The Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1861-1862, 1862-02-01
Col. Earfleld,S victory.

The Importance of the victory achieved by
Col. Garfield, the tremendous difficulties over
come, are even yet scarcely known to the
public Humphrey Marshall had large
force, was strongly entrenched, and the rebels
anticipated that he would sweep all before
him in Southern Ketucky, and drive the Le-
gislature from Frankford.
We copy the following from the Louisville
Journal:
"At this juncturc Col Garfield was assign
ed to the command of the Eighteenth Ken
lucky brigade, and ordered to this city for his
instructions. Marshall, in the meanwhile,
was sending out predatory bands towards West
Liberty and Mount Sterling, harrassing the
inhabitants of Montgomery, Morgan, and the
contiguous counties. COL Garfield having re-
ported here, and received his definite charge,
went up the Ohio River to the Big Sandy,
where he assumed the command of one Ohio
regiment, one Kentucky regiment, few cav
airy from Virginia, and two companies Of Nc
Laughln's Ohio Cavalry. A column from
Paris had been ordered to advance by the
way of Mt. Sterling, to cooperate with him,
which consisted of the Sixteenth Ohio Col.
Cranox, and a squadron of Col. Woolford's
Cavalry. Col. Garfield, in the meantime, was
making his way UP the Sandy Valley, en-
countering great difficulties, which, indeed,
would have been insurmountable but for his
energy and determination. Owing to the
dreadful state of the roads, it was almost i'm
possible for the animals to draw the baggage
wagons SO, to relieve the teams, portion OF
the load was taken from the wagons and strap
ned upon tho backs of the heroic soldiers,
who, "thus accoutered, plunged in" knee
deep in mud, and accomplisheda march from
Louisa to Paintville, by the way of Georges
Creek, which will always be settled in militia
ry annals. Without waiting for rest, COL
Garfield Immediately made battle with Mar
shall, forced him from Paintville, drove in his
advance before Prestonbnrg, and scattered the
rebel forces in all directions, thus freeing Eas-
tern Kentucky from all apprehensions.
To estimate the important results Of this
expedition it is only necessary to consider
what annoyances would have followed check
on the advance of Col. Garfield, or any fail.
ure of his plans. 1t would have cost largely
both in time and money to have sent rein
forcements to him the population of the
whole region would have been terrorized
while rampant Humphrey Marshall and hi'
marauding bands would have laid waste thu
entire country. Coll Garfield, with the ey'
of a soldier, saw the necessity for a quicl
movement and therefore, without waiting 70
advance of the 14th Kentucky rsgiment-o
rather the main portion Of it. for Lieut. Col
3 Monroe, with two or three companies, hac
, reached him-and regardless Of the approach
, ing reinforcement under Col. Cranox from
Paris he made that bold dash which discom
} fitted, routed and dispersed the vaunte
| strength of the rebels, and drove them int
mountain fastness which skirts the Virgini
! border line, without tents, wagons or prov
, sions All honor then, to Col Garfield an
, his noble officers and men. His modest diI
patches to Gen. Buell. have made no nentio
q Of the incredible hardships he overcame, an
: il is from other sources that we derive thel
r particulars of the eagle swoop' of the Eigl
! teenth Brigade.