The New York herald., 1862-01-25

noon had passed away, did the conflict rage. had
tnued without any decided advantage either side,
and until within half hour Of the conclusion Of the
battle the result doubtful. And IL s not impro
babe that it might have resulted less honorably for
ourselves had not Of those chances which often
influence such events decided it in our favor.
At about ten minutes past three O'Clock the Fourth
Kentucky regiment deployng tho flank Of the rebels
by approached the position assumed by the
rebel general commanding and shot from the pistol Of
Colonel Fry s said to have inflicted the wound which
suited in the death OF General Zollicoer Colonel Bale
Peyton J Of the member Of Congress from Ten
neesee had been killed at earlier hour. The death Of
their general added to that Of their most prominent
regmental officer, created consernat ion among the
rebels which became panic, and caused their rapid re-
treat at halfpast three from the bato field In their
rapid fight the bodies Of two hundred and eight
were left lying dead upon tho field and among these
the bodies Of ZoicOher and Peyton They also de.
serted Gag, which was picked up the field Our
loss Icannot positively state and the telegraph will pre-
cede me, and shall be fortunate IT, in this country Of
casional mails and Adams Express the official report
does not get ahead Of me.
General Thomas did not halt the eager columns who
had engaged the rebels all the long and desperate
but began the pursuit with vgor The retreat became
panic terrible than the famous Of Bull Rum
close upon heels Of the frightened rebels followed the
animated and victorious Unonsts Into their intrench
ments they fed at nightfal and little army sinking
on the western cliffs Of White Oak creek, lay their
arms till morning, ready to storm the den beyond the
stream. But when morning dawned they marched into
the ntrenchmens unopposed and with coors flying The
two forces of Thomas and Schoepf combining crossed
Cumberland river at Mill Spring, and again began the
pursuit OF the scattered rebels The result Of this pur
suit have learned since beginning this letter. tho
capture Of very large portion OF the force but i'm
probable sounds the number that can hardly give 1t
credence and the benefit Of an expression
The result Of this splendid achievement has been the
defeat and destruction of army Of 10000 men, and
doubtless, their utter Generalization. It has removed
from the left flank Of army the only obstruction that
prevented Its marching on Bowling Green. II has loft
General Thomas division free TO act the left wing Of
the main army composed Of the First Second and Third
divisions, and we shall doubtless have vigorous move
ments the part Of Generals McCook Nelson and Crit.
tenden in accordance with this General Thomas'
part We have gained and hold possession OF the
trenchments Of White Oak creek and Mill Spring We
have taken eghteeHpieces u artillery and many pieces
mounted on the works All their ammunition, an im
porant feature among the spoils, has fallen into
hands as well as eghtythree wagon loads of various
valuable stores, all their camp equpage and horses All
their of transportation captured besides
tain trophies in the shape Of flags.
While General Schoep did not play as prominent part
as was hoped it not to be presumed that he was idle
With his plans entirely disarranged by the unantcpated
movement of ZollcoGor, he left without orders and
could only use his best judgment founded the
formation he had Of the situation in attempting
the retreat Of the rebels But the character of the
try defeated his plans for advancing and idea could be
entertained Of attacking the intrenchmens the insu
cient information which he possessed. Had General
schoepf known the position he might possibly have
stcrmed the ntrenchments wrested them from the
hands Of the two thousand reserves holding them.
will write from Mill Spring to night. Whether mail
will convey my letter to you from that point not il
impossible to state. will send full details.