We remained here through the day, and early in the evening were ordered to have all the horses harnessed, and everything ready in case of an emergency; information having been received that the enemy were advancing. One section of the Battery, under Lieutenant Baldwin, was posted on the spur of a hill, commanding the crossing of the creek. A part of the Seventeenth Ohio were also stationed with them, and all were prepared for an attack.
About ten o’clock, our pickets were driven in by the enemy’s advance. They reported the Rebels in large force; and it being deemed folly to contend against such odds, General Schoepf, who was then in command, thought it advisable to fall back on Somerset, and there await reinforcements. We were soon retiring in good order, and before daylight arrived at Somerset. The Thirty-eighth Ohio, and Twelfth Kentucky, coming in about the same time. Shortly after daylight we moved about two miles North of the town, and encamped. This was on Thursday, December 5th.
CHAPTER IV.
THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS.
We remained quietly at Somerset until December 8th. In the meantime, were reinforced by the arrival of the Thirty-first and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and also Hewitt’s Kentucky Battery. In addition to the above, was a small detachment of Woolford’s Cavalry.
On Sunday noon, one of the cavalrymen came riding into camp in hot haste, and nearly out of breath. He stated that the enemy were advancing, and that they had made an attack on our picket guard, killing and wounding several, and had taken the rest prisoners.
At first, his story was doubted. It, however, proved true in many respects. One of the guard was killed, one wounded, and fifteen or twenty taken prisoners, all of them belonging to the Thirty-fifth Ohio. Immediately, bustle and confusion pervaded the camp. The long roll was beaten in the Infantry, and all were soon in line for action. Our horses were harnessed, tents struck, when we at once proceeded towards Somerset, which we had only left a few hours previous; and, at double quick, soon went rushing into the town.
We at once took up position on a high hill just north of the town, which gave us a fine command of the country. The Seventeenth Ohio were stationed with us. The remainder of the force were stationed at different points, and all quietly awaited an attack; but at dark, no enemy had appeared. The horses were kept harnessed, and every one remained near his post of duty all night.
During the night, we were reinforced by the arrival from London of the First and Second Tennessee Infantry. The next morning nothing was seen or heard of the enemy, and it was supposed that they had become alarmed during the night, and had fallen back to their intrenchments at Mill Springs. Small reconnoitering parties were sent out daily, but with the exception of a few slight skirmishes, and occasionally a little firing between the picket guards, nothing of importance occurred for a number of days. During these skirmishes, a few prisoners were taken on both sides, so that neither derived but little advantage. The weather for about two weeks, continued fine; but neither force seemed inclined to make good use of it.