disordered ranks. In the meantime, the guns of our Battery were doing fearful execution among the fleeing Rebels. Many of the shells exploded in their very midst. We still kept up the pursuit, the rain all the time falling heavily, which rendered the roads almost impassable; but on we went, through woods, over logs and stumps, through brush and mud. At times it was all our horses could do to pull through, and our progress was consequently slow. The roads and woods were scattered with the dead and wounded of both armies. The track of the fleeing Rebels was strewn with muskets, swords, knapsacks, overcoats, &c., which they had thrown away to facilitate their flight.

At about five o’clock we had succeeded in driving the enemy behind their intrenchments at Mill Springs, being a distance of eight miles from where the battle commenced. Reinforcements had now come up, and though the men were nearly exhausted, having eaten nothing since early morning, and were saturated with the rain, the guns were soon got in position, and opened with shell on the enemy’s works. The Rebels replied with a few ineffectual shot, their shell falling far short of their destination. Kinney’s and Wetmore’s Batteries were also engaging the enemy from different positions. About eight in the evening the enemy’s guns were silenced, and in a short time the firing ceased altogether. An hour later quiet reigned in the camp.

Our weary men now stretched themselves on the cold, damp ground, to obtain a little repose from the toils of the day. All slept near their post of duty, and were ready to spring into action at sound of the bugle. At early dawn they were at their stations, to renew the battle; but no sound came from the enemy’s camp.

It was now determined to make a grand charge, and storm the Rebel works. All the forces were drawn up in line of battle, and, at the same time, our guns were got in readiness to open on the enemy. At last the word to charge was given, and with a loud yell, the brave troops rushed forward, and were soon scaling the entrenchments. But what was their surprise, when reaching the top of the breastworks, to find the place evacuated. The birds had flown; or to use their own favorite phrase, “skedaddled.” They had succeeded in crossing the river in a small steamer. A shell from our battery struck the boat just as it had crossed for the last time. The shell exploded, setting the boat on fire, and it was soon burned to the water’s edge.

Having no means of crossing our forces, we were unable to follow them up. They had attempted to get part of their guns over the river, but our near approach prevented them from doing so. They left several sticking fast in the mud. A large number of the Rebels could yet be seen climbing the hill on the opposite side of the river, when a few shell thrown among them caused them to scatter in wild confusion. So great was their fright, and in such a hurry were they to get away, that they left everything behind, even to their half-cooked rations. They saved nothing, except what they had on their backs.

The result of this glorious victory to the Union cause, is summed up as follows: From three hundred to four hundred of the enemy killed and wounded, and two hundred taken prisoners. About fifteen hundred horses and mules, five hundred wagons and harness, fourteen guns, with caissons and equipments complete, five thousand muskets, together with a large quantity of provisions, clothing and ammunition, fell into our hands. But the best of all, by this victory we succeeded in freeing this part of Kentucky of the secesh army, much to the gratification of the good Union people.

This was the first, of a series of brilliant victories that soon followed. The enemy’s force in this engagement, was about ten thousand; while our force, actually engaged, did not exceed three thousand five hundred—they having about three to our one. Our men got a large quantity of trophies, in the shape of guns, revolvers, watches and clothing.

The following list comprises our force engaged in the battle: Tenth Indiana, Fourth Kentucky, Ninth Ohio, Second Minnesota, part of the First Tennessee, all Infantry, and a portion of Woolford’s Cavalry, together with our own and Kinney’s and Wetmore’s Batteries, First Ohio Artillery.

This battle has been given several names; such as, battle near Somerset, battle of Fishing Creek, Logan’s X Roads, Old Fields, and Mill Springs. It is better known by the last mentioned.

It was not until Wednesday evening, the 22d of January, that our battery arrived in Camp at Somerset, having been absent six days. Although the men were well nigh worn out, yet all were in high spirits over their late victory, and for a long time it was the only thing talked of.

CHAPTER V.

HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE.

As has been stated, it was on the 22d of January, when the battery returned to Somerset. The next day, we went back to Mill Springs with our horses, to bring away the guns captured from the enemy.

As it was late in the day, when we arrived at the scene of the engagement, and the roads being in bad condition, we remained over night. The next morning, at daylight, started on our return, and reached Somerset at 2 P. M., the distance traveled in both expeditions being sixty-four miles.

We now received orders to march for East Tennessee; but the order was soon after countermanded, as it was found impossible to proceed, owing to the horrible condition of the roads. Colonel Barnett had arrived shortly after the battle, it being the first time we had seen him since leaving Camp Dick Robinson. He remained with us only a few days.

Not having before said anything about Somerset, we will here describe the place:—It is one of the early settled towns of Kentucky, and like all the other mountain towns of this State, it presents rather a sombre and gloomy appearance. The buildings are mostly built of wood, and are old fashioned affairs. The business part looks as if it had gone through the revolutionary war; many of the buildings are fast going to decay. The population is about one thousand five hundred. Although the inhabitants profess to be loyal to the old Government, yet many of them are, at heart, rank secessionists. There is a court-house and jail here, it being the seat of justice for Pulaski county.

We remained here until the 10th of February, 1862, being a period of just ten weeks from the day of our first arrival. On Saturday, the 8th of the same month, Edward C. Chapman, a member of our company, died, and was buried the next day. His remains were followed to the grave by nearly all the members of the battery. This was the first burial in the company, the others, who died, having been sent home, with the exceptions of Hodge and Bailey, who were left sick at towns we passed through.

It having been found impracticable to go forward into East Tennessee, for various reasons, on Saturday, February 8th, we were ordered to be prepared to march on the following Monday.

Monday morning found us ready to move; and, at 8 o’clock, we bade good bye to Somerset, much to our satisfaction. We marched twelve miles that day, over the worst kind of a road. In many places the mud was belly deep to the horses, and they often got stalled. At night, camped in a small valley near a creek. During the night, a heavy snow storm set in, and, in the morning, the ground was covered, and more still falling. At 8 o’clock, were again on the move. The roads were but little better than the day previous; we were, however, in a more open country. Marched this