Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-23

PAfNTsvILLE, Ky., Jan. IA, 1862.

kenfucky, &c.
tcorrespoud<nce Of the Belmon, ChronicIel
PAfNTsvILLE, KY, Jan. IA, 1862.
EDIroR CHRONICLE: 1t is possible that
few stray notes from this insignificant
corner Of the grcat military fold may not
be uninteresting to some Of your readers
The possession Of the Big Sandy, separating
Kentucky and Virginia, is an object very
much to be desired by the rebels, as they
suppose by that means they would be en-
abled to obtain supplies from the Ohio for
their forces in Western Virginia, and other
points, and at the same time carry on active
military operations against Ohio. 10 de-
feat project of this kind, Col j. A. Gar
field, of the 42d Ohio Regiment, was sent
to this valley, in command of the 18th
Brigade.
A month ago the 42d Ohio landed at Cat
lettsburgh, mouth Of the Big Sandy, where
the l4th Kentucky was awaiting reinforce
ments. In two or three days we were joined
by two hundred cavalry, under Major Nc
Laughlin.
We then began to ascend the river. The
rebels reported coming down on us. But
still We advanced, aad on Christmas the
rebels, then at Paintsville, retreatsd four
miles beyond and fortified themselves.
JANUARY 7.-Our forces reached Paints
vile, and that evening the cavalry made .
charge on one Of their encampments, killed
men and lost g. The rebels fed in haste,
n leaving number Of knapsacks and other
|, traps" along the road. The next day,
Jan. s, we were reinforced by the arrival
|, Of the 4Oth Ohio Regiment, under COL
, Craynor, and part of the 22d Kontucky,
under Col. Lindsay.
/, JANUARY 9.-Col. Garfield, with abou,
, 1900 men, went in search of the running
secesh, and late that night sent despatch
for the remaining forces to join him imme
I. diately. Accordingly, Jan. 10th, before
a daybrsak, we were out, amid mud, rain, ant
darkness. Marched 10 miles, oser. grea
!. hills, across deep ravines, and through mut
T to the knees in many places. AT o'clock
y p. NJ, reached the brow Of mountain
!, from which could be seen the dirty, shabby
4 little secesh town, Prestonburgh. There
while resting, the sound Of musketry an
- the roar Of cannon was heard. Instant
10 we were on our feet and off on double-quic
:. for the scene of action, yet three miles di,
tant. When within mile of the place
of knapsacks were unslung, haversacks, Ovel
10 coats, and canteens were thrown off, and th
8, whole reserve force started on run f
%. the battlefield. As COL Garfield saw u
, coming he shouted Thank God " and tn
os boys filed the air with loud huzsas. BY III
=. time we reached the ridge where our boy
10 were stationed the firing had mostly ceaset
-. and the rebels retreated to tho top Of hig
hs hill beyond the range Of our guns. W
~ were ordered TO rcaA awhile, and IN Il
:, " meantime two divisions of our troops ha
!. been sent around, one on each side of Il
enemy, and in few minutes they began
4, pour death aud destruction into the reb
ranks. For an hour or more the firing W,
!. incessant and the reserve Of the AID WI
Il. ordered across the creek. Three choe
70 for tho AID rung among the hills and tho
r down we went, plunging through the wat
u. more than knee deep, and began scalir
,v tho mountain; but before we were half WI
of up the rebels gave way and left us in posse
Ia. sion of the hill. Darkness came on and d
or battle closed. Next morning no robels We
ha to be found, except the dead left ON Il
M fisld of battle, for during the night the 90,
N ardly scamps had removed as far as possib
,.a from Uncle Sans boys, having conclude
ofl from few hours experience that olo
~ contact with them was not at all desirabl
in ltjs fully sscsrtained that the rebels
n. this action lost IS men, and most probah
4. more than 100 were killed, bssides d
:. wounded. The Union forces only had O
ofI man killed on the Rsld and IL woands
~ one Of whom has since died, and another
Nv Is thought will not live, Certainly this v
NJ . remarkable victory. God has been on o
m. side and brought us out victorious and sai
,sr aud only through his Divine interpositi,
". can we account for the fact that no more
oh our men were killed. The bullets few thi
AZ. and fast around the rebels had the choi
n. Of the ground, and four cannon III
rm threw grape and shell. but not man v
IA hurt by them. Not moro than 500 Of o
to mon wero engaged alta time, against at le'
rn. 1000 Of tho enemy. The rebels are repo
blv cd to have been 5000 or 1000 strong, bu
presume $500 was about their true force.
no. Among their killed are field officer a
rpe two Captains. We also took prisoue
On. 10 horses, 20 boxes OF goods. rs stand
In. arms, box Of shell and round shot, and
till box oflead. Knapsaoks, blankets, oartridl
ck. boxes, corn bread, &C., were found scatter
ted on the ground. They burned seward VI
yu- ons, tsnts,, and large houses containing tn
Hnp- stores, and shot 90 head Of hogs, to prevs
)av them falling into our hands. Some Of