Newspaper Page Text
journal tic j|lcsscnger.
J. KNOWLES and S. ROSE,
EDITORS VXD PROPRIETORS.
The Battle of taking Creek.
vJ
ull Particulars I>> ;* Participant.
a
fFrom the Nashville Banner, Jan. fßth]
Near Livingston. Tennessee, )
Friday, .Jan. 24, 180*2. S
Intelligence lias doubtless reached you
by this time of the battle of Fishing (Took,
Kentucky, between the Federals and “Zol
lieoffers’a Brigade,” and the repulse of
the latter, with tin* death of General Zol
lieolfer himself. For days previous Major
General Crittenden had information to sa
tisfy him that the enemy were concentrating
large forces around his position at Mills'
Springs, with the evident determination to
cut oft his supplies and starve out our little
army; and a force supposed to be d,0()0
strong had made its appearance suddenly
on this side of Fishing Creek. General <*.
concluded it"would be politic to fight the
enemy by detachments, to advance upon
the force at Fishing Creek, and if possible,
drive them back, and then engage after
wards with any other forces that might
obstruct the navigation of the Cumberland
by southern steamers, lie held a consult
ation with the different commanders of the
post, and nil agreed, with one absent, that
to attack the enemy on Fishing Creek was
the most feasible plan <4 operations.
e wer ■ . 11 ordered to cook two days
rations on ! t .iturdny morning, the 19th
dan ,v j ; itt ry to a march that night,
and towar is evening we received orders to
march at 12 o’clock, M.,in the direction of
Fishing Creek. It had been raining all
day, and the roads were in wretched con
dition for the task we had before us, the
dust being reduced to the consistency of
mush, sometimes knee-deep, and in many
J 'laces almost impassable. The following
was the order «1 march: First, General
/ollieofter’s Brigade—the 15th Mississip
pi, Colonel Walthall, in advance; battery
of four guns,-Captain Rutledge; 19th Ten
nessee, Colonel Cummings; 20th Tennessee,
t olonel Battle; and the 2- tii Tennessee,
Colonel Stanton. Next, General Carroll's
Brigade—-the litii Tennessee, Colonel Mil
ler; 28th Tennessee, Colonel Muiray, 29th
1 eunessec, Colonel Powell; and two guns
ol Capt. McClui'g’s Battery, in rear of the
infantry. Next to (’arrolf’s Brigade, the
loth Alabama regiment, Colonel Wood, in
reserve. Cavalry Battalions in the rear—
Colonel Brunner on the right, and Colonel
McClellan on the left. Independent com
panies in front ol the advance regiment;
ambulances and ammunition in the rear of
the whole, and in the order of their regi
ments.
At midnight we started on the march—
the-most cheerless and disagreeable night
I ever experienced, t<w attack an enemy
eight or nine miles distant. Long before
we reached the vicinity of the enemy, our
troops were completely fagged out, from
the great dilliculty of dragging themselves
through the thick, heavy slush, in almost
Egyptian darkness. Before daylight a cold
drizzling rain commenced falling, which sa
turated our clothing and rendered our pro-i
gross still more dilHeult and disagreeable.
Fk.rly in the morning our van-guard com
menced firing on the pickets, and now and j
then, the echo of a distant shot would fall j
upon the ear, and at intervals a succession
ol volleys of musketry and an occasional
rifle shot, which told that the bloody work
ivas already commenced ahead. \\ e push
ed on, in order to surround the enemy's
ramp and to take him by surprise betore
the day was too far advanced. This in
tended surprise proved to lea failure, as
will be shown by the sequel. The Missis
sippians went down the road towards tin*
upper ford of Fishing Creek at a double
quick, followed by Cummings' regiment,
dust then a couple of riderless horses came
galii ping towards us from the woods ahead,
which proved that the advance cavalry had
encountered the enemy without doubt.—
The two preceding regiments were just
disappearing in a skirt of woods on ahead
of us when our regiment (Col. Hattie's)
was ordered to double-quick, and we went
forward rapidly, passing a rude hut on the
left hand of the road, which had already
been eonvettod into a temporary hospital,
and where our own regimental Surgeons
were at t. t n a; at crossing the wounds
ot a cuvalry-man who had been shot bv
the pickets. V> o tiled to the left across an
open field, and then formed in line of battle,
and so far advanced up the field in the di
rection oi the enemy s camp, which we had
not yet seen. As we passed, 1 saw Gen.
