The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-01-31
Tine Rattle al Fishing Creek.

The Battle at Fishing Greek.
KNoxyILLE, Jan. "a.
Gen. Crittenden's forces marched out
from their bseastworks at NM Spring. at
twelve o'clock Saturday night TO meet
the enemy. Gen. Zollicofler was order
ed TO take command OF the expedition,
They found the enemy lying in ambush
al Fishing Creek, eleven miles distant at
dawn Sunday morning. Gen. Lolllcoher,
who was in front, commenced the attack.
The engagement lasted nearly all day,
and was calamity fought by our troops.
ten. Zollicoffer was shot through the
lungs early IN the engagement. Two Of
his aids, Major Fogg and Shields, were
severely wounded.
The enemy were repulsed three times,
but received large reinforcements, thus
greatly outnumbering US.
Satisfied that they could not hold their
own against a greatly superior force, the
Confederates fell back 10 their entrench-
menis at Mill Spring, and crossed the
river at night, after having sustained
themselves against an attack and cannon
ade from the enemy. They abandoned
their tents and equipments, and lost
nearly all their cavalry horses.
Six guns IF McClung's and four of
Rutledge's battery were spiked and sunk
in the river. Two guns OF Rutledge's
and Monsarrat's batteries, being on this
side of the river were saved.
Gen. Crittenden's forces in the en-
.gagement are reported to have numbered
about five thousand. The enemy's force
numbered fourteen thousand.
Capt. Sheliha, member of Gen. Crit
tenders staff, gives the following particu-
lars to the Nashville Union and Ameri-
Gen. Crittenden's forces left camp on
Sunday morning, 10Th inst, marching in
the following order: |. Gen. +. X. Zolli-
Golfers Brigade, composed of Bledsoe's
independent cavalry company, Col, Stath-
ANS 18th Mississippi Regiment, COM
handed by It. Col. Walthall, Col. Battles
goth Tennessee Regiment, Col. Cummings
10th Tennessee Regiment, Col. Stanton's
Tennessee Regiment, and two sections OF
Capt Rutledge's Battery of Artillery.
2. Gen. VIM. III. CAROLS Brigade, COM
posed of Col. Murray's, Col. Newman's,
and Col. Powell's Tennessee Regiments,
Col. Woods Alabama Regiment, one Sec
ton of Capt. Meetings. Battery, 1t. Col.
McClellan's Cavalry Battalion and Bran
ner's Cavalry.
They marched about nine miles over a
heavy road. Bledsoe's independent cav
airy, which was the advance of the army,
was fred on at 10 minutes to o'clock.
Zollicoifer's Infantry deployed as Skin
mishers in the following order: The 18th
Mississippi on the right, supported by
Battles Cummings Regiment on the
left, supported by Stanton's; Rutledge's
Artillery in the centre. The formation OF
the ground was unfavoraole for artillery
man9uvres.
Gen. Zollicoffer fell about o'clock, and
soon afterwards the Regiments gave way
to the superior numbers OF the enemy
| The men retreated within our breast
works, and the enemy pursued us without
cavalry, and commenced a well directed
cannonade at $3.50 p. NJ, which was kept
up until dark, when they ceased firing.
Our breastworks were then abandoned
during the night for want of supplies,
there not being single days rations in
camp, except those prepared by the men
before marching.
In the Knoxville Register, of the 2Sth,
we find the following additional particu-
lars:
We have conversed with gentleman
who left Gen. Crittenden's forces last
| Friday morning, who gives the following
details of the battle and falling back Of
our forces. HIS statements may be re-
lied or, as he had every opportunity OF
knowing the facts.
The attack made upon the Federals at
Fishing Creek was determined upon in a
council of war, at which all the regiment
al commanders were present, and was
approved by ALL
At one time during the fght, we had
every reason to believe that the day was
ours, and our subsequent defeat may be
attributed to the installing regiment OF
the enemy for the FISH Mississippi, and
a consequent order from Gen. Zollicoffer
to cease firing. Gen. Zollicoffer riding
forward towards the enemv, was shot and
fell MORALLY wounded, throwing the reg
iments Immediately around him into
some confusion, which, as is always the
case with imperfectly drilled troops, was
difficult to suppress. The gallant Zolli-
Golfer, in the very how of death, did not
forget his duty to his command, and he
was heard to utter as he fell from his
horse, II ,oas mistaken, they are Tie enemy,
charge Mem." Had this command been
heard by his men and they had charged,
we probably would have had victory in
stead OF defeat to chronicle Our men
continued from this time TO fall back
The enemy who were in superior force
pressing their advantage until further
attempts to rally were useless, and our
brave little army was ordered to make
their way back TO the camp, keeping in
the woods as much as possible to prevent
the artillery from damaging us. The
fight ragged nearly three hours without
any cessation, q continual volley having
been kept up by both armies.
Our loss in the battle In about 100 kill.
ed, and 800 wounded and taken prison
ers. Drs. Cliff, Morton, and Dulaney
volunteered to remain in the hospital
with the wounded.
The enemy appearing in greater force
in front of the works on the afternoon,
council of war was again assembled,
and it was determined to abandon posi-
ton IL we're madness to attempt to de-
fend.
The forces having all crossed during
the night, we took up our line Of march
for Monticello, where the army was halt
ed until Tuesday morning, when order
was in measure agoin restored. and the
march continued on in the direction OF
Carthage on the Cumberland river.
FURTHER.
NASHVILLE, Jan. 27.-lt is now def
nitely ascertaned that eight regiments,
numbering between four and FIVE thou
sand strong, participated in the late bat
tie near Fishing Creek, most of whom
were in the thickest of the fight. All
are said to have fought desperately until
overborne by the superior numbers of the
enemy
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