Latest Northern War news.
We are in possession of New York and Philadelphia papers of the 15th inst. From them we make the following extracts:The battle of Picking Creek of Mill Spring.
Cincinnati, Jan. 24, 1862.
--This morning's papers contain full accounts of the battle of mill Spring.
It was a fair open battle.
The rebels fought well, and was overcome only by superior fighting on our side.
According to their own account, the rebel force consisted of ten infantry regiments, three batteries and some cavalry, altogether about ten thousand men. They fought in bush whacking style, from ravines and behind trees, bushes and rocks.
The brunt of the battle devolved on the Fourth Kentucky, Second Minnesota, Ninth Ohio, and Tenth Indiana.
For nearly three hours the roar of musketry was kept up. Shortly after eleven o'clock Colonel Haskin succeeded in flanking the enemy on the extreme right, when the Ninth Ohio and Second Minnesota charged with the bayonet, with triumphant yells, which broke the rebel ranks, and the rout began.
They fled pell-mell to the camp, strewing the road with muskets, blankets, overcoats, and knapsacks, and abandoned two guns and caissons.
General Zollicoffer was shot through the heart at the head of his staff, by Colonel Fry, of the Fourth Kentucky.
It appears that General Zollicoffer lost his way in the bushes, and suddenly emerged before Colonel Fry, who was accompanied by some staff officers.
The two parties mistook each other for friends, and approached within a few yards of each other, when, finding their mutual mistake, both halted and prepared for a hand to hand conflict.
One of General Zollicoffer's aids shot at Colonel Fry, but only brought his horse down.
The Union Colonel immediately drew his six-shooter and brought General Zollicoffer from his saddle at the first fire.
The rebel staff deserted their chief's body, which was taken to Somerset the day after the battle.
An East Tennessean writer to the Commercial says: ‘
--All the credit and honor of this battle are due to the Tenth Indians, the Ninth Ohio, the Fourth Kentucky, and the Second Minnesota regiments; for they did all the fighting single-handed, with the exception of what support they received from the artillery.
They all fought nobly, and never wavered from their fixed determination to gain the victory.
The combatants were so near each other that the powder from the discharged pieces burned their faces. ’
Northern detailed account of the Great defeat at Somerset, Ky.
The New York Herald's Somerset correspondent gives the following account of this defeat: Among the forces engaged in the fight, it is certain there were the 10th Indiana, 9th Ohio, 2d Minnesota; 10th and 4th Kentucky, and the 18th regulars. The 10th Indiana and 19th regulars were reinforcements which reached Gen. Thomas on Saturday morning, and they were compelled to make a forced march of over twenty-five miles to reach the position in time for the affair. This position, to which General Thomas had proceeded, and in which he had halted on Saturday night with a view of crossing the Cumberland and proceeding southeast to Monticello, is about six miles east of Jamestown and twelve miles west of Mill Spring, or the entrenchments of Zollicoffer, at White Oak Creek. A country road leading to Jamestown runs due east for six miles, crossing two small streams and traversing a rolling country; thence, taking a turn southeast and crossing the Cumberland, continues in the same direction to Monticello. In the immediate vicinity of the two small streams crossed by this road the country is quite hilly, and to the south becomes rough and rugged, culminating in the lofty crags that form the banks of the Cumberland at this point. The road named, however, avoids these crags, and, following the course of a small stream two miles further east, finds a good descent and crossing at the river. On this field Gen. Thomas halted on the evening of the 18th with the above regiments. While this movement was being made the two brigades of Generals Schoepff, and Carter, encamped near Somerset, and commanded by General Schoepff, and not been idle. As early as the morning of the 17th a movement on the part of General Schoepff was begun. Four regiments of infantry, as enumerated below, and Captain Stewart's battery of flying artillery, left their camp at Somerset, taking three days rations, and began the march for a point on Fishing creek, five miles north of Zollicoffer's entrenchments, and consequently near the mouth of the stream. Two regiments were left in camp as a reserve, Colonel Vandervelde in command. The force under Gen. Schoepff in the march to Fishing creek consisted of the following: Brigadier General Alvin Schoepff, commanding--Seventh Regiment Kentucky Volunteers; Twelfth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. Brigadier General Carter, commanding--First Regiment Tennessee Volunteers; Second Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. At the same time that this forward movement was made by Gen. Schoepff, reinforcements were forwarded from Harrodsburg, and the reserve was strengthened by two regiments left at Somerset and a battery. This reserve then consisted of four regiments, under Colonel Vandervelde, of the Thirty fifth Ohio