The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-06
tine FIGHT At SOMERSET.
Five Hours Engagement Between
Brigadicr General Gilmore and
the Rebel General Pegram.
SPL ENDID VICTORY,
Pegram Driven Across the Cumberland,
Out of Kentucky,

H.. de-.

Our Lexington Correspondence.
LEXINGTON, KY, April 2, 1868.
In consequence Of the recent serious raids which have
been made In this quarter by the daring banditt, called
rebel soldiers General Gilmore applied to Gen. Burnside
Cor permission TO 60 TO the ront" and the request
promptly granted Accordingly Friday morning last
the General with portion Of his STAFF left headquarters
and proceeded ccty the vicinity Somerset whore
it ascertain that there two thousand four
hundred rebels encamped. Gathering up few scattered
forces, together with woords cavalry and the rem
nan Of the commands Of Colonies Runkle and Sanders
In all amounting to about thousand three hundred
men, the little army started out herocally Saturday
morning, to do or die.
After marching about eight miles, and arriving within
two Of Somerset, suddenly upon the outposts
Of the enemy in piece OF woods. An engagement
between skrmshers Immediately ensued. Our boys
did not wait long In parleying, but being determined
da he'd in and drove them fearful risk up neghbor
ing bill just skrtng the woods. Here they halted, and
prepared for action. General Gilmore gave his
commands thick and fast Everything done
the moment-orderles running TO and fro, men
getting into line, captains shouting out TO their
men, aids to the General riding up and down
among the men, &C. when presently the order came to
commence, which done in good earnest We found,
however, after fighting nearly hour, that we could
mako NO marked impression upon the rebels with our
mounted rcmen and consequently broush. our artillery
TO bear. This had the effect Of bringing them TO their
senses, and they wisely concluded best to retire again.
They now fell back. skrmshing all the way and ranged
themselves on the hills tue south side Of Pittmans
creek where they again made stand. II could plainly
DO seen that everything all hustle and confusion
50 as as two Of Se pece
being long ranged PARROTS OF felt some
apprehension from 80 formidable arm We came up,
however, and engaged with two rfed guns. Our
h0witxers entirely inefficient for the purpose,
could not possibly be made TO reach
Soon after the action fairly commenced heavy
mounted force OF the enemyafterwards ascertaned 70
have been Scott and Ashbys cavalry-were march
ang towards right with the evident intention Of gain
ing our rear. Our General, who seemed almost ubqu
tous during the whole engagement observing this move
cent the gallant and much dreaded woords cavalry to
Tho dre on both sides now became very hot and 1t
evident an issue close at hand way another
Ai0n and numbers, aud they also equal In arms
but Kentucky and Ohio boys felt the sting Of recent
sS Ss Ssh:s ps Eyso rbs this ver1 sS,
going II il understood that six hundred OF the original
rebel band were on stealing cattle and devastating the
Our General, perceivng things STOOD sent word
Colonel Runke, Of tho Forty nth Ohio to know il no
Thought he could take the heights by charge. The
Colonel replied that he would feel them, and make the
effort; but the undertaking hazardous that the
General ordered him 10 while longer At this
moment It observed that the enemy undoubted
~ preparing 10 charge upon cur artillery The word
was given TO our men to charge, and away went this
yelling like nadmen, until they reached brush and rail
fence Here they crouched TO the EARTH received the
excited the astOnshmeni and admiration Of every soldier
on the ground and than General Gilmore
amssl Under such charge the rebels Of course had
she HILL and never stopped until midnight, when they
again halted 70 rest preparatory TO crossing the Cumber
morning Az soon we reached the hill orders were
given 70 Colonel Sanders. Of the Fifth Kentucky
dseeea .sa thu. sss 's seo S0' and .SSy
between two nres This was accomplished under double
n N hnnU avunv UoOA