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The river at this point flows almost due south, and Battle Creek enters it running in a southeasterly direction.
Captain Edgarton, as soon as the enemy's infantry made its appearance, immediately crossed the creek, planted his guns in a new position, and so disgusted the fellows upon the other side of the river, by flinging amongst them a dozen rounds of shell and shrapnel, that they incontinently took to their heels.
Of course we cannot ascertain the enemy's loss, but it must have been considerable; and so thoroughly frightened were they, that they have not since troubled us, except to fire an occasional shot across the river, from behind a rock or a tree, taking good care, however, to keep their carcasses well concealed.
Our loss consisted of one man wounded — John Eckhart, company B, Second Ohio, shot in the right breast.
One of Capt. Edgarton's horses was killed.
Col. Sill, throughout these operations, has exhibited much prudence and ability, and has been well supported by those under his command.
The position he occupies at the mouth of Battle Creek is, for defensive purposes, one of the finest I ever saw. A thousand men could hold it against five times their numbers, whether it were assailed upon the north or south, or from the east, across the Tennessee.
A huge mountain upon the west runs parallel with the river, and just at the mouth of the creek sends down a mighty spur to within a few hundred yards of the Tennessee.
North of this spur the creek comes wandering along through a gorge so narrow as to admit nothing save itself to pass.
Between the mountain and the river, the road from Stevenson to Jasper passes, as also an unfinished branch railroad running from Bridgeport to the latter place.
Upon the other side of the Tennessee is a narrow belt of cleared land, then a line of low hills, and then the fine valley through which runs the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
Beyond this, a range of the Cumberland Mountains rears itself, extending far away both up and down the river, until its great masses are lost in the blue distance.
South of the point where Colonel Sill has his headquarters, the mountain upon the west bank of the river recedes, and a beautiful “cove” is formed, in which a number of our troops are encamped.
Y. S.
--Cincinnati Gazette.
