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THE BATTLE OF WILD CAT.

879

Breckenridge's

Last Address.

Christian gentleman in the | or gathering at Camp Wild

truest sense of the word. The statement that most of the Federal army of invasion was composed of foreigners whom Lincoln employed to do his behests was outrageously untrue, since Ohio, Indiana and Illinois furnished from their own citizens, the great mass of troops called to Kentucky's aid. And so the record runs. The entire appeal was grounded upon a perverse sentiment of loyalty; it would have had but little foundation for its conclusions had the Senator been truly impartial and neutral.

The Military Position.

South Eastern Kentucky.

Cat, between Great and
Little Rockcastle rivers,
was designed to operate against Zollicoffer,
then in possession of Cumberland Gap, with
an advance to Barboursville. The rebels, for
three weeks of October, carried terror through
the adjacent country. Union men fled or
were given over to the cruel mercies of Con-
federate jailors in East Tennessee; families
were stripped of their means of sustenance or
driven out from their homes into exile. As-
sassins lurked everywhere to shoot down
any "suspicious person."

Battle of Wild Cat.

Not desiring the presence of Colonel Garrard's force at Camp Wild Cat, Zollicoffer resolved to strike him before reenforcements could arrive. To this end he advanced against the position with six regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and a battery of six light pieces. Reconnoitering and demonstrating during Sunday, October 20th, he made his attack on the morning of the 21st. General Schoepff having arrived on the ground, assumed command. Ordering forward the Thirty-third Indiana, four companies under command of Colonel John Coburn, advanced and took possession of an eminence called Round Hill.

The position of the belligerents, October 15th, indicated an early collision. Sherman's advance to Nolin Creek, twenty miles from Green River, commanded by Generals Rosseau and McCook, it was thought would meet Buckner's and Hardee's combined forces at any moment. A flank movement upon Louisville by Polk and Pillow was feared. October 17th Sherman urgently telegraphed the War Department for reenforcements. The next day, Secretary of War Cameron and Adjutant - General Thomas visited Sherman's headquarters, on their return to Washington from a tour of inspection in Fremont's department. Seeing the imminence of the dan-one-half mile from the camp. This advance, ger, eight thousand troops were ordered on two Tennessee regiments of the enemy assailby special trains from Pittsburg, Indianapo-ed on the hill, pressing up under cover of the lis and Chicago. General Ward, in command woods, and when quite near the summit, at Camp Johnson, at Greensburg, dispatched opening a rapid fire of musketry.* Colonel messengers, October 18th, for reenforcements, Woodford soon joined Colonel Coburn, with learning that a rebel column three thousand about two hundred and fifty Kentucky cavstrong was advancing in that direction. He alry. These troops bore the brunt of the fight fell back twelve miles to Campbellville, to with such persistence as to break the enemy's await reenforcements. No enemy, however, attempted charge; and, after an hour's fire, confronted him. All the enemy's efforts seemed to be directed to the Federal advance *The enemy here tried the ruse so fatally suctoward Bowling Green-whose loss would cessful at the battle of Edwards' Ferry, Virginia, of be a severe blow to the Confederate occupa-personating Federal troops. One Tennessee regition and winter campaign in Western Kentucky. The rapid augmentation of Union forces under Sherman, and at Cairo and Paducah, soon placed the rebels strictly on the defensive. By November 1st Louisville was considered safe, and arrangements were then making for prosecuting the advance against Columbus and Bowling Green.

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ment advanced out of the woods, with their caps on bayonets, shouting: we are Union men!" Lieutenant Knight, in command of a breast work which the Indianians had thrown up, sprang to the embankment and ordered his men not to fire, supposing the looked-for reenforcements had arrived. In a moment the Tennesseans sent in a volley and pushed on to carry the work. They fairly wilted, however, before the sheet of flame which leaped In Eastern Kentucky, the column gathered from the crest of the work like an avenging herald.

Battle of Wild Cat.

This little fight was the precursor of a second attempt in the afternoon, upon the position; but, the celerity of movement of the Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, and the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, gave the Unionists so much the advantage that Zollicoffer's hopes were dashed, and, at night, he beat a quick retreat toward Cumberland Gap. These two regiments, last named, made marches of extraordinary expedition to relieve Colonel Garrard from his perilous position, and arrived in time to throw a few shot into the disordered ranks of the rebels. They then gave premonition of the gallantry and endurance which distinguished them throughout the war.