Zollieoffer sitting quietly in his saddle and
surrounded by his stall*. • A placid smile
over his features, and wo went forward
with so much eagerness and hurry that it
was the last I saw of him; for he fell on
the battle-field in an hour afterwards. As
we advanced into a copse of woods at the
upper end ot the field, the Alississippians
opened tire on our left. W e quickened our
pace, and coming out of the woods on the
rise of another open field, found ourselves
in the very lace of the enemy, who opened
cm us a terrific volley.
Our boys commenced firing without wait
ing lor orders, and then the battle commen
ced in dead earnest. For three quarters
of an hour it was one incessant, deafening
rattle of small arms intermingled with the
heavy boom of the enemy's cannon and the
crash of grape and cannister among the
tre > and bushes, dust then it commenced
raining, and tire priming in the pans of our
muskets became wet and the pieces refused
refused tire. In this the enemy had a tear
ful advantage with their percussion lock
rities. W e retired below the crown of the
hill to get the firelocks in order, and then
advanced firing again. Our Lieut. Colonel,
Carter, riding in front of the line, and w ith
less prudence than courage, tiring his re
volver at the enemy, in this tire his horse
was shot, and it was a miracle that he was
not shot himself, in the shower of minnie
balls that whizzed savagely over our heads.
At this juncture w e were in a fearful strait,
with giyjb rendered utterly useless by the
rain, and no supporting regiment coming
to our assistance, while we knew from the
report of their guns, that the enemy were
auyancing in front. Then, as a last resort,
we were ordered to charge right in among
the Yankees, and the ga\)ant twentieth
went forward with n yell that made the
woods resound. As we rose the first bill,
the hissing of the buMets past our cal's, and
■ the dead cluck of the minnie balls in the
solid timber, seemed to exceed in shrillness
the crash of the rifles that were discharged
in our faces.
On we went down the slope? across the
ravine and np the .next hill, the leaden mes
sencofs dealing death and destruction in our
ranks. As we charged down its last declivity,
we passed over the prostrate form of more
than one dead Hessian, who had fallen un
der our tire,and we judged from that, that our
in petuous c harge had driven them from their
first position. 1 hey reserved their fire, until
wc had approached quite close upon their
fortifications, and then they opened upon us
a murderous tire, so constant, so regular, and
so deadly, that no troops in the world could
withstand it, and we were forced to retire,
with Iriavy losses. It was as gallant and
daring a charge as was ever made, yet I think
it extremely unfortunate that it was made
before the nature of the ground, and the
number of the troops were better understood.
Ihe cut my were covered by the woods all
the time; they Were deusely packed behind
log breast-works, with artillery in the rear,
and still in rear of that, a battullion of cav
alry, in line and under cover. Even if we
had succeeded in driving them from behind
the logs, their field pieces would have swept
us like chaff before the wind, at that close
range. Besides we were subjected to a cross
lire from another regiment, which had begun
to flank us on the right, and was firing up
the ravine and had nearly surrounded us be
| hue wc could fall back. Our charge was all
j that saved the MFsissippians, who were
| fighting desperately on the left—indeed, that
regiment and our own were the chief partici
pants and the only sufferers in the action.'
I have since heard officers who were in the
Mexican campaign,assert that at the charge
at Monterey, the enemy’s bullets never came
|so fast as they did cm this occasion. It re
ally seemed as if one could hold out his
open hand, and gather bullets by the hand
ful. The firing was so incessant, that it must
have been by two or three regiments at least.
!Jf there is another regiment in the world
(hat woyld have made such a charge, under
j similar circumstances, I do not believe it is
in the Southern army ; I /enow it is not in
; the armies of the North. In this charge
every field-officer in our regiment was wound
ed, and had his horse killed under him.—
Such another instance is not lecorded in the
annals of ancient or modern warfare. Our
field officers all, behaved with great gallantry,
as did the commissioned officers of the line,
; and it is much to be regretted that victory
rewarded not their gallant action. Our vc
! teran Colonel rode up to the centre of the
regiment, near the colors, and was exposed
to the thickest of the fire. He was slightly
wounded in both hands, while holding his
bridle, and his horse was shot under him.
