darkened the hill and came marching
down toward the brave men composing
Company G, but a CALLING fire from our
front and right scattered their forces, and
gave them something else to think Of Col.
Which had been ordered on duty at head
quarters, and consequently did not get to
his regiment until the heat of the battle was
ovir. The regiment was forced to fall back
a short distance, not being able to make
stand against the artillery. The rebels did
not pursue. They carried off their wounded,
and then beat hasty retreat. 1t is known
that the rebel force consisted of Terry's
regiment of cavalry, two regiments of in,
fantry, and three pieces Of cannon. The
rebels lost forty nine killed Their number
OF wounded is not known, but it is undoubt
eddy large.
The next morning they sent in flag of
truce, under which they are interring their
dead. Willich's entire forces only number
ed Ala, including commissioned officers and
privates. This list shows ten killed and
thirty-two wounded.