The Condition of
East Tennessee.

the Tennesseeans withdrew | Cumberland River, at the to reorganize for a stronger mouth of White Oak Creek, effort, leaving seventeen of their dead on the where he waited the exfield. Many of their dead and most of their pected advance. He still retained the passage wounded they succeeded in carrying off. at Cumberland Gap, to provide for retreat and to check any attempt of the Federalists to reach East Tennessee through that, its most natural avenue of approach. How the longsuffering and heroic people of that now his toric region looked for the promised relief to press in through that gorge! The stream of life which leaped from the rock at the touch of Moses' rod, did not send a wilder thrill of joy through the famishing hearts of the suffering people of God, than the clarion of promised deliverance which rang through the valleis and over the hills of East Tennessee, in the fall of 1861. Nor did the wail of the mothers of Israel over Herod's slaughter of their offspring send out upon the air a more appalling cry of pain than went up from the scaffolds and dungeons of Tennessee when that deliverance was withheld. Truly we need not go to old-time histories for les sons when the story of East Tennessee offers us its record of joys and sorrows, of sufferings, but not of triumphs.

The Condition of
East Tennessee.

This rather badly conducted attempt to capture Camp Wild Cat was followed by no further rebel demonstration in that quarter. Zollicoffer finally took up a strong position opposite Mill Spring, on the

HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS,-No. 6.

FROM NOVEMBER 1st, 1861, TO FEBRUARY 1st, 1862.

Nov. 1.-Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott is retired, at his own request, from active service, and General George B. McClellan raised to the position of General-in-Chief. See pages 351, 52.

--Surprise of a large rebel camp at Renwick, Mo. Rebels scattered, losing about fifty in killed and prisoners, and all their camp stuff.-Rosecrans' camps on Gauley river cannonaded by Floyd.

Nov. 2.-Fremont, at Springfield, Mo., is relieved of his Department command by orders from Wsshington. General Hunter takes temporary command, Nov. 3d, and soon ordered a retreat of the entire army.-Engagement in Platte City, Mo. Rebels routed by Major Joseph, with a loss of 13 killed and wounded and 30 prisoners.

Nov. 4.-Colonel Dodge takes possession of Houston, Mo., capturing a large amount of rebel stores, several prisoners and a mail for the rebel army.

Nov. 9.-General Halleck ordered to the command in Missouri, and General Buell to Kentucky.

Nov. 10.-Rosecrans dispatches General Benham up the Kanawha river to cross at Loup creek and march toward Fayetteville. The design is to get in the rear of Floyd and cut off his escape, while the main body of the Union army should assail the rebel front and right.-Rebel descent on Guyandotte, West Virginia. One hundred and fifty of the Ninth Virginia Federal volunteers surprised and many of them killed or taken prisoners. The people of the town, having co-operated in the attack, two-thirds of their village was burned the next day, by a section of the Fifth Virginia volunteers.

Nov. 11.-Colonel Anthony, with 100 of his Kansas" Jayhawkers," assails and routs the rebels in camp near Kansas City, after a sharp fight. Federal loss, 8 killed and 8 wounded, rebel loss not known.-Engagement at New Market bridge, near Nov. 5.-General Nelson occupies Prestonburg, Fortress Monroe. Colonel Max Weber defeats the Ky., having driven the rebel General "Cerro Gordo enemy. Rebel loss, 2 killed.-Gallant reconnoisWilliams" up the Big Sandy river to Piketon, whith-sance of Colonel Graham over the Potomac at Maer he soon pursues and again routs him (on the 8th). thias point. Williams then flees to the mountains, his forces quite disorganized.

Nov. 6.-Expedition from the gunboat Cambridge, up Corrstowan creek, Va. A rebel vessel burned. Lieutenant Gwin in command. -The Grand Jury in session at Frankfort, Ky., finds indictments for treason against thirty-two prominent citizens of the State, who have embarked in the Southern cause. -Grant and McClernand's expedition against Belmont, Mo., sails from Cairo.-General Hunter repudiates the Price - Fremont "treaty."- Rosecrans opens on Floyd's batteries on Gauley river, and silences them.

Nov. 7.---Battle of Belmont, Mo. Rebels routed and their camp and property destroyed. The Federals on returning to their transports are assailed by a heavy force from Columbus but cut their way through. The loss on both sides is very heavy. See page 413.-Attack on the Port Royal forts by the fleet under Dupont. The forts silenced after a heavy bombardment of five hours. Union loss, 8 killed and 23 wounded. See pages 385-90

Nov. 8.-Bridges burned in East Tennessee by the Unionists. See page 419.-Arrest of the rebel commissioners, Mason and Slidell, on the British steamer Trent, by Captain Charles Wilkes, in command of the steam sloop-of-war San Jacinto. See pages 397-411, for all the official correspondence in the

case.

