The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-02-06
The Somerset Battle.
CAN'T DIcE ROBiSsoS, KY,
January 25th, 1921

FRIESD BELL: We are now vctOriouSly On the
banks of the Cumberland river, five miles south of
Somerset. owe have met the enemy and they are
ours" On last Sunday morning, while we were
encampcd at Camp Hamilton, two miles west of
Fishing Creek, the enemy advanced upon us from
their entertainments at Beach Grown, known as
Zolcoiitr's cntrcnchmcnts) and at o'clock A. NJ.
firing commenced between our pickcts and the ad-
vance of the encmy. Our pickcts kept up close
continual fire upon them, and at the same time slowly
fell back upon the 10th Indiana regiment who had
gone To their relief - they being encampcd about
threc-fourths Of a mile nearer the line of attack
than any other of the forces of the division at this
camp, and of whom the pckets were part. There
is but little cleared land the vicity of the engage
m.nt, the 10th Indiana had formed in line Of battle
in the woods partly and partly behind fence en-
closing old worn out field. Here the fight COM
mcnccd in good earnest. Our regiment ed Mimi
moved immediately upon hearing the firing, as did
also the Ohio 9th, the Kentucky 4th, and Tennessee
lst and 2d but of the last named regiments the
ID Minnesota was considerably in the advance, and
formed in line Of battle within One-fourth mile of
the firing to receive olders. There VIC were visited
by few shots from the rebel artillery, which were
thrown with great precision, the first ball passing
over and within six feet of my head breaking ground
few PAGES in the rear, But we did not have to
wait long, and were Immediately marched to the
Of action, relieving the Indiana 10th, who had
now short of cartridges We took their position
with the exception that line extended to the left
greater portion Of it extending along the fence
and from behind this fence we delivered our first
volley upon the enemy, who were formed III Hue of
battle in ravine on the other side of the fence
their left running up to the fence on our right
Nothing separated the forces but the fence. In the
rear Of the ravine was another Tavnc, in which
another line Of the enemy was formed With these
two lines contended for one hour in almost hand
to hand conflict. The smoke was thick and at first
boys fired too high, but they gradually learned
their position. The enemy fought well and bravely,
urtil Zollieofier fell mortaly wounded, when they
fed, leaving everything behind them in their coufu-
sion and hurry. We captured about 800 prisoners,
and closely pursued them into their entronchmcnts
when night and we halted in front of their
works, gent over few shells 10 let them know we
there, and then laid down to rest, tired and
hungry. 1t was then we discovered that we eaten
nothing for twenty -four hours Next morning, a
few more SHE'LL and then entered their entrenchments
aud found them containing no enemy. can give
you idea Of the amount Of property falling into
our hands. About 1000 or $4,000 horses, 900 or
500 mules, 400 wagons, tents without number, 23
cannon, mounted with caissons well filed with grape
canister and she'll, ammunition of all kinds, blank
cts, knap-saeks, small arms Of every kind, and but
limited supply Of commissary stores, which /
think accounts for their giving us battle outside Of
their entertainments. Defending their ontrench-
ments, they would have been almost impTeenable.
Our boys behaved most gallsntly. The fire from
our lae was one continuous volley, and, strange as