Lieut. Col. Carter had his horse killed under
him, and was himself shot in the thigh, and
was carried off the field, and it is believed
was taken prisoner at the hospital, together
with Surgeons Cliffe, Piukston, and Morton.
Major Pulley s horse was killed by a cannon
hall, which tore off a portion of the saddle
skirt, and the brave veteran cooly and quietly
withdrew his holsters and saddle-bags from
the dead animal, under a heavy tire, and
moved oft the field in the rear of his regi
ment, as it retired. Adjutant Battle, a son
of the Colonel, also conducted himself with
great gallantry, had his horse killed under
him, and taking a musket fr.om a wounded
soldier, proceeded on the charge. Our stand
ard-bearer was just then shot down, and the
Adjutant seized the flag and went forward
with it, until he himself fell wounded in the
shoulder. And was borne from the field.
The colors were then rescued and carried off
(ho field by Lieutenant Lcvcnder. Our
Sargeant Major, Orville Ewing, Jr., of your
city, was wounded in the leg, and, it is be
lieved, was captured by the enemy.
In this charge our company, the Hickory
Guards, lost eight men killed and wounded,
and among them our gallant and noble Ist
lieutenant, Bailie L'ey ton, jr. lie was in
command of the company at the time, in
the absence of* our captain, (who had just
started home on a sick furlough, before
the expedition was ordered). Leyton led
the company in the charge, and was shot
in the forehead, close to the enemy’s ranks,
and his comrades were unable to bring
him from the field. The regiments in the
rear of us were panic struck at the over
whelming force of the enemy, and left the
field in such haste, that the enemy, taking
advantage of it, advanced too rapidly for
any of his men to bear him oft' with safety.
He was on the right of the company, while
I was on the left, and in the dense clouds
of smoke, and amidst the general confusion
and uproar, I did not observe that he was
missing when we fell back, and never learn
ed that he was shot until the enemy had
driven us back nearly a mile. At that
time we were scattered about in squads
and endeavoring to overtake the remaining
regiments who had fallen back, and were
falling back oh our encamped and fortified
position at Mills’ Springs. Every body
seemed to be retreating, though nobody
was running to an alarming ext< nt. I
avoided the main road myself, and kept to
the woods, with a small party of our men,
and after a while we all got lost in the
woods. \\ e could still hear the enemy
shooting at stragglers in the rear, and oc
casionally, boom ! boom! of the cannon,
advancing towards Mills’ Springs. I be
lieve I have never in my life suffered so
much from fatigue as I did on that inarch
back to the camp through the woods.
Already much fatigued from marching
all the night previous, I was little prepared
fra precipitate race through the hills for
my life, and to “go slow, and trust to luck/’
cvm at the risk of being taken prisoner.—
Urn* little party followed a mountain stream
between two ridges for about three miles,
coining out of the insurmountable barrier at
Wishing Creek Ford, below*. Here we got
information about the road, aud struck off
:n a northerly direction, coming out at the
ineutli cf I’isbing Creek, on Cumberland
river, about six miles above the camp. Wc
got in about five o’clock, almost exhausted,
and bad barely foot inside our own
breastworks before the esnnon of the enemy
commenced boat herding us from outside.—
Our cannon returned the fire, and drove the
assailants hack. At nightfall the firing
ceased, but our men, tired and worn out as
they were, stood behind the brt astworks un
til midnight, when orders came for us to re
treat quietly across the river. The steamer
Noble Ellis, with three barges attached,
commenced the work of transportation, aud
thopgh we abaudoued baggage, aud wagons,
ami horses, and cannon, and everything,
save what we had on our backs, the whole
night was consumed in getting the army
over the river, which was very high at the
time. I should not forget to mention that
the cannon was spiked before they were
left. The army retreated towards Monticcl
lo. General Crittenden having determined
to strike for the Cumberland, at the highest
point wheie boats could laud with safety, in
order to be in open communication with
Nashville. The last party that left Mills
Springs set fire to the boat and scuttled the
barges, and started off for Monticello just as
the enemy marched into our old encamp
ment, and commenced throwing shell on this
side of the river.
We reached Monticello that night, and
then we were threatened with starvation—
an enemy far more formidable than the one
we left beyoud the river. Since Saturday
night we had not an hour of sleep, and
scarcely a meal of food. Your correspon
dent frequently enjoyed the “Howitzer
mess,” under the supervision of Lieut.
