Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Two of the Fifty-eighth escaped in gallant style. The officer commanding the guerrillas rode up to our men as they were standing where they had surrendered, ordered them to stack their arms, and concluding with the satisfactory threat that he was going to hang at least two of them on the spot. Young Tiffin, the lad mentioned as firing “after he saw something to fire at,” thinking this was a hint for him, said he “couldn't see it,” dropped his rifle to range, fired, killed the officer, and then made some tall walking into the timber, and escaped, although fired upon by the rebels several times. This example was followed by Skinner, of company B, another lad of only fifteen; he also bringing down his man, (it being proverbial with the Fifty-eighth that they leave but little for the rebel surgeons to do, when they get a chance to shoot,) and making good his escape to tall timbers. With the retreat of the two above, three others of the Fifty-eighth joined in; the entire five succeeding, as by a miracle, in reaching the Union lines that night in safety.

It may be remarked of Tiffin that, before shooting the rebel officer, and after being threatened by him with hanging, his ready wit did not desert him, and he retorted that: “The rebels had better not be too lavish in the use of ropes, as the Union men would soon have need of all they had in their country in hanging up guerrillas.” In a lad of sixteen this was not expected. Tiffin has made himself quite a hero by killing two rebels, and making such a speech on the occasion of his debut on the stage of war. He is now in his regiment, ready to do further service for his country.

After learning of the disaster which had befallen his men, Captain Lynch, at Mayfield, sent out Lieutenant Murphy and forty of the Fifty-eighth, mounted on horses and mules, loaned by the Union men of the vicinity, with orders to bring back the prisoners at all hazards, even if they had to burn and destroy every thing combustible in the country. The residents generally treated the detachment with the greatest courtesy, as it passed through to the town of Murray, some twenty-two miles from Mayfield, and not far from Louisville. Once, however, some rebel sympathizers misdirected Lieutenant Murphy, and delayed him several hours. He was accompanied by companies A and B, from which the killed, wounded, and captured of the Fifty-eighth had been taken; and it may be supposed they did not let grass grow under their feet as they sped along after the guerrillas. The weather was rainy, sleety, and cold, and the men suffered much; but they bore it unflinchingly, intent only upon rescuing their comrades, or taking bloody revenge upon the rebels.

While upon this march, Lieutenant Murphy was the recipient of orders to report with companies A and B at Cairo, as quickly as possible. Upon his arrival at Murray, a consultation was held, and it was hurriedly debated whether it was his duty to obey orders or keep on until he found his missing men. It was finally decided to make one last and desperate effort, and in the event of its failure, to march to Mayfield, en route for Paducah, and go thence by boat to Cairo. Orders were then issued and sent by messengers to all the residents of the place, that the detachment had marched twenty-two miles through the enemy's country, in search of their brothers in arms. They were bound to have them. If the citizens of the town could produce them within a limited time, well and good. If not, the detachment gave due notice that they should devote the village to fire and destruction. This had the desired effect. The citizens made diligent search, and the prisoners named above, with the wounded Sergeant, Rowe, and the body of Hood, were all produced in double-quick time; and the wellsatisfied detachment and its commanding officer marched back to Mayfield, were soon in Paducah, and to-day are safely in Cairo. The Mayfield loyalists are loud in their praise of the Fifty-eighth. They say they have done more to clear out guerrillas and treason-mongers than all the troops ever stationed in the vicinity. It will please all the friends of this command to know that Colonel W. F. Lynch, of the Fifty-eighth, has been made Brigade Commander of the Second brigade, Sixth division, Sixteenth army corps; and has taken the field for active service with his brave men.