Nov. 12.-General Heintzelman makes a reconnoissance in force from Alexandria to Occoquan creek.

Lockwood moves from Baltimore and occupies the Nov. 13.-A strong Federal column under Gen. counties of Virginia lying east of the Potomac.

-Zollicoffer retires from Cumberland ford to Cumberland gap, Tenn.

Nov. 14.-General Benham, dispatched by Rosecrans to strike upon Floyd's rear, falls in with the rebel outposts at McCoy's mills and defeats them. Fifteen of the enemy killed, including Colonel Crog. han. Floyd's main force escapes to the South.

Geary crosses at Point of Rocks and surprises a -Meeting of planters at Macon, Ga.-Colonel rebel force about to locate a battery, killing 3 of the

enemy.

Nov. 15.-Fast day in the Confederate States. Nov. 16.-Expedition of General Paine from Paducah to Lovettsville. No enemy found.

Nov. 17.-Attack upon and rout of Hawkins' (rebel) camp near Rumsey, Ky. Twenty-five rebels taken prisoners, with 300 horses, &c. Colonel Alcorn commands the Federals, whose loss is 10 killed and 15 wounded.-General Schoepff, by a forced march of four days. reaches Crab Orchard, Ky., with his Camp Wild Cat forces.--Attack upon re

cruits for Price's army, near Palmyra, Mo. Rebel loss, 3 killed, 5 wounded and 16 prisoners.

Nov. 18.-Captain Foote, U. S. N., assigned to the fleet operating in the Western rivers.-North Carolina " 'provisional" Convention meets at Hatteras. Forty five counties represented. The se cession of the State repudiated, provisional Governor appointed, &c., &c.-More of Price's recruits (50) captured near Warrenburg, Mo.

Nov. 19.-Burning of the ship Harvey Birch by the Confederate privateer Nashville, near Southampton, England. Warsaw, Mo., burned by the rebels.General Halleck assumes command in Missouri. Jefferson Davis sends in his Message to the Confederate Congress. See pages 430-33.-The gunboat Conestoga reconnoiters up the Tennessee.

Nov. 20.--Sailing from New London and New Bedford of the fleet of old hulks loaded with stone, to be sunk in Southern harbors.--Grand review of McClellan's troops before Washington.-Rout of the

-Rebel dash at Salem, Mo. Rebels repulsed with considerable loss, by Major Bowen's cavalry. -Reconnoissance in the vicinity of Vienna, Va., fol

lowed by a rebel surprise of the Federal cavalry (120). The troopers return to camp minus fortyfive men.

Dec. 4.-Spirited skirmish near Anandale, Va. Colonel Taylor, with 30 of his men (Third N.Jersey) surprises and cuts to pieces, by an ambush, a troop 40 rebel cavalry.-John C. Breckenridge expelled from the U. S. Senate.-Landing at Ship island of the advance of Butler's expedition against New Orleans. General Phelps in command issues a procla mation which forewarns the people that he comes upon a crusade against slavery as well as against

those in rebellion.

Dec. 7.-General John Pope is assigned command of all the Federal forces between the Missouri and Osage rivers. The force is composed largely of Fremont's old troops.-Capture at Rogers' Mill, near Glasgow, Mo., of the notorious robber Captain

notorious rebel marauder, Hays, near Kansas City, Sweeny, by a detachment of Federal cavalry under

by Colonel Burchard and 24 men. Hays' residence burned.

Nov. 22.-Price's army crosses the Osage river on its second trip to the North.-Rebel Camp above Newport News shelled and destroyed by Federal gunboats.-Gallant affair at Brownsville. (100) of Kentuckians repulse 300 rebels.

A band

Nov. 22-23.-Bombardment, by Fort Pickens, of the rebel batteries at Pensacola Bay. Fort McRae is silenced and Fort Barrancas much injured. The village of Warrenton is destroyed and the Navy Yard greatly injured.

Nov. 23.-The Steamers Constitution and Forest City, with the advance of Butler's expedition against New Orleans, sails from Portland, Me.-General Thomas, with his entire division, advances from Danville, Ky., to Columbia. This movement is designed to give Zollicoffer battle.

