The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-14
The ZOllicO1fer Defeat.
THE PART TAKEN By THE MINNESOTA SEC
OND IN TIE FIGHT.


I'VE have received large number of letters,
containing descriptions of the battle in which
the Minnesota Second was engaged; but as
they are all nearly alike, we must be excused
from publishing them. We print the follow
ing, however, to correct some mistakes that
have appeared in Eastern Journalist
CAMP CUMBERLAND, Jan. Is, 1862.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer and Democrat.
You doubtless have had full particulars
of the battle of Logan Cross Roads, fought
so gallantly and resulting SO gloriously for
our victorious arms, last Sunday, January
10Th. Much misrepresentation of that bat
tie has appeared in the newspapers relative
to the forces actually engaged-giving
credit where none was due, and sighting
those who bore the brunt of the contest.
The 18th Regulars who are reported to
have marched eighteen miles and participa-
ted, were never near the scene of action
not within twenty miles. The fight conn.,
menced about seven in tie morning by an
attack on the 4th Kentucky and Wolford's
cavalry. The cavalry did not do much,
but the Fourth fought we'll and made the
only charge with the bayonet made in the
fight. AT ter the reserve, consisting of the
9th Ohio and I'd Minnesota, were ordered
up to sustain the 10Th Indiana, it was found
the enemy had pushed the latter as much as
two hundred yards. AS the Second came
up the hill, fresh rebel regiment also came
up, passing through those of their own
forces previously engaged with the Indiana
regiment, and as both regiments met face
to face with fence alone intervening, they
both simultaneously halted and fired. The
9th Ohio has been credited tor engaging
the enemy here; the 9th was at quite a
distance on the left flank of the enemy, but
from ten to three hundred yards from him.
On the right flank of our regiment, the
fight was hand to hand snd very severe.
Here it was that scoundrel of an officer
called TO cur men to retreat, he does not
belong to our regiment,] which momentarily
created some confusion on that wing the
men were instantly rallied and the enemy
driven from the fence. Under cover of the
fence the men poured in a destructive fire
upon the emery, who fought very bravely
lit was the Mississippi 18th, ISgers,) for
half an hour when they broke and ran, and
we saw their face 40 more. This Missis,
sippi regiment was cut all TO pieces, not
but forty of them getting back to their en-
trenchments, so prisoner informed me.
No other troops on our side ere engage
ed saving TWO sections of a battery, any
nearspGper correspondents to the contrary
notwithstanding. The officers OF our regi>
ment as we'll as men, performed their duty
nobly. Col Van Cleve on his "BIack
Bess was every where 10 the thickest of
the fight. Col. George and Maj. Wilkin
were at their posts cheering on the men.
Capt. Bishop. with conn., any A, was not
in the battle, owing to the fact of that COM
pany being on picket duty some miles from
camp when the fight commenced, but on
being relieved, joined US and rendered good
service as advance skirmishers in pursuit of
the flying enemy. Too much praise cannot
be awarded to the soldiers and officers en-.
gagged in the battle. While all acted with
unfatering courage, among those most CON-
spicuOus we noticed Capt. Markham, who
had in the early part of the engagement led
bis company out into the open field and
barely maintained bis position under very
calling fire. Capts. Davis and Western,
also Capt. Skaro, who at the head of their
respective companies, maintained CALAMITY
their reputation as brave men. Lieuts.
Manner, Cox and LOOMS, were especially
commendable for their exertions in preserv.
ing our lines, and for their cool demeanor
under fire. Others doubtless were as eff
cient, but they escaped our observation.
Gen. Thomas was close up to our lines dur
ing the battle, and complimented US warm.
ly as the sauio~rs of the day and field. The
consequences of the battle are old to you.
Zollieoffer' entertainments were entered, and
such scene of evident hurry and headlong
fight never was seen. see by the Gener.
ais first report, that the enemy lost ia
men killed since then it has increased to
287 buried. We had tasted 80 hours and
slept on our arms, legs most of us) fought
our first fight, and doubled quicked it
twelve miles. Glory kmuf for one day.
Yours, &c. AL II.