The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-31
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENTS.
THE KENT UCKY BATTLE.
CAMP HAMILTON, Miles from Zollcoffer' Is
Entertainments and 8 from Somerset,
January 49, 1862.

CAMP HAMILTON, Miles from Zolicoffer's)
lntrenchments and from Somerset, 7
January 10, 1862.
To the Editor ofthe P,oneer and Democrat.
Fighting, the long looked for, has come
at last. This morning, Sunday about ten
minutes before any of us had breakfast, we
were startled by the sound of the different
drums, beating the Long Roll. In less than
ten minutes our whole Regiment was on
the move.
Zollicoffers army had left their entrench.
ments in the night for the purpose of CIV
ing US night surprise, but thanks to that
all ruling Providence which has the control
of everything, were prevented by the bad
ness of the roads, occasoned by heavy
falls of rain which have been nearly inces-
SAINT for the last three days. They attack
ed our pickets which had been posted one
mile, l think, from the camp. In about
fifteen minutes from the long roll being
beat, the engagement was general. Our
batteries soon got in motion when the ene-
my gradually began to fall back, and our
troops are now driving the rebels to their
entertainments. We have had ten killed in
our regiment.
Enclosed l send you as natural curios.
ity small piece OF Zollicofers coat and
small piece of bis undershirt. He (Zolli-
cofer) was killed by Col. Fry, / believe,
of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment. Col.
McCook, l also am informed had his
horse shot from under him.
l went to the battle ground and assisted
in loading the wagons both of the wounded
and the killed. A more horrible sight no
man ever witnessed. There are about FIVE
to one on the rebel side killed. Woolfords
company suffers considerable, about thirty
killed, the Col said. The Fourth Ken.
lucky also suffered. The Tenth Indiana
had it warm.
In passing along found the trees were
ornamented by cur noble soliier's over
coats and knapsacks. None were taken.
We have routed them completely at
their own game. We felt in the camp con-
siderable uneasiness for our friend MIR. Geo.
Lincoln, who started tor Somerset yester-
day, on account OF his not returning. He
evaded .Zollicofer's army by striking into
the woods about half mile, and he ven.
tured into the Lions den (alnost on pur-
pose, to procure our mer some tobacco and
other goods for the Suffers store. The
greatest injury he sustained was good
ducking while fording Fishers Greek.
The army of the rebels have no uniform.
all that saw were dressed in cummon look
ing mems clothes-K entucky jeans, (badly
clothed) The whole of their killed and
wounded had their haversacks crammed with
biscuit, but no meat.
Not man in our army, can safely say,
had any breakfast. and no haversacks with
them. Too much praise cannot be given to
our Brigade Quartermaster, MIR. Grow, for
his promptness. He had his teams on the
ground to remove the killed and wounded,
and with equal promptness had provisions
forwarded, ali that hal been cooked for
breakfast, as we'll as pork beef and bis
cult, of which we have had all along good
supply.
Your readers may rest assured, the I'd
Minnesota Volunteers has won laurels. No
man living in Minnesota will ever have oc-
casion to blush for the valor of her noble
boys. The Sd and 4th, am told are COM
ing, and l doubt not with the gallant ex-
amples before them, they will endeavor, if
possible, to excel. Part of the Sd l pass
ed in Lebanon, so that they may soon be
with US.
You may think it strange l was not in
the battle myself. My. orders, and duties
called me to a different post. While writ.
ing, the sound Of our cannons are very dis
tinct. expect this night, we shall have to
move our tents to where the enemy is
This will leave with other documents, by
express to Somerset. l shall send you all
the particulars l can CLEAN in my next. On
the other sheet l give you the names of the
killed; cannot get the whole of the names
of the wounded, but will in my next.
Here follow the names of the killed-the
same as transmitted by Col. Van Cleve. The
only names of the wounded given are Lieut..
Tinbroach Stout of company /, and First Ser.
geant company K. Thomas McDonough-
both severely.-ED.l
On account of my being appointed Brig.
ade Quartermaster Sergeant on my arri-
val here, could not 60 to the battle.
Crittenden is leading the rebels now, so that
be must have reinforced Zollicoffer. One of
his wounded told me that his whole force
marched against US with the exception of
a detachment left behind to guard the pris.
oners and attend the sick.
Respectfully yours, Nc.