Nov. 24. Skirmish at Lancaster, Mo. Colonel Moore meets the rebels, killing 13 and taking prisoners.-Tybee island taken possession of by the Federal forces.

Nov. 25-The rebel privateer Royal Yacht destroyed in Galveston harbor, by an expedition from U. S. frigate Santee, commanded by Lieutenant Jou

ett.

Nov. 26.-Second Grand Review of the forces of McClellan around Washington. Reconnoissance by Colonel Bayard, from Langley's to Dranesville, Va.-Reconnoissance toward Hunter's hill from Vienna.-Meeting of the Convention at Wheeling to form a new State.-Commodore Tatnall, with three small steamers and one gunboat runs down from Fort Pulaski to engage the Federal fleet, in Cockspur roads. He "retires" after firing about forty

shots. Nov. 27.-The Federal Government assumes command of all commerce on the Mississippi river below St. Louis.-Reconnoissance up the Coosaw river, S. C., by the gunboat Pawnee, Commander Drayton.

Nov. 28.-Reconnoissance by Colonel Cone from Springfield, Va., toward Manassas.-Immense conflagration of cotton on the plantations lying between Beaufort and Charleston, S. C.

Dec, 2.-Meeting of the Federal Congress. Dec. 3.-President Lincoln's Message read to Congress. See pages 437-443.

Captain Merrill.

Dec. 8.-Final occupation of Port Royal island and the village of Beaufort, S. C., by the Federal troops under General Stevens.

Dec. 9.-Bombardment by the Federal gunboats of the rebel position at Freestone point. The rebel works and buildings all destroyed.-Severe battle in the Indian country, between the Confederate forces (Texans and Indians) led by General Cooper and the loyal Indians led by Opotheleyholo. It was pronounced by the rebel authorities a drawn battle, though Opotheleyholo fairly won a victory. The losses were great on both sides. Cooper's force was about 2000, that of the Chief about 500 greater. He was aided by many old hunters and scouts. Cooper" withdrew" fighting.

Dec. 10.-Sharp skirmish of pickets at Dam No. 4, on the Potomac near Sharpsburg. One Federal company entrapped and made prisoners.

Dec. 12.-Great conflagration in Charleston, S. C. Over one half of the richest portion of the city is consumed.-Colonel Merrill's cavalry return to Sedalia from a very successful scouting expedition, bringing in a number of rebel emissaries, officers, spies, &c.-Skirmish at Green river, Ky., in which Co. I. of the Fifteenth Ohio repulses a rebel cavalry squadron.

Dec. 13.-Battle of Alleghany Summit. The Federals under General R. H. Milroy assail the rebel stronhgold, but ineffectually, owing to the want of artillery supports. Union loss, killed 20, wounded 107, missing 10. The rebel loss is known to have been severe. Colonel Edward Johnson commanded the rebel force, about 2000 strong.

Dec. 15.-Platte City, Mo., fired by the rebels, to "smoke out" the Federals. The court house and post office are consumed.

Dec. 17.--Conflict at Munfordsville, Ky. Colonel Willich's German regiment, Thirty-second Indians, encounter and repulse a strong force under General Hindman. Federal loss 11 killed, 21 wounded. See pages 222-23.

Dec. 18.-Capture of Milford, Mo., by General Pope's forces, with 1300 prisoners, great quantities of arms, supplies, &c.-Expedition of reconnoissance up the North and South Edisto rivers, S. C., by Commander Drayton.

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Dec. 19.-Rebels shell Colonel Geary's camp near Point of Rocks. Geary replies, and after a furious cannonade drives the rebels back, and destroys several houses where their sharpshooters are concealed. The enemy lost 18 killed and wounded.--A band of "Moccasin rangers" (rebel) plunders the town of Ripley, Va.

nounced by the publication of the correspondence on the subject. Mason and Slidell are given up but no apology made, nor is Captain Wilkes suspended from command.

Dec. 29.-Pillage of the town of Commerce, Mo., by men from Jeff Thompson's force.

Dec. 30.--The first regular cartel passed between the Federal and Confederate authorities, by General Huger (rebel) announcing the readiness to deliver 240 prisoners of war from Richmond.-Destruction of the rebel light vessel and local battery at WilM. Vernon.

