The New York herald., 1862-02-02
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT OF A TEN

THE BATTLE OF MILL sPRING-ONR THOUSAND REBELS
REPORTED DROWNED CROSSING CUMBERLAND
RIvER-PARsON BR0wNLows HEALTH-SENAToR
JoHNsONs RELATIVES.
from the Louisville Democrat, Jan. 2el
Through q gentleman who arrived in tho city last
evening direct from Nashville, learned some very
interesting facts.
He left Knoxville Fast Tennessee in which vicinity he
work his way kentucky he has business Of great
importance in Washington He was in Nashville on the
day the battle Of Iogans Old Fields fought but left
before any report had reached that city. Taking boat
at that point he travelled up the Cumberland 10 Gaines
boro, and thence worked his way into our lines via
Burksve. In passing from Ganesboro he met, dife
rent times, large number Of soldiers flying to their
homes They we're in squads Of two and three, some
times Ave and their story almost word for
word the same. Among them was son OF Judge
Goodall
They reported him that Crittenden ordered an ad-
the onr o MS scouts had
raj troops to be met Zocoer endeavored to persuade
him to recall his order but he refused saying that he
recalled order. Zolcosr then replied that he
might well take out the men and shoot or hang them
but he ordered TO go he would do so, and the
made and the regiments they had expecting
fell back for about half milo They thinking the
victory theirs pursued and only learned their mistake
yhep they were attacked from both TANKS as well as in
when Zolicoer fell Crittenden not being seen on the
ground couple Of colonels whom he did know took
command until Col Cummings ordered retreat. Some
one cried that the day lost every himself "
Thsn they threw down everything that could impede
their fight and rushed for the nrenchmens and then
for the river The rush for the boats great that
hundreds crowded into tho river and drowned tho
cavalry pushed into the SWOLLEN stream pel NELL and
many OF them were also drowned. The lowest estimate
any Of them put the rebel loss 000-some saw inc
fully 15oobpt they stated thai the majority Of them
were drowned.
When asked what the federal force by which they
hemmed n they replied that 1t could have bsen
less than thirty forty thousand. They had idea
where General Crtenden and thoir estimate Of the
federal forces the strongest evidence u the panic
under which they fed.
By this gentleman we learn that Parson Brownlowe
health very poor His stated that he doubted If
his father would live reach the federal lines and his
health would permit he did not believe the rebel guard
would let him CO. II is to be hoped, however that the
defeat Of Crittendens army the death Of Zocoer and
the panic which evidently prevails all through East
Tennessee together with General Thomas advance will
open the way for the safe arrival Of the parson land
OF freedom.
This gentleman IL on his way Andy Johnson and
reports that the rebels have seized Johnsons house
turning IL into hospital and conhscatng all his proper.
ty that In order to his mother from most nend
sh persecution OF Johnsons has taken tho oath
support the rebel least furnish aid
and comfort to the federas Another hiding among
the hills and has been since last December looking with
longing for the approach OF the federal
and the relief from q life Of wretchedness
We sincerely trust the II true that General
Thomas Is advancing into Tennessee and pray he may
not stop till he has taken possession Of Knoxville Thou
sands wiz flock to his standard and the great avenue
communication between the East and West viii bo thus
broken up.