[596]
under more favorable circumstances.
Still the skirmish was a decided success.
The results foot up as follows: On the side of the rebels, killed, three; wounded, twelve, of whom five are believed to be mortally wounded; prisoners, thirty-six; in all, fifty-one.
The number of horses taken is variously stated from twenty to forty.
On the Union side, one man was killed, and two slightly wounded.
The Union man was shot by one of our own pickets, but no censure is attached to the man who shot him. Under the circumstances, as reported, he could have done nothing else.
Throughout the affair, there was no little danger of the two home guard companies firing upon each other.
Had there been a union of forces and concerted action, the prisoners taken freely admit that the whole rebel command, which they state to have been two hundred and fifty in number, might have been captured.
Whilst there is room for regret that more was not effected, the due meed of praise should not be denied to the officers and men who so gallantly and successfully encountered a largely superior force.
The prisoners were taken at once to Lexington.
Union.