Wheeler, who was not only fortunate enough
to save his “gi/ws,” which were on this side
of the river, but also to save “some-tiling to
eat.”
Fora whole week we have been marching
under a bare subsistence, and I have at
length approached that point in a soldiers’
career, when a handful of parodied coin may
be considered a first class diuuer. We
marched the first few days through a barren
region, where supplies could not be obtained.
1 have more than once seen the men kill a
porker with their guns, cut and quarter it,
and broil it on coals, aud then eat it with
out bread or suit, before it could have possi
bly bad time to get cold, ft be suffering of
the men from the want of the necessaries t f
life, of clothing, and of repose, lias been
most intense, aud a more melancholy spec
tacle than this solemn, hungry’, and weary
procession could scarcely be imagined. We
reached this point to-night, about five miles
di taut from Liviugston, aud are en route, 1
think, for Gainesboro. ft lie loss of our regi
ment in the battle is estimated at thirty
five killed ; fifty-one wounded, and sixteen
missing. Os this number five were com
missioned officers—four being killed and
one wounded. 'The ioss of the Mississippi
Regiment, I understand, is between 150 and
200 killed and wounded, ft lie force of the
enemy was supposed to be from 15,000 to
25,000; and many item to thiuk that they
were commanded by It 'Sencranz.
I have written you this very hurriedly,
and by the uncertain light oi the camp fire :
as it has been some time since I have even
had a utensil to parch a handful of corn for
breakfast, much less a pencil and paper to
attempt a history of a battle.
Wearily yours, .J. Happy
From the Savannah Republican of tlie ‘29 h.
Affairs at Savannah.
In common will our entire male popula
tion, we spent nearly the whole of yesterday
in the streets. It was a day of intense iu
terest. We saw no panic or undue excite
ment, notwithstanding the perils that seemed
well calculated to appal a people who are
not resolved to defend their homes to the
last.
The events of Monday we recorded in our
last issue. Early yesterday morning it was
discovered, by aid of the glass, that the ene
my had brought forward aud anchored a
fleet of gunboats at the mouth of Wall’s
Cut, on the South Carolina side, just back
of the obstruction and about two miles from
the main channel of river. The fleet at the
head of Wilmington Island remained in statu
quo, and within a mile and three-quarters of
the river. It consists now of seven gun
boats, whilst the fleet on the Carolina side
numbers six. It will thus be seen that each
each commands the channel, and they are
also about opposite each other, thus exposing
vessels to a double broadside attack.
Under this state of facts it became evident
that the duty of most pressing importance
was to furnish Fort Pulaski, now about to
be cut off, with an ample supply of provis
ions to subsist the garrison through all prob
able future contingencies. Accordingly,
everything being made ready, between nine
and ten o’clock yesterday morning, the stea
mer Ida, steamer Bartow, and a flat, laden
with supplies, left the wharf for the fort,
with the Confederate steamers Savannah,
Com. iatnall; llesolute, Capt. and
Sampson, Capt. Kennard, as escort. The
fleet proceeded down the river, the transport
in the rear. Ou nearing the point in the
river commanded by the Federal gunboats,-
our fleet confidently expected the enemy to
open upon them, but they passed iu silence;
not a shot was fired, the Yankees supposing
that they would all get below, when they
would ruu into the river and so permanently
cut them off from the city.
In this, however, they were disappointed.
Having escorted the transports beyond the
reach of barm, the Savannah and Resolute
tacked about and made for the city, leaving
the Sampson to see the unarmed steamers
safe to the fort aud back again.
No sooner had the two steamers turned
their bows upstream than the Federal fleets,
seeing they were about to be cheated, open
ed a terrific fire upon them, which was gal
lantly returned. A regular battle ensued,
and for forty minutes the shot and shell
rained around our little fleet, the latter often
exploding directly over them, and the solid
shot passing within a few feet of the men on
deck. The fleet kept up a return fire with
its rifled cannon and other guns of long
range, but with what effect could aot be as
certained over the wide space of marsh that
intervened on either side. Many of the
enemy’s shot passed some distance over and
beyond our vessels. Strange as it may ap
pear, not a vessel or a man on our side was
damaged. Tlie fleet, rode safely through the
fire. *
The fort i3 dow fully provisioned for six
months. An officer now at the fort writes.
u» under date of yesterday :
“All we ask is; if we are cut off, de
liver us as soon as jxnssible. We will hold
out as long as morals can stand hunger. —
They CANNOT talcc the. fart by any attack:
we can only l>e starved out. Xt rests with
our friends in Georgia—on the main to
deliver us from the thraldom. This may
not reach you, but if it does, tell our friends
of Savannah and the interior, that we are
here to hold the fort, and as long as there is
a morsel left, we will defend it. Georgia
never disgraced herself in Virginia aud must
not do it at home."
