The recent battle at Barboursville, Ky.
The following is the fullest account of the recent battle at Barboursville, Ky., that has yet reached us:
Camp near Cumberland Ford, Ky.,
September 16, 1861.
We arrived here on the 14th instant, after a forced march of many hours--Capt. Rowan, company B, 1st Battalion of East Tennessee Cavalry, leading the van, and with Capt. Plumlee's company, forming the vanguard of the Brigade.
Our situation here is one which can be made impregnable, by the aid of a little work and the proper armament.--Where our fortifications are finished, we can say to the Northern invaders, come and fall back like the wave that would try to roll over the pillows of Hercules. Since our advent into Kentucky, we have been doing picket and scouting duty, capturing arms and taking prisoners. A number of muskets, rifles, and captains' swords have been our trophies.
On day before yesterday our affairs seemed to take a different turn. Cols. Rains and Branner started on a scouting picket expedition, taking twenty-six men with them. Near Barboursville they were fired on by an ambushed force of the enemy. They fired their pistols, put them to flight, and returned to camp. The order ‘"To horse"’ went forth, and we were in the saddle pretty quickly.--Our route was down Cumberland river, through narrow defiles and pleasant fields. Capt. Rowan's company not carrying guns, Capt. Plumlee was on the right wing of the vanguard of cavalry, Capt. A. Rowan's next, then eight companies of infantry, composed of two companies each of Cols. Battle's, Newman's, and Rains's regiments. Capt. Simpson of 1st Batt. E. T. Cavalry, brought up the rear. The whole was commanded by Col. Battle. We marched till daylight, when the enemy was reported at Barboursville — strength not known. One man was taken, with a musket, four miles from town. From that place a lane leads to the town, over a bridge, crossing the ravine to the left and right of the road. On our right was a field of luxuriant corn, fenced in by a strong post fence; on our left stubble fields, with a common fence. The morning was very foggy and we were not able to distinguish a man one hundred yards off. When we had approached to within about thirty yards of the bridge, the enemy, concealed in the ravine, behind fences, in the corn-field, and under the bridge, commenced a brisk fire. The suddenness of the attack threw the right wing of the cavalry (Capt. Plumlee's company) into momentary confusion. Capt. Rowan then threw his men to the right into line of battle. A few volleys of pistol balls soon silenced this part of the enemy. They continued firing, however, from the ravine to the right and the corn-field. Capt. Rowan ordered his men to charge into the corn-field. The charge was made, the corn-field cleared, and the enemy completely routed.--The infantry coming up, into the place vacated by Capt. Rowan, gave them the farewell shot. Nineteen of the enemy were left dead on the field, how many more we could not ascertain, the hiding places being too many. We captured a number of arms, some ammunition, and two planners.
We mourn the loss of Lieut. Howell, of Commings' regiment, killed, and J. F. Browner badly wounded. One horse killed and since or ten disabled; several men and horses slightly scratched. In conclusion, I must say that our men behaved bravely; they stood the fire like veterans, and though the halls whistled on every side and passed through the clothing of several, not a man was seen to flinch, and I think that this little fight at Barboursville is the beginning of a glorious campaign in Kentucky. We have many warm friends here, and to protect them from the outlaw bands of Lincolnites will not only be a duty, but a pleasure to every true Tennesseean.
