April 6, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Lexington Correspondence.
LEXINGTON, Ky., April 2, 1863.
In consequence of the recent serious raids which have been made in this quarter by the daring banditti, called rebel soldiers, General Gillmore applied to Gen. Burnside for permission to go to the […..], and the request was promptly granted. Accordingly, on Friday morning last, the General, with a portion of his staff, left headquarters and proceeded directly to the vicinity of Somerset, where it was ascertained that there were some two thousand four hundred rebels encamped. Gathering up a few scattered forces, together with Wolford cavalry and the remnants of the commands of Colonels Runkle and Sanders, in all amounting to about one thousand three hundred men, the little army started out heroically on Saturday morning, to do or die.
After marching about eight miles, and arriving within two of Somerset, we came suddenly upon the outposts of the enemy in a piece of woods. An engagement between skirmishers immediately ensued. Our boys did not wait long in parleying, but, being determined, dashed in, and drove them at fearful risk up a neighboring hill just skirting the woods. Here they halted, and prepared for action. General Gillmore now gave his commands thick and fast. Everything was done on the moment – orderlies running to and from, men getting into line, captains shouting out to their men, aids to the General riding up and down among the men, &c., when presently the order came to commence, which was done in good earnest. We found, however, after fighting nearly an hour, that we could make no marked impression upon the rebels with our mounted riflemen, and consequently brought our artillery to bear. This had the effect of bringing them to their senses, and they wisely concluded it best to retire again. They now fell back, skirmishing all the way, and ranged themselves on the hills on the south side of Pittman’s creek, where they again made a stand. It could plainly be seen now that everything was all bustle and confusion within the rebel lines. They were evidently planting their guns so as to sweep the road, two of their pieces being long ranged parrotts; and of course we felt some apprehension from so formidable an arm. We came up, however, and engaged with our two rifled guns. Our howitzers were entirely inefficient for the purpose, and could not possibly be made to reach.
Soon after the action fairly commenced a heavy mounted force of the enemy – afterwards ascertained to have been Scott and Ashby’s cavalry – were seen marching towards our right, with the evident intention of gaining our rear. Our General, who seemed almost ubiquitous during the whole engagement, observing this move, sent the gallant and much dreaded Wolford’s cavalry to hold them in check; and most nobly they did their duty. The fire on both sides now became very hot, and it was evident an issue was close at hand, one way or another. The rebels had a decided advantage of us both in position and numbers, and they were also our equal in arms; but our Kentucky and Ohio boys felt the sting of recent depredations, and fought with a vigor and firmness worthy the highest praise. Even while this very fight was going on it is understood that six hundred of the original rebel band were off stealing cattle and devastating the country wherever they went.
Our General, perceiving how things stood, sent word to Colonel Runkle, of the Forty-fifth Ohio, to know if he thought he could take the heights by a charge. The Colonel replied that he would feel them, and make the effort; but the undertaking was so hazardous that the General ordered him to remain a while longer. At this moment it was observed that the enemy were undoubtedly preparing to charge upon our own artillery. The word was given to our men to charge, and away went this glorious regiment, with its intrepid colonel at the head, all yelling like madmen, until they reached a brush and rail fence. Here they crouched to the earth, received the enemy’s fire, and on they went again, in a manner that excited the astonishment and admiration of every soldier on the ground, and none more so than General Gillmore himself. Under such a charge the rebels, or course, had to give way. They went flying down the other side of the hill, and never stopped until midnight, when they again halted, to rest, preparatory to crossing the Cumberland, which movement they accomplished before the next morning. As soon as we reached the hill orders were given to Colonel Sanders, of the Fifth Kentucky cavalry, for a detachment to march out in a particular direction, and thus get Scott and Ashby between two fires. This was accomplished under a double quick, and soon Sanders’ men on one side and Wolford’s on the other were banging away like good fellows upon the unfortunate wights in the centre. This forcible and fiery movement did not seem to be relished by these men, and they incontinently sloped out, just about as fast as it was convenient so to do. Then commenced the surrendering of little squads here and little squads there, while others were trying to get away. Our boys would gallop after these retreating rebels through the scraggy bushes and trees, and many were killed in this manner, because they would not halt on the word. In this movement the rebel cavalry was cut off from the main body, and now mainly consists of straggling companies, who may cross the river at various places higher up.
It was a matter of impossibility to have followed the rebels up that night, as our horses had suffered terribly from hard riding, and could not be effectually used; besides, it was no use attacking them with infantry, […..] and very well mounted at that. From […..] exhausting also, we could not have mustered more than a thousand fighting men.
The advantages of this fight are that we recovered about 400 head of cattle, captured quite a number of horses and many firearms, besides driving Pegram and his rebel crew from the soil of Kentucky. The enemy’s loss in killed, wounded and prisoners is about 350. Among the latter are twenty commissioned officers, now in our hands. Our loss is eight killed, fifteen wounded and about twelve missing. Two of our officers are very badly wounded, and little hope is entertained of their recovery.
One of the rebel officers, upon being brought in, stated to the commanding officer that when he was taken Gen. Pegram was only about ten feet from him. What an unfortunate escape!