Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-02-07


BATTLE OF WEBB's CROSS ROADS.
The place where Gen. Zoliicoffer was de-
feated and killed, is known through southern
Kentucky IS Webb's Cross Roads, and the
battle should be called b. that name. Mill
Springs is nearly ten miles distant, aad on the
other side of the Cumberland river. a part
Of the engagement took place in field known
in the neighborbood as s'the Old Field,' and
heocc the suggestion that the battle should be
called the battle Of Old Fields. But there is
no doubt that s'Webb's Cross Roads, is the
place that should give namo to the battle.
The official statement made by Gen. Thomas
that one hundred and fourteen rebels had been
buried up 10 a certain hour, has led The pub.
lie, prone to expect exuggeration, to believe
that this figure represented the extent of the
loss Of the enemy in killed, We are, howev-
or, assured from sources, says the Cincinnati
Commercial, 'sthat we believe entrely,reliatle,
that not less than three hundred rebels we're
left dead on the groupd. The official report
of Ger. Sehoepffs Brigade Surgeon states that
one hundred and ninety dead rebels were bu-
rled on Monday. A gentleman of this city
.Iites that two hundred and eighty three dead
bodies 81 rebels were found Another who
was on the grouud, informs US that be counted
eighty fee dead rebels IN the old field, and
that they were lying thick 10 the underbrush
iu every direction. We are convinced that the
rebel loss in killed was very nearly ii not al,
together three hundred Various statements
are made of the namber of horses and mules
taken. The evidence is that at least Fifteen
hundred fell into our hauds''
The latest reports make the results of this
battle still more important than the previous
oaes. The killed Of The rebels must have
reached to four Or FIVE hundred, judging from
the number left on the field aud buried By our
troops. TIE proportion Of wounded to killed
is nearly always at least three to one; so that
they probably amounted to at least twelve
hundred. The Louisville Journal Of Thurao
day, week, says VIC have taken nearly seven
hundred prisoners. This would make the rebel
loss about 400 killed, 1900 wounded and 700
rrisoners--total 230o. This is as heavy as
the Federal loss at Bull R1u. 1t is, indeed !,
nearly Que fourth Of Critteu5en's ana 2 ,lii>
Golfers whole force. Ii is no wendsr that the
rebels were panic. stricken aud fed in terror,
leaving behind every thing bat the clothes they
had on their backs. When il Is remembered
that in achieving this viatory, General Thomas
lost OILY Il killed and 100 wounded, We must
give his army cresit Tor splendid lighting.
This battle affords fruitful theme for COM
meut, and jas. cauia for exultation amous
the Union journals eff the country. Tds Gin
cinn1ti Gazette says that the rebels engaged
were the flower of the Confederate army, and
thai ''they marched from their entrenchmerts
10 attack General Thomas ten thousand strong
a letter found in their emp states taeir force
IN camp at ten thousand Infantry, one thou
sand eight hundred cavalry, aud sixteen pieces
OF clnaOu. After their flight to thaie en-
treoehnsut' they brobablY had as m4uy men
there as our Generals could have bssueht
against the position tbc next day. Their position
was one Of natural strength, aud it would be
difheult construct moro formidable earthworks.
The rebels were as near to relief as our own ar
my, aud they were as abpadantly supplied With
provisions and every comfort. Yet this large
army abandoned tbs strong position and fed,
leaving everything guns, tents, wagons, hor-
ses. provisions and baggage. Even the can
hon were not spiked. This beats everything
10 the history Of panias. II % as If at the
Bal Run panic or troops haa abandoned
5tsu eafrencdneafs, manHions, and stores al
Atag.on, and continued thsir fight to the