Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-02-06


The New York Herald's Somerset correspond
ent gives the following account of this defeat:
Among the forces engaged in the fight, it is
certain there were the 10Th Indiana, 9th Ohio,
ID Minnesota, 10th and 4th Kentucky, and the
18th regulars. The 10th Indiana and 18th reg
ulars were reinforcements which reached Gen.
Thomas on Saturday morning, and they were
compelled to make a forced march Of over TWEEN
ty-6ve miles to reach the position in time for the
affair.
This position, to which Gen. Thomas had pro-
ceeded, and in which he had halted on Saturday
night, with a view of crossing the Cumberland
and proceeding southeast TO Monticello, is about
six miles east of Jamestown and twelve miles
west Of Mill Spring, or the intrenchments of
ZOllieofer, at White Oak Creek. A country
road leading to Jamestown runs due east for six
miles, crossing two small streams and trsversing
a rolling country; thence, taking a turn south
east and crossing the Cumberland, continues in
the same direction to Monticello. In the imme-
date vicinity Of the tive mail streams crossed
by this road the country is quite billy, and 10
the South becomes rough and rugged, culmina-
ting in the lofty crsgs that form the banks of the
Cumberland at this point. The road named,
however, avoids the crsgs, and, following the
course of a small stream two miles further east,
finds a good descent and crossing at the river.
On this field Gen. Thomas halted on the evening
of the 18th with the above regiments.
While this movement was being made the two
brigades Of Gen. Schoepf, and Garter, encamped
near Somerset, and commanded by General
Schoepff, had not been idle. As early as the
morning of the 18th a movement on the part Of
Gen. Schoepf was begun. -Four regiments of
infantry, as enumerated below, aud Captain
Stewards battery of flying artillery, left their
camp at Somerset, taking three days rations,
and began the march on Fishing Creek, FIVE
miles north of ZaIlicofer's intTenchmets, and
consequently near the mouth of the stream.
Two regiments were left in camp as a reserve,
Col Vanderveer in command. The force under
Gen. Schoepff in the march to Fishing Creek
consisted of the following Brighten. Alvin
Scboopg, eommanding-Seyenth regiment Ken
lucky volunteers 18th regiment Kentucky vol
~unteers. Brig-Gen. Carter, commandments
regiment Temessee volunteers ID regiment
Tennessee volunteers.
At the same time that this forward movement
was made by Gen. SchOeptf, reinforcement
were forwarded from HaTTOdsburg, and the re-
serve was strengthened by two regiments left at
Somerset and a battery. This reserve then con
sisted Of four regiments, under Col. Vanderveer,
OF the 35th Ohio regiment.
The intention of Gen. BueI-who, in his
quarters at Louisville, appears to have planned
The whole sffair-was, that the two forces OF
| Thomas and SchOoepf should attack Zolicoffer
in his intTenchments at the same time. But,
with a vigor Of design and execution worthy OF
being exercised with more success in q better
cause, Gen. Zollicoher, with q force of about
5000 men, marched out on the night of II 18th
! instant, and, at an early hour on Sunday, the
18Th inst, attacked Gen. Thomas's force in his
camp, at the point 1 have described, and which
is Familiarity known as Webb's cross roads,
and situated on Wolf creek. Although it can
not be said that Gen. Thomas was taken by sur
I prise. il is not definitely settled that he antici-
pated any attack. But, in the close proximity
in which he was to Gen. Zollicofer, he took
every preeaution, and, when, at an early hour,
and before dawn Of day, his pickets were driven
in by the advancing force, the main body was
aroused and prepared to receive the rebels
The c~annonading began about four o'clock IN
the morning, and the engagement became gen.
ersl shortly afterwards. Instead of succeeding
IN his design of surprising Gen. Thomas in his
camp, Gen. Zollicofer found the whole force
fresh from a long nights rest, prepared to re-
eeive the weary columns be had rapidly marched
TO the field. Innumbers he was indeed superior
His force of cavalry and his artillery were o.
superior numbers and character to our own
but the sequel shows that they were not man.
aged with more tact and Judgment. That the
conflict on both sides was terrific, is evinced by
the casualties reported.
That the rebels fought CALAMITY there is no
reason TO doubt, and the long continuance of SC
desperate a fight evinces fully the pluck and
spirit of the troops composing both armies. The
sun did not deign to shine upon the scene, ano
the clouds above threatened a heavy rain. Bul
throughout the dismal Sabbath morning, anc
until half of the afternoon had passed away
did the conflict rage. II had continued without
any decided advantage on either side, and unit
within half an hour Of the conclusion of the bat
tie the result was doubtful. And it is not Inn.
probable that it might have resulted less honora
bly, for ourselves had not one of those chances
which so often influence such events decided i
in our favor.
At about ten minutes past three o'clock the
Fourth Kentucky regiment, deploying on th'
flank of the rebels, by some means approached
the position assumed by the rebel general com
handing, and a shot from the pistol of Colone
Fry is said TO have inflicted the wound which
resulted in the death Of General Zolicofer
Colonel Baltic PeytOn, jr-, son of.the eI-membe
of Congress- from Tennessee, had been killed a
an earlier hour. The death of their general, add
ed to that Of their most prominent regimenta
officer, created q CONSERVATION among the reDel
which became a panic, and caused Their raph
retreat at halfpast three from the battle field. II
their rapid fight the bodies of two hundred anC
eight men were left lying dead upon the field
laad among these were the bodies Of Zolicofe
and PeYton. They also deserted a flag, which
was picked up on the field. Our own loss l can
not positively state.
Gen. Thomas did not halt the eager columns
who had engaged the rebels all the long ant
desperate day, but began the pursuit with vigoI
The retreat became a panic more terrible thai
the famous one Of Bull Run; for close upon tn
I I 80 a. .-LN--.I ~,L.Ir E,EA--aA aha .ni
mated and victorious UuiOnists. Into their en-
trenchments they fed at nightfall, and our littlt
army, sinking on the western cliffs of Whit
Oak creek, lay on their arms till morning, read.
to storm the den beyond the stream. But, whel
morning dawned, they marched into the in
trenehmenss unopposed, and with col0rs flying
!, The two forces Of Thomas and SchRpf, CON
bining, crossed Cumberland river at Mil Spring
and again began the pursuit of the ~seattere
rebels. The result of this pursuit, | have learn
ed since beginning this letter, was the capture
Of a very large portion of the force but 50 i'm
+, probable sounds the number that ! can hardl
give it credence and the benefit OF an EXPIRE:
sion.
The result of this splendid achievement hs
: been the defeat and destruction of an army
: 10000 men, and, doubtless, their utter demoral
! cation. II has removed from the left flank {
our army the only obstruction that prevented i
marching on Bowling Green. II has left Ger
= Thomess division free to act as the left wing
the main army, composed Of the First, Secon
I and Third divisions, and we shall doubtless hay
vigorous movements on the part of Generals N
= Cook, Nelson and Crittenden, in accordance vii
- this one on Gen. Thomas's part. We ha'
: gained and now hold possession Of the intrenc
ments of White Oak creek and Mil Spring. v
u have taken eighteen pieces of artillery and maj
~ pieces mounted on the works. All their ANN
milton, an important feature among the spoil
he has fallen into our hands, as well as eighty-thr
at wagon loads OF various valuable stores, all tn
IS. camp equipage and horses. All their means
IL transportation were captured, besides certa
trophies in the shape Of flags.