The return trip of the Sampson and the
two unarmed steamers were as perilous as
that of their piedecessors. The Yankee
fleets poured 'he irou hail and tire upon the
little craft, but with all steam on and hur
ling defiant shots at the enemy in return,
they passed gallantly for two miles or more
under the missiles of the enemy. In good
time, they all came up to their wharves and
were welcomed by the immense crowds that
filled up the dock aud balconies throughout
the day.
The Sampson pissed through a terrible
ordeal, but without serious damage. She
was struck by four English r fle shell, two
passing through her, a third lodging ou her
deck, aud a fourth exploding in her store
room, breaking up tilings around generally,
but damaging not one. Her machinery was
unhurt and she plotted gallantly through.
About the time the steamers left the fort,
three shots were fired from the Yankee bat
tery at TybiC in the direction of Pulaski,
but they all fell short.
This feat of provisioning Fort Pulaski is
one of the most brilliant of the war. It
placed a large aud noble garrison above
want, and was accomplished under a fire
from the enemy as terrific as any on record.
All honor to our glorious little navy, its li
on hearted commander, and the gallant offi
cers and men who sail under his flag!
Our friends aboard will feel anxious to
know the prospect before us. Our conclu
sion, from the present status of affairs is,
that notwithstanding the Federal vessels are
still beyond the obstructions, the removal of
the latter is but a work of time. This done,
they can readily come in ou the high tide and
take their position it) the main channel of
the river. This will place them seine five
miles below the city, the passage to which
will be disputed desperately by Fort Jack
sou, three miles below', a formidable earth
work on the opposite* side of the river, and
our gallant little navy. Wc hope these
will be sufficient to repel the invaders, and
if not, we shall be pr- pared to give them a
strong fight on their approach to the city.—
Arrangements are progressing for this pur
pose and will be ready in time. They may
shell us for several hours and set the town
on fire in a number of places, but we appre
hend no serious consequences in these res
pects. It is the opinion of able military
men, who are entirely familiar with the sit
uation, that the city cannot be taken, if its
inhabitants will but stand firmly to their
posts and do their duty. All depends upon
this, and we should make up our mind* to
look the danger eternly in the face and pre
pare To meet it with all the means God has
placed in our power. It is no time for id
lers, cavillers or croakers —the sooner such
people get out of the city -the better will it
be for us.
Experience of an Artillerist.
A correspondent of the Sumter Republican,
an officer in the Sumter Artillery, gives the
following narrativo of his experience at the
battle of Dranesville. It is told with such
unaffected simplicity as shows the writer to
possess that modesty which always accom
panies genuine courage :
On the night previous to the light we left
our camp at about b o’clock, A. M , and ar
rived at tbe headquarters of (Jen. Stewart,
of Cavalry notoriety, who was to command
the expedition. On our arrival theie we
found four Regiments, and in a few moments
the entire body was in motion towards
Dranesville, a place 11 miles distant. We
traveled pretty rapidly until we reached our
destination, arming at 12 o’clock, M. We
were preceded by two Regiments, being in
the centre, and two followed in the rear.
When within half a mile of Dranesville
the command halted. Skirmishers were
thrown to the right and left, and in a few
moments we with four pieces, were ordered
to “double-quick” to the place assigned us,
and brirg our battery into action. We were
not slow by any means, in executing our
order. We brought our pieces to “action
front,” within 500 yards of the place, and
opened lire on tbe Yanks, who we could
plainly see, and in a round or two they
scampered off. W hile this was going on, our
i.itantry was driven back on our left, by
superior numbers, through the woods, and it
was then that I lost all hope. I thought
our battery was gone, and we turned two
pieces to play on the Yanks, so soon as our
men should uncover us, and two up the road
to clear it, and I cried loudly for cauister.—
My fears were not realized, for just in the
nick of time, and not a moment too soon,
(Jen. rallied them and turned them “right
about face.”
