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other property contained therein, after it became evident that if removed at all, it would have to be done amid a storm of percussion — shells.
Seven locomotives were burned in the depot, besides an immense quantity of all sorts of army material.
Hundreds of gun-barrels and locks could be seen amongst the ruins, embracing the remains of almost every variety of “shoot — iron” which is used at present among civilized men. There were Mississippi rifles, Enfield rifles, rifled — muskets, smooth-bore muskets, breach — loading muskets, double and single-barreled shot-guns, and miscellaneous arms of every description.
Bayonets, swords, hangers, bowie-knives, butcher-knives, and knives made of saws and files, were there in immense quantities, mingled with army stores, camp-kettles, tin pans, and everything which usually goes to make up the indestructible portion of the furniture of a camp.
I was mistaken in saying, yesterday, that the two locomotives which were on the railroad track at the time we commenced firing, both escaped.
One of them was crippled so that it could not get off, and is now in our hands.
The tender attached to it was loaded with wood, which was set on fire either by the rebels or by a shell from one of our cannon, and the burning of this did some damage, but the locomotive will doubtless be put in running order in a few days, if it is necessary.
A large number of freight-cars and gravel-cars were taken, some of the former laden with gun-carriages and caissons.
We also captured a brass six-pounder, a very pretty little piece, indeed.
Somebody wishes me to say that there were two cannon amongst the spoils, but I am sorry that I cannot, as yet, feel justified in doing so. If I can ascertain to-morrow that such is the fact, I shall most gladly say so.
About five thousand dollars' worth of commissary stores fell into our hands.
The quantity destroyed by the panic-stricken rebels can scarcely be estimated; but I saw a single pile of corn burning, which, judging from its size when I first found it, and from the fact that it had then been burning more than eighteen hours, must have contained at least ten thousand bushels.
Two smaller piles were being consumed a short distance from the larger one.
Besides corn, thousands of dollars' worth of wheat, flour, beef, bacon, potatoes, and beans, were given to the flames.
It is indeed surprising that more of these things had not been removed before our arrival, as the design of the enemy to evacuate the place, was formed long since, and was actually begun as much as two weeks ago, by the withdrawal of artillery from some of the outworks.
Of course, all the buildings which contained these stores were also burned, together with a mill or two, and a few private residences — amongst which was the mansion of Hon. Warner Underwood, former member of Congress from the Bowling Green district, and brother of Judge Underwood, ex-United States Senator.
The house of the Judge is upon the northern side of the river, and would, doubtless, have shared the same fate had not the vandals been suddenly and unexpectedly driven from their prey.
It is hardly necessary to say that both the Judge and his brother have been unflinching Union men all their lives, and that neither the seductions of treason, nor the threats of traitors could shake their steadfast loyalty.
Their devotion has cost them much, and what they have suffered has strikingly illustrated the proclamation to the people of Kentucky, which that arch — scoundrel, Simon Bolivar Buckner, issued last September: “I return amongst you, citizens of Kentucky, at the head of a force the advance of which is composed entirely of Kentuckians.
We do not come to molest any citizen, whatever may be his political opinions.”
Falsehood seems to be a constituent element of the rebellion, as much as plunder and outrage.
The value of the rebel property destroyed at Bowling Green, in consequence of Gen. Mitchell's brilliant dash, has been variously estimated.
When I put it at a half-million of dollars, I adopt the lowest estimate that I have heard.
The provisions consumed were of the utmost importance to the rebel army, and it is difficult to see how they can afford to lose them at all. The injury to their cause could scarcely be greater, if they had had a thousand men slain in battle.
The retreat of the enemy's cavalry was not accomplished without some loss.
A shell or two from Loomis's unerring ten-pounder Parrotts, burst among them before they got entirely out of range, killing and wounding at least a dozen of them.
These were the celebrated Texan Rangers, who have spread such terror amongst the loyal, peaceable people of Southern Kentucky, but notwithstanding their braggadocio, swell, and swagger, notwithstanding their boasted invulnerability, have never yet dared to meet even a squad of our troops in fair fight.
Indeed, I might say that they have not dared to meet us at all, either on fair terms or otherwise, and their exploits have been wholly confined to plundering and stealing from unarmed citizens, burning their dwellings and insulting and abusing their women and children.
Nothing could have delighted us more than the fact that, in the run from Bowling Green, a dozen of the thieving rascals were made to bite the dust.
But the value of Gen. Mitchell's conquest is not to be estimated either by the number of the enemy killed and taken, or by the amount of property they lost.
It is immediately almost equivalent to the expulsion of the traitors from Kentucky, and its moral effect in discouraging them, raising the hopes of loyal men in the South, and damaging the rebel cause in the eyes of the nations of Europe, will be incalculable.
I, for one am proud to be, even in an humble capacity, a member of that division of the army which first occupied the Western Manassas of the enemy, Bowling Green.
Y. S.
Providence journal account.
Bowling Green, February 16.
The last few days have been days of excitement and trial.
Last Tuesday, February 11th, Gen. Mitchell's division left their camp at Bacon Creek, 