War matters.
We continue from the first page of this paper our summary of the latest and most interesting intelligence which could be gathered from the latest Southern journals that have reached us:
The fight near Prestonsburg — account from a participant.
The following letter, giving a partial account of the battle near
Prestonsburg, Ky., was written for the Abingdon
Democrat, by the
junior editor of that paper, who was a participant in the fight; but the
Democrat being temporarily suspended, it was kindly furnished the editor of the Lynchburg
Republican, in which paper it appeared on Monday, the 20th inst.:
Camp on beaver Creek,
January 13, 1862.
For the last week we have been in the midst of stirring events.
Last Sunday night our
Colonel was notified by
General Marshall that ‘"the enemy are reported to be entering
Paintsville — put your regiment under arms quietly."’We were not attacked there, however, and, on Monday morning at two o'clock, orders were sent to cook all the provision we had, and prepare to fall back.
We did so, but our regiment was unable to leave camp until half- past 3 o'clock, P. M., and only made some six miles; but such was the execrable condition of the roads, that all the trains did not get over until Tuesday night. We rested, therefore, during that day. Next morning we were aroused at 2½ o'clock, A. M., and were ordered to move, expecting to meet the enemy.
We did not get under way, however, until about 12 M. After marching a little over a mile, we were ordered to take to cover, as the enemy was in view.
Accordingly; the 54th and 29th Virginia Volunteers, and
Col. Williams's Kentucky Regiment, formed with alacrity on a hillside, under cover of a fence, while the cavalry galloped to the front.
We had scarcely formed, however, when we were again ordered into line of march, the alarm turning out to be false.
We then proceeded to the west fork of
Middle Creek, where we remained in camp during the next day, Thursday.
Together with several others, your correspondent spent Thursday night at the house of
Mr. George Spradlin, a short distance from the camp, and while at breakfast, on Friday morning,
Mr. Spradlin came in and said, ‘"Gentlemen, there are about forty men on the hill out here, and they ordered me to halt."’ The entire party then jumped up from the table, without the least ceremony, and made their way back to the camp, in safety, not with standing they were all fired upon by the
Yankee pickets.
The battle.
When we reached the command we found the forces forming in the forks of
Middle Creek, to give the enemy a reception, who were advancing in strong force.
Captain Jeffrey's artillery were placed in battery in the woods, supported by
Colonel Trigg's 54th Virginia regiment.
Colonel Moore's 29th Virginia regiment was thrown upon a hill east of the east fork of the creek, and
Colonel Williams's Kentucky regiment occupied a higher hill, to the right of
Moore's regiment.
After waiting patiently for an hour, the enemy were seen advancing up the valley of the creek, and scattering themselves upon a range of hills opposite our position.
About 1 o'clock P. M. a small party of cavalry showed themselves immediately in front of the artillery, apparently reconnoitering our position.
Capt. Holliday's company of
Kentucky cavalry opened fire upon them, and then fell back, when a shell was thrown into their midst from one of our guns.
The enemy immediately fell back--three saddles being empty.
This may be regarded as the opening of the fight — the firing before having been confined to the pickets.
The engagement soon became general along our whole line, the enemy seeking to dislodge us from our position on the hills.
It would be unjust to them to say that they did not fight well.
They made three distinct attacks upon our position, and were three times repulsed by our gallant fellows.
The fight lasted until about half-past 4 o'clock, P. M., with occasional interruptions.
Our forces retained their position until after dark, when they fell back in good order — being compelled to do so to procure subsistence, the enemy having cut us off from our only mill.
Colonel Trigg's regiment was held as a reserve, and did not participate in the fight.
The gallant fellows were anxious to do so, and were quite restive under the restraint.
But as the enemy were repulsed without their assistance, they will have to earn their laurels upon some other field.
They will do so as soon as an opportunity offers, for they are fully prepared to maintain the honor of Old Virginia.
So far as we have been able to learn, the enemy made an attempt to follow us. Their loss was greatly larger than ours; but what was its extent we have not been able to learn.
List of killed and wounded at the battle of
Middle Creek:
Captain Bryant's Company, 29th Virginia Regiment--Killed--
Privates, Oscar Pickett,
Leftwich Patton,
John Pickett,
Wm. Bowers.