By this time we were the recipients of a
heavy cross tire from two batteries. The
officers had dismounted some time previous,
but I had not, nor did I, until one of my
detachment was wounded, and fell on the
road side, carrying with him tubes and lan
yard. I proceeded to him immediately, ta
king the articles from him and assigning
someone else to his post. Their shot and
shell went over us, but by this time they
were getting our range very accurately, and
our meu began to fall rapidly. The road
being narrow we could man only three pie
ces, and by this time two only were mauned.
We fired iap liy and accurately. My gun-
Der had kit bis gun and steped to gun No.
3—mine was No. 2—so had several of my
detachment.
We had loaded but a round or so when
Luke Harpes, my No. 1, or the person who
rams the cartridges, was hit—not wounded
—and fell on the road side; when Lieut.
Hays stepped up and proposed to act gun
ner, and he filled L. 11> post.
Many had been wounded and fell near by
but the worst sight of all—the most heart*
rendering scene was soon to occur. Stand
ing within a pace of the unfortunate, but
brave boys, I saw the deadly effects of the
shot too plaiuly My gunner, Jnbn Me
Garrab, acting No. 1, and Williams, acting
No. 3 being just in the rear of No. 1, were
standing the galling fire like men, when in
an instant a solid shot bad severed their
heads from their bodies, and the two lifeless
corpses lay on the ground —their brains be
spattering all who were near. * * * *
It devolved on me as chief of the piece to
have the posts filled immediately. 1 looked
round for men, but saw none. With the
staff gory with blood and brains I went to
work ramming. Only three men were at
the gun. I called on my men to give me
shot and shell, when Sergeant Fletcher said
he would, and did so until he was wounded.
Then came my most critical time. With
shot falling thick as hail aud shells bursting,
my second and all wounded or rendered in
sensible by the great concussion. About
the time Sergeant F. was wounded, Mr.
Sims, acting No. 4, was noddled by .the
1 bursting of a shell.
Two then remained at the gun, Lieut'.
Hoys and myself. I asked in the name ot
Heaven for someone of my detachment to
bring me cartridges, when Burke, a good
and brave boy-, fearless of all danger,
brought them to me. Two of us loaded sev
eral rounds, when after the second order to
retire from Gen. S. we ceased. I cannot
think of naming all who acted like men, nor
those who worked at the gun under (’apt. C.
1 may at some future time.
It is enough for uie to know that those
who did their full duty saw but little. 1
feel that I did my duty, as l leaded the last
gun and could not fire for the want of a fric
tion tube, and after the order to retire, at
the suggestion of Gapt. 0. I sponged the re
maining gun, and found that all the ammu
nition was destroyed by the bursting of the
caisson. That closed the fight. li
From the Knoxville Register, ‘29tb.
Tin; Fishing Creek. Defeat.
We have conversed with a gentleman who
left Gen. CriUeudeu’s forces last Friday mor
ning, who gives the following details of the
battle and falling back of our forces. His
statements may be relied on, as he had every
opportunity of knowing the facts.
The attack made upon the Federal* at
Fishing Creek was determined upon in a
couuc.l of war, at which all the regimental
commanders were present, and was approved
by all.
At one time during the fight, we had
every ycagon to believe that the day was
ours, aud our subsequent defeat may be at
tributed to the mistaking a regiment of the
enemy for the lath Mississippi, and a eon
sequent order from Gen. Zollieoffir to cease
firing. Gen. Zollicoffer riding forward to
wards the enemy, was shot and fell mortal
ly wounded, throwing the regiments immedi
ately around him into some confusion, which,
as is always the case with imperfectly drilled
troops, was difficult to suppress.
The gallant Zollicoffer, in the very hour
of death, did not forget his duty to his com
mand, and he was heard to utter as he fell
from his horse, “I was mistaken, they are
the enemy, charge them." Had this com
mand been heard by bis men and they had
charged, ’we probably would have had the
victory instead ot u defeat to chronicle.—
Our men continue from this time to fall back.
'1 he enemy who were in superior force press
ing their advantage "until further attempts to
rally were useless, and our brave little army
was ordered to make their way back to the
camp, keeping in the woods as much as pos
sible to prevent the artillery from damaging
us. The fight raged nearly three hours
without any cessation, a continual volley
having been kept up by both armies.
