CHAP.XII.] SKIRMISH AT AND NEAR WOODBURY, KY., ETC.

Numbers 2. Report of Colonel John H. McHenry, jr., Kentucky Volunteers.

CROMWELL, OHIO COUNTY, KENTUCKY, On Green River, November 3, 1861.

SIR: On Tuesday, 29th instant, hearing that the enemy had encamped 140 cavalry at Woodbury, a point on Green River 25 miles above here, Colonel S. G. Burbridge, with 2 pieces of artillery, 100 infantry, and 100 cavalry, went up Green River on north side. I, in command of 100 men, under Captains Morton and Whittinghill, penetrated 7 miles on the south side of the river, where we met a scouting party, 14 in number, of the enemy, who fired on my men, killing, with 20 men, advanced 1 mile farther, again met a small party and drove them back, with a reported loss of 2 men. Colonel Burbridge in the mean time arrived at Woodbury and fired upon the enemy with his artillery. They immediately fled, leaving everything behind them. Colonel Burbridge destroyed their tents and joined the force under my command at Morgantown. We, fearing a re-enforcement from the enemy, recrossed the river at this point.

On Thursday, 31st, instant, the enemy, about 200 strong, attacked the Home Guards, numbering about 30 men, and one company, under Captain Whittinghill, at this point, but by the gallant conduct of Captain Porter, with some 20 men, they were driven from the river, with three buggy loads of killed and wounded, we sustaining no damage. Captain Whittinghill was not at his post, and Lieutenant Rogers, with a few men, stood against the enemy and fought bravely until every one of them had retired, and they are now encamped 6 miles from this place, on the Hartford road. Three hundred cavalry appeared in Rochester, 15 miles below here, on the 1st instant, but had retired at last accounts. Reliable information reached me that a considerable force of the enemy, numbering 3,000, had left Bowling Green in this direction on the 30th, and I have reason to believe will attempt by a rapid movement to destroy my camp at Hartford and get possession of the Government stores at that place.

An item of information reached me that the rebels had issued a proclamation at Bowling Green, calling upon the citizens of Warren County for 400 wagons and teams, and that their whole force had fallen back to this place.

I take this method of expressing my gratitude to Colonels Jackson and Burbridge for the promptness and zeal with which they responded to my appeal, and to Colonel Burbridge for the bravery, discretion, and energy displayed by him in routing the enemy from Woodbury.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN M. McHENRY, JR., Colonel, Kentucky Volunteers.

General W. T. SHERMAN.