Wounded.
Privates Joshua G. Montgomery, seriously;
John Graham, through both thighs;
Ivey Milton, slightly.
Capt. Jesse's Company.--Killed--
Private Stanford Jessee.
Wounded —
Geo. McReynolds, of
Russell, leg amputated;
Wm. B. Roberts, slightly in foot.
Capt. Hale's Company.--Wounded —
Jesse Reese, in both thighs.
Capt. Horne's Company —
Benj. Huddle, slightly in hip.
Total--5 killed; 7 wounded.
Col. Williams lost — killed and wounded.
I have not been able to get their names.
Late and interesting from Kentucky--the enemy reported five thousand strong on this side of Green River.
From an interesting letter in the Nashville
Union and American, under date of
Bowling Green, Jan. 10, we extract the following:
‘
It is pretty well settled that the enemy, in what exact force it is impossible to state, is this side of
Green River, having crossed at the recently repaired bridge near Munfordsville.
An officer in
Colonel Hanson's second Kentucky regiment came down from our advance yesterday.
He states that while on a scouting expedition toward
Green, River he and his friends distinctly saw the
Federal tents.
They counted four hundred tents and estimate their force at five thousand men. They are encamped at Rowlett's Station, some four miles from the bridge.
Other accounts, all varying in detail, however, confirm the report that they are this side of the river.
Some stoutly assert that there is no enemy this side, and that they are afraid to cross.
All indications go to substantiate the report that they are this side in considerable force, and that more are preparing to follow.
’
On the 7th inst., the embankments thrown across the deep ravine for the
Louisville and Nashville Turnpike road, were blown up near
Woodsonville.
This was done by orders, and certainly for the purpose of rendering the turnpike impassable to the enemy's heavy ordnance and baggage wagons.
This was done near where the road enters the
Green Brier Ford, passing from
Woodsonville to Munfordsville, and in the vicinity of the place where the engagement was had with
Col. Terry and his valiant Rangers.--The obstruction of this road and the destruction of a part of the railroad, and the blowing in of the short tunnel above, of which previous letters gave you an account, indicate that an advance of the foe is expected and that our
Generals wish to put as many impediments in their way as possible.
The positions of our advance forces, it would seem, also go to show that a forward movement of the enemy is looked for.
Hindman, with his men, forming as they did our advance force on
Green River, has fallen back to near
Oakland Station and is now only a short distance ahead of
Breckinridge's Kentucky Brigade, and about sixteen miles above this place.
The most determined and vigorous means of defence are pushed ahead at this place with zeal and alacrity.
Independent companies, both of cavalry and infantry, are being rapidly organized.--The blood of Kentuckians is roused at last by recent developments, and brave determined men, are coming forward to the rescue of the
State.
The fact that
Hon. W. C. Preston, now
General Preston, is to lead the newly raised
Kentucky troops authorized by the
Provisional Government, is working with the potency of a charm.
They are responding to the call, and before long so great will be the accessions, that the
General will be able to take the field in active service.
Arrival of bridge burners.
Lieut. W. F. Parker, Company H, 29th Regiment, (says the
Asheville, N. C.,
News,) got on the trail of a couple of Tennessee bridge burners last week, and with a squad of his men followed them into this State, and arrested them some 12 or 15 miles north of this place, at 1 o'clock in the morning.
A Contemptible act.
We learn from the Lynchburg
Republican.
of the 20th inst., that during Friday night the
Confederate flag which has been flying from the yard of
John C. L. Goggin,
Esq., of that city, was forcibly torn down by some traitorous scoundrel, the flag-staff broken in two, and the cord by which the flag was hoisted cut up into small fragments.
The flag itself was torn into latter, and from its appearance when found, would seem to indicate that the guilty party desired particularly to strip the stars from it, as not a vestige of any of them was left.
Fired upon by a Batish Corvette.
The barque
Gazelle, which arrived at New York on Monday from Demarara, reported that when she was going into Narbadoes she was fired at by the British Corvette
Cadmus, first with a blank and then two shots.
She continues on her course.
