CHAP.XII.] ACTION AT ROCKCASTLE HILLS, KY., ETC.
Captain Rea, and Company H, Captain Whissen, took their positions with promptness, eager for the fray, under the command of Major Durbin Ward, of that regiment. They remained on the field during the day and night, and assisted in completing the fortifications. About 2 o'clock p. m. we were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, appeared upon the field. Company C, Captain J. W. Brown, of the Fourteenth, immediately formed and opened upon the enemy, and this company, with others, also assisted in completing the fortifications. Afterwards Company G, Captain Eckles, and Company B, Captain Kirk, of the same regiment, came to our assistance. At 10 o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's Ohio battery, came on the hill, and on an alarm fired three rounds. They were the last shots fired. At abut 2 o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betokened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat. From a prisoner I have ascertained that his command consisted of two Tennessee regiments, two Mississippi and two Alabama regiments, together with a regiment of cavalry and a battery of six pieces of artillery. The number of our loss is as follows: Company D, 1 killed and 5 wounded; Company I, 1 killed and 10 wounded, 3 mortally. Colonel Wolford lost 1 killed and 11 wounded. The forces now on the hill are in good spirits and ready for further service.
In conclusion, I must commend the coolness, courage, and manliness of Colonel Wolford, who rendered most valuable assistance to me during the day.
Yours, truly,
JOHN COBURN, Colonel Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers.
General A. SCHEOPF, Commanding Brigade.
Numbers 4. Report of General A. S. Johnston, C. S. Army.
BOWLING GREEN, October 21, 1861.
General Zollicoffer telegraphs to-day from London, Ky., as follows:
One Ohio regiment said to be 12 miles distant; another regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them to-day with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about 5,400.
The above is the dispatch from intelligent gentlemen. I learned the day before yesterday that 6,000 men at Camp Dick Robinson had an advanced force of 4,000 towards Cumberland Gap under Garrard and from the camp stretching back to Cincinnati 10,000 more. I have no means of adding to Zollicoffer's force at present, important as I think it.
A. S. JOHNSTON, General.
S. COOPER, Adjutant-General.
Numbers 5. Reports of Brigadier-General F. K. Zollicoffer, C. S. Army, including operations October 16-26, with correspondence.
CAMP NEAR ROCKCASTLE RIVER, October 20, 1861.
SIR: I have advanced 4 miles north of London, under disability to an embarrassing extent for want of subsistence and transportation.
14 R R-VOL IV