Gen. Crittenden and staff wore during the
greater part of the fight immediately in the
rear ot the attacking force and in front of
his reserve, aud deported himself as a brave
and gallant soldier, lie it was in person
who conveyed to Colonel Cummings, of the
HLh Teuuessec regiment, in the heat of the
fight, tiie news of Gcij. Zollicoffer’sfall, and
that as senior Colonel the command of the
brigade fell upon him.
Our loss in the buttle is about 100 killed
and 000 wounded and taken prisones. Drs.
Clift, Morton, and Dulaney volunteered to
remain in the hospital with the wounded.
The enemy appealing in great force in
front of our work up to the afternoon, a coun
cil of war was again assembled, and it was
determined to abandon a position it were
madness to attempt to defend.
’I he forces having all crossed during the
night, we took up our line of march for
Monticello, where the army was halted until
Tuesday morning, when order was in a
measure again restored, and the march con
tinued on in the direction of Carthage on
the Cumberland liver.
It is but just to say that all the different
field and staff offiers conducted themselves
with great bravery, and cheerfully suffered
all the privations their commands were call
ed upou to endure. To mention either in
dividual cases or particularize regiments who
j are entitled to praise were wrong, for all did
what they believed to be their duty. The
greatest loss fell upon the 15th Mississippi
aud the left wing of Col. Battle’s 20th Ten
nessee regiment, they being in a more ex
posed position than some of the other rc-£ri
rnents.
Ihe loss of property is great, but docs
not reach the exagerated reports first brought
in, and in a few weeks the army will again
be ready for the field.
“Tn£ \\ a. Ramey. ” —This little steamer is do
quite an extensive pioneer service. She runs
up the Ostanaula river regularly to its ,head. and
thence up the Coosawattee 14 miles, to Fields’
Mil s , and also up to Connasauga, some 12 or 14
miles. On last Saturday, she even *rent over the
intervening shoals up tbe Ftowah, as far as Thos.
C. Ayer’s. She is almost equal to shad in running
up stream. — Jiom « Courier.
Au Englishman, reviewing Beauregard's
army last summer, observed some of our
careless soldiers with white flags in the scat
of the breeches and he said to Btauregard,
that the \ ankees would laugh, if they 6aw
such sights. “O,” said our General, “the
\ ankees never see tbe back of our men.” 1
MACON,
Wednesday, *’ebruary 5, (s6 , ’
COTTON
There was a good dom»nd ye^ter.J, *
ranging from 6to 7| cents. As there 7 *’ ** ***»
what events of a day may bring f or> ,
no fixed or steady prices, and * e ’* ?c *&g:v e
for the day or hour. 1 ooiy
Gen. Burnside, in his officUl
some thirty or forty of his vessels *yx
probably lost, with several thousand m en '
amount of arms and ammaultlon. So ‘
. , , . ' “‘Qch for ti.-
wicked invasion. • «
E3T We learn from our Savannah exchan
yesterday that all is quiet upon our se&boir *****
Federal forces about the same.
We are compelled to omit several cots
nications for want of space this week. *
THE BATTLE AT SOMERSET
Several accounts of this severe engagem----
be found in our paper to day. F.ven th eo „ e ,
northern sources concede great brarrrv .
soldiers. J
THE FOREIGN NEWS.
Found in our paper to-day, indicates i ll!m
tion by some of the European powers in A r -
affairs. In what manner and to what e X!e ...
merely conjectural. It is highly probable
England and France, and possibly other pot--,
will become entangled in American difficulties .
fore peace is restored on this continent.
meantime, let us hopetullv struggle on, trui
that day will soon break upon our fortunes.
SENSATION RUMORS,
Os an intensely startling character, have l> r
atloat sinc'i our last issue. First, there had b*.
a battle at Bowling Green, with immense sUug .> er
to the Federalists, producing great panic 1 •
weakness of knees at Washington. A slid more
startling rumor from Mad line's opulent btiiWt
was ,that St. Louis had fallen into the hands of th
Confederates. .Next came a report of a fierce bu
tie on James’ Island, near Apalachicola, Fiona
where the Federalists were slain in numbers.
