Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-21
THE BATTLE IN KENTUCKY.

p0rtant battle at Somerset, in Kentucky, in /
which the rebels were terribly defeated. 1t
took place last Saturday, The rebels, under
Zolcofer, attacked the federal troops, and
were driven back with great loss. Zollicofer
aud Bale Peyton were both killed in the
battle. Such are the reports, and if they are
confirmed by the next intelligence from that
quarter, it will appear that the rebels cannot
maintain themselves in Kentucky, and that
our armies will soon have entire control of
Tennessee. Then for New Orleans
Somerset is so or 80 miles almost directly
south OF Frankfort and of course, pretty well
down towards the Tennessee line. 1t is six
miles north of Cumberland River, and proba-
bly, 80 miles or more eastward of Bowling
Green. Pointville and Prestonburg, where
Humphrey Alarshall's men were beaten and
routed, the other day, are situated about one
hundred miles northeasterly of Somerset A
decisive victory at Somerset opens eastern
Tennessee 10 cur troops and thus threatens to
cut off communication between Richmond and
the southwest; and should Gen. Burnside get
possession OF Weldon, or even Goldsborough,
the rebel force in Virginia would be complete
ly surrounded and besieged. In Kentucky,
there now remains only Bowling Green, which
may soon be in possession OF Gen Buel. We
suspect that the recent demonstrations at Cairo
were chiefly intended to keep reinforcements
from going from Columbus to Bowling Green,
while%Gen. Buel was moving against the latter
place.
From letters describing the situation at
Somerset previous TO the battle, a few extracts
may not be amiss. One letter, dated at Mum
louisville, Jan. 14th, says
''From Gen. Schoepn S brigade, employed
tor nearly month already in watching the
movements of the rebels under Zollicofier, we
hear OF slight picket skirnsh. The mem.
beers oil the two Tennessee regiments belong.
ing to his brigade are the Most eager for
fight with those that had driven them from
their homes, ana improve every possible OPP
portunity Of wreaking their vengeance upon
them. So bitter is their hostility, that small
parties of them have frequently sailed, con
trary to orders, and penetrated the enelIys
lines aud laid low his outposts On Saturday
last company OF them again set out-ths
time, however, with official appreciation
pushed on within few miles of ZOllicotfers
main camp, on the bluffs on the north bank
of the Cumberland river, and got in the rear
of his first line of picHets with whom they
at once opened Il skirmish. 1t lasted over
an hour, and resulted in the killing, captur.
ing, and wounding of quite number OF the
rebels. The Union TennesseeanS are not at
all anxious to make prisoners, but dispose of
their advorsares in summary manner.
Since the hanging of loyal bridge burners in
east Tennessee has become known to them,
they are still less disposed to show mercy"
MumtordsviIle is on the railroad above Bow
ling Green. and, of course, many miles west
of Somerset. Standards Ohio battery Is with
Schoepf, and, in a letter dated at Somerset.
Jan. IA, one OF the officers wrote to the Cleve.
land Herald as follows
1t is supposed the rebels will try and cut
through US so as to get into Madison county,
east of Grab Orchard We have seven regi-
ments here, but only 1000 men fit for duty,
while Zollicotfer has from to l. 600 Il will
be pretty sharp work to hold him back, but it
can be done. Suspense has got US all up to
good lighting pitch in this bad weather it
rains all the time. The men of this battery
are doing as well as could be expected
We are Joined to the world by telegraph,
and tomorrow it will be ready for operation.
Something will be done about here soon from
all appearances. How soon we do not care
have no fear of the result The rebels have
had steamboats, communication with Nash
vile, but it is now cut off, our forces having
got one of the boats. The roads are awful
and cold weather and snow will not make it
very desirable TO change camp, except it be
tor fight The general health in camp is
improving. Forty-two Tennesseean eXiles
came into camp to-day; exiles come in almost
daily"
Since the above was put in type, we have
received additional dispatches, fully confirming
the reports that our troops have tonight and
routed Zollicoffer's army and that Zollicotier
was killed in the battle. The official an
nouncement of this important victory has been
communicated to the war department at Wash.
ington. Our dispatches state that the beaten
rebels were pursued to their entrenched camp,
aud that the federal troops took the camp with
all it contaiGed, including the cannon and com
missary stores. 1t must now be impossible
for the rebels 10 make Il stand anywhere in
Kentucky east of the Louisville and Nashville
railroad. Our troops will soon be in eastern
Tennessee and they will soon drive the reb-
els from Bowling Green and Columbus, and
go on to Nashville and Memphis.