regiment. The intention of Gen. Buell--who, in his quarters at Louisville, appears to have planned the whole affair — was, that the two forces of Thomas and Schoepff should attack Zollicoffer in his entrenchments at the same time. But, with a vigor of design and execution worthy of being exercised with more success in a better cause, Gen. Zollicoffer, with a force of about 8,000 men, marched out on the night of the 18th instant, and, at an early hour on Sunday, the 19th inst., attacked General Thomas's force in his camp, at the point I have described, and which is familiarly known as Webb's Cross Roads, and situated on Wolf Creek. Although it cannot be said that Gen. Thomas was taken by surprise, it is not definitely settled that he anticipated any attack. But, in the close proximity in which he was to General Zollicoffer, he took every precaution, and when, at an early hour, and before dawn of day, his pickets were driven in by the advancing force, the main body was aroused and prepared to receive the rebels. The cannonading began about four o'clock in the morning, and the engagement became general shortly afterwards Instead of succeeding in his design of surprising General Thomas in his camp, General Zollicoffer found the whole force, fresh from a long night's rest, prepared to receive the weary columns he had rapidly marched to the field. In numbers he was indeed superior, His force of cavalry and his artillery were of superior numbers and character to our own; but the sequel. shows that they were not managed with more tact and judgment. That the conflict on both sides was terrific, is evinced by the casualties reported. That the rebels fought gallantly there is no reason to doubt, and the long continuance of so desperate a fight evinces fully the pluck and spirit of the troops composing both armies. The sun did not deign to shine upon the scene, and the clouds above threated a heavy rain. But throughout the dismal Sabbath morning, and until half of the afternoon had passed away, did the conflict rage. It had continued without any decided advantage on either side, and until within half an hour of the conclusion of the battle the result was doubtful. And it is not improbable that it might have resulted less honorably for ourselves had not one of those chances which so often influence such events decided it in our favor. At about ten minutes past three o'clock the Fourth Kentucky regiment, deploying on the flank of the rebels, by some means approached the position assumed by the rebel General commanding, and a shot from the pistol of Colonel Fry is said to have inflicted the wound which resulted in the death of General Zollicoffer. Colonel Balie Peytor, Jr., son of the ex-member of Congress from Tennessee; had been killed at an earlier hour. The death of their General, added to that of their most prominent regimental officer, created a consternation among the rebels which became a panic, and caused their rapid retreat at half-past 3 from the battle field. In their rapid flight the bodies of two hundred and eight men were left lying dead upon the field, and among these were the bodies of Zollicoffer and Peyton. They also deserted a flag, which was picked up on the field. Our own loan I cannot positively state. General Thomas did not halt the eager columns who had engaged the rebels all the long and desperate day, but began the pursuit with vigor. The retreat became a panic more terrible than the famous one of Bull Run; for close upon the heels of the frightened rebels followed the animated and victorious Unionists. Into their entrenchments they fled at nightfall, and our little army, sinking on the western cliffs of White Oak creek, lay on their arms till morning, ready to storm the den beyond the stream. But when morning dawned, they marched into the entrenchments unopposed, and with colors flying. The two forces of Thomas and Schoepff, combining, crossed Cumberland river at Mill Spring, and again began the pursuit of the scattered rebels. The result of this pursuit, I have learned since beginning this letter, was the captures of a very large portion of the force; but so improbable sounds the number that I can hardly give it credence and the benefit of an expression. The result of this splendid achievement has been the defeat and destruction of an army of 10,000 men, and, doubtless, their utter demoralization. It has removed from the left flank of our army the only obstruction that prevented its marching on Bowling Green. It has left. General Thomas's division free to act as the left wing of the main army, composed of the First, Second and Third divisions, and we, shall doubtless have vigorous movements on the part of Generals McCook, Nelson and Gritenden, in accordance with this one on Gen'l The man's part, we says gained and new hold possession of the entrenchments of while Gen. Creek and Mill Spring. We have taken eighteen pieces of artillery and many pieces mounted on the works. All their ammunition, an important feature among the spoils, has fallen into our hands, as well as eighty-three wagon loads of various valuable stores, all their camp equipage and horses. All their means of transportation were captured, besides certain trophies in the shape of flags.Relief of Union prisoners of War.