All the above rumors turn out, uufostunatelv
to be sensation.
FEINTING lbK
We are glad to learn by a circular that an oil
friend, Josxru Wai.kkb, of Charleston, has com
menced manufacturing printing ink,at what may b«
considered reasonable rates,according to thepricri
of other articles. His price for news ink, by the
hundred pounds, is twenty-fire cents. For smaller
quantities, 30 cents. We tAst that all such ar
ticles, and especially paper of rations qualities,
will soon be manufactured in our own region,equd
to the demand.
\\ e learn that the paper manufactory of Mr.
Chasic, at Athcn*, will ugiin be t:i operation iu a
few week*).
tsince writing the übove, wc have received tbe
caid of B. A. Basham A Cos., of Marietta, who
are manufacturing news and other kinds of ink.-
Newa ink, per hundred pound-*, thirty cents —smal-
ler quantities, forty cents, and of fine quality.
THE SOLDIERS' TAX.
11. II Howard, K.-q., has been apfouited by ti e
dustiers of the Inferior Court of Bibb com,tv, to
collect the tax assessed by that body upon tie
people of this county to support the families of in
digent soldiers now in the service ot their country.
The appointment is a good one, and we hope the
people wid promptly respond to bis call. We Inr,-
beard of some who have comp! lined of this tax,
and perhaps refused to pay it. The number, v<?
trust, is Biiitill. Surely it is as little as we can do
to take care of the families of the men who are
now far from home fighting our battles. Ifthiiii
r.ot done, who can blame them for letiring from
the service. “He that will not provide for Mi
house 1 1 oh I hath denied the faith and is wotsc thin
an infidel.” The people all over this at/d other
Confederate States must look well to this i>iatr«r
or our armies will be weakened and demoralize) 4 ,
aud our cause and country ruined.
PATCH WOIX.
The time has arrived when the whole in dust rid
system of the South should be changed or greatly
modified. War is upon us, with all its fearful con
sequences ; requiring the adoption of a rew indus
trial policy and the employment of new agencies
to meet its pressing exigencies and the r.eceesuits
of those our battles. The first aid para
mount desire and aim of the agriculturist should
be to provide for the soldier and his household.
For any one, iu times like the present, to scheme to
make arid hoard up wealth, when the smallest
incident may imperil our all, appears to us not oil;
unpatriotic, but shockingly itihuuian. Unless oar
brave and devoted soldiery, who arc sacrificing
case and the endearments and comforts of borne,
witness such manifestations upon the part of the
people as convinces them that their services and
sacrifices are appreciated, they iriay wa’ll fee! dis
heartened and discouraged, and retire in disgust
from the defence of these who are so insensible
aud unthankful.
To cheapen all the necessaries of life is the pa
triotic duty of all classes of our people. To mike
bread and meat and comfortable apparel ro abund
ant that the poorest shall not suffer should be tbe
philanthropic labor of all. Extensive cotton field*
should be converted into truck patches.” S*te',
potatoes, ground and field pea?, sugar-cane, millet,
lucerne, grasses, turnips, barley, rye, fruits of »a.-
tiows kinds, in short everything that can be turned
into subsistence, should, for a time, iupp/ant Kkg
Cotton. “ Patch-work,” in the field and at tbe
fire-side, is the appropriate labor for the crisis
The opening of the war found us w ith large supplies
of goods and merchandize of various kinds, and a
fair amount of veettern provisions. Less than tweire
months have elapsed and the people have some
little knowledge of high prices. This is but a small
foretaste of what will be felt if the war continue*
& year or two longer. Let us prepare for tbe
worst.
Capt. W m. T. Wilson, who participated in tbe
fight at Manassns on his own hook, has been elect
ed Colonel of the Seventh Regiment Georgia Vo
lunteers, vice Col. Lucius J. Gartrell, "bo baS
resigned.
Atlanta Confederacy. —We are pleased to
observe that Dr. B. O. Smith has connected bio*'
self with tho editorial department of the *b° s’“ 5 ’“
excellent journal. A pleasant time to him,
increased prosperity to the Confederacy l
The Federal press announces that one ot t. e
successful Federal Generals at Somerset, Thom*-,
is a Virginian, aud the other, Scbcepff, a fore’g
who carne to tbi« country as a porter, and i a* h«d
the good luck to rise to his fre. r tut position.