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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 lessons 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
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.

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Nov. 11.-Colonel Anthony, with 100 of his Kansas Jayhawkers," assails and routs the rebels in eamp 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.

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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 Rose. crans 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 Hat teras. 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 notorious rebel marauder, Hays, near Kansas City, 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. A band (100) of Kentuckians repulse 300 rebels.

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 Zoilicoffer 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.

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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 Sweeny, by a detachment of Federal cavalry under 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 Indiana, 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.

HISTORICAL

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.

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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 Dec. 20.Battle of Dranesville. For particulars the Federal and Confederate authorities, by General see pages 470-71.-Partial destruction of the MisHuger (rebel) announcing the readiness to deliver souri railway by the rebels. One hundred miles of 240 prisoners of war from Richmond.-Destruction track between Hudson and Warrenton disabled; of the rebel light vessel and local battery at Wilstations, 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 com maud 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.-

Fluffton, 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-Slidei 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, betray ed 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 announced 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

Mt. Vernon.

tion consisting of three National gunboats, under Dec. 31.-Biloxi, Miss., surrenders to an expedi

command of Commodore Melancthon Smith. A doned after the removal of the guns from the water prize also secured in the bay. The town is aban

battery.

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arrested on the British steamer Trent, are delivered Jan. 1, 1862.-Mason and Slidell, rebel emissaries 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 Ma Jor Webster, enters Huntersville, Western Virginia and destroys the large amount of rebel winter store at that point.-Heavy skirmish at Bath, Va. Feder als driven back upon Hancock by Jackson's ad

yance.

Jan. 5.-Fortifications erecting around Richmond, Va., are announced as progressing satisfactorily. It is assumed that, in three months, the city will be impregnable.

Jan. 7.-Expedition against and destruction of a rebel nest at Blue's gap, near Romney, Va., by Colonel Dunning, from General Kelley's command. --Skirmish near Paintsville, with Humphrey Marshall's (rebel) brigade. Marshall retires before the Federal cavalry of Major Bowles, Colonel Garfield occupies Paintsville from which Marshall fled in great precipitation.

Jan. 8.--Desperate fight between 17 men from Co, B, Second Virginia (Union) voludteers, Captain Latham, and 30 guerrillas, on Dry Fork, Randolph Co., Va. After an hour's "Indian fight" the guer rillas 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 Sution when a fight immediately ensued. Thirty of the "rebel agents" were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, and their large train of plunder se

cured.-Colonel Garfield comes up with Humphrey | Marshall's force south of Paintsville, Ky. A battle follows in which Marshall's command is soon sent flying. See page 424.

Jan. 10. Reconnoissance in force by General McClernand from Cairo to the vicinity of Columbus, Ky., to locate the rebel situation.

Jan. 11.-The enemy burns two large bridges on the Louisville and Nashville railroad between Munfordsville and Bowling Green, expecting Buell's advance in conjunction with Grant's advance from Cairo. Sharp fight between three rebel gunboats from Columbus, Ky., and Commodore Foote's two gunboats Essex and St. Louis, which cover the landing of Grant's forces at Fort Jefferson. The rebel boats driven back, and followed up to the Columbus batteries. Colonel Garfield, having routed Humphrey Marshall's brigade near Prestonburg, takes possession of that place.

Jan. 12. The rebels continue the destruction of depots, culverts and property along the line of the Louisville and Nashville railway north of Bowling Green.--Burnside's advance sails from Fortress Monroe for Hatteras inlet.

Jan. 13.-Simon Cameron resigns his seat in the Lincoln cabinet as Secretary of War. Edwin M. Stanton is nominated by the President to the vacancy, and his nomination confirmed on the 14th.

Jan. 19.-Battle at Logan's farm near Mill Spring, Ky. Crittenden's and Zollicoffer's forces defeated by General Thomas with heavy loss; Zollicoffer being among the slain. See pages 426-28,

Jan. 21.--Return to Cairo of McClernand's com mand from the reconnoissance in force toward Columbus. The expedition was boldly conducted and proved very successful.

Jan. 23.-Stone ladened hulks (second fleet) are sunk in the Maffit channel approach to Charleston. Jan. 26.-Reconnoissance by Colonels Willich and Starkweather up the Nashville and Louisville R. R., from the vicinity of Munfordsville.-Expedition departs from Fort Royal to Savannah harbor.

Jan. 28.-Engagement in the Savannah river estuaries between the Federal gunboats and Commodore Tatnall's gunboats. The Commodore retires."

Jan. 29.-Fifty men of the Thirty-seventh New York, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Burke, start late on the night of the 28th from Heintzelman's division position, push on to a house near Occoquan bridge where a body of rebels are enjoying a dance. The rebels resist with great fury and only surrender after nine Texan rangers, and one officer (a Major)

are killed.

Jan. 30.-Successful launch of Erricson's irez floating battery Monitor

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