Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-15

The SkirmiSh near Somerset, Ky.
The editor of the Madison Courier. Capt
CARRIER, gives the following account of the recent
skirmish near Somerset, Ky:
SOMERSET, KY, Jan. 8.
About noon to day the pickets in front of the
enemy ON Cumberland river attacked tina rebel
pickets Of Zollicofler. The firing continued for
an hour and a half. The rebel pickets were driv-
en- III with the loss of two killed. wounded and
captured two. One OF the wounded men lives on
fishing creek. about eight miles from Somerset
"a reported Secesh, named Cowan. A short
time ago he was captured aud took the oath of
allegiance, and Immediately joined Zolcofiers
army.
offered to serve Gen Carter as a volunteer
aid. of his aids having reported this place
was accepted The General then borrowed my
horse and left me; so missed the chance OF see
ing the "scrimmage" 1t has rained SO hard since
noon have not been to headquarters to see how
the horse behaved and 10 hear the result of the
Generals observations.
From Il man from Crab Orchard to day, learn
ed that the 22d Indiana had left for Indiana to re-
crut their numbers and the health of the men
disease has left. Col. Coburn was sick at Lex
ington. When | came through that place on
Saturday. learned from a fellow passenger,
citizen of Lexington that he was recovering.
McQuiston went to day four miles down the
Fishing Creek Road, with escort of Tennes-
seeans. on a fOragng expedition. He Was nearer
the picket fight than was, in the city. Mae did
not run away; ne came in, however after the
wagons. loaded with corn came When he came,
he rode small three year old FLY. which is now
in the Quartermaster wagon yard-and not re
ceipted for.
SOMERSET, January 9th.
l have but little to add to the account of the
* pish Yesterday hptxeen no nicLatS Tho
facts are mainly as ! stated in my letter last
night Our side didn't lose man. Two of the
rebels are known to have been killed, two wound.
ell and two prisoners The Lieut. Colonel of the
2d Tennessee regiment visited the prisoners to-
day, and found in the person of one of them an
old acquaintance, connection by marriage. The
interview, / an told, was quite affecting.
The Tennesseeans are very bitter, and never
lose an opportunity when they yet chance to
fight. This was illustrated yesterday A guard
was detailed yesterday from the % Tennessee
regiment to 20 with the teams on a foraging ex-
petition. While the wagons were loading with
corn, about wenty OF the guard stepped off, went
down to the Cumberland river, (the timber on
this side extends 10 the river bank each man
"treed. aud poured out a volley. Secesh, in an
open corn field on the other side, replied with
spirit. by platoons and companies. The heavy
firing spoken of in last night letter was the re
tervals OF the firing. the patriot and rebel Ten
neSseeans talked Ia each other. but what they said
would hardly do TO print in the Courier. Our
men told the rebels that two thousand Tennessee
ans had crossed the river above, that General
Thomas was beyond Columbus in their rear, and
that they would DE bagged before night. Ii is
said secesh actually began 20 strike their tents to
run Oft.
When the BOYS returned thev reported that the
rebels were celebrating the Sth If January 7"
This morning the facts leaked cut. and the reply
OF the Lieutenant m command OF the guard was
very similar 10 that of the Roman Gladiator to
his Chief; why did you send Us in that direc-
tionl--you know We could not help shooting at
the rascals." The TenneSseeans say they saw
several killed wounded men carried of The
field
These TenneSseeans are not only uncondition
al Union men, but the Union before every thing
Ii slavery Is IN the way of preserving the Union
away with slavery. If kentuekians had been, If
they were now. imbuei with the same spirit, it
would be much better for the Union cause In
deed if God in has providence had placed East
Tennessee on the border where kentucky Is, the
rebellion would never have extended outside the
cotton States
The army and the people are becoming iDpa-
tent 20 know where Gen. Thomas IS. By the
way Gen Thomas i a very handsome officer.
am ealle4i ten Thomas yery often.