Dec. 20.Battle of Dranesville. For particulars see pages 470-71.-Partial destruction of the Missouri railway by the rebels. One hundred miles of track between Hudson and Warrenton disabled; stations, water tanks, bridges and wood burned.mington, N. C., by an expedition from the steamer -Attack on the rebels at Hudson by Major McKee, in which he kills 10 and takes 17 prisoners.-Sinking of the stone fleet in Charleston harbor. Operations commence on the 19th.-Jackson's (rebel) forces appear on the Potomac opposite Williamsport and at points a few miles below. His design is supposed

to be to cross and sack the town.

Dec. 22 Sharp skirmish at Newport News between Colonel Max Weber's men and rebel cavalry and infantry. The rebels are "punished" for interfering in foraging operations.

Dec. 23.-Rosecrans, from Wheeling, issues an address to his troops, proclaiming an end of the campaign.

Dec. 24.-Expedition from General Pope's command visits Lexington, Mo., destroying foundry, ferry boats, &c.-The War Department (Federal) issues orders discontinuing enlistments of cavalry. Enough are pronounced to be in the service.Bluffton, S. C., occupied by Federal forces under General Stevens.

Dec. 25.-Bridge burned by the rebels over Charleston river, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph railway.

Dec. 26.-Arrival in New York of General Scott, from his brief visit to Europe. He returns fearing a war between Great Britain and the United States on the Mason-Slidell emeute.

Dec. 27. Intelligence received of the good progress of National arms in New Mexico under command of Colonel Canby. Forts Craig and Stanton had been retaken and, at the last dates, the Federal

officer was en route to retake Fort Fillmore, betrayed by Colonel Lynde. Colonel Canby had had a stirring campaign.-Bridges over the Fabius and North Fabius rivers, Mo., destroyed by the rebels. -Rebel forces in front of Washington are announc

ed to have gone into winter quarters: considering the campaign ended.

Dec. 28.-General Prentiss, hunting up the bridge burners and rebel camps in Northern Missouri, attacks Colonel Dorsey at Mount Zion Church, Boone county. After a sharp conflict the rebels are utterly routed, with a very heavy loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. See page 457.-Colonel Vandeveer (Thirty-fifth Ohio) destroys the rebel salt works on Fishing creek, Ky.-Sharp conflict of cavalry at Sacramento, Ky. A scouting party from Colonel Jackson's Kentucky cavalry fell in with a strong detachment of Forrest's rebel cavalry. After a severe hand to hand struggle the Federals fled, losing Captain Bacon killed and eleven wounded and prisoners. The rebels confessed to a greater loss, including Lieutenant-Colonel Merriweather killed. The Nationals fought with astonishing intrepidity against overwhelming odds.

-Settlement of the "Trent difficulty" first an

Dec. 31.-Biloxi, Miss., surrenders to an expedition consisting of three National gunboats, under command of Commodore Melancthon Smith.

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prize also secured in the bay. The town is abandoned after the removal of the guns from the water battery.

Jan. 1, 1862.-Mason and Slidell, rebel emissaries arrested on the British steamer Trent, are delivered up to the British Government -Fort Pickens again opens its guns on the land batteries and Navy Yard at Pensacola Bay.-Expedition against the rebel fortification at Port Royal ferry. The battery at that point was abandoned on the approach of the Federal gunboats and infantry.

Jan. 2.-Bombardment, by Federal gunboats, of the rebel battery on Cockpit Point, Potomac river. Jan. 3.-Large arrest of bridge burners near Hunnewell, Mo., by Colonel Glover.-Reconnoissance by Colonel Max Weber to Big Bethel, Va.

Jan. 4.-General Milroy's expedition, under Major Webster, enters Huntersville, Western Virginia, and destroys the large amount of rebel winter stores at that point.-Heavy skirmish at Bath, Va. Federals driven back upon Hancock by Jackson's ad

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Co, B, Second Virginia (Union) voludteers, Captain

Jan. 8.-Desperate fight between 17 men from

Latham, and 30 guerrillas, on Dry Fork, Randolph Co., Va. After an hour's "Indian fight" the guerrillas fled, leaving six dead upon the field. Federal loss, six wounded.-Severe struggle at Roan's tanyard, in Randolph Co., Mo. Majors Torrence and Hubbard's Federal cavalry attacks the rebel Poindexter's fortified camp and routs the rebels. Camp property is all burned, and 25 wagons of provisions, clothing, powder and arms secured.

Jan. 9.-Colonel H. Anisansel, with two companies of Virginia Union cavalry, pursue a large body of bushwhackers who had plundered Sutton, Va. The ragamuffins were come up with thirty miles east of Sutton when a fight immediately ensued. Thirty of the "rebel agents" were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, and their large train of plunder se

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