The National tribune., 1907-09-19
Stories EmEeny Worh Telling of Experiences and Adventures
in the Great National Struggle

Our next camp was at Georges
Creek, three miles from Peach Orchard,
and about Is from Paintsville. The
valley here was so narrow and the hills
so high that the sun arose about 10 in
the morning and set about in the
afternoon.
A scouting party of about zoo was
sent out toward Paintsville 20 asCer-
tain the location and strength Of the
enemy They returned bearing the
news of their retreat and building in
'trenchments four miles farther south.
At this camp we were expecting to he
reinforced by the 4Oth Ohio, but after
waiting for nearly week its arrival.
the command broke camp and moved
up the valley of Georges Creek. cross
ing the hill into a valley running to-
ward the Big Sandy Some distance
from the river three roads led to
Paintsville. On each of these simulta-
neous attacks were made on the rebel
pickets by our cavalry. supported by a
small infantry force. so as 10 mask our
movement, and give the enemy the
impression that large army was con-
fronting them. A precipitate retreat
of the rebel forces TO their intrenche
position was the result. while the 42d
Ohio marched down the muddy fork
to the Big Sandy, thence up the river
to the mouth of Paint Creek, and oc-
cupied Paintsville without firing a gun.
The Pursuit.
Col. Garfield determined on imme-
diate pursuit Paint Creek was swoI-
len by the heavy rains, but sawmili
near by afforded saw logs that We're
soon RATED together. forming a road
way across, and within an hour an
army of 1,000 picked men were again
in pursuit of the retreating enemy. a
mile or two above Paintsville Jenny
Creek empties into Paint Creek Maj
Mclaughlin was sent up to the ford
on Jenny Creek to attack the rebel out
post, and follow them, if they retreated
on road paralleling that on which the
infantry were advancing and about
three miles distant. Night with dense
fog made darkness almost impenetra-
BILE. A trusty native guide led TIE way
Tramping thru mud, we came to where
the road was badly cut and furrowed as
If by heavy teaming. We knew we were
near the fortified position of the enc
my. 1t was now about o'clock in the
evening. and night attack was ex-
pected. The garrison and working
force had, however, heard of our ap-
proach, as did the rebel soldiers in
camp near b., thru spies in Paintsville,
who gave the alarm. Less than an
hour before our arrival they had de-
camped, as we learned from citizens.
Everywhere indications were found
of their hasty stampede. 1t was now
nearly midnight. 1t was useless to pur-
sue the retreating enemy, whose num-
ber exceeded ours, with only limited
amount of rations in our haversacks.
1t only remained for us to return to
Paintsville. The night was cold, our
clothes heavy and wet with rains, our
feet stopping in shoes filled with wa
ter from fording streams. Weary and
almost overcome with cold and suffer-
ing, we reached Paintsville just as day
began to dawn. Maj. McLaughlin's
command had returned. and reported
driving the enemy 10 miles. killing sew
eral and securing a number of horses.
The 40th Ohio arrived from Paris, KY,
the day of our return to Paintsville. The
boats from below had arrived with
supplies, and we were now in condi-
ton for further aggressive work.
The Battle Of PnintsviIIe.
On the morning of Jan. 9, with 1900
men, Col Garfield again set out in pur-
suit of Gen. MarshaIrs retreating army.
Eighty rounds of ammunition and two
days rations were taken, and orders
for boats with rations to press up to
Prestonburg. 1t was night when the
advance column reached the mouth of
Abbott Creek, three miles from Pres
tonburg. Near the summit of hill a
rebel cavalry picket was encountered.
strong guard was posted, and our
command rested on their arms until
morning. 1t was bitter cold January
night. The rain of all day had turned
to sleet and a north wind soon froZe
the clothes of the boys. An Orderly
had been sent by Col. Garfield, direct
ing Col cranor, in command at Paints
vile, to send at once all the available
men in camp to his support.
E.,a A ~ pxt y,1p prniup a hnt,t I Nfln
men under Col. Sheldon were in line,
and forced march made to reinforce
our advance. Meanwhile Col. Garfield
descended the hill north OF Abbott
/ Creek. forded the stream, crossed the
dividing ridge into the valley of Mid
die Creek. Here he found Gen. Mar
shalrs force, about $500 strong, drawn
up and ready for the contest. A heavy
| line of skirmishers was thrown out
spanning the valley, and the advance
| began. Some resistance was made BY
the rebel cavalry, who We're discreet
however. in keeping out of range OF
our guns. The skirmsh line was in
command of Adj't Olds, who soon sue
ceeded in reaching Graveyard Point, or
the opposite side of the Big Sandy Riv-
er and about three-fourth ms of a mile
distant from the enemy's main force
A section of the enemy's artillery com
manding the road up the valley wa:
on the rlSnt or the main IOTce, VINO mac
chosen a position among the timber
and rock about 500 feet above tn.
stream, circling the hill. Col. Nc
Laughlin, with a small cavalry force
J vas ordered to charge up the road t.
! draw their fire and disclose their posi-
ton. They succeeded in drawing tn,
, fire from the battery and the infantr.
without loss. Four hundred Ohio mel
under Maj. Pardee were then sent t
I ford Middle Creek, climb the mountain
. on the right of ravine. coming dowi
l from its summit and Lieut-Col. Mon
roe, of the l4th KY. to cross the creel
with his regiment lower down and as
cend on the left of the ravine.
! detachment of Cos. A and f, unde
E Capt = A Williams, We're on the skir
[ mish line. They soon met with stub
{ born resistance, and fell back to thei
+ position in line of battle. The rebel
4 began advancing down the hill, whe
q reinforcements were sent from Grave
/. yard Point to strengthen our line. TIL
contest was now exciting. Maj Parde
G was pressing the enemy, who gathere
: near the summit of the hill among tn
: rocks and timber. The day was cloud,
b dark and wet. Our boys were shootin
}. UP hill with a cloudy sky for a back
, ground, while the rebel fire was down
q with q dark wood to obscure Our me
y were armed with long-range rife
j while the rebels had old u. s. musket
ta iDf