June 6, 1862.-skirmish near Tompkinsville, Ky.
Reports.
No. 1.-Col. Edward C. Williams, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.No. 2.-Maj. Thomas J. Jordan, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
No. 1.-report of Col. Edward C. Williams, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
On my arrival at Glasgow next morning at daybreak I learned that Captain McCullough, with 60 men, had been attacked on this side of Celina by 180 mounted men, under Hamilton. Captain McCullough was killed and 4 men seriously wounded; 2 horses killed. One of the men will probably die. Lieutenant Longsdorf, who succeeded Captain McCullough in command, routed the rebel force; but finding reenforcements were coming to support them, thought it prudent to fall back to Tompkinsville and there await an attack.
I deemed it my duty to proceed to the assistance of Major Jordan, who, with three companies, was in pursuit of Hamilton.
Arriving at Tompkinsville oii the evening of the 7th instant, I learned from reliable sources that the citizens had driven this marauding band from Clinton County, and that a number of Hamilton's and Ferguson's men had been wounded. I spoke to the gentleman who dressed their wounds. Hearing that this marauding band had taken refuge in Celiia, I directed Major Jordan to join me at McMillen's Ferry, at Turkey Neck Bend. Being able to carry over but 6 horses at one time, I was detained until dark crossing the Cumberland River.
The next morning I marched for Celina, and owing to the late rains was obliged to cross Obey River 6 miles from its mouth. [915]
I reached Celina at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon, and ordered three companies to charge into the town, while I held the remaining six companies in reserve to cut off the retreat of the rebels to the hills. Hamilton had received notice of our approach thirty minutes before, and with his band had scattered among the hills and rocks in places inaccessible to mounted troops. I, however, succeeded in capturing 4 of his men, who gave their names Samuel Granville, Smith Butler, Tipton T. C. Settle, and William Henry Harrison Peterman. Against the last of these there is an indictment in Monroe County for murder. He has been the dread of the whole neighborhood, and next to Hamilton is the most important and dangerous man in that region. The others are very bad men, and were recognized as active men of Hamilton's band through the whole route to this place. There were no men in Celina except those we captured, and they made desperate attempts to escape.
I ordered Major Jordan to Butler's Landing the same evening, with directions to scour the country. He discovered the property captured by Morgan from steamer John A. Fisher, as well as some Confederate stores, and, having no means of transportation, destroyed them by throwing them into the river. He also captured Hamilton's celebrated race-horse.
Returning to Tompkinsville, I found the citizens much in dread of an attack from the predatory bands said to be marching into Overton County, and ordered Major Jordan to remain there with three companies and patrol the country as far as Cumberland River, and Lieutenant O'Grady to remain with 20 men at Glasgow.
For further particulars of Major Jordan's transactions I refer to his report, inclosed.
I am much in want of some new horses. Several dropped dead on the road from exhaustion, or were left behind, too much worn-out to be moved any farther. I captured several from the rebels at Celina.
If I were ordered with my whole regiment after I get carbines and horses into the neighborhood of Tompkinsville, I feel confident that I can be of'great service in driving out the robbers and restoring peace and quiet to that afflicted district.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
No. 2.-reports of Maj. Thomas J. Jordan, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Yours, truly,
In conformity to my orders, the captain and lieutenant marched to perform the duties assigned them on the evening of June 4, and formed the junction as directed in my order on the following day, and immediately marched toward Centerville, in the direction of Tompkinsville and Celina, and on the night of the 5th encamped on the farm of a Mr. Moore, about 8 miles from and to the south of Tompkinsville.
On the morning of the 6th, just as they were about leaving camp, his pickets were driven in by a party of men under the command of Captain Hamilton, Lieutenant McMillan, with McHenry's men, and Captain Eaton, numbering in all about 125 men. They were drawn up in a deep wood and protected by the bushes and trees. Captain McCullough at once formed his men and boldly charged the enemy. They were met by a discharge of double-barreled shot-guns loaded with ball and buck-shot; but no one was killed or wounded by this discharge. They continued to advance till stopped by the thick bushes, when they opened upon the enemy at 15 paces distance with their Colt's revolvers. Immediately after the action began Captain McCullough was mortally wounded, and in about four hours died. The command devolved upon Lieutenant Longsdorf, and within fifteen minutes he entirely routed the enemy, scattering them in every direction, pursuing them for about half a mile, when he was met by a professed Union man, who informed him that re-enforcements were reaching the enemy, and forming in the rear of a brick church, some 2 miles in his front. This information determined him (as his force was reduced to 50 men) to fall back upon and defend Tompkinsville till information could reach me and I could re-enforce him.
On the information reaching me at Glasgow, about 8 o'clock on Fri-. day night, I at once marched for Tompkinsville (27 miles）, which I reached at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, and with Lieutenant Longsdorf's command marched upon Bennett's Ferry for the purpose of crossing the Cumberland River and driving the enemy from their strongholds [917] at and near Celina. Upon approaching the ferry I found that the late rains had raised the river and that the fording was impassable and that the flat-boats were upon the opposite side. Seeing some persons upon the opposite bank, I called over, asking that the boats be brought to the side I occupied. I was at once replied to by a volley from a party concealed in the bushes on the opposite bank. Having but few carbines and no ammunition to spare in a useless contest, I withdrew my men and determined to march for Tompkinsville, where I could support my command till the river would fall or I be able to pass it at some other ferry. I encamped that night near the field of battle of the previous day, when I received a dispatch from Colonel Williams, stating that he was at Tompkinsville with six companies, and to join him in the morning at McMillen's Ferry, on Turkey Neck Bend. I reached the ferry about 10 o'clock, having marched 14 miles, over the most broken country, on sheep and cow paths, when I found Colonel Williams. I at once, by his direction, marched my forces about 2 miles down the river, where we got a large boat, and by 6 o'clock in the evening my whole command was across the river, where I went into camp for the night with Colonel Williams' command.
In the action on the morning of the 6th Captain McCullough was the only man killed and 3 are very badly wounded and 2 slightly. The 3 badly wounded men are now at a house, where they are carefully attended, near the battle-field. Lieutenant Longsdorf captured 2 horses and 4 shot-guns and 4 pistols, left by the enemy on their retreat.
On the morning of the 10th, by command of Colonel Williams, I took the two companies and proceeded from Celina to Bennett's Ferry, for the purpose of crossing the river at that point. While at the ferry I captured and destroyed 20 boxes of army bread, 10 barrels of the same, 2 barrels of sugar, 100 bags of wheat, and 23 hogsheads of tobacco, which I destroyed by throwing them into the river. They are the remainder of the property captured some two months ago by the rebels from the steamboat John A. Fisher while passing that point on her way to Nashville.
By command of Colonel Williams I have just dispatched an officer to Glasgow to bring my wagons, tents, &c., to this place, where I am to remain with my command till further orders.
Yours, truly,
