River at 6 o'clock Thursday night, December 5. Crossed 6 men, 4 of whom were to dash through Munfordville and take a position upon the turnpike leading to Bacon Creek, 4 miles from town, to prevent any information being carried to the enemy's pickets, the other 2 to take position in the town and remain until the command had crossed the river. When they got into the town saw several men armed, 2 whose names were Berry Eaton and Luther Shackleford, who it seems had just returned from [the] Federal camp, where they had been to take a Southern-rights man, whom they had captured. My advance guard discovered them and ordered them to give up their guns. They dismounted, one immediately firing both barrels of his gun at my men, who returned the fire without doing any execution. The 2 men who were left in town caught one of the horses, which is now in my camp. Reached Bacon Creek bridge at 9 o'clock. Found it in perfect order, with the exception of one rail, which was lying ready to be laid. There were five columns of uprights. All were completely burned, with the exception of the one which was in the creek. The bridge is a complete ruin. The command left Bacon Creek at 1.05 o'clock. The rear guard of 4 men remained until within a few minutes of 3 o'clock. General McCook's advance is at Upton's, his main body a short distance this side of Nolin. Was informed by Union men that the bridge on Rolling Fork has been washed away, entirely interrupting rail communication with Louisville. On my way to Green River met a wagon loaded with goods purchased in Louisville. Had it guarded until my return. The wagon was claimed by Mrs. Ritter, who had purchased the goods with which it was loaded. Mrs. Ritter is believed by the people of that neighborhood to be an employé of the enemy. Upon my return, finding that a portion of the goods were to be delivered in Bowling Green, I released the wagon. One of my horses becoming exhausted, left it at Ritter's, and mounted the man upon one of his. Upon the morning of the 7th accidental discharge of his gun. Respectfully, &c., General S. B. BUCKNER, one of my men was disabled from the Reached camp at 11 a. m. December 7. Commanding Division. JOHN H. MORGAN, DECEMBER 5–8, 1861.-Scout in vicinity of Russellville, Ky. Report of Capt. I. F. Harrison, Mississippi Cavalry. WIRT ADAMS' Cavalry, Camp Hardee, December 8, 1861. SIR: I have the honor herewith to report to Major-General Hardee, commanding, the result of my scout in the vicinity of Russellville: Pursuant to instructions I left Bowling Green at midnight on the 5th instant, with a command of 45 men of this regiment, and reached Russellville at 2.30 a. m. on the 6th. Here I was detained three hours, procuring horses for my men. Upon procuring a mount I started to join Captain Pope, who had engaged the enemy the day before. I came up with him about 16 miles from Russellville, assumed command, and started in pursuit of the enemy. I found his trail, and learned he was two hours ahead of me. A short distance from here, the advance guard having reported the presence of the enemy in front, I ordered a charge. Upon advancing I could discover but 3 men, 2 of whom were armed, making their escape and concealing themselves in the mountains. The third, who was engaged in cutting wood, I regret to say, was shot and badly wounded by one of the citizens who had joined me. The shooting was done after I had passed some distance beyond the point where the man was standing. Other firing occurred here on the part of the citizens. I was delayed one hour in attending to the wounded man. Shortly after resuming the march I met the citizen who had been forced to guide the enemy across the country. He reported them as pressing forward rapidly, having heard the firing. I continued the pursuit, and when night prevented any further pursuit the trail not being visible, we were within fifteen minutes of them. I made a circuit and encamped with a view of cutting them off in the morning, but they escaped during the night across the mountains in the direction of Green River, having no doubt received accurate information as to our move ments. Upon the march back to Russellville I recovered the 8 muskets that the enemy had taken at the bridge and also 1 Colt's rifle belonging to them. The 4 wounded of the enemy are concealed in the neighborhood, and I have no doubt that Captain Pope will be able to find them. I regret very much to report [that] of the 35 or 40 citizens who accompanied my command, with the exception of Captain Pope and some 5 or 6 others, deserted me when their services were the most required. I reached Bowling Green on my return at 2 o'clock this morning, with my command in good order. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. R. C. WOOD, Jr., I. F. HARRISON, Captain Wirt Adams' Cavalry. Commanding Wirt Adams' Cavalry, Camp Hardee, Ky. DECEMBER 17, 1861.-Action at Rowlett's Station (Woodsonville), Green River, Ky. REPORTS, ETC. No. 1.-Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, U. S. Army, with congratulatory orders. No. 2.-Brig. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook, U. S. Army. No. 3.-Col. August Willich, Thirty-second Indiana Infantry. No. 4.-Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman, C. S. Army, with congratulatory orders from Major-General Hardee. No. 1. Reports of Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, U. S. Army, with congratula tory orders. LOUISVILLE, KY., December 17, 1861-12 p. m. McCook's division is at Munfordville. General Mitchel at Bacon Creek. We are doing pretty well. Zolicoffer is either retiring across the Cumberland River or is prepared to do so at the approach of any superior force. Any more formidable demonstration against him would only harass my troops and derange my plans. I am letting him alone for the present. McCook reports the rebels attacked my pickets in front of the railroad bridge at 2 p. m. to-day. The picket consisted of four companies of the Thirty-second Indiana, Colonel Willich, under LieutenantColonel Von Trebra. Their forces consisted of one regiment Texas Rangers, two regiments infantry, one battery, six guns. Our loss, Lieutenant Sachs and 8 enlisted men killed and 16 wounded. The rebel loss, 33 killed, including Colonel Terry, of Texas, and about 50 Founded. The rebels ingloriously retreated. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN. D. C. BUELL, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Louisville, February 8, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith the official report of a skirmish at Rowlett's Station, south of Green River, Kentucky, on the 17th of December, 1861, between a portion of Colonel Willich's Thirtysecond Regiment of Indiana Volunteers (German), and a brigade of the enemy under General Hindman. The gallantry displayed by the Thirtysecond Indiana on the occasion has been noticed in general orders from these headquarters, a copy of which is inclosed for file with this letter and the report. Colonel Willich was at the time on other duty, and the troops engaged were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Von Trebra, whose skill and gallantry on the field merit the distinction of the brevet rank of colonel. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OFcember 24, 1 Louisville, Ky., 1861. The general commanding takes pleasure in bringing to notice the gallant conduct of a portion of Colonel Willich's regiment, Thirty-second Indiana, at Rowlett's Station, in front of Munfordville, on the 17th instant. Four companies of the regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Von Trebra, on outpost duty, were attacked by a column of the enemy, consisting of one regiment of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and two regiments of infantry. They defended themselves until re-enforced by other companies of the regiment, and the fight was continued with such effect that the enemy at length retreated precipitately. The attack of the enemy was mainly with his cavalry and artillery. Our troops fought as skirmishers, rallying rapidly into squares when charged by the cavalry, sometimes even defending themselves singly and killing their assailants with the bayonet. The general tenders his thanks to the officers and soldiers of the regi ment for their gallant and efficient conduct on this occasion. He commends it as a study and example to all other troops under his command, and enjoins them to emulate the discipline and instruction which insuré such results. The name of "Rowlett's Station" will be inscribed on the regimental colors of the Thirty-second Indiana Regiment. By command of Brigadier-General Buell: JAMES B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAMP WOOD, December 25, 1861. CAPTAIN: Please find inclosed the official report of Col. August Willich, Thirty-second Indiana, of the affair in front of the railroad bridge over Green River. I would respectfully call the attention of the general commanding to the gallantry and good judgment of Lieutenant Colonel Von Trebra, of said regiment, during the action. The regiment behaved well; all present distinguished themselves. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. J. B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff. No. 3. Report of Col. August Willich, Thirty-second Indiana Infantry. CAMP GEORGE WOOD, December 18, 1861. My regiment had, as usual, two companies on the south of Green River for the protection of the repairing of the railroad bridge across the Green River. The bridge built by our pontoniers being finished on the evening of the 15th instant, the former order to defend our work in case of an attack principally from the north side of the river was changed in such a manner that four companies, deployed as skirmishers, should form on the north side of Green River, while the remaining four should advance over the bridge to the south side as support of our pickets. At 12 o'clock on the 17th of December the right wing of our picket chain (Company B, Captain Glass) was annoyed by skirmishers of the enemy. Captain Glass sent out a patrol that drove them back and followed them up with the balance of his company. About a mile from the picket chain he met a company of the enemy's infantry, whom he saluted with a volley, upon which they retreated in haste. Owing to the arrival of large forces of infantry, who had by this time made their appearance, he was obliged to retreat, executing the same in good order, until re enforcements arrived. During this maneuver Company C advanced on the left of the pike from Woodsonville in a southward direction. There they were attacked by a company of Texas Rangers, whom they drove back. At the same time the signal of alarm was given to the remainder of the regiment and was answered with astonishing alacrity. In their anxiety to hasten to the relief of the companies that were in danger the company commanders failed to obey the instructions given by me, and all of them rushed over the bridge and up the hill, there forming in our usual position at alarm-in close column. The undersigned being at the time of the general alarm at the headquarters of the division, LieutenantColonel Von Trebra ordered Companies K, G, and F to the support of Company B on the right wing, and Companies A and I to the support of Company C on the left wing, and Companies E and H and a few men of Company D as reserve to follow along the pike, under command of Major Schnackenberg, in the usual distance. The infantry of the enemy on both wings were thrown by the mere advance of our lines of skirmishers. But now ensued the most earnest and bloody part of the struggle. With lightning speed, under infernal yelling, great numbers of Texas Rangers rushed upon our whole force. They advanced as near as 15 or 20 yards to our lines, some of them even between them, and then opened fire with rifles and revolvers. Our skirmishers took the thing very coolly and permitted them to approach very close, when they opened a destructive fire on them. They were repulsed under severe loss, but only after Lieutenant Sachs, who left his covered position with one platoon, was surrounded by about 50 Rangers, several of them demanding of him three times to give up his sword and let his men lay down their arms. He firmly refused, and defended himself till he fell, with 3 of his men, before the attack was repulsed. Lieutenant-Colonel Von Trebra now led on another advance of the center and left flank, when he drew down on his forces a second charge of the Rangers in larger numbers, charging into the very ranks, some dashing through to the rear, which might have proved disastrous to Companies C and I had not Company H, commanded by Lieutenants Cappell and Levy, and ordered forward by Adjutant Schmitt from the reserve on the pike, advanced with a hurrah towards the Rangers and repulsed them. At this moment the artillery of the enemy with six guns commenced its well-directed but not damaging fire. Their balls and shrapnels were thrown with great precision towards the reserve companies and skirmishers near the pike, but only a few men were hurt, and those by splinters from trees and fences. Among others, our undaunted and ever-attentive Assistant Surgeon Jeancon was struck by the branch of a tree and stupefied for a short time. While this happened, the struggle on the right flank was not less severe. Companies F, K, and B were thrown out as skirmishers, Company G in column as support. The Rangers advanced within 15 yards, and then fired with shot-guns and revolvers. Our skirmishers made great havoc among them, but finally retreated behind the square formed by Company G, Captain Welschbillig. Now a fight ensued such as seldom occurs. The Rangers, about 150 to 200, thinking they could ride over that small squad of 50 men, attacked them in front and left flank. Captain Welschbillig suffered them to approach within 20 yards, and then fired a deadly volley at them. They retreated, but only after having discharged their guns and rifles at our men. They charged a second time, and engaged in front and both flanks. Several of them came close to our bayonets. A well-aimed volley sent them back again. They made a third but weak charge, which resulted more disastrously to them than 2 R R-VOL VII |