On the 17th December, Gen. Schoepf ordered the whole brigade to be in readiness to make a reconnoisance the next day. That night, one day’s provisions were cooked, and all prepared for an early start. At daylight, December 18th, the entire brigade, with the exception of a sufficient number of men to guard the camp, were on the move. The forces were divided into two divisions. The Ohio and Kentucky Regiments, with two sections of our battery, under General Schoepf, went up Fishing Creek. The two Tennessee Regiments, with the right section of our battery, under Lieutenant Bennett, General Carter commanding, went down the Creek. The division of General Schoepf did not effect anything, being unable to fall in with the enemy. General Carter’s command, however, was more successful. They came upon a party of the Rebel Cavalry, who were on the opposite side of the Creek, and being out of rifle distance, they were inclined to be quite bold and defiant. But Lieutenant Bennett got his guns in position, and sent over several shells, which caused them to “skedaddle” in all directions. It was supposed that his shot killed and wounded several, as they were seen carrying off a number. They left considerable plunder which fell into the hands of the Tennessee men.
Seeing no further prospect of drawing out the enemy, the expedition returned to Somerset, arriving at dark.
Nothing of further importance occurred for some time, with the exception of an attempt on the part of Colonel Hoskins, with his regiment, and a part of the Thirty-eighth Ohio, to capture a forage train of the enemy, but which proved unsuccessful. The weather had now become cold and rainy, making the roads almost impassable; and, it was thought that nothing would be done before Spring, as neither party seemed inclined to throw down the gauntlet. But things were quietly working, and which the following will show was to some purpose.
On Friday morning, January 17th, 1862, in accordance with orders of the previous evening, the entire available force then at Somerset, set out, as was then supposed, for another reconnoisance, towards the enemy’s lines. Subsequent events showed that it resulted far different from what most of the men anticipated. All camp equipage was left behind, in charge of a sufficient guard. At an early hour a start was effected; but, owing to the bad condition of the roads, slow progress was made. The late rains had swollen Fishing Creek, so that it was almost impassable; and it was at a late hour of the night ere the Battery succeeded in crossing the stream.
It now commenced raining quite hard, but the men bravely pushed forward, and, near midnight, arrived at the camp of General Thomas, who had a large force under his command. They had come over the Columbia road. This was quite a surprise to all, except such officers as were in the secret.
It now became evident that an exciting time was at hand, and that a battle was soon to be fought. But little did we soldiers dream that it would result so gloriously to our cause as the sequel will show. The rain kept pouring down, and all were wet to the skin, having no tents to protect us. At day-light next morning, it was still raining. A consultation was held between Generals Thomas and Schoepf, the result of which was known only to themselves. A part of Schoepf’s Brigade was ordered back to Somerset, to act as a reserve. Our Battery, with the two Tennessee regiments, remaining. Teams were sent to Somerset for provisions, with which they were loaded, and sent forward. The rain, which had fallen heavily during the entire day, had swollen the creek to such a hight that they were not able to recross until the following morning.
All of Saturday the men remained in camp, on account of the rain. The various regiments were scattered over a large extent of ground. On Sunday, January 19th, at an early hour, a part of Woolford’s Cavalry, who were on picket guard, were driven in by the advance of the enemy, and soon thereafter the attack was commenced on the Tenth Indiana Infantry, who were camped in an advanced position. The Tenth stood their ground manfully for a long time, although they were opposed by four times their number. At length the Fourth Kentucky came to their relief.
The engagement had now become general. For a time our guns could not be brought to bear upon the enemy, owing to the nature of the ground, and the position of our troops, without endangering our own men. After considerable maneuvering, a portion of the guns were got into a favorable position, and soon begun to pour in a deadly fire upon the enemy. Shot and shell flew thick and fast. Each discharge wrought fearful execution, and the Rebel ranks were rapidly thinned.
The fighting had now become terrific, the advantage changing alternately from one side to the other; and at times it was difficult to tell how the battle was going. Our troops fought bravely, not once flinching. Although their comrades were falling around them, still they pressed bravely forward. General Zollicoffer fell in the early part of the engagement, having been shot through the heart by Colonel Fry, of the Fourth Kentucky.
The enemy had now begun to waver, and gradually gave ground, when the gallant Ninth Ohio made a grand bayonet charge, which scattered them in all directions. The retreat then became general. Our forces followed them up, firing volley after volley into their disordered ranks. In the meantime, the guns of our Battery were doing fearful execution among the fleeing Rebels. Many of the shells exploded in their very midst. We still kept up the pursuit, the rain all the time falling heavily, which rendered the roads almost impassable; but on we went, through woods, over logs and stumps, through brush and mud. At times it was all our horses could do to pull through, and our progress was consequently slow. The roads and woods were scattered with the dead and wounded of both armies. The track of the fleeing Rebels was strewn with muskets, swords, knapsacks, overcoats, &c., which they had thrown away to facilitate their flight.