After delivering the prisoners to our forces on the opposite bank at Stigall’s, we took the main road to Monticello, and after marching about four miles, were attacked by a portion of the enemy’s cavalry whom we soon drove back, and then continued the march until we reached the farm known as Capt. West’s. Beyond this farm is a gap in the mountain, called Scott’s Gap. Here the enemy made a stand and quite a sharp little fight ensued which lasted near one hour.
It now being dusk and the enemy being driven from their position, the command went into camp for the night, Company E of the 7th, under Capt. Rankin, being left to hold the Gap. The next morning, skirmishing between the pickets commenced. The column was soon in motion moving on toward Monticello, with occasional skirmishing on the advance, the enemy gradually falling back toward the town; but a charge was made upon them which quickly hurled them through the town and over the creek to the top of a hill beyond, where they again made a stand.
In this charge, the first credit of entering the place, all chances being equal, is due the Seventh, Company E, under Capt. Rankin, leaping the fences, gaining the streets and crossing the creek, and mingled in a hand to hand fight with the flying rebels half way up the hill on the other side. The Adjutant of the 1st Kentucky, gained the head of the column and ordered them back to the Monticello side, where the command was formed in line of battle.
This gave the enemy time to reform, also. In this charge, the Seventh lost one man killed and three wounded, besides several horses.
That part of the command which stopped to throw down fences, now coming to our assistance, the enemy were soon driven to a point four miles beyond, where they got large reinforcements, as well as ourselves and a fight was made in which the enemy used considerable artillery.
In an hour our artillery came up and was put in position and a flank movement being made on the enemy’s right, they were soon to be found on the retreat again.
In this engagement the rebels lost nine men killed, several wounded and twelve prisoners.
Night coming on, the command retreated to Monticello where it remained for two days, and then followed the retreating rebels across the Tennessee line.
A part of the regiment under Col. Garrard, went to Frazersville, and a detachment under Major McIntyre, went to Albany, capturing some prisoners and returned to Somerset where they remained sometime.
Nothing of interest occurred except scouting occasionally to Mett’s Spring and across the river now and then, taking in the rebel pickets on the opposite bank.