The following has been issued by the War Department: Washington, Jan. 24, 1862.
This department recognizes as the first of its duties to take measures for the relief of the brave men who, having imperilled their lives in the military service of the Government, are now prisoners and captives.
It is, therefore ordered that two commissioners be appointed to visit the city of Richmond, in Virginia, and wherever else prisoners belonging to the army of the United States may be hold, and there take such measures as may be needful to provide for the wants, and contribute to the comfort of such prisoners, at the expense of the United States, to such extent as may be permitted by the authorities under whom such prisoners are hold.
The capture of Biloxi.
Washington, Jan. 24.
--The Navy Department has received dispatches from Flag Officer McKean, dated Ship Island, January 8, in which he reports the arrival at that place of the United States steamer Mercedits, and the United States gun-boats Winona and Sagamore.
By the first named he had received the communication of the Secretary of the Navy, and says, in accordance therewith, he shall dispatch the frigate Potomac to Vera Cruz.
Having been informed on the 31st of December, that a rebel steamer was at anchor near Biloxi, he dispatched Commander Smith, with the steamers Water Witch, New London, and Henry Lewis, to endeavor to capture her; but upon reaching Biloxi it was found she had been removed.
Commander Smith demanded the surrender of the town, which was complied with, and a detachment of seamen and marines was landed, a small sand battery destroyed, and two guns, a nine and six pounder, brought off.
The place was found to be almost deserted by the male population, but it was crowded with women and children.
The schooner Captain Spedden, loaded with lumber, was also captured and brought out by the Henry Lewis.
She is a very useful prize, the lumber being much needed by the Army Quartermaster for the construction of storehouses, and the schooner making a serviceable lighter.
Both have been transferred to the Quartermaster, at a valuation fixed by a board of survey.
Gen. Sickles, of the Excelsior brigade.
The Military Committee of the Senate reported unanimously to-day in favor of the nomination of Daniel E. Sickles to a Brigadier Generalship. This removes all doubt of his confirmation by the Senate.Affairs on the Lower Potomac.
The steamer King Philip, which came up from the flotilla last evening, reports affairs unchanged down the river. The King Philip is now in charge of Acting Master Cook, Capt. Wm. Mitchell having resigned. The brig Perry, which has been anchored below Alexandria for some time, left her anchorage yesterday afternoon, and proceeded down the river in tow of the Possy.News from Western Virginia.
Camp at Cumberland, Jan. 21.
--All quiet here now. Gen. Kelley has returned to his home sick, and Gen. Lander is in command of the forces of the ‘"Railroad District."’ He is at Patterson's creek, with a strong force, and daily strengthening his position.
Reinforcements are pouring in upon him from the West.
Gen. Jackson is reported to be at Romney with 6,000 or 8,000 men. The Potomac is now jailing rapidly from its late rise.
Appointments confirmed by the Senate.
In the executive session of the Senate to-day, (the 23d inst.,) Major Lewis G. Arnold, 2d United States Artillery; was nominated and confirmed as a Brigadier General. Gen. Arnold is on duty at Fort Pickens, and will probably relieve Gen. Brown of his command of the post, as the latter is in ill health, and needs respite from duty, with a faint hope of preserving his life.News from the upper Potomac.
Frederick, Jan. 23.
--Officers from Hancock yesterday report the Potomac to have risen twenty to twenty-five feet there within the past few days.
All crossing for the present is a nullity.
General Jackson is supposed to be still at or near Romney.
Lander has fallen back to the mouth of Patterson's creek, near to Cumberland.
General Williams's brigade occupy the houses at Hancock, deserted by the citizens on the approach of Jackson some time since, and are luxuriating on good food